Should I buy a central channel speaker?

[remomoreira]

Dear friends, I need your help.
An issue about whether or not I should buy a central channel speaker for my system.
My set is currently a 4.1 (two front speakers + two booksehlves used as surround + a subwoofer).
Right away I make it clear that I use the system ONLY FOR MUSIC (I don't watch movies on it).
Besides, I don't mind listening to the singer's voice in speakers other than the central channel one.
Even so, should I still buy this central channel speaker?

 

[ryanosaur]

Why do you have the other two speakers?

Your best Quality will be in Stereo (with or without the Sub).

Do you listen to Multichannel programming? SACD or BD Audio that is encoded for 5.1?

Do you Upmix Stereo programming to multichannel?

Do you use the dreaded Multichannel Stereo?

 

[remomoreira]

Why do you have the other two speakers?

Your best Quality will be in Stereo (with or without the Sub).

Do you listen to Multichannel programming? SACD or BD Audio that is encoded for 5.1?

Do you Upmix Stereo programming to multichannel?

Do you use the dreaded Multichannel Stereo?

Yes for all the questions.

 

[ryanosaur]

It is not necessary, but if you listen to 5.1 encoded programming, I would want the center.

It's not that I expect the Vocals to be centered, but any engineer mixing to multichannel format would hopefully do so creatively.

My rig was built predominantly for music and pursuing true multichannel programming.

FWIW, I dislike multichannel stereo and never engage it. Best use is for background music in a social gathering.

 

[lovinthehd]

While a fair bit of multich music is just old quad stuff available on media that can handle 5.1, and you can definitely do without a center channel for such, there are also actual 5.1 mixes to consider. If you're sitting in the sweet spot and/or not using a display particularly, a phantom center may work quite well for you, tho. I wouldn't use the dreaded multich stereo setting except for a party maybe. I do use a center in each of my multich setups, even tho one is almost always music.

 

[panteragstk]

While a fair bit of multich music is just old quad stuff available on media that can handle 5.1, and you can definitely do without a center channel for such, there are also actual 5.1 mixes to consider. If you're sitting in the sweet spot and/or not using a display particularly, a phantom center may work quite well for you, tho. I wouldn't use the dreaded multich stereo setting except for a party maybe. I do use a center in each of my multich setups, even tho one is almost always music.

Same here. Matching center for my mostly music system helped my 5.1 mixes sound more even. I consider it a worthy upgrade.

 

[remomoreira]

Just a curious and polemical point (lol): the very concept of "central channel speaker" presumes one has "central ears" ( in front of a face, not laterally).
Has someone ever thought of this?

 

[mazersteven]

Just a curious and polemical point (lol): the very concept of "central channel speaker" presumes one has "central ears" ( in front of a face, not laterally).
Has someone ever thought of this?

Your Mouth is Centered.

Ever thought of this? SMH

 

[remomoreira]

Your Mouth is Centered.

Ever thought of this? SMH

That´s right... lol

 

[mazersteven]

What speakers are you using

 

[pcosmic]

I ran a 4.2 setup without a center channel for a long time. Unlike the abundance of 2 channel 'purists' out here, I did not hesitate to upmix 2 channel sources to DTS NEO 6 music and multi-ch stereo if i felt like it. I don't feel like arguing this with the 2 channel purists here either. Watch this video/discussion with Gene and Matt (There are some bits of information you may appreciate, especially the part that goes into why 2 speakers are not enough and what you miss with 2 speakers).

Eitherway, as my collection of native 5.1 SACD and Blu-ray audio mixes grew, i decided to get a center channel. Many center channel speakers out there are flawed by design. So, get one that's least disruptive by design and set it on a dedicated stand with breathing room (not shoved up some entertainment cabinet, etc). Treat it as you would a front main especially IF MUSIC is your priority.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I ran a 4.2 setup without a center channel for a long time. Unlike the abundance of 2 channel 'purists' out here, I did not hesitate to upmix 2 channel sources to DTS NEO 6 music and multi-ch stereo if i felt like it. I don't feel like arguing this with the 2 channel purists here either. Watch this video/discussion with Gene and Matt (There are some bits of information you may appreciate, especially the part that goes into why 2 speakers are not enough and what you miss with 2 speakers).

Eitherway, as my collection of native 5.1 SACD and Blu-ray audio mixes grew, i decided to get a center channel. Many center channel speakers out there are flawed by design. So, get one that's least disruptive by design and set it on a dedicated stand with breathing room (not shoved up some entertainment cabinet, etc). Treat it as you would a front main especially IF MUSIC is your priority.

What’s your problem with 2ch guys? I’m not one, but this seems like a cheap shot for no good reason.

 

[panteragstk]

What’s your problem with 2ch guys? I’m not one, but this seems like a cheap shot for no good reason.

You never listen to music in stereo? Blasphemy!

You are hereby banished to the land of DSP where the built in Arena mode is the only option for listening.


Seriously though, 99% of my music listening is 2ch. That's how it was mastered, that's how I'll listen. Very little sounds better up mixed. The new dolby one is great, but the older pro logic music was meh. Same with dts.

Even some of my sacd/dvd audio mixes aren't very good when the original was 2ch. Sounds seem to come Frome where they rent supposed to.

The Steve Wilson remixes are a different story though. They've all been excellent.

 

[pcosmic]

What’s your problem with 2ch guys? I’m not one, but this seems like a cheap shot for no good reason.

I don't have a problem with 2 channel guys. I have a dedicated 2 channel setup myself in addition to my multichannel setup. But, i've seen 2 ch purist folks on past threads who get high/mighty on anyone who's upmixing 2 channel music sources.

In my experience, there are so many 2 channel recordings out there that are so lousy (mastering engineer on crack) that upmixing helps them immensely.

And yes, 2 channel listening has its limitations as Matt points out in that video.

 

[pcosmic]

You never listen to music in stereo? Blasphemy!

You are hereby banished to the land of DSP where the built in Arena mode is the only option for listening.


Seriously though, 99% of my music listening is 2ch. That's how it was mastered, that's how I'll listen. Very little sounds better up mixed. The new dolby one is great, but the older pro logic music was meh. Same with dts.

Even some of my sacd/dvd audio mixes aren't very good when the original was 2ch. Sounds seem to come Frome where they rent supposed to.

The Steve Wilson remixes are a different story though. They've all been excellent.

Most folks spend unbelievably less on a multichannel setup than their 2 channel setup and talk sht on multichannel setups. Do a multichannel setup first that really means business. It will change your opinion.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

You never listen to music in stereo? Blasphemy!

You are hereby banished to the land of DSP where the built in Arena mode is the only option for listening.


Seriously though, 99% of my music listening is 2ch. That's how it was mastered, that's how I'll listen. Very little sounds better up mixed. The new dolby one is great, but the older pro logic music was meh. Same with dts.

Even some of my sacd/dvd audio mixes aren't very good when the original was 2ch. Sounds seem to come Frome where they rent supposed to.

The Steve Wilson remixes are a different story though. They've all been excellent.

Haha!
I’ve actually had pretty good luck with PLIIX and DSU, but ymmv for sure. My use just depends on my mood or more often the material. Sometimes I’ll listen to an album front to back in stereo, and then again upmixed, just because it’s a different experience. I like both sometimes...
I agree, some MC mixes are not that great, and have stuff all over that shouldn’t be. Upmixing with pliix has given me that where a random bongo or odd background sound is in the back corner or something, but not too many times. DSU has been good for me too, especially with NIN or infected mushroom etc, or some of that weird shiit(love it) in the sub candy thread. It seems the most like stereo IME of any upmixer so far. Pretty natural. Of course setup is a big factor. Sometimes I use direct, but it’s usually not for long. Too flat...
Btw, if you banish me to “arena mode” I hope you double up and take away all my gear and replace it with an
acoustic-ass system. And play only Barry manilow...
Edit: yes. LOVE Steven Wilson.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I don't have a problem with 2 channel guys. I have a dedicated 2 channel setup myself in addition to my multichannel setup. But, i've seen 2 ch purist folks on past threads who get high/mighty on anyone who's upmixing 2 channel music sources.

In my experience, there are so many 2 channel recordings out there that are so lousy (mastering engineer on crack) that upmixing helps them immensely.

And yes, 2 channel listening has its limitations as Matt points out in that video.

Yeah I’ve seen em too. Usually douchy old codgers with too much money and still trippin from the 60’s and 70’s and sniffin snake oil. Just seemed weird since I didn’t notice that in this thread yet...
Also after here too, LOTS of 2ch mixes suck. It’s like the art has been lost. Upmixing can definitely help that.
Same with song writing. Too many songs(even ones that I love) don’t build. Two bar intro, chorus, four bar verse, chorus, middle, chorus, outro...
People’s attention spans I guess...
In any case, I don’t there should be any absolutes placed on it.
Weird. Did an edit previously to say I LOVE Steven Wilson. Now it’s gone. Wtf?

 

[panteragstk]

Most folks spend unbelievably less on a multichannel setup than their 2 channel setup and talk sht on multichannel setups. Do a multichannel setup first that really means business. It will change your opinion.

My multichannel system is by far the most expensive system I have, well the one in the theater. The other ones sound good, but there is no contest as to which one is best. Doesn't matter if I'm playing 2ch or multi.

I think for me it very much matters what music I'm listening to. My system has such a huge soundstage that I have to check to see if the upmixer is on or not.

So, let me correct myself, I do like the upmixers, but it is VERY dependent on what music you are listening to as to whether or not it does a good job. It's not the upmixer that 's bad, it's the recordings/genre.

 

[lovinthehd]

While I still listen to plenty of music in just 2ch mode, I upmix quite a bit to multich, too if not just seek out multich mixes. Depends. Much prefer to have the option, tho. YMMV and all that.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

While I still listen to plenty of music in just 2ch mode, I upmix quite a bit to multich, too if not just seek out multich mixes. Depends. Much prefer to have the option, tho. YMMV and all that.

Basically that’s me too. I think @panteragstk is the same. That’s what I got anyway.
I think it’s dumb to say, NO there’s only ONE way. Be it 2ch or MCH. Like everything in this hobby...it depends lol.