Center Speaker Suggestions

[KenM10759]

The only KEF subwoofer I'd consider are their very newest ones, the Kube 12b, 10b, and 8b. That's only because they finally figured out how to make a reliable amp and combine that with a cool DSP. It was their LS50 Wireless speaker that finally did it. Like the LS50 Wireless the new subs have settings for open area, corner, and close wall proximity. And they're still relatively more money than SVS, Hsu Research, or Rythmik, who are the main ones to look at. I have a KEF Kube 10b on its way for use in my office, but never would have bought it unless I got a huge discount. (I did, it's second hand and used only a couple hours.)

The SVS SB12-NSD or (ported) PB12-NSD are good bargains. If you have room for a big ported sub like the PB12-NSD those are better for movies and still work great for music. For about than 20% more (due to shipping costs) than the PB12-NSD you could consider the Hsu Research VTF-2 Mk5, as it should be a little better. The SVS is really close but shipping is included, both ways if you feel a need to ship it back. That's if you by direct from SVS though, and I don't know if you get their "Bill Of Rights" if buying through Amazon.

 

[speakerman39]

Also, what is a good subwoofer for this setup? KEF q400? or should I look for other options?

Any experience with this SVS SB12-NSD?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009F8Y7SO/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I1ITKYM3P8HKU&colid=OVQQUYU392QE&psc=0

Bala, I have owned (4) of the SVS SB12-NSD's, as well as, the PB12-NSD and tthe PB10-NSD. Since it appears HT is important to you, then I would opt for a PB12-NSD. It will kick a$$ with HT, but leaves much to be desired musically speaking. Even the PB10-NSD was not much better in that regard. Thus, the SB12-NSD's are much better with music, but may not have enough output for your HT needs depending on the size/layout of your room.

How big is your room? What is the layout? Is it open to other areas/rooms? More importantly, how far is the MLP from the front-stage? How loud do you like to listen? Are you primarily a HT guy or music? If you are both, then what is more to your liking? Are you a gamer? BTW, I have zero experience w/KEF subs and can not be of much help on that. Just need more info if you want a more specific recommendation.


Cheers,

Phil

 

[Bala]

My room is quite big (30 ft by 13 ft). But my listening position is width wise of the room. I am attaching a picture to depict it.

I am primarily a HT guy but Music is also equally important. So I would prefer something which suits both . And the recommendations need not be with-in the options I listed. Just that I would like it to be below 500$ though. I am okay stretching it a bit though. I don't play it too loud though I like to . So I would say moderately loud. I am not a gamer. Only movies and TV. I asked for KEF subwoofers as I have the q900 towers and planning to buy the q600 center channel.

 

[2channel lover]

Nope. Not quite what I’m sayin.
I will speak only for myself(although I believe others feel similar).
IMO you can usually upgrade within a manufacturers stable, but not a different brands. For example, SVS voiced the prime and ultra lines intentionally to be mixed and matched. That way if your budget forces a compromise you can choose how to allocate it. I believe many companies do this. You wouldn’t however want to have Revel mains with a golden ear center, or klipsch mains and a Polk center. They’re just voiced differently. Maybe a Revel/jbl combo(just an arbitrary example) since they’re both in the Harmon stable and probably sound more similar than not.

I have had a couple Frankenstein systems in the last 30 or so years(I’m43), so I feel qualified to say IF you can invest in a matching speaker system, there is no reason not to. You can get decent performance from a mix n match from different brands, and some will say it doesn’t even matter, but I totally disagree. Especially if your spending good money, why not? Even if you have to squirrel it away for awhile.

Obviously this is sound advice.

Is that what they call them? LOL...me too. I lived with a Paradigm CC with B&W towers for a long time....to be honest it never really bothered me much since I'm not that much into movies, but there were movies that had sound panning across all 3 front speakers and you could tell the Paradigm was a little higher pitched in midrange.

Now with the Salks and a true timbre matched CC I've learned the error in my ways....yes, it does matter.

 

[speakerman39]

My room is quite big (30 ft by 13 ft). But my listening position is width wise of the room. I am attaching a picture to depict it.

View attachment 23488

I am primarily a HT guy but Music is also equally important. So I would prefer something which suits both . And the recommendations need not be with-in the options I listed. Just that I would like it to be below 500$ though. I am okay stretching it a bit though. I don't play it too loud though I like to . So I would say moderately loud. I am not a gamer. Only movies and TV. I asked for KEF subwoofers as I have the q900 towers and planning to buy the q600 center channel.

Not sure what is available there where you are. But, the Internet Directs would be a good starting point. Look at Hsu, SVS, PSA, Rythmik, and Emotiva just to name a few. Your room is a bit on the large size and your MLP is merely 13' from the front stage.

I would recommend duals as soon as you budget allows. Moreover, I would look at the Emotiva BasX S12 for $399! Get a 2nd S12 when budget allows. However, not sure where you live so shipping may be somewhat problematic. The price of $399 is shipped within the US.


Cheers,

Phil

 

[Bala]

Not sure what is available there where you are. But, the Internet Directs would be a good starting point. Look at Hsu, SVS, PSA, Rythmik, and Emotiva just to name a few. Your room is a bit on the large size and your MLP is merely 13' from the front stage.

I would recommend duals as soon as you budget allows. Moreover, I would look at the Emotiva BasX S12 for $399! Get a 2nd S12 when budget allows. However, not sure where you live so shipping may be somewhat problematic. The price of $399 is shipped within the US.


Cheers,

Phil

Thanks Phil. I will consider Emotiva BasX and S12. My ultimate aim is to go for 7.2 ( Currently it is 7.1 with Polk Audio PSW110).

From the part of the world I live it is not easily accessible to audition all the various models and it is even difficult to get these. That is why I rely on the internet for suggestions and feedback. But once decided, I try to get it from Dubai UAE, where is the scene is slightly better.

Also, once I connect 2 Subs, both my pre-outs are consumed and does it remove the possibility of connecting a power amp (if required , in the future)? Or is there anyway, I can sill connect a power amp later?

 

[speakerman39]

Thanks Phil. I will consider Emotiva BasX and S12. My ultimate aim is to go for 7.2 ( Currently it is 7.1 with Polk Audio PSW110).

From the part of the world I live it is not easily accessible to audition all the various models and it is even difficult to get these. That is why I rely on the internet for suggestions and feedback. But once decided, I try to get it from Dubai UAE, where is the scene is slightly better.

Also, once I connect 2 Subs, both my pre-outs are consumed and does it remove the possibility of connecting a power amp (if required , in the future)? Or is there anyway, I can sill connect a power amp later?

Bala, like I said just not too sure what is available there where you are. Maybe compile a list of what is and that would be a good starting point. Then, we can advise you from there. The BasX S12 would be a good contender given your budget. However, due to shipping issues that could change things altogether.

Glad to hear that you hope to go duals. That will help smooth out the bass, as well as, add to the overall headroom. Your Denon has Audyssey XT32 W/Sub EQ HT which will allow you to EQ both subs. As far as adding a power amp goes, using both sub outs will NOT interfere with you adding power amps at a later date at all. That is, there is 11.2 pre-outs plus Zone 2 and/or Zone 3 RCA outputs. Thus, using an outboard amp is no trouble at all. You can see that for yourself here Bala:


https://www.crutchfield.com/S-Ue6bpAkSdrf/p_033AVX6300/Denon-AVR-X6300H-IN-Command.html#&gid=1&pid=2



Cheers,

Phil

 

[Bala]

Given that you already have the Q900 towers, then I would certainly opt for the Q600c center. It can be had in black brand new for ONLY $499 shipped at Acc4less:


https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/kefq600cbla/kef-q600c-6.5-3-way-center-channel-speaker-black/1.html


KEF Direct has the smaller Q200c in linear white for the same price of $499. However, having large towers only makes more sense to opt for the larger center inmho. Especially, given that they both are the same exact price, no?


https://www.kefdirect.com/speakers/stereo-speakers/center-channel-speakers/q200c-center-channel-speaker.html


Down the road I would also be looking at replacing your sub. Not sure how big your room is, but Polk is not well known for making good subs. Use the RM8's for rears until you can replace them. But, that would be one of the last things that I would focus on until the center and sub is replaced. You have a very good AVR in the X6300! I bet is sounds great with the Q900's. Congrats!



Cheers,

Phil

It has been a while since I posted as I was doing all the preparation and was saving for the central and sub woofer. I was almost about the pull the trigger for KEF q600 this happened...

When asked for the performance of q600, the salesman told that q600 may start distorting at medium to high volumes on Denon 6300h as 6300h is too powerful for the speakers. He said with Denon 4300h it is fine. I was very surprised with that comment. Is this any true? I couldn't audition it though.

These are the key details of q600.

Frequency Response 45Hz - 40kHz (±3dB)
Crossover Frequencies 500Hz, 2.5kHz
Amplifier requirements 15 - 150W
Sensitivity 87dB (2.83V/1m)

q600 is around 150$ less than q650, but that doesn't matter if q650 will not have this problem.
Does any one have any experience? Should I start looking at any other center speakers?

 

[speakerman39]

It has been a while since I posted as I was doing all the preparation and was saving for the central and sub woofer. I was almost about the pull the trigger for KEF q600 this happened...

When asked for the performance of q600, the salesman told that q600 may start distorting at medium to high volumes on Denon 6300h as 6300h is too powerful for the speakers. He said with Denon 4300h it is fine. I was very surprised with that comment. Is this any true? I couldn't audition it though.

These are the key details of q600.

Frequency Response 45Hz - 40kHz (±3dB)
Crossover Frequencies 500Hz, 2.5kHz
Amplifier requirements 15 - 150W
Sensitivity 87dB (2.83V/1m)

q600 is around 150$ less than q650, but that doesn't matter if q650 will not have this problem.
Does any one have any experience? Should I start looking at any other center speakers?

Bala, that salesman is full if sh*t! The X6300 would work just fine. Any speaker will distort if you push the volume knob forcing the amp into clipping. In other words, the X4300 can make the Q600 distort just as bad as the X6300. Personally, I would opt for the X4300, unless the X6300 has something feature wise that the X4300 does not have. We all have different needs. There will NOT be that much difference power wise between the two.

As far as using the Q600 vs the Q650, I would opt for the Q600 and save some money. However, I have never heard a KEF speaker so keep that in mind. The X4300 and/or the X6300 would power either one just fine. That is, at least within their respective limits. Properly crossing over will add much more headroom as well. I usually cross over @80 Hz. That is a good starting point.


Cheers,

Phil

 

[Leemix]

As speakerman said, its too high volume and not enough power that kills a speaker so that salesman really doesnt know what hes talking about.


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[KenM10759]

Agreed, that ignorance shining through. The KEF Q600 is a GREAT center speaker and can take 15 to 150 watts. No danger.

 

[Bala]

Thanks every one for the comments. Though the salesman's comments is all nonsense, it made me do some research. I know that it is best to match the centers with the towers, but if we ignore that fact, is SVS Ultra centers better than Kef q 600/650?

See the comparison

I read a lot of positive reviews regarding svs center. Also my plan is to buy SVS PB 2000 Sub woofer. I can try to get a discount while buying them together.

 

[KenM10759]

I prefer the coincident Uni-Q driver of the KEF for a center speaker because of it's very precise non-lobing presentation of vocals as a center. You can't go wrong with either, though if you already own KEF the majority would tell you to stick with one "voice" across at least the front 3 speakers.

 

[KenM10759]

I think your chart is flawed, slightly. The Q650 has a 1" tweeter and one 6-1/2" midrange within it's central Uni-Q driver. On either side of the Uni-Q driver it has one 6-1/2" low frequency driver, and one 6-1/2" passive radiator. Consider it weighs only 1lb less than the SVS, with one less woofer and its magnet assembly. That should give an indication of how big the magnets KEF does use really are.

 

[Bala]

I think your chart is flawed, slightly. The Q650 has a 1" tweeter and one 6-1/2" midrange within it's central Uni-Q driver. On either side of the Uni-Q driver it has one 6-1/2" low frequency driver, and one 6-1/2" passive radiator. Consider it weighs only 1lb less than the SVS, with one less woofer and its magnet assembly. That should give an indication of how big the magnets KEF does use really are.

Yes .. You are right there is a flaw, the table doesn't have the details.

But I have a question, as q600 amplification is 15-150w, What would be the impact of adding a 3 channel Emotiva (XPA-3) for LRC. Emotiva is 270 wpc. Will this 270 wpc have any adverse effect on the q600?

Agreed, that ignorance shining through. The KEF Q600 is a GREAT center speaker and can take 15 to 150 watts. No danger.

 

[KenM10759]

Yes .. You are right there is a flaw, the table doesn't have the details.

But I have a question, as q600 amplification is 15-150w, What would be the impact of adding a 3 channel Emotiva (XPA-3) for LRC. Emotiva is 270 wpc. Will this 270 wpc have any adverse effect on the q600?

No worries. Keep in mind that by the time you crank it up so loud you can't stay in the room, you're probably still not near what the speakers can take. That said, there are some folks who blow speakers in an attempt to truly annoy their neighbors, and they may succeed but will damage something.

You'll just have amplifier headroom you won't actually use.

 

[Leemix]

But I have a question, as q600 amplification is 15-150w, What would be the impact of adding a 3 channel Emotiva (XPA-3) for LRC. Emotiva is 270 wpc. Will this 270 wpc have any adverse effect on the q600?

Generally speaking, more power(higher current) = less chance of amp clipping the signal, which means less chance of damage to speaker or amp at too high a volume. Very unpleasant to listen to long before that point though.


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[DCS0760]

Q100 or Q300 would be my choice if money is an issue. Using them vertically or horizontally will make no difference to the sound, unlike most speaker designs. In fact, they would avoid the potential lobing issues of conventional center speakers.

But you know what, i just realized these are only sold as pairs!

Shady,

Since you mention the "lobing issues" in this post, perhaps you can take a second look at the thread: https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/maximizing-the-usefulness-of-a-home-theater-with-2-center-channel-speakers.107371/

Maybe using the KEF Q100 or Q300 as the two centers would benefit the design outlined in the attached link, or at least make others feel more comfortable in trying it out.

 

[shadyJ]

Shady,

Since you mention the "lobing issues" in this post, perhaps you can take a second look at the thread: https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/maximizing-the-usefulness-of-a-home-theater-with-2-center-channel-speakers.107371/

Maybe using the KEF Q100 or Q300 as the two centers would benefit the design outlined in the attached link, or at least make others feel more comfortable in trying it out.

Oh no, this again. The answer to your question is this would not help. The reasons is you have two source points of acoustic emission fighting over the same frequency range, and this will lead to cancellation patterns that are called lobing. Speaker systems are designed so that there is only one source of acoustic emission per channel (or at least competent speaker systems). Using coaxial speakers like KEFs changes nothing about your idea.

I think I have explained this before, but if you want a more diffuse sound field (which is not necessarily a bad thing) the thing to do is have a wide dispersion speaker, not multiple speakers tackling the same channel.

Here is one way for your idea to work that might not be terrible: if you have multiple centers that have very tightly controlled dispersion whose projected sound does not overlap until very low frequencies. Basically you would need speakers that have a horizontal dispersion pattern like this:

It would have to have a tight beam down to very low frequencies, at least 200 to 300 Hz. If you aimed them away from each other so that 'beams' do not overlap, than maybe the idea of having multiple centers might have some merit, for precise coverage over a wider area. I'm not saying this is a good idea, but this is the only way I can see that it could maybe work.

By the way, you won't find many speakers that have that confined of a coverage pattern.

 

[Pogre]

If anything @DCS0760, your're going to add more problems by introducing a 2nd center channel speaker. What you're suggesting is taking a very versatile speaker with a concentric design and injecting lobing issues. Using 2 center channels in a setup is not a good idea, nor has it ever been a good idea.