Best Center Channel speaker

[TD30]

I'm looking at getting a new center channel speaker in the next few days and planning on spending around $300, Any suggestions? Whats everyones opinion of the Aperion Intimus 533-VAC Center Channel Speaker for $280. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[mike c]

what are your left and right speakers? if they're good enough for you, you should buy a center speaker from the same series

 

[beta5alphamu]

yeah you want you Center and Fronts to be on the same page acoustically

 

[mazersteven]

I'm looking at getting a new center channel speaker in the next few days and planning on spending around $300, Any suggestions? Whats everyones opinion of the Aperion Intimus 533-VAC Center Channel Speaker for $280. Thanks for any suggestions.

The other guys are right. Your center channel should match your fronts.

 

[skipsterut]

Matching rear/surrounds?

To go off topic a bit -- what is the thinking regarding rear/surrounds in 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 setup matching the other speakers?

I'm still trying to decide on my new HT speaker configuration so I don't have any experience to draw from, and I suppose that all other things being equal it's a good idea -- but how important really?

Also how about the the quality of the rear/surrounds vs. quality of the fronts/center? E.g., let's say I get a BIC 62CLR center and BIC DV64 L-R all with the Ed Frias "extensive mods." Could I just get a pair of BIC Adatto DV52si without the Frias mod for the 2 rear speakers?

My gut feel on these issues is that: 1) they don't need to perfectly match; and 2) the quality doesn't need to be as good. But I'd like to hear what other more experienced listeners have to say.

Thanks in advance.

 

[j_garcia]

Ideally, they should all be as similar as possible, with the best being all identical speakers. The reality is, that is not always possible. The front 3 should match the best and should be where you focus your funds. The surrounds should be from the same manufacturer/line to get a good enough timbre match. The better a match you get, the better it will sound, but it doesn't have to be a perfect match. I guess it really depends on how picky you want to be.

 

[My Rantz]

Your gut is right up to a point, If you want to throw the hi-res surround formats (sacd/dvd-a) into the mix, the surrounds should really be the same as your fronts - or at leat a very close match. Even for movies, I wouldn't skimp too much on the surrounds - while they don't work hard most of the time, you might want something that will deliver the goods on the 'big' sound movies.

 

[mike c]

the surrounds DO make a difference especially in music (even ordinary CD in PLII mode)

im very very happy i didnt get the primus 150's as surrounds for my beta fronts. (and thats even from the same brand) the primus really have a different sound to the beta. in PLII some of the instruments are "transferred or duplicated" to the side surrounds, so that would "mess up" your listening.

 

[beta5alphamu]

Try to get all speakers from the same manufacturer.....the previous responses are right on the money

 

[cbc]

..and if you do decide on the BICs, LISTEN to them & use them for 60-100 hours before you decide to get the Frias modded crossover mods done. So many people jump on that wagon without giving them enough time to settle in first. I'm not saying that the Frias mods are worthless at all, but I currently own two of the DV62CLRS as part of my 2.1 setup, and was all set to send off the crossovers, but in the last week, I'm beginning to hear a difference in their sound which is much more what I was hoping for.And remember, the amplifier connected to them will also factor in on how they sound. Plus you can still always go the Frias route later on, if you find that they don't sound like you wanted.

 

[onethought]

centre channel: tanoy dual concentric

I just wanted to mention that my Tannoy dual concentric speaker(20 years old) performs faultlessly as the centre speaker. If you can afford a new one that is the best. Better than B&W. Or any other in my personal opinion. Because of the phase alignment and generally good crossovers Tannoy tend to use? or may be because of the large cone.?..(ones I am talking about is 15" ... the 12" works fine as well!!!).