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Worth replacing center speaker to match front L/R?

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nsamm22

Active Member
Hey all, looking for some general feedback here. I know the obvious answer is "yes, your center speaker should match your L/R speakers," but I'm more curious as to whether everyone here thinks, with my current setup, if it's worth spending the extra money to replace a fairly new, pretty decent cerwin vega center speaker. Basically, is it going to net me enough of a return to be worth spending another ~250 or so (it's also a bit larger, depth-wise, I believe, which means it'll either hang over my stand a bit, or I'll have to push my TV back a bit more than I'd like).

My current fronts are Paradigm Studio 20 v3s, in an Atmos setup. The Cerwins (I forget the exact model, but I bought it new last year for about 200-250 I believe, has two speakers and a horn tweeter) sounds good to me in the system, but I also don't have much to compare it to. I bought it to put in a frankensteined system before I got the paradigms (which sound fantastic, by the way), but now I'm wondering if I'll get a big improvement getting the correct center.

That said, I'm also struggling to find *exactly* what center matches my paradigms, because I've seen a few studio center models. I'm currently finding a couple on ebay noted as reference studio cc-450s. I've never heard of "reference studio," ... are my fronts technically "reference studio 20"? Is there a reference line, and a studio line? Did the sellers label them wrong? Also found some other paradigm centers but they're significantly more money (and I don't think they were "studio" model line).

So, I guess what I'm asking is: is the cc-450 even a match for the studio 20 v3? And if it is, is it worth $250? And, if it *is* worth $250, is it worth me spending $250 to replace a CV $250 CC speaker? Looking forward to any thoughts/insight - thanks all!
 
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Like you originally said, the answer is generally yes. If your using the system for movies and TV only, maybe the room correction and eq settings on you receiver makes it close enough. If your planning to use the system for multichannel music you will probably look to get 5 speakers that are as close to a match as possible.

The main reason to match the speakers, even for movies, is to achieve a seamless transition of movement of a sound. So, it comes off as more believable. Sometimes mix and match systems work I guess, but best case the speakers are all a set.
 
I'm no expert, and will be sitting back to see what our more knowledgeable brethren have to say. I will say in my opinion you should have a really good center channel speaker. In some mixes, that speaker will be giving you somewhere over 60% of the sound coming out of your system. Plus - that's where almost all the dialogue is - so if you want to hear what is being said by the characters, you need a decent speaker. It doesn't need to have big woofers because it isn't going to be asked to reproduce the low frequency effects in the sound mix, but it really needs to have high quality reproduction in the mid-range. To my ears, I like having the three fronts reproducing the same tonal qualities. I don't think it's that important in the surround channels. I'd be tempted to find something that has the same tweeter. In a quick look around the interwebs, I don't find a dedicated center channel that matches the Studio 20 v3's.
 
Spitfirejoe said:
I'm no expert, and will be sitting back to see what our more knowledgeable brethren have to say. I will say in my opinion you should have a really good center channel speaker. In some mixes, that speaker will be giving you somewhere over 60% of the sound coming out of your system. Plus - that's where almost all the dialogue is - so if you want to hear what is being said by the characters, you need a decent speaker. It doesn't need to have big woofers because it isn't going to be asked to reproduce the low frequency effects in the sound mix, but it really needs to have high quality reproduction in the mid-range. To my ears, I like having the three fronts reproducing the same tonal qualities. I don't think it's that important in the surround channels. I'd be tempted to find something that has the same tweeter. In a quick look around the interwebs, I don't find a dedicated center channel that matches the Studio 20 v3's.
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Yeah I'm really struggling to find what exact speaker matches the studio 20s. I know it exists, because they were even sold in surround kits with rears and center channel years ago when still in production, but I'm not sure if the cc450 I keep finding is that matching center or not. If I could find more info I'd be more inclined to buy it, but I don't want to buy a center ch that may or may not be the correct match with my front L/R.

Depending on the price, I'd also consider (if someone is selling it) Paradigm studios front L/R and center all sold together, whether the fronts are 20s, 40s, or 100s. If they're 20s, I'd just have the same 4 speakers for front and rear, and if they're 40s or 100s, I could put them up front and move my 20s to the rear (currently using some infinity bookshelves for the rears)
 
I think this was the matching Signature center. Larger than your 20s, but meant to match any of the Signature models. Even the towers.

P C5V3 589190.jpg
Paradigm Signature Series C5 v.3
 
StimpyWan said:
I think this was the matching Signature center. Larger than your 20s, but meant to match any of the Signature models. Even the towers.

View attachment 1831743
Paradigm Signature Series C5 v.3
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Man, that's a beauty. And a monster. I see some are listed used at 12-1300 Pounds Sterling. Don't find any in Dollars. Can't seem to locate any new ones offered.
 
nsamm22 said:
Isn't the signature series a separate line from the studio series?
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Go big, or go home...! :)

Sorry, just a suggestion. But, that center should match. Still, there's also the Studio Reference CC-470 V3, for a smaller, closer match.

1615830-paradigm-cc470-v3-center-channel-speaker.jpg


And the 3-way Studio Reference CC-570 V3.

img_2039.jpg


And I do believe in matching the center to the mains, at least. Plus, if you're into multi-channel music, I like matching surrounds as well. :biggrin:
 
The tweeters and mids should be an identical match. If the woofers are not quite the same but have the same or a very similar sound that will work. My center uses the same tweeter and mids and the same woofers but only half as many woofers. Works for me.
 
Yes it’s worth replacing the center because it should match in tone as your main L/R speakers. You’re better off setting your receiver’s center channel setting to “phantom” until you find the correct Paradigm center channel speaker instead of using the CV.
 
Used an Infinty center for yrs with other mains to good affect. Recently used a Canton center with different mains to good affect.

That said, I more recently purchased a Jamo C-10 center to go with my Jamo C-103's, not to good affect, but to GREAT AFFECT, music or movies it's a huge improvement.

For many more yrs than I like to admit I really didn't think it mattered that much (I don't really listen to multi-channel music), but I'm here to admit I was woefully wrong.

So yes, it's definitely important to match the mains.
 
Running a phantom center channel speaker was how I did it for several years. After switching to Maggie 1.7's I decided to try an MMGC. I now agree with Grenadeslio. Using a center channel speaker makes an easily audible difference for the better. I added a modest sub to the MMGC. It has no bass below 100Hz. Adding the sub improved the sound even more.
 
Grenadeslio said:
Used an Infinty center for yrs with other mains to good affect. Recently used a Canton center with different mains to good affect.

That said, I more recently purchased a Jamo C-10 center to go with my Jamo C-103's, not to good affect, but to GREAT AFFECT, music or movies it's a huge improvement.

For many more yrs than I like to admit I really didn't think it mattered that much (I don't really listen to multi-channel music), but I'm here to admit I was woefully wrong.

So yes, it's definitely important to match the mains.
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been running all infinity satellites and center for years. Upgrading slowly.
 

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Todd Whaley said:
been running all infinity satellites and center for years. Upgrading slowly.
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Nothing wrong with Infinitys, my best pair are Infinity, only commented that I ran an Infinity center with a lot of mains it didn't match and erroneously thought it was ok. Did the same with a Canton center, it was only until I actually did match the center to the mains did I "get it".
 
Typically it is recommended to have the front three speakers match to tonal quality doesn't change as the sound pans from one side to the other. But my center doesn't match and it's not a problem for us with sound quality.
If you AVR has the ability to eq your speakers to the room it will compensate to a greater degree.
If you choose to eq you will get proper results by setting the center channel speaker size to small, regardless of speakers size, so the bass from the center is sent to the subwoofer instead. This will prevent excessive boominess emitting from the center. I'd try this process first before you invest in a new center speaker. It may be all you need...unless of course you just want to upgrade, but that's your call.
 
lightcapture said:
Typically it is recommended to have the front three speakers match to tonal quality doesn't change as the sound pans from one side to the other. But my center doesn't match and it's not a problem for us with sound quality.
If you AVR has the ability to eq your speakers to the room it will compensate to a greater degree.
If you choose to eq you will get proper results by setting the center channel speaker size to small, regardless of speakers size, so the bass from the center is sent to the subwoofer instead. This will prevent excessive boominess emitting from the center. I'd try this process first before you invest in a new center speaker. It may be all you need...unless of course you just want to upgrade, but that's your call.
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With the right speakers no need to set the center to "small".
 
I read a comprehensive article (or youtube) from one of the well regarded HT online mags, and they stated the center should always be set to small so it doesn't handle bass. Sure enough my large center is now clearer, less boomy, and integrates into the system better. I'm a believer.
 
@nsamm22 I agree with the others that having L|C|R speakers in a theater setup match as closely as possible is important. You stated you like the sound you currently have... keep enjoying it while you patiently search for a better match to whatever speakers you have for L|R duties (who knows, you might update all 3/5?).
 
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