Center channel dynamic scenes

[TankTop5]

I’m guessing it’s different from movie to movie but in general during very dynamic scenes are L/C/R all used together? Reason I’m asking is using Special 40’s as a 2.1 system sometimes I feel a dynamic scene should get loader and would adding a 3rd S40 as a center help? I’m sure moving 2’-3’ would also make a huge difference or a bigger amplifier but I can achieve port chuffing already if I run them full range so I don’t know that an amp would make that much difference.

just brainstorming. We need a random thoughts thread. Questions that don’tdeserve a thread to themselves.

 

[mazersteven]

I don't think the Special 40's ever came with a center channel. I thought (maybe I'm wrong) that they were meant for two Channel music more than use in home theater again I could be wrong

 

[lovinthehd]

Depends on the movie but generally it's dialog that's concentrated in the center, but there are times when the LCR speakers all get a lot of action. If you're in the sweet spot a center may not do much for you, personally I prefer one and it's better for more than sitting in the sweet spot IMO. It sounds like amp isn't a problem vs speaker limitations....

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

In general I’d say no. They’re not used equally. I was watching ready player one earlier today. And depending on the scene, every speaker is doing its own thing. Sometimes loud sometimes not.
I enjoy using a center in all my systems, so I would also truly do too. I’m also a fan of surround systems in general over 2ch ones although I do listen to music in stereo sometimes. But sometimes In DSU too.

 

[TankTop5]

I really like the S40’s but after a year I’m finding their limitations. The problem is overcoming their shortcomings won’t be cheap. The quality of the sound is stunning, getting towers with the output I want with the same quality would be double or triple the price. If my room was a little smaller and closed off it wouldn’t be a problem, maybe I just tell my wife how it is and why I’m changing the living room the way I want, that’ll work out great!

 

[lovinthehd]

I really like the S40’s but after a year I’m finding their limitations. The problem is overcoming their shortcomings won’t be cheap. The quality of the sound is stunning, getting towers with the output I want with the same quality would be double or triple the price. If my room was a little smaller and closed off it wouldn’t be a problem, maybe I just tell my wife how it is and why I’m changing the living room the way I want, that’ll work out great!

Then there's just being nicer to your ears and keeping the levels lower within the limits of your current speakers if they sound so good.....

 

[TankTop5]

I made some physical adjustments recently and reran Odyssey, it was amazing, until I realized they were set to large again. The extension of these little drivers was phenomenal, I should have made a video and shared it. I’ve had all kind of crazy ideas, the boxes as good looking as they are aren’t designed well, I’ve thought of making a proper TL design for them and then they’d really have what they’re supposed to. Or a 5.1 to 7.2 system with proper subs, plug the ports and hook them up to a real multi channel amp, make em scream! I don’t know, I love them and hate them for why I love them at the same time.

 

[TankTop5]

Then there's just being nicer to your ears and keeping the levels lower within the limits of your current speakers if they sound so good.....

They are plenty loud for regular listening, it’s just when they need to respond to an extreme dynamic scene it feels like there should be just a little more.

BTW I’m a perfectionist at heart, it’s a curse.

 

[lovinthehd]

They are plenty loud for regular listening, it’s just when they need to respond to an extreme dynamic scene it feels like there should be just a little more.

BTW I’m a perfectionist at heart, it’s a curse.

There are more dynamic speakers out there....

 

[TankTop5]

There are more dynamic speakers out there....

I’m very aware of that, I just enjoy these. I’ve listened to many great speakers, many of them bore the piss out of me, maybe the dealers have piss poor taste in music! I really think it’s the clarity I enjoy, sometimes they’re boring, sometimes they’re bright, sometimes fingernails on a chock board go through your soul. Maybe my problem is most dealers who have a lot of great speakers, keep 15 of them on a shelf in a room 8 feet deep and ask you what you think.

Anyway, i’m trying to decide, do I try to find a single special 40 for a center channel and then go with some lower and dine audios or studio monitors for surrounds. Or do I move them to a bedroom, scrap the whole idea and go in a totally different direction?

I know there are better speaker but I got them for $2,000 new, in the price for bookshelf speakers it’s a very small playing field for that quality. I kinda wish I’d got towers in that range and not know the difference in pure sound quality.

 

[lovinthehd]

Well, to eliminate the bad noises at higher volume....more dynamic speakers would be better in that regard. If you enjoy the current ones why stress them? Maybe a center just might help, tho.

 

[Kleinst]

Well, to eliminate the bad noises at higher volume....more dynamic speakers would be better in that regard. If you enjoy the current ones why stress them? Maybe a center just might help, tho.

Can I ask the experts a dumb question though? Assuming you have enough power (say I have 200WPC on a 89-90 sensitivity for my speakers, what makes one speaker more dynamic than another? Is dynamic a function of power to drive the speaker relative to the sensitivity?

 

[TankTop5]

Well, to eliminate the bad noises at higher volume....more dynamic speakers would be better in that regard. If you enjoy the current ones why stress them? Maybe a center just might help, tho.

I’m of the opinion at this level of speaker room size, room treatments, speaker placement and source must be perfect before you can really make a judgement on speaker quality. I need to talk my wife into some room adjustments and stands to bring the speakers further into the room, let them breathe a little more and get them closer for a bit more gain.

Let me ask, the studio 590’s that many on here rave about are in a different league than the Dynaudio’s, a step or two down? Or similar quality budget speakers???

 

[TankTop5]

Can I ask the experts a dumb question though? Assuming you have enough power (say I have 200WPC on a 89-90 sensitivity for my speakers, what makes one speaker more dynamic than another? Is dynamic a function of power to drive the speaker relative to the sensitivity?

great question

 

[Kleinst]

I’m of the opinion at this level of speaker room size, room treatments, speaker placement and source must be perfect before you can really make a judgement on speaker quality. I need to talk my wife into some room adjustments and stands to bring the speakers further into the room, let them breathe a little more and get them closer for a bit more gain.

Let me ask, the studio 590’s that many on here rave about are in a different league than the Dynaudio’s, a step or two down? Or similar quality budget speakers???

I don't know anything about the Dynaudio's. But I have the 590s and i like them more and more all the time. I have a "quality budget" 3 way center in the Infinity RC263 that seems to play well with them too. So that LCR works for me upstairs and puts out some good sound for home theater. I'm positive the group will give you a list of better speakers but for what you can snag those for, they are fun to try at the least.

 

[lovinthehd]

Can I ask the experts a dumb question though? Assuming you have enough power (say I have 200WPC on a 89-90 sensitivity for my speakers, what makes one speaker more dynamic than another? Is dynamic a function of power to drive the speaker relative to the sensitivity?

I’m of the opinion at this level of speaker room size, room treatments, speaker placement and source must be perfect before you can really make a judgement on speaker quality. I need to talk my wife into some room adjustments and stands to bring the speakers further into the room, let them breathe a little more and get them closer for a bit more gain.

Let me ask, the studio 590’s that many on here rave about are in a different league than the Dynaudio’s, a step or two down? Or similar quality budget speakers???

Dynamic range is about the ability to play the softest and loudest sounds equally well....and at higher spl many speakers can fall short....

I have the 590s but have never had Dynaudios....

 

[mazersteven]

Is dynamic a function of power to drive the speaker relative to the sensitivity?

Depends on the Speaker, Room Acoustics, and Listening Distance

 

[TankTop5]

Dynamic range is about the ability to play the softest and loudest sounds equally well....and at higher spl many speakers can fall short....

I have the 590s but have never had Dynaudios....

The Special 40’s don’t change from moderate to maximum volume, they simply sound the same. I’m still somewhat new to “hifi” but they don’t get louder just more as the volume goes up. My family in another room say they are loud. In my Passat when you crank the volume they get loud and uncomfortable, the Special 40’s it’s just different. Turn up the knob, they’re not louder just more, sorry I lack the vocabulary. I’ve had many systems over the years where they become uncomfortable and muddy but it’s difficult to make the Special 40’s uncomfortable until they just don’t go louder.

edit: I never turn the volume all the way up, this is really about normal to reference level volume. I’m sure I could turn the volume all the way to the right and make them sound terrible

 

[TankTop5]

Growing up a friend who had a marantz quadraphonic system that could make you not only leave the house but leave the neighborhood with ear bleeding volumes. My idea of of a great system is amazing fidelity at rediciculous volumes that still sound great before you realize you’re damaging your eardrums. Not that I want to regularly listen at those volumes but if the programming requires those volumes the speakers can do it without discomfort, it’s still enjoyable.

 

[lovinthehd]

The Special 40’s don’t change from moderate to maximum volume, they simply sound the same. I’m still somewhat new to “hifi” but they don’t get louder just more as the volume goes up. My family in another room say they are loud. In my Passat when you crank the volume they get loud and uncomfortable, the Special 40’s it’s just different. Turn up the knob, they’re not louder just more, sorry I lack the vocabulary. I’ve had many systems over the years where they become uncomfortable and muddy but it’s difficult to make the Special 40’s uncomfortable until they just don’t go louder.

edit: I never turn the volume all the way up, this is really about normal to reference level volume. I’m sure I could turn the volume all the way to the right and make them sound terrible

They still have their upper limits is my point. They likely do compress as they get towards "max" volume too. They're not really intended for high spl, there are more appropriate speakers for that.