center speaker impact

[UFObuster]

Just a reminder to just about everyone:
Do NOT underestimate the importance of the center channel.
I've recently upgraded my LR fronts (shall be un-named to be objective) with mucho $$. Great surrounds, sub, etc.....Gave short shrift to my current center thinking it would do for a while....NOT!
...NEVER, NEVER underestimate the center. Getting a well matched center completely changed the sound of the entire set-up....If you cut corners here, you'll be sorry.
...you've been told.

 

[MDS]

You're preaching to the choir.

I think most would agree that the center channel is very important - at least for movies.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I think most would agree that the center channel is very important - at least for movies.

Equally important to music if reproduced in multi channel, DPLII, etc.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Do you research UFO sightings, or just participate on such boards?

 

[Nick250]

Just a reminder to just about everyone:
Do NOT underestimate the importance of the center channel.
I've recently upgraded my LR fronts (shall be un-named to be objective) with mucho $$. Great surrounds, sub, etc.....Gave short shrift to my current center thinking it would do for a while....NOT!
...NEVER, NEVER underestimate the center. Getting a well matched center completely changed the sound of the entire set-up....If you cut corners here, you'll be sorry.
...you've been told.

And if your center is the exact same speaker as your mains, even better.

Nick

 

[Dolby CP-200]

As for the importance for the fronts it’s been my number #1 golden rule for 18years! I’ve using matching JBL control 5 and not a single worry with dialogue panning music and effects.

So the loudspeakers that you are using are nameless.

Undignified Flying Loudspeaker UFL

 

[UFObuster]

"undignified flying loudspeaker"

LOL...
...OK, the "UFObuster" ID was my nickname....I'm such a skeptic when it comes to unsupported claims about anything, especially science related. UFOs were a big deal when I was growing up and I was always quoting Carl Sagan about the size of the universe, etc...."busting the myth"
...as for the "unidentified flying loudspeakers" I was commenting on having a great center and not to focus on a brand name shoot-out....Sometimes, I get trapped into mistakes by being too slow to move forward and being very cautious about over-hyped products: Last year, I upgraded my HT system to Klipsh RF-7 fronts (good deals due to model change) letting my RF-5 pair become surrounds. I had a left-over Klipsch RC-35 from my "smaller" system for a center channel and my world seemed OK but something kept knawing at me about the overall sound or was it my imagination? I tweeked and puttered with settings, etc. to no avail and no real musical joy.
...Finally, I searched and found the discontinued matching Klipsch RC-7 for the center channel...wired it and fired it up...and BAM!!...it was like a missing key to all things warm and sonic. Hence, I had one of those "Duh" moments when I realized that the real world requires good matching center channel speakers.
...so, back to my original post: NEVER, NEVER underestimate the center.
....."You've been told"...

 

[MACCA350]

Yep...3 towers up the front

cheers

 

[mtrycrafts]

LOL...
...OK, the "UFObuster" ID was my nickname....I'm such a skeptic when it comes to unsupported claims about anything, especially science related. UFOs were a big deal when I was growing up and I was always quoting Carl Sagan about the size of the universe, etc...."busting the myth"
.
....."You've been told"...

Hey, that is great. I think you will like it here

I guess someone else had the 'baloney detector bag' taken. One of Carl's often repeated phrases.

 

[no. 5]

I guess someone else had the 'baloney detector bag' taken. One of Carl's often repeated phrases.

a well-equipped Baloney Detection Kit? mine is running at 115%.

 

[Rob Babcock]

Unfortunately, I couldn't use 3 identical ones in my current rig. My mains are Monitor Audio Gold Ref 20's, and they're too tall to use as a center. I did use a GR10 for a while before getting the GR Center.

 

[pimvda]

I currently own 2 Wharfedale Diamond 9.1's for my current stereo setup. I'm planning on extending to 5.1.

Why would I want to choose another 9.1 as a centre speaker instead of one of the three Diamond 9 Centre Speakers? Aren't Centre Speakers exactly designed for "centre speaker duty"? Or is it just another loudspeaker with a different shape?

 

[MACCA350]

I currently own 2 Wharfedale Diamond 9.1's for my current stereo setup. I'm planning on extending to 5.1.

Why would I want to choose another 9.1 as a centre speaker instead of one of the three Diamond 9 Centre Speakers? Aren't Centre Speakers exactly designed for "centre speaker duty"? Or is it just another loudspeaker with a different shape?

I went from using the 'specifically designed center' that came with my mains to using three identical towers up the front. For me there is no contest, I'll never go back.

cheers

 

[adwilk]

I currently own 2 Wharfedale Diamond 9.1's for my current stereo setup. I'm planning on extending to 5.1.

Why would I want to choose another 9.1 as a centre speaker instead of one of the three Diamond 9 Centre Speakers? Aren't Centre Speakers exactly designed for "centre speaker duty"? Or is it just another loudspeaker with a different shape?

Typically, they are "shaped" different for cosmetic reasons and placement becomes easier. They also built using shielded drivers for use near the display. Actually, most HTIB setups utilize a "beefier" center than the sats. The larger center makes the "value" "seem" better due to the lacking satellites.
AW

 

[Nick250]

I currently own 2 Wharfedale Diamond 9.1's for my current stereo setup. I'm planning on extending to 5.1.

Why would I want to choose another 9.1 as a centre speaker instead of one of the three Diamond 9 Centre Speakers? Aren't Centre Speakers exactly designed for "centre speaker duty"? Or is it just another loudspeaker with a different shape?

Identical speakers create a seamless sound stage. Ideally all five speakers would be identical.

Nick

 

[pimvda]

Thanks guys, that makes it much more understandable. Although the standard main for the Diamond 9 series is a tad more expensive and can handle more frequency and power.

Still I'm thinking off replacing my 9.1's with 9.6's and using the 9.1's as rear surrounds. The standard surrounds are the Diamond 9.SR, cheaper, can handle not as much better but has a higher frequency rating.

What does the frequency rating actually mean? For example: Frequency: 70-24k @ -6dB, Frequency 70HzFB

 

[MDS]

What does the frequency rating actually mean? For example: Frequency: 70-24k @ -6dB, Frequency 70HzFB

It means that the speaker can reproduce frequencies between 70 Hz and and 24 kHz with its output varying from the input by no more than -6 dB over that range. Most speakers list their -3 dB point (F3).

 

[pimvda]

It means that the speaker can reproduce frequencies between 70 Hz and and 24 kHz with its output varying from the input by no more than -6 dB over that range. Most speakers list their -3 dB point (F3).

So having a higher rating means a "better" reproduction of the sound in the high frequencies?

 

[Nick250]

So having a higher rating means a "better" reproduction of the sound in the high frequencies?

Smaller db numbers are better because it means less variation over the range of frequencies that are being addressed.

Nick