Atmos Speakers + Phantom Center or Center Channel Speaker?

[Roen]

So....I am currently at a 2.1

Sierra-2
PSA S1500

My next choice is:

MartinLogan AFX (or another bounce speaker)
or
Sierra-2 Center Channel

Thoughts on either?

 

[BlwnAway]

If your goal will be an Atmos setup, get the Center, even if your AVR will allow you to use an Atmos configuration with a phantom Center (I'm not even sure if it will) having a dedicated center will be much better when the algorithm tries to use multi-speaker output, to place a sound where a speaker isn't.

 

[TheWarrior]

Get a center anyway. Phantom doesn't always work with all content.

 

[Roen]

Ended up with both at the end of the day.

 

[Gooddoc]

I used a phantom center for a long time. It worked really well, and in some ways was better than the dedicated center I have now. The success will largely depend on the LR speakers ability to create a convincing phantom image and whether the center speaker is identical or a compromise in some way.