Center Channel Replacement

[drunkmunk]

Alright here's my situation I've recently started upgrading my speakers to my system. I'm currently running JBL E80's up front, E20's for surround, Yamaha YST-315 sub and a Bose VCS-10 Center channel. I'm currently selling my center channel and going to change it out. Here comes the question though. Should I be more concerned about timbre matching with the new center or just finding the best center for my money? (roughly 200 bucks). Are 3 way center channels any signifigantly better than a two way center? I don't have alot of places to try to demo a new center where I live just the usual big name store ie BB, circuit city.

I've been looking online and found the JBL EC35 at some good prices and i'm pretty sure it would match up being same brand and series.

thanks for any help or suggestions guys,

drunkmunk

 

[Johnd]

Should I be more concerned about timbre matching with the new center or just finding the best center for my money?

I would say the two options are inseparable. You need to get a timbre-matched center so you don't go stir crazy while listening, and you need to get the best center for your money. Additionally, you need to get the best center you can afford as the majority of sound comes through that channel for movies. Cheers.

 

[drunkmunk]

Thanks for the reply. I'm really leaning towards that EC35 but i'm only able to demo the ec25. the EC25 has gotten mediocre reviews while I have yet to see anything bad about the EC35. the major difference that I can see is the 35 is a 3 way and is huge (# Dimensions (WxHxD) 22 x 7.3 x 10.5" Weight 22 lb (10 kg)
while the 25 is 2 way.

I know the northridge series isn't all that popular on these forums but that's what i've got. so do you think i should be able to timber match just by staying within the same series?

 

[JAD2]

Take the reviews with a salt lick is a starting point.
Reviews are based on that one particular product for starters and not combined with the rest which will make a difference.
Then you have 2 or more definitions of and Audiophile which you by posting are asking the question to.
One is this- AUDIO-PhILE- The h is totally silent to make this-Audiopile!! Constant up grading thinking something is better than what he has and never gives up his pile collection.
The other enjoys music, sound tracks, movies and the likes. Knows everyone has their own ears and not his. Doesnt put down anything YOU buy because its YOU thats buying it and YOUR EARS are different.

With that out of the way, YES, Timbre matching is important, BUT, can your ears tell the difference because most cant. Oh they think they can, but really blindfolded most cant, its 50/50 unless its a super cheap unit or way out of sync.
Not sure then there is one sure fire method. Same series, same within reason frequency drivers which will use the same crossovers and the same 2 way or 3 way design as the mains. Dual drivers and singe tweeter also. A single driver does offset the sound stage if you have a chance to hear a dual versus the single.

 

[Nick250]

I have not heard your speakers myself. That being said I would tend to use whatever center speaker JBL recommends for the E80s. If that happens to be the EC35, then I say go for it.

Nick

 

[tomd51]

Couple options...

Drunkmunk;
If you plan to keep the E80s for at the very least the next year or so, I would suggest finding the best 3 way center you can get your hands on that is timbre matched for them. The EC35 looks to be a pretty solid center that would match well w/the 80s. The more you'll be using your system for movies, the better off you are at getting the best center you can afford and accommodate for in your setup.

If your plan is to overhaul your front soundstage altogether, then you might want to consider listening to different speakers, then after finding what you're after, buy yourself the best center you can afford. When the time comes to upgrade your mains, you'll already be a third of the way there to your upgraded front soundstage.

Good luck! -TD

 

[Tomorrow]

Alright here's my situation I've recently started upgrading my speakers to my system. I'm currently running JBL E80's up front, E20's for surround, Yamaha YST-315 sub and a Bose VCS-10 Center channel. I'm currently selling my center channel and going to change it out. Here comes the question though. Should I be more concerned about timbre matching with the new center or just finding the best center for my money? (roughly 200 bucks). Are 3 way center channels any signifigantly better than a two way center? I don't have alot of places to try to demo a new center where I live just the usual big name store ie BB, circuit city.

I've been looking online and found the JBL EC35 at some good prices and i'm pretty sure it would match up being same brand and series.

thanks for any help or suggestions guys,

drunkmunk

Drunk one.

I own the EC35 that timbre matches perfectly with my JBL Studio Series S312 mains. It's a very fine speaker that is perceptably better than the JBL N-Centerll, two-way speaker it replaced. This is THE one to buy. Even if you plan on upgrading later, it holds its value much better than the EC25. You'll get tons of value from the EC35. You can find them all over ebay for $135 + shipping.

 

[mulester7]

.....I think timber matching in the entire main's regiment is "vital" to achieve the same over-all "presence" in your theater's sound chamber....that says matching surrounds, center, and rears from the same line as the front mains....you could get lucky doing otherwise, but I say play the odds for your best chances to not want to upgrade too soon.......

 

[drunkmunk]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. Looks like i'm gonna pull the trigger on the EC35.

I own the EC35 that timbre matches perfectly with my JBL Studio Series S312 mains.

How do you have yours mounted? it looks to be huge and I'm a little leary of it on top of my tv (it would fit though).

 

[Tomorrow]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. Looks like i'm gonna pull the trigger on the EC35.



How do you have yours mounted? it looks to be huge and I'm a little leary of it on top of my tv (it would fit though).

Good choice! I think you'll be happy with it. Here is a picture of mine...loaded in a cabinet, below the tv.

 

[corey]

You, and the people that have responded, seem to be talking about matching your NEW center to your OLD L&R fronts. Match your NEW center to what will be your NEW L&R fronts, not your old ones. Even if you're not buying them at the same time, you need to choose your front 3 together.

 

[JAD2]

You, and the people that have responded, seem to be talking about matching your NEW center to your OLD L&R fronts. Match your NEW center to what will be your NEW L&R fronts, not your old ones. Even if you're not buying them at the same time, you need to choose your front 3 together.

Very true and agrees with my same crossover and driver to do. If a driver or crossover network is changed, it will not timbre match. Alot of companies and even Polk which I own tries to say X center will work with Y older, but I found not even close with my Polks. I bought new center to match my 4 year old mains, there the same size and type drivers, but didnt sound the same. Plus I'll add in this because I thought about it when I ran across this. Age is going to play a part also, they'll never wear to be at the same rate and also I think setting the center to small versus mains at large is going to play a part also even if they were brand new at once. Ones going to wear differently due to what sounds its not getting!!

 

[tomd51]

You, and the people that have responded, seem to be talking about matching your NEW center to your OLD L&R fronts. Match your NEW center to what will be your NEW L&R fronts, not your old ones. Even if you're not buying them at the same time, you need to choose your front 3 together.

Corey, see my post above, this was one of the options presented to the OP... -TD

 

[drunkmunk]

I guess I should have clarified in my original post. the JBL's that i have are the speakers i have upgraded to. used to have bose 301's for surrounds and some sony mfh 650 towers for fronts. once i replace the center my speakers will be done and then i'll move on to upgrading my reciever. (i've read enough reciever vs receiver posts that i already know i'm either getting the hk avr 635 or yamaha 2500 just whichever i can find the better deal on).

thanks for all the help guys this is by far one of the best forums i've been in

 

[Tomorrow]

I guess I should have clarified in my original post. the JBL's that i have are the speakers i have upgraded to. used to have bose 301's for surrounds and some sony mfh 650 towers for fronts. once i replace the center my speakers will be done and then i'll move on to upgrading my reciever. (i've read enough reciever vs receiver posts that i already know i'm either getting the hk avr 635 or yamaha 2500 just whichever i can find the better deal on).

thanks for all the help guys this is by far one of the best forums i've been in

I thought you were pretty clear, Munk...you were dumping the Bose center. The EC35 was made specifically FOR the E series towers you own. It can't get any better in terms of timbre/crossover. Buy it.

If and when you ever upgrade and want to sell this system, the EC35 will hold its value much better than the EC25, and in the meantime, it sounds better.

 

[bruin62]

timbre matching

so how do you know if your center speaker is close to matching your other speakers? before I upgraded my set up I bought a kinama for a center.
then 6months later bought all new speakers not of the same brand as the center.