Center-channel conundrum

[evandy]

I am in the process of (slowly) upgrading a 3.0 setup (with old, junk speakers) to something better. I have ordered my new mains, the EMP E55Ti towers, which I plan to keep for years. Here's my dilemma:

Would I be better to keep my old, junk, center channel to maintain a 3.0 setup, or to toss it and just run with a 2.0 setup for a while (several months, and I'm guessing better) until I can add a center-channel and sub? Admittedly, I can always keep it hooked up and do listening tests (which I'll probably do), but what's the "conventional wisdom."?

Also, any ideas on mounting a center channel to an overhang (above the TV)? Any reason I can't just buy a couple of metal L brackets and screw it in?

(By the way: the old C channel is the kind of "junk" that has permanently attached speaker wire that can't be more than 28-guage.)

 

[sholling]

I would try to save for a EMP E5Ci ($220 shipped) center to have a timbre match for those towers. In the meantime you can run 2.0 as long as those towers aren't too far apart.

 

[sholling]

I would tr to save for a EMP E5Ci ($220 shipped) center to have a timbre match for those towers. In the meantime you can run 2.0 as long as those towers aren't too far apart.

I would probably prioritize my next upgrades like this:

1. Subwoofer
2. Center
3. Surrounds

 

[Jack Hammer]

Ideally you want to have your center channel matched to your mains. In your situation I'd try both the old junk as a center and a phantom center to see which sounds better to you. I've used old junk speakers in my setup for quite a while til I was able to upgrade. Some worked better than others so only you can decide what is best in your setup. Either way you could use the other 2 older speakers for surrounds til you upgrade.

 

[evandy]

Either way you could use the other 2 older speakers for surrounds til you upgrade.

If I wasn't selling them to help afford the new mains I could. Besides, selling them to my brother-in-law or sister-in-law has other benefits.

 

[evandy]

I would tr to save for a EMP E5Ci ($220 shipped) center to have a timbre match for those towers. In the meantime you can run 2.0 as long as those towers aren't too far apart.

I would probably prioritize my next upgrades like this:

1. Subwoofer
2. Center
3. Surrounds

Yep, the E5Ci is the plan, when I have the $$ put together in a few months. I've never had a sub, and the new mains will do low-end better than my old ones, so I'm waiting on that one for a bit... I'll never know the difference until I've heard it.

 

[JerryLove]

Would I be better to keep my old, junk, center channel to maintain a 3.0 setup, or to toss it and just run with a 2.0 setup for a while (several months, and I'm guessing better) until I can add a center-channel and sub? Admittedly, I can always keep it hooked up and do listening tests (which I'll probably do), but what's the "conventional wisdom."?

You are dead on with "try both". I've found several situations where phantoming the center channel has been better than even a properly matched center (to the point that I cannot understand the TV with the center on); but there's no way to be certain in your room without experimenting.

I'd guess that 2.0 will sound better for you than mismatched 3.0. Just remember to tell your AVR that you don't have a center so it will phantom.