Center Channel Advise

[fmw]

Without timbre all speakers would be truly flat, and they would all sound identical (to the same ear). How could this possibly be construed as a good thing...a lack of choice in speaker selections? .

I think it would be a very good thing. Why wouldn't it? If speakers had a flat frequency response we would achieve more accurate sound reproduction. I understand that this is impossible, particularly since speakers operate in listening rooms and respond differently to every room in which they are placed. Nevertheless, a flat response would be a very good thing to me, even if it were achieved only in an anechoic chamber. At least that would provide a more consistent starting point for speaker placement and equalization.

 

[2string]

I was thinking this might be good with my Auditors. There both Italian made. Has anyone heard of this company? http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1204860459

 

[mazersteven]

IMO there has been some really bogus information given in this thread.

Statements like

"there should be no more reason to timbre match speakers"
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=353131&postcount=15

With the difference in enclosure design, crossover design, and driver design. And when you factor in room response. IMO this is all the more reason to select your main speakers from the same speaker company, from the same series.

"but not very important"
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=353277&postcount=23

That is why auditioning your mains is very important when selecting speakers.

 

[Johnd]

IMO there has been some really bogus information given in this thread.

Statements like

"there should be no more reason to timbre match speakers"
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=353131&postcount=15

With the difference in enclosure design, crossover design, and driver design. And when you factor in room response. IMO this is all the more reason to select your main speakers from the same speaker company, from the same series.

"but not very important"
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=353277&postcount=23

That is why auditioning your mains is very important when selecting speakers.

Yes. We should make those posters qualify them with the preface "imho", or "personally" etc. You get the idea. It is common knowledge that not timber matching at least the fronts can result in some screechy or boomy, at the very least a non-seamless dialogue that is rather disturbing.

 

[Johnd]

I think it would be a very good thing. Why wouldn't it? If speakers had a flat frequency response we would achieve more accurate sound reproduction. I understand that this is impossible, particularly since speakers operate in listening rooms and respond differently to every room in which they are placed. Nevertheless, a flat response would be a very good thing to me, even if it were achieved only in an anechoic chamber. At least that would provide a more consistent starting point for speaker placement and equalization.

A totally flat (no resonance, no individual tonality or coloration) is generally not appealing. This is a large part of what makes speakers distinguishable from one another...there is no one perfect speaker for the entire world, as we all hear differently. That is why timbre is not a bad thing...it just is, and it affords us the plethora of choices we now have in speakers. I would say a totally flat speaker (no timbre) is akin to being colorblind.

 

[Tomorrow]

I was thinking this might be good with my Auditors. There both Italian made. Has anyone heard of this company? http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1204860459

This may come from the same country as the SF's, is sexy as a good Italian ought to be (), but it would totally be a guess as to whether the CC tonally matches your Auditors. It may be like comparing a Corvette to a Chrysler minivan. They both come from the U.S., but...well...you get the picture.

One glaring difference is the crossover topology is different and it crosses over at 4500 Hz...the SF's at 2500 Hz. By the way, general crossover difference is another big reason why you should not mix brands unless carefully selected/auditioned.