HELP! Need high power handling center options...

[poutanen]

So far the only thing I can find that handles any decent power is the Paradigm Signature C5, but I'm not spending $2500 for a center speaker.

I was/am using a pair of yamaha towers laying end to end below my screen, but I'm worried about comb filtering issues.

I've got a pair of Yamaha S15e speakers which closely match my S115V mains, and I'm thinking using ONE S15e would be the best way to ensure no comb filter issues, while maintaining a speaker that would work with the rest of my system (although then what would I do with the other speaker???)...

So I'm kinda lost, I will likely be powering it with one channel from a Denon POA-5200, so something that is 4 ohms wouldn't be bad, then I could get closer to 200w from the amp.

ARGH, there doesn't seem like one right answer that wouldn't cost 1/3rd the cost of my entire system! Help!!!

 

[bandphan]

without going into a whole mess of questions...

http://www.jtrspeakers.com/triple8.html

 

[poutanen]

without going into a whole mess of questions...

http://www.jtrspeakers.com/triple8.html

That's exactly what I'm looking for, at a price I can live with.... Thanks!!

 

[poutanen]

Does anyone have any experience with these??? It looks like an excellent L/C/R speaker, and it's got the power handling and SPL output to match the rest of my system...

From what I've read JTR has a good reputation, but they're relatively new it seems.

 

[calnbs]

Here are some thoughts on them at avsforum:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1055288&highlight=jtr

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1062777&highlight=jtr

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1007520&highlight=jtr

 

[zumbo]

Don't know the prices.

http://www.rbhsound.com/t1r.shtml

http://www.rbhsound.com/t1.shtml

http://www.rbhsound.com/product_detail.php?id=6100-SE/R

http://www.rbhsound.com/product_detail.php?id=6100-SE

http://www.rbhsound.com/661ser.shtml

$9000
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1163

$4500
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1162

$2800
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1161

$20,000
http://www.dynaudio.com/eng/systems/lines/evidence/center.php

 

[j_garcia]

You have towers laying on their sides and you are worried about the center causing comb filtering? No offense, but I would say you have already destroyed your stereo imaging, so it doesn't really matter what you use as a center, not to mention you will have a timbre match issue going with a different center - sensitivity and power handling has little to do with a speaker's timbre, and the front stage is the most important to have matched.

Just about any decent center will handle 200w, because you aren't using the whole 200w during normal playback - playback does not occur at 100% of amp power generally speaking, and if it did, you would have zero headroom.

 

[poutanen]

Don't know the prices.
http://www.rbhsound.com/t1r.shtml
http://www.rbhsound.com/t1.shtml
http://www.rbhsound.com/product_detail.php?id=6100-SE/R
http://www.rbhsound.com/product_detail.php?id=6100-SE
http://www.rbhsound.com/661ser.shtml
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1163
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1162
http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=1161
http://www.dynaudio.com/eng/systems/lines/evidence/center.php
http://www.sonusfaber.com/eng/home.html
http://www.sonusfaber.com/eng/home.html

Damn...

RBH - T1R - $2700
RBH - 661ser - $993 ($1300 msrp)
RBH - 6100 - $2100
B&W - HTM1D - $9000
B&W - HTM2D - $4500
B&W - HTM3S - $2500

Don't get me wrong, those are nice looking speakers!

 

[zumbo]

Damn...

RBH - T1R - $2700
RBH - 661ser - $993 ($1300 msrp)
RBH - 6100 - $2100
B&W - HTM1D - $9000
B&W - HTM2D - $4500
B&W - HTM3S - $2500

Don't get me wrong, those are nice looking speakers!

You found the price on the RBH faster than me. Looks like $2500 is your average price for a "high power/high quality" center. I took Sonus Faber off. I figured if Dynaudio was $20,000, I didn't want to know what the SF were. Probably less than Dynaudio, but certainly higher than the others.

 

[zumbo]

http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/pinnacle-bd-700.html

Happy medium?

This center looks like it covers all the bases you are needing. Fantastic specs. I have ordered some of my Adcom products from Wild West before. They are a legit website, with fantastic service.

 

[poutanen]

You have towers laying on their sides and you are worried about the center causing comb filtering? No offense, but I would say you have already destroyed your stereo imaging, so it doesn't really matter what you use as a center, not to mention you will have a timbre match issue going with a different center - sensitivity and power handling has little to do with a speaker's timbre, and the front stage is the most important to have matched.

Maybe I wasn't clear, the towers are being used as a centre channel, which I realize is causing problems, so that's why I'm looking for a new centre...

I'm assuming the best thing to do is use identical speakers for L/C/R??? If so, I've got a near match for my mains which I think I should use...

 

[zumbo]

Heck man, you could match these with the center for less than the price of the other centers.
10 year warranty.
Real wood veneer.
3/4" cabinets.
15-200W/300W peak!
8ohm
$1195 pair
90dB Sensitivity
34Hz-20kHz +/-3dB
http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/pinnacle-bd-750.html
$995
87dB Sensitivity
53Hz-20kHz +/-3dB
http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/pinnacle-bd-700.html

WildWest is the ONLY authorized web dealer!
http://www.pinnaclespeakers.com/buy.html

 

[j_garcia]

OK, I misunderstood. So, is the plan to replace the whole front stage or retain the mains?

I vote Bigfoot:

http://av123.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,30/category_id,19/manufacturer_id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,37/

 

[Warpdrv]

I'm gathering by the way your describing your setup, that you have 2 floorstanders both being used as a Center Channel, and they are both laying on their sides..? Is that correct...?



BTW, isn't the Studio CC-690 a large enough speaker at a better price then the Signature C5?
What kind of SPL's are you looking to achieve here....

I can promise you that you will have no problem feeding it 500-1000 watts, and it will take it....... Just not cranked full blast for really long periods of time. I'm running Paradigm Signature S4's and C3 with 500 @ 8 Ohms - 1000 @ 4 Ohms with no issues, and I like it loud.

 

[poutanen]

Here is the current setup: I am retaining the Yamaha mains, I just want to replace the towers laying on their sides. I could find another S115V for about $400 and have identical L/R/C speakers, but it'd look ugly as sin having one of those as a centre!

I'm leaning towards the JTR Triple 8, due to the fact that it's similar to my mains. Would probably be the closest match without going to an identical speaker. But I have the ability to get a Klipsch RC-64 and I'm debating about that too... the RC-64 also uses a horn tweeter which would more closely match my mains than a standard tweeter would.

 

[zumbo]

Here is the current setup: I am retaining the Yamaha mains, I just want to replace the towers laying on their sides. I could find another S115V for about $400 and have identical L/R/C speakers, but it'd look ugly as sin having one of those as a centre!

Because, by all means, the mains look so good.

I'm leaning towards the JTR Triple 8, due to the fact that it's similar to my mains. Would probably be the closest match without going to an identical speaker. But I have the ability to get a Klipsch RC-64 and I'm debating about that too... the RC-64 also uses a horn tweeter which would more closely match my mains than a standard tweeter would.

I don't mean to offend, but you are on your way to having a crappier system than you already have. Just because a speaker looks similar, doesn't mean it is a match. AT ALL. You would be shocked what a quality pair of bookshelves with a matching center and a powered sub would sound like. Or, small towers with a matching center and a powered sub. Either set-up would blow those huge speakers away. Seriously.

Klipsch speakers suck, if blunt is ok. (Heritage excluded)

 

[zumbo]

Just for an example, I used to have old Cerwin Vega D7's run off of Sherwood seperates. These Cerwins, while not superb speakers, were tons better than the Cerwins you can get today. I purchased them new in 1985. I still have them. Each speaker has a 12" woofer, two 5" mids, and a horn tweeter.

I now have MB Quart towers. Each speaker has two 6.5" mids, and a titanium tweeter. I am using one NHT 12" powered sub. There is no comparison. None. Zilch. Nada. Everyone of my friends, while not an audio nut like myself, are blown away. When I take the grills off of my Quarts, they look around back to see where the rest of the speakers are. I know you look at what I am telling you and say, this guy is an idiot, but I am just trying to help. I am sure your system is loud, and it would make any ones ears bleed. But, if quality sound reproduction is what you aspire to have, you are headed in the wrong direction.

 

[zumbo]

I am also concerned that you may be watching your movies, concerts, in 2-channel. You may be choosing 5.1, pro-logic, surround, or etc on your receiver, but not on the dvd player. If this is so, you don't know what you are missing.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

That looks like a beautiful room. I have not read this entire thread but that rooms doesn't look all that big. I would go with a new LCR from one of the above metioned companies. The big foot or the Studio CC-690 would be more than enough for your room.

 

[zumbo]

And yes, that is a good looking room. I don't mean to sound rude. I am passionate about the audio end of HT, and audio alone. I am a musician as well, so I do understand what type of speakers you are using.