Center Channel Speaker Question

[DawgByte]

I agree with audioholics who state that when purchasing a center channel speaker they should match your main speakers. What happens though if the company you purchased your mains from is no longer in business. I have Hale Designs T-5's and yesterday I just bought two Rythmik Audio F-15 subs in the hopes of getting a more integrated sound. Both are sealed designs. I'm assuming that any center channel speaker I upgrade to should also be a sealed.

My HT room is 5760 cubic feet (20'W x 32'L x 9'H). I'm using the new Denon AVR 3810CI to drive a Boston Acoustic center channel speaker. My budget for a new center channel is approximately $1,000 give or take a penny.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[TLS Guy]

I agree with audioholics who state that when purchasing a center channel speaker they should match your main speakers. What happens though if the company you purchased your mains from is no longer in business. I have Hale Designs T-5's and yesterday I just bought two Rythmik Audio F-15 subs in the hopes of getting a more integrated sound. Both are sealed designs. I'm assuming that any center channel speaker I upgrade to should also be a sealed.

My HT room is 5760 cubic feet (20'W x 32'L x 9'H). I'm using the new Denon AVR 3810CI to drive a Boston Acoustic center channel speaker. My budget for a new center channel is approximately $1,000 give or take a penny.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

I think the issue of the enclosure being sealed is of lesser importance. Those speakers are very high end and have an excellent reputation and measurements. The waterfall plot is outstanding.

I think it will be very difficult to match those performance wise. You likely are better off using a phantom center. I think you will have to do a custom design and build or spend a lot of money if you don't want to spoil the quality you have.

You will need a unit that has a good mid range driver that covers at least 400 Hz to 3kHz. That is a tall order to start with. The tweeter should be above the mid range.

This center from Aeriel would probably fit the bill.

This one from B & W would be even better.

That SEAS mid range in your speakers is available, so doing a three way custom center to precisely match your speakers would be possible

 

[DawgByte]

I'm fairly certain Tyler Acoustics uses Seas drivers. They might be a solid option as well.

 

[TLS Guy]

I'm fairly certain Tyler Acoustics uses Seas drivers. They might be a solid option as well.

That won't help you. They do not use the magnesium alloy drivers, and above all the center is the poor MTM on its side configuration. The most important aspect is going to be to find a good center that has a wide bandwidth mid range, with crossover point 400 Hz and at the top end in the range of 3 to 4 kHz.

 

[DawgByte]

TLS Guy -

"That SEAS mid range in your speakers is available, so doing a three way custom center to precisely match your speakers would be possible."

Is there anyone you recommend that could make me a custom center channel speaker?

 

[TLS Guy]

TLS Guy -

"That SEAS mid range in your speakers is available, so doing a three way custom center to precisely match your speakers would be possible."

Is there anyone you recommend that could make me a custom center channel speaker?

If you want I can design it for you and arrange to have it built.

 

[DawgByte]

Let's get in touch in late Nov., because after purchasing a new AVR, Blu-Ray, 2 subs and 4 speakers for the backyard my wife would kill me if I came to her with another HT purchasing idea.

 

[TLS Guy]

Let's get in touch in late Nov., because after purchasing a new AVR, Blu-Ray, 2 subs and 4 speakers for the backyard my wife would kill me if I came to her with another HT purchasing idea.

PM me when you are ready to proceed.