Center Channel suggestions?

[GitRDone]

I am satisfied with my fairly-low-budget set up, but due to continuing lack of satisfaction with dialogue volume/clarity, I am thinking of upgrading my Center Channel. I have already tried making other audio/receiver adjustments. I know many of you are audiophiles and will shudder to think about non-matched speakers, but I have a family now!

I am considering a Polk CS2 for $150, but am wondering if I should look at a 3-way Center Channel, instead?
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16882290024&CMP=AFC-C8Junction

Thanks for your input!!!
-Andrew



TV: Toshiba 56" DLP
DLP56MX195

Blu-ray DVD: Samsung BD-P2550

Cable HD/Dual DVR: Comcast / Motorola DCT3416 I

Cable Modem: Comcast / Motorola SBU5220

Router (wireless): D-link DIR-628

Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR602
100 Watt - 8 Ohm - 2 channel(s) ( Main ), 85 Watt - 8 Ohm - THD 0.08 % - 7 channel(s) ( Surround ), 165 Watt - 4 Ohm - 2 channel(s) ( Main ), 220 Watt - 3 Ohm - 2 channel(s) ( Main )

Front: 2x Dayton Audio
KS820W 8" 2-way, in-wall
Specifications: 8" Kevlar® cone woofer with butyl rubber surround and phase plug, 1" pivoting silk dome tweeter *Power handling: 60 watts RMS/120 watts max *Impedance: 8 ohms *Frequency response: 35-20,000 Hz *SPL: 91 dB 1W/1m *Dimensions: 10-1/2" W x 14-1/2" L x 3-1/4" D

Center: 1x Dayton Audio CCS-33S 3-Way
Specifications: *Woofer: Two 3-3/4” polypropylene cones with rubber surrounds *Tweeter: 5/8” polycarbonate ferrofluid cooled *Supertweeter: 5/8” piezoelectric *Power handling: 80 watts RMS/120 watts max *Impedance: 8 ohms *Frequency response: 100–20,000 Hz *SPL: 87 dB 1W/1m *Dimensions: 4-1/2" H x 12-1/2" W x 6" D

Rear: 2x Dayton Audio
KS620W 6 1/2" 2-way, in-wall
Specifications: 6 1/2" Kevlar® cone woofer with butyl rubber surround and phase plug, 1" pivoting silk dome tweeter *Power handling: 50 watts RMS/100 watts max *Impedance: 8 ohms *Frequency response: 45-20,000 Hz *SPL: 91 dB 1W/1m *Dimensions: 8-5/8" W x 12-1/8" L x 3-1/8" D

Sub: 1x Dayton Audio
SUB-120 12" 150 watt, powered
Specifications: *12" long throw woofer *150 watt amp *Low pass filter: 40~180 Hz, 12 dB/octave *Frequency response: 25-180 Hz *Exterior dimensions: 14-3/4" W x 17-5/8" H x 18" D

Remote: Logitech Harmony 670 universal

 

[lsiberian]

I suggest you get a matching vertical bookshelf instead.

But if you insist on a center channel. Your best bet is the Infinity Beta 360. It's low cost with very good dialogue.

 

[GitRDone]

Thx, lsiberian. Unfortunately, Dayton doesn't make a reasonable vertical bookshelf speaker and they only make one version of a Center Channel (I already have it).
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?searchFilter=&srchExt=MFG&perPage=9&sortBy=1&layout=grid&page=1&srchPrice=&srchCat=764&srchMfg=301&srchPromo=

 

[lsiberian]

Thx, lsiberian. Unfortunately, Dayton doesn't make a reasonable vertical bookshelf speaker and they only make one version of a Center Channel (I already have it).
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?searchFilter=&srchExt=MFG&perPage=9&sortBy=1&layout=grid&page=1&srchPrice=&srchCat=764&srchMfg=301&srchPromo=

I didn't notice you had in walls. I sugget you get another in-wall that matches your LR's a Dayton US820 looks very similar.

mount it above your tv, but flip it so that the tweeter is on the bottom.

Provide us some photos of your setup to see if it will work.

 

[GitRDone]

Thanks, good advice. I need to check/consider a few things first...
1) There is a lot of duct-work behind the drywall. May not be possible, or may be possible, but not centered between the existing L-R speakers.
2) Considering I have a 56"DLP on top of a TV stand, That would require a very high installation. Prob would be much higher than existing L-R.
3) Considering the price/work/sound quality, perhaps a decent Polk or Infinity would be a better idea?

Thx again!

 

[agarwalro]

Why not just use another KS820W if you are happy with how they perform for the front LR duty?

Just re-read the thread and this has been suggested and your previous post addresses it. Maybe, you can mount the TV on the wall to achieve the centered center.

 

[lsiberian]

If impatient get this

http://cgi.ebay.com/Up-for-Sale-is-an-Infinity-Beta-C360-Cherry-only-229_W0QQitemZ130295699121QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item1e563a96b1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65:12|66:2|39:1|72:1234|293:1|294:50

If patient Watch this for a 360

http://electronics.shop.ebay.com/items/Speakers-Subwoofers_?_catref=1&_fln=1&_ipg=25&_sacat=3276&_ssn=harmanaudio&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282

 

[ChunkyDark]

If your throwing out timber matching check out:
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Harman-Audio__W0QQ_armrsZ1
All their stuff is full warranty and the prices can be really good if your patient.

 

[lsiberian]

If impatient get this

http://cgi.ebay.com/Up-for-Sale-is-an-Infinity-Beta-C360-Cherry-only-229_W0QQitemZ130295699121QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item1e563a96b1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65:12|66:2|39:1|72:1234|293:1|294:50

If patient Watch this for a 360

http://electronics.shop.ebay.com/items/Speakers-Subwoofers_?_catref=1&_fln=1&_ipg=25&_sacat=3276&_ssn=harmanaudio&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282

If your throwing out timber matching check out:
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Harman-Audio__W0QQ_armrsZ1
All their stuff is full warranty and the prices can be really good if your patient.

Great minds think alike?

 

[GitRDone]

3-way center channel suggestion

Thx again, LSib and Chunk.

Duct-work in my wall, will not make an in-wall possible.
I am not finding any black and/or silver Infinity Beta 360.

Any opinion on an Infinity Primus PC350?
Any other suggestions for an above average 3-way center?

Thx, Andrew

 

[lsiberian]

Thx again, LSib and Chunk.

Duct-work in my wall, will not make an in-wall possible.
I am not finding any black and/or silver Infinity Beta 360.

Any opinion on an Infinity Primus PC350?
Any other suggestions for an above average 3-way center?

Thx, Andrew

Not on a tight budget.

The Primus is very good and probably sufficient for you.

If your up for a coaxial the KEF iQ2 makes an excellent center speaker too.