Best Bang for the Buck (Center and Surround speakers for under 1500?)

[AUDIOCRAZE]

I don't like the idea of using different speakers everywhere. The L820 has no relation to your other speakers.

In my opinion you will get by far the best home theater experience with, at minimum, front and center speakers from the same line. And if you're going to build around one speaker make it the center.

You will never get very good results from what you intend. Nothing in center is going to match the dynamics and tone of those JBLs. You could do L820s for all 5 speakers or something.

I can't really tell what your motivations are. You're all over the place with speakers.

What im trying to accomplish is to get high and dynamic rear sound. So If im listening to a concert I can hear applause behind me if Im watching a action movie I can hear bullets wizzing by my ears. Isnt that why we all want surround sound? I have to build around the front L/R channels since those are going to be the dominant speakers because of their size and presence.

 

[jonnythan]

If you insist on using the 4350s for L/R I'd go phantom center and use a couple of the previously-linked JBL pro surrounds. I see no good coming from using the 4350s as L/R with some random center channel that doesn't match.

 

[lsiberian]

What do you think of using a pair of JBL L820's for the back??

I personally don't use 400 dollar speakers for surround duty, but they would certainly be fine. I think a horn loaded surround would give you a lot better surround though. The pair I linked are actually designed for small cinemas. You'd be getting the legit theater experience. For your center channel nothing but the same speaker will do. Honestly your speakers while fantastic do seem a bit large for the living room. My wife would never allow that size of a speaker. I also don't like the driver distribution, but that's my preference.

No way any center is going to pan properly with these monitors.

 

[GranteedEV]

KEF Q600C 6.5in. 3-way Black Center Channel Speaker | Accessories4less
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KEF Q300 Q Series 6-1/2 inch Black Bookshelf Speakers, pair | Accessories4less

 

[AUDIOCRAZE]

If you insist on using the 4350s for L/R I'd go phantom center and use a couple of the previously-linked JBL pro surrounds. I see no good coming from using the 4350s as L/R with some random center channel that doesn't match.

Thanks for the input!

To give an update I ordered the Emo XPA-5 and the UMC-1 got it all hooked up and the XPA5 is driving the Klipsch CC, SL and SR after much calibration and adjustment the Klipsch C3 CC balanced itself much better with the JBL's. I did have to increase the level calib to I believe 4 or so and center volume to +6, crossover from 80 to 250hz. I was also able to get the surrounds balanced with everything else as well. When I say balanced im referring to SPL of the center is matching my F-L/R between signal changes. Before the Emo equipment the signal change to the center had a sharp degradation of SPL and quality. Now yes in doing this im literally pushing this center to its max because while listening to Hotel California at high SPL I started to hear the 6 inch driver of the Center lightly and intermittently popping which is not good! This did occur with a bass guitar repeatedly playing the same three notes over and over. Also I know the Tactrix tweeter sounds a bit harsh, Ive read that the Reference RC62 has crisper highs. I went on Klipsch's website and it seems as if the RC62 also uses a Tactrix tweeter it also has very similar specs as my C3. I need a center that will excel and not be just a mediocre upgrade to what I have now. What alternatives do I have for Centers? I really dont want to even consider internet direct speakers. Since i have a particular set up I need to be able to go into a store and hear the Center im buying. I am in Florida, its very difficult to find places with showrooms where you can hear speakers. Ill be traveling to Jersey and plan on making a list of Pro Audio stores to stop by on the way there. If I find a good Center I will be eliminating the Klispch surrounds and pairing it with the Center. I like the JBL 8320 surrounds but cinema series has no CC options. I need to check out that Kef Q600c however are there any other options that are in that price range that arnt internet direct speakers?? All options are on the table guys, if I were to resort into doing the phantom center what would happen then to surround sound decoding while playing DVD or BR? The good news is that this is possible because for a moment I thought it wasnt until i got the EMO equipment. All I need is a center that can handle the power and that has crisps and dynamic highs...


Thanks guys for all that you do!!!

 

[jonnythan]

With L/R speakers like that, why are you not listening to music in stereo? What surround mode are you using?

 

[AUDIOCRAZE]

With L/R speakers like that, why are you not listening to music in stereo? What surround mode are you using?

Well for the past 40 yrs they have been used as a stereo set up for LP and CD listening. When im playing a CD it will now be used as a 2.1 which btw a sub compliments very well. You had mentioned to go to a Phantom center, please correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that eliminanting the center channel all tgether? If that's the case my question is wont DTS, DTS HD MA, Dolby etc not transm it properly or not transmit at all since it would be a 4.1? Thanks..

 

[jonnythan]

Phantom center works fine as long as you're at or near the ideal listening position. Any modern receiver will, in the absence of a center channel speaker, properly matrix the channel's information into the L/R speakers to anchor it to the screen. It seems to me like a much better idea than having a wildly different center channel speaker.

 

[AUDIOCRAZE]

Ok I'm going to try it this weekend ill give an update, thanks..