3.1 versus 2.1 HT system

[bikemig]

I've been running a 2.1 HT system for a long time with no complaints. I am considering buying a matching center for my speakers and I wanted some advice whether I need one or not (as opposed to just wanting one, .

My home theater is pretty small (9 and 1/2 ft across and we sit 9 or so feet from the TV and speakers); so the sitting area is pretty much in the sweet spot between the L&R speakers which are currently 6 and a 1/2 ft apart). I can't get the L&R speakers farther apart as I want to leave at least a foot between the speakers and the walls. The room is open in the back as it is a family/dining room/kitchen in an old house (1936) so the space is much larger than the sitting area (it extends back an additional 20 or so feet.

I've been reading about center channels and it sounds like I don't really need one given my set up. Still I would think that dialogue should improve with movies that have complex sounds. So should I get a matching center for my L&R speakers or not?

 

[ReUpRo]

For your off axis seats, if it seems that the phantom center speaker moves too far off the screen's center, then yes get a Center Speaker.

If not, get another sub 2.2 or 3.2 FTW .

 

[zieglj01]

I like the way a good center will anchor the sound, and add dimension.

If you can adjust and/or make room - a vertical bookshelf to match your
fronts, can/would be a good way to go.

 

[fuzz092888]

I prefer the use of a center channel for TV and movies. I just think it anchors the dialogue a bit better (for TV) and a lot better (for movies). IMHO, the front soundstage for action movies and many movies with a lot going on, loses something when you play it back in stereo. I think you get a little bit to a lot more overall, in terms of details and clarity when you can run the three discrete channels instead of either playing it back in stereo on the disc or having the receiver down mix the soundtrack. So I guess my vote is for a center.

 

[Swerd]

I think the main advantage of a center channel speaker is that it allows you to easily adjust the volume of only the dialog while leaving the overall volume the same.

With most or all 5-channel digital mixes, the center channel has the dialog and little else. Despite my efforts to properly balance my system, some movies have the center channel sound a little too quiet or, less often, too loud. If you have a separate center channel speaker, it is easy to adjust that just for one DVD so people don't have to strain to hear the dialog, no matter where they sit. If you rely on a phantom center channel, its difficult to adjust the volume of the dialog alone.

 

[Pyrrho]

The only way to know how much you will like it will be to try it. Some people really like having a center channel speaker, others do not. I personally like having a center channel speaker, and regard it as more important than the surround speakers. I recommend a speaker that is identical to your front right and left speakers oriented vertically, if your space permits. That is the only way to have perfect voice matching.

 

[j_garcia]

I'm currently 2.1 and I'm definitely missing the center. The XPA-3 is in a box buried deep underneath a bunch of stuff at the moment though, even though the center is sitting out on the rack. For music only and stereo, 2.1 is perfectly fine, but for anything that has a decent amount of dialog, the center is a must for me.

 

[3db]

I think the main advantage of a center channel speaker is that it allows you to easily adjust the volume of only the dialog while leaving the overall volume the same.

With most or all 5-channel digital mixes, the center channel has the dialog and little else. Despite my efforts to properly balance my system, some movies have the center channel sound a little too quiet or, less often, too loud. If you have a separate center channel speaker, it is easy to adjust that just for one DVD so people don't have to strain to hear the dialog, no matter where they sit. If you rely on a phantom center channel, its difficult to adjust the volume of the dialog alone.

+1 on Swerd's advice. Even if your sitting positions don't vary far from the center axes, I think there other advantages to having a center channel just like Swerd mentioned. To be able to independently vary the volume of the center channel depending on the mix is an added bonus.

 

[herbu]

I think the main advantage of a center channel speaker is that it allows you to easily adjust the volume of only the dialog while leaving the overall volume the same.

With most or all 5-channel digital mixes, the center channel has the dialog and little else. Despite my efforts to properly balance my system, some movies have the center channel sound a little too quiet or, less often, too loud. If you have a separate center channel speaker, it is easy to adjust that just for one DVD so people don't have to strain to hear the dialog, no matter where they sit. If you rely on a phantom center channel, its difficult to adjust the volume of the dialog alone.

What he said! And it becomes increasingly more noticeable and useful as we get older. Sometimes dialog is very difficult to pick out of the soundtrack. The center makes it easy to fix.

 

[ski2xblack]

While I agree with the above posts, it seems to me that the necessity of a center channel increases proportionally with the size and coverage area of the theater. In your intimate setup that caters to a cozy sweet spot, I'm not sure it's necessary, particularly with your reports of having no complaints as is. If you were to rearrange things to have a larger listening area, then yes, but as is it seems a toss up.