center channel Question

[Vincent]

I was wondering if you can use a full range floorstander for a center channel.
The reading I have done says that for 5.1 music to use 5 speakers that are the same. I don't see anything saying that is ok for movies. I'm still learning so forgive me if this is a dumb question Thanks.

 

[markw]

Well,...

...If you can place it directly above or below the screen and have it positioned so it's dispersion matches the rest of the system, you should be all right.

Most manufacturer's offer a matching center channel that's made specificaly for this function. You might want to consider that option.

 

[Yamahaluver]

I use a Yamaha NSC-300 which is a full range dual 8" center designed to match my NS-300 mains, works nice as I keep it at LARGE setting in my Z-9. This way, none of the bass is diverted to LFE and therefore I avoid the artificial boominess in male voice.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I was wondering if you can use a full range floorstander for a center channel.
The reading I have done says that for 5.1 music to use 5 speakers that are the same. I don't see anything saying that is ok for movies. I'm still learning so forgive me if this is a dumb question Thanks.

What is the floorstander you are thinking of using? How large is it and what size are the drivers?

Not a dumb question at all. I used a bookshelf speaker for awhile for a center until I was able to afford my CSi5 Polk. A dedicated center usually has two midwoofers as opposed to one like your surrounds or bookshelves. Many say the center channel is the most important speaker of the bunch - which I believe is true. Better center channel speakers have a "rod" or "jack" in the rear so you can aim the speaker up or down depending on where it is located. It can also be used to brace itself on top of a large screen tv. Is a floorstander ideal for a center? No - because it will probably be a positioning problem. Will it work - sure, but it won't be your optimum choice for voice.

 

[Vincent]

The speaker is a swan Diva 6.1. The drivers are 2 8" woofers 1 7" midrange and a 1" silk dome tweeter. The speaker is 42" tall. The bottom of my screen will be 48" from the floor. I don't under stand what you mean by not optimum for voice. I was under the understanding that if the speakers were all the same that the voicing would be the same along with being timber matched. Thanks for the help so far.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Will you be placing the Swan vertically or horizontally? Optimally, the midrange and tweeter should be at ear level. That speaker will work great. It's quite an expensive center and one that will require quite a bit of power though, as 5 of them will put a bit of strain on anything but a high end receiver or amp.

 

[Vincent]

I was thinking the Denon 5805. I would place it vertically in the middle of the screen of course under it. I would be able to bi-amp if needed. I was thinking of 7 of them for a 7.1 system. I was also going to use 3 subs for left,right and .1 in the dd and dts formats. the room is 18wx25Lx10h. think that would work ok.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

What do you currently own as far as gear is concerned? I am not familiar with Swan, but the website is impressive. I see they moved from Canada to California. Everything is still described on the metric system. Must be a slow transition.

Here are the speakers you are talking about. I'm hoping some other members could jump in here with some advice.

You want to build a 7.1, or a 7.3 system. Great. Some of my questions for you are as follows:

-Why 7 ultra high end speakers for HT, when very little of the surround ever comes out of the rear 4th and 5th speaker, and even less from the 6th and matrixed 7th. It seems like overkill to me. Timber matching does not mean speaker matching. You just need the same tweeters and midranges. The only benefit I can see with 7 tower speakers would be when playing 7 channel stereo. Even DVD Audio doesn't use the rear surrounds quite as much as Denon's 7 channel stereo.

-Why the Denon 5805, at that price point, having 10 amplifiers seems again overkill. $6000 will buy some amazing separates. Have you even auditioned this receiver yet?

-3 subs? Why not place 1 SV Subwoofer in a corner and call it even? I would think 3 would drown out the system. For the price of three, instead, could you swing this one? www.svsubwoofers.com/subs_ss.htm

It appears you have quite a budget to work with. In your shoes, I think I'd start by visiting several high end A/V dealers and demoing everything out there. You may be better served with separates and, say a Martin Logan surround system. Again, I have never heard the Swans, so it woudn't be a fair comparison.

 

[Vincent]

I have not heard the 5805 but I had a 5803 (lost it in a divorce) and loved it.
I had B&W Nautilus 803, Htlm 1 center and 805 for surrounds. the 5803 and the B&W sounded great together. I can't imagine the 5805 would be any less than the 5803 in sound quality. The biggest reason I want the 5805 is due to the multi zone features. I will be able to put music in my rec room and bedroom using only one unit. I my have to buy only one small amp to drive one of those zones. I have heard the Swan 6.1 and the are 95% of the B&W sound and they were only being driven with a h/k reciever. The speaker is very clear and detailed without being harsh. They have very tight and clean bass but only go down to about 33 hertz. The reason for 3 subs is to help the 6.1s when listening to 2 ch. and one for the low effects in movies. Swans makes a great little dual driver 10" 250watt sealed sud the works very well with the 6.1 setup. The 5805 allows you to run two subs L&R in two channel. I just feel that would be a big + in my room since the 6.1s only go down to 33 hz. I feel that the 5805 has the best pre/pro out there and I don't think there will be anything out for quite some time that will be better. I also talked to Denon the other day and they told me that the 5805 was built to beable to be upgraded to the new HD formats. The reason for large floor standers in the rear with surround sound music it just sounds better to me and I listen to alot of it, well when I had a system before the divorce. I have nothing at present and it killing me. Sorry so long

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Now I see where you are coming from. The 5805 is the logical step up from the 5803. You seem to know your audio. My only advice now is to get a pre-nup so you don't lose this system

 

[Vincent]

Very true on the pre-nup. I will never let that happen again. Thanks for all the help.