Timbre matching?

[fifthlake]

Hello Audioholics,

I love music and movies but for a long time I just listened to whatever sound came out of my speakers and that was OK. Now I think I may need counseling I'm hooked! I cannot believe much I did not know or understand. I am still such a noob.

Background
5.1 setup. I had a set of huge Cerwin Vega DX-5s and a Velodyne sub. It turns out I had the option to get a 2 for the price of 1 deal on two different speakers: Mirage OmniSat or NHT Classic 3. I auditioned both and went with the Classic 3s. I have since been using the 3s as the mains with some very cheesy JBL rears and center (still using the Velo sub).

Question
I am now ready to ditch the JBLs and get a new center and surrounds. I would like to get the Classic 3 center but this would require significant changes to a custom cabinet that is built into a wall. The speaker is a little too tall. The Classic 2 center will fit though. Will I hear a difference in sound if I go with the Classic 2 instead of the 3 because the have different woofer sizes (midrange and tweeter are same size). I can definitely hear a difference between the JBLs and the Classic 3s.

I believe the tweeter/midrange affect timbre the most??

 

[corey]

My guess is, it should work fine.

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

Except for woofer size, as you point out, all the other specs are the same between the two speakers. I think you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference.

Good choice on the NHTs!

 

[dorokusai]

As long as the system is calibrated, even roughly, I don't see why not. If the Classic 2 fits, go for it. That's an excellent choice in loudspeakers BTW. Baby steps man, baby steps

Mark
Polk Audio CS

 

[Adam]

I used my NHT 1.5 mains and my NHT center channel (that was supposed to be the matching center) for years with a Yamaha receiver that had no equalizer functions, and they sounded different from one another. If a sound passed from left to center to right, I could tell the difference in timbre. However, once I bought my Pioneer receiver and ran the auto-setup that includes some equilization, the speakers match great. It sounds soooo much better to me.

You can always ask the dealer, but I think the two speaker lines would work together, especially if your electronics can do some equalizing.

 

[fifthlake]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I thought I would be ok going with the Two as a center. My budget is limited so I wanted to be sure before I made a purchase. I will try to audition first to see if I can hear a difference, but it is a long drive to the nearest dealer.

I am currently using an old Kenwood amp that has tubes in it and a Technics that only does 5.1. I will eventually upgrade and I was considering the Yamaha 663 or waiting for the Pio 1018. Are the calibration features easy to uses on these new receivers? I have no experience with anything remotely new.

PS - I love the sound of the Classic Three ! Great sound from such a small box

 

[Jack Hammer]

Thanks for the replies everyone...
... but it is a long drive to the nearest dealer.

...PS - I love the sound of the Classic Three ! Great sound from such a small box

Try calling a dealer and asking them if the speakers are timbre matched. That will save you quite a drive. I have some friends with NHT's and they love them, nice speakers.

Jack

 

[j_garcia]

Basically, you aren't going to find another speaker that is better timbre matched than the 2 except for the 3, so I would just get it. NHT is good about Timbre within their lines.

 

[dssmith999]

Classic 2c vs 3c

The 3c sounds different as bass output is ritcher. Deep voices sound fuller and such. I could hear a difference upgrading and was worth the cost would not have paid the full price though to upgrade.

 

[j_garcia]

The question wasn't what is better about the 3; it was whether or not the 2 would work for him.