Lord help me, I've been starting at speakers for 3 weeks+. I have yet to decide on what to buy and now I've got another concern regarding center channels.
I had planned to only go with a front L/R setup and subwoofer for tv/dvd/music in my 20x12 living room...hardwood floors.
I'm concerned that by doing this I will have limited myself in terms of dvd video. I have a Denon AVR-587 and had planned to switch it to stereo mode so that I won't run into any issues.
If I go this route then my budget for l/r speakers has decreased dramatically. So, what's the consensus here? Will I miss out by not going with a cc even in stereo mode?
Secondly, towers vs bookshelfs.
I'm back to Aperion audio 422 bookshelves so that I can upgrade to towers later in the year. However, I'm wondering if the output will be "good enough" having to cross the sub so high. Wonder even about throwing some more polyfill in the cabinet to allow lower extension, but at higher volumes I'd be concerned with 'speaker slap'.
If I don't go with the aperion's I'm looking at some Polk towers from Frys, since the reviews I've read say they are capable of some good 60+hz output, which would allow me to cross the sub lower.
Answer whichever you want. I'd really like any/all advice on these two issues.
I know I'm gonna get lynched for this but what the heck!! Live on the hedge I always say
No, you don't need a center channel YET. I say yet because if you are just starting out and you want to build a good system and save for your speakers and buy only once, eliminate the center channel speaker from your purchase until you have enough money for a matching one. The money you save by delaying the center channel purchase will go directly to better quality left and right main speakers. If these L/R speakers image well, you will not miss the center channel. I've turned mine off before to see if I could tell the difference and only during the most busiet and crowded passages do I miss a little bit of clarity. Other than that, its clear sailing.
Towers vs bookshelves, well, thats a personal choice. I use my system for both music and HT. For music, I want a more integrated sound than I can get with a sub/bookshelf combo and for that I rely on tower speakers running full range. I don't like a sub for music. I rather the full range sound of my towers which will play down to mid to high 30s Hz which is low enough for most music.
As far as speaker choices go, audition as many as you can. Don't limit yourself to the choices you've made so far. Its not that they are bad or anything like that. Its just that by auditioning more speakers, the more sure you'll be with your selection once chosen. Good luck and let us know how you make out.
