Bad Center Channel or What?

[yeahman68]

So, I was getting somewhat bored of my 2.1 setup. So I bought a polk cs10 center channel. Recently, I've noticed that the voices are much deeper and have a less energetic sound. However, when I switch to stereo, the voices sound much more lively. Could it be the speaker itself or is that what I'm supposed to be hearing?

 

[TLS Guy]

So, I was getting somewhat bored of my 2.1 setup. So I bought a polk cs10 center channel. Recently, I've noticed that the voices are much deeper and have a less energetic sound. However, when I switch to stereo, the voices sound much more lively. Could it be the speaker itself or is that what I'm supposed to be hearing?

What are your mains?

 

[yeahman68]

Wow sorry, I thought I typed that in, but they are the tSc p6-pr.

 

[TLS Guy]

Wow sorry, I thought I typed that in, but they are the tSc p6-pr.

I have reviewed your speakers technical details. There are only sparse details available.

It is clear that your mains and center speakers have very different sonic signatures, by your description. This is to be expected at the budget end of the scale.

Basically your three front speakers need to have the same sonic signature, or your front stage will discontinuous. Matching speakers is known as timbre matching, which really means having front speakers with the same errors as far as possible.

The TSC speakers have a reputation of being on the bright side, but that seems to be the sound you prefer.

You have four options.

Get rid of your center speaker and go to a phantom center.

Try and find a matching TSC center on eBay. TSC have folded their tent.

Get rid of your TSC p6 speakers and purchase Polk Tsi 100 speakers for your mains. This may not be a good solution for you as you don't seem to like the sound of your Polk center.

Ditch the whole lot and start again.

 

[adwilk]

Just so you don't feel like you're getting a wrong reply, OP....
TLS is spot on in every point.

 

[lsiberian]

I have reviewed your speakers technical details. There are only sparse details available.

It is clear that your mains and center speakers have very different sonic signatures, by your description. This is to be expected at the budget end of the scale.

Basically your three front speakers need to have the same sonic signature, or your front stage will discontinuous. Matching speakers is known as timbre matching, which really means having front speakers with the same errors as far as possible.

The TSC speakers have a reputation of being on the bright side, but that seems to be the sound you prefer.

You have four options.

Get rid of your center speaker and go to a phantom center.

Try and find a matching TSC center on eBay. TSC have folded their tent.

Get rid of your TSC p6 speakers and purchase Polk Tsi 100 speakers for your mains. This may not be a good solution for you as you don't seem to like the sound of your Polk center.

Ditch the whole lot and start again.

going phantom is what I'd do. Sell that center or take it back.

 

[sgtpepper9]

Isn't phantom just 2.0? Or do you mean turning the receiver into Phantom mode?