Center Channel Imaging - MTM, MTM:MR , MR/T

[mobiledynamics]

So many different designs...

MTM
MTM : MR
M / T

Do you feel one particular design is superior to another when it comes down to how many drivers in a center channel speaker.

 

[gtpsuper24]

MTM has always worked out great for me. Never experienced any issues with MTM in my setup and its by far the most popular configuation in just about every brands center channels.

TMMMT was the absolute worst configuation i've ever experienced in any center channel.

Bostons VRC WMTW, MT side by side was a nice center. Haven't seen that setup on any other brand that I remember.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I'm not a speaker wh0re...but have started ht shopping. My revel C52 imaged pretty damm good for a 3Way Center Channel.

 

[ridikas]

Your Revel C52 is one of the best center channels in the entire world, at any price! If you're looking for something else make sure you stick with an identical design: a three-way, with the tweeter and midrange positioned vertically. MTM center channels are a complete nonsense. Stay away from those. Your horizontal off-axis performance will be garbage.

I honestly have a hard time even suggesting something other than the C52. Here's a very nice alternative, but in no way better, or worse: LSiM706c - Center Channel | Polk Audio®

The Polk has an extremely low distortion Vifa ring radiator tweeter and is also a three-way design.

 

[ridikas]

The following are all three-way center channels on the market currently, where the tweeter and midrange are positioned horizontally. I've made and used this list to make my own purchase decisions. The * indicates my recommended choices.

Asperion Intimus 5C Center $280 (not recommended) Aperion Intimus 5T-DB Hybrid HD Speaker System Measurements | Home Theater
* (5) Infinity Primus PC351 $200 (no anechoic data available)
JBL ES25C $350 (not recommended) http://www.hometheater.com/content/jbl-es20-speaker-system-ht-labs-measures
* (5) Jamo D 500 LCR $350 (recommended, THX Select 2 certified, no anechoic data needed)
Paradigm Center 1 $380 (no anechoic data available)
NHT Twoc $400 (no anechoic data, but not recommended dues to ThreeC's performance below)
JBL LC1 $400 (no anechoic data available)
* (6) Revel C12 $500 (fantastic) http://www.hometheater.com/content/revel-concerta-f12-surround-sound-speaker-system-measurements
NHT ThreeC $500 (not recommended) http://www.hometheater.com/content/nht-classic-four-surround-sound-speaker-system-measurements
JBL LC2 $500 (no anechoic data available)
* (6) Jamo D 600 LCR $600 (recommended, THX Select 2 certified, no anechoic data needed)
Paradigm SE Center $600 (no anechoic data)
Paradigm Center 3 $600 (not recommended) Test Report: Paradigm Monitor Series 7 Speaker System | Sound and Vision Magazine
* (5) Energy RCLCR $300 (mildly recommended) http://www.hometheater.com/content/energy-reference-connoisseur-rc-70-surround-speaker-system-measurements
Asperion Verus Grand Center $700 (not recommended) http://www.hometheater.com/content/aperion-verus-grand-speaker-system-ht-labs-measures and Aperion Verus Grand Center Overview and Measurements — Reviews and News from Audioholics
* (5) MK Sound S-150THX $750 (recommended, THX Select 2 certified, no anechoic data needed)
* (5) Polk Audio LSiM704c $680 (no anechoic data available)
Paradigm Studio CC-490 $850 (no anechoic data vailable)
* (5) Revel C32 $1800 (recommended) http://www.hometheater.com/content/revel-performa-surround-speaker-system-measurements
* (6) Revel C52 $2500 (recommended) http://www.hometheater.com/content/revel-performa-f52-speaker-system-measurements
Revel Voice2 $8000 (not recommended due to price) http://www.hometheater.com/content/revel-ultima2-studio2-surround-speaker-system-measurements
PSB Synchrony One C $2100 (not recommended) PSB Synchrony One Speaker System Measurements | Home Theater
Sonus Faber Cremona M Center $4500 (no anechoic data available)
B&W HTM2 Diamond $5000 (no anechoic data available)
B&W CM Centre 2 $1500 (not recommended) B&W CM9 Speaker System HT Labs Measures | Home Theater
Focal Viva Utopia $12,500 (not recommended due to price) (no anechoic data available)
Focal Electra CC 1008 Be $3500 (mildly recommended) Focal Electra 1028 Be Speaker System HT Labs Measures | Home Theater
Audio Physic Orea $3700 (no anechoic data available)
Paradigm Signature C1 $1600 (no anechoic data available)
Paradigm Signature C3 $2700 (not recommended) Paradigm Signature surround speaker system Measurements | Home Theater
Paradigm Signature C5 $4500 (no anechoic data available)
Paradigm Studio CC-590 $1300 (no anechoic data available)
Paradigm Studio CC-690 $1700 (no anechoic data available)
Monitor Audio GXC350 $1700 (no anechoic data available)
Monitor Audio PLC350 $4800 (not recommended) Monitor Audio Platinum Surround Speaker System Measurements | Home Theater
* (6) Snell CR 70 $1750 (no anechoic data available)
* (6) Atlantic Technology 8200e C $2000 (recommended, THX Ultra 2 certified, no anechoic data needed)
* (6) Polk Audio LSiM706C $1200 (recommended) Polk LSiM707 Surround Speaker System HT Labs Measures | Home Theater
Selah Sardonyx Center $1200 (no anechoic data available)

 

[mobiledynamics]

Granted it's up to the dealer to set these things up right, but oftentimes when I demoed these things previously, I recall that even having a Phantom Center was often better than some of the center channels I heard. Some were too much in your face, some were just too low and the list goes on.

Whoa Ridikas. For a minute there, i though you just googled and typed this all up for me.
It's your personal list.
Are you making this list cumulative of the total equation - matching fronts, etc -- aka. HT. setup. I'm going to presume so.


AKA. Purpose built buying decision. Decide on center and then let that evolve to your FL, FR decision based on your center....

 

[gene]

Recommended Reference Reading

Vertical vs Horizontal Center Channel Speaker Designs

Vertical vs Horizontal Center Channel Speaker Designs

Center Channel Speaker Design Additional Considerations — Reviews and News from Audioholics

 

[panteragstk]

I was actually going to post that Gene if nobody else did.

I'm really close to pulling the trigger on my new front three and plan to buy a matching three. They will all be a TW (I think that's what the HSU HB-1's would be). I doubt there would be much of a difference if I went with their center, but with them all at the same height behind my AT screen I'm not worried about looks/placement. Should sound great from what I've read. 30 day's to find out.