Center Speakers or setup?

[buddhaman]

I've been having a problem with my center channel speaker sounding so dull and quiet from day one. Its an Athena WS-60 that I purchased for $80 at a local shop. Looking for answers I found myself reading forums for help and noticed the phrase "Voice matching" being used alot. Well I guess thats what Ive done wrong (I never knew about that), I purchased a speaker that doesn't match the rest of the system and it sucks because the center is the most important. I looked into the Athena LS series that replaced the Athena Audition series and noticed some reviews stating the Audition series was still better than the LS. Also read that the Energy C series is the same as the Athena Ls series so should I consider the Energy center since the Athena Audition are obsolete?
I tried cranking up the center and toning down the fronts but I have to crank up the volume to -18 db to actually start enjoying the center, does that seem normal?

Harmon Kardon AVR-147
Center -Athena WS-60
Fronts - Athena AS-B2
Rears - Pioneer pass me down
Subwoofer - Polk PSW-250, PSW 505

 

[mojo_13]

I'll start off by saying that I am no expert. But that is possibly normal depending on the specs of the center you are using. If it has a lower sensitivity it will take more power to make it the same level. Also when you "match" your center to your fronts in makes the sound seem seemless and matched but I'm sure that is what you read. I would look for a matching center maybe try ebay or find a forum for those speakers and ask around. Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I tried cranking up the center and toning down the fronts but I have to crank up the volume to -18 db to actually start enjoying the center, does that seem normal?

What program material are you having problems with on that speaker?

Did you properly level match all the speaker channels with test tones and SPL meter?

What sound processing does that HK have?

 

[buddhaman]

mojo it seems that the speakers I'm using is not a good match. At the time of purchase I thought it was going to get the job done, but the Athena slim line speaker is not that great to start off with from what I was told and the audition seems to be drowning it out no matter what I do (it doesn't sound all that great by itself when I tested it) Its tinny and dull and doesn't sound full at all. Could be that the enclosure isn't wood. I tried my b2's and what a difference between the WS. I bought it mainly because it was a deal and never really put much thought into it...so I got burned.

mtrycrafts...anything such as Transformers on Dvd to Bjork DTS mastered. My old unit was a Pioneer in a box setup and I never had center channel problem it was loud but distorted when cranked...I cant even get the Ws-60's to wow me over the old mini pioneer centers. I tried hooking up a b2 to the center and that made a huge difference so I think it has to do with the WS being a bit on the shatty side. I thought it wasn't getting enough power so I hooked it up to my old school setup powered by an Akai ps-200m amp and the speaker still sounded bland.

I used the auto setup with the HK pod and manual adjustment as well and still no luck.

 

[mtrycrafts]

mtrycrafts...anything such as Transformers on Dvd to Bjork DTS mastered. My old unit was a Pioneer in a box setup and I never had center channel problem it was loud but distorted when cranked...I cant even get the Ws-60's to wow me over the old mini pioneer centers. I tried hooking up a b2 to the center and that made a huge difference so I think it has to do with the WS being a bit on the shatty side. I thought it wasn't getting enough power so I hooked it up to my old school setup powered by an Akai ps-200m amp and the speaker still sounded bland.

I used the auto setup with the HK pod and manual adjustment as well and still no luck.

Yep, then you do have an inferior speaker. So, the amount of room you have to place a center speaker will dictate which types to get there. # identical speakers up front is ideal.