Does a Center have to be a Center?

[BostonMark]

In my bedroom, I have a Surround Sound system that uses a Denon AVR 1905 receiver, and all Cambridge Soundworks speakers. I really like the sound of the Cambridge Soundworks M60s, I think they are a pretty good sounding bookshelf speaker. I use them for L&R and surrounds. I use a small 8S bass cube, that although no match for the Velodyne in my living room set up, gives me the low bass sound (if not the feel) in my bedroom.

However, my problem is my Center Channel! I use the Center Stage, which really isn't quite a sonic match for the M-60s. It also gets overpowered on analog sources (ie. SACD /DVD-Audio) since my Denon only levels speakers in digital modes.

Could I use a single M -60 as the Center, or would there be a problem in using a single M-60 for a Center Channel? Is there another Cambridge Soundworks speaker that WOULD make an ideal center channel with that set up? (like one of the MC speakers i.e. the 300, 400 or 500?)

By the Way, the monitor that I use in the bedroom is a Westinghouse LCD HDTV, so I don't think that magnetic shielding is a concern.

Any thoughts and comments would be appreciated.

 

[bandit]

I think getting another single would be fine. You mention that magnetic sheilding is not a problem.

The design of center channels often has a high frequency dispersion pattern that is different than those of left or right channels. This is to widen the "sweet spot" for best listening positions. However - given yours is in your bedroom - I would guess that you have a somewhat limited seating arrangements so I think you'd be fine.

Some companies have Left/Right/Center speakers that are marketed that way that are all exactly the same.

Bandit

 

[mazersteven]

Infact your suppose to have the same speaker as your center as your using for your mains. This can't be done all the time so center channel speakers are ideal in most situations. But if you can have the same three speakers up from it is preferred.

You will hear an incredible difference using a M-60 as a center for your system.

 

[Nick250]

I use three Paradigm Studio 20s as LRC. I could not be more pleased with the seamless sound stage I get from having three identical speakers up front. One of the best audio decisions I have made.

Nick

 

[tomd51]

MC400, MC300 or another M60 will work...

Hey BostonMark;
I'm using a couple of M50s as mains in my secondary setup along with an MC400 and pair of S300s for surrounds.

The MC400 matches well with the M50s and would provide the same for the M60s and M80s as well.

You can most certainly use another M60 for a center if placement allows, but if you'd rather have a center style speaker, I'd suggest the MC300 or MC400, preferrably the 400, the CenterStage is not even in the same league as the Newtons. The MC500 is a great speaker as well, but it's huge, I had one previously. I think it may be a bit overkill for the M60s as well.

If you're looking at purchasing one of these centers and would like to save a little, I've bought almost all my CSWs from their eBay store as refurbs, shaving about 35%-60% off most of my purchases and they've all looked brand new... -TD

 

[Sheep]

In some cases, you'd be better of using a bookshelf (MT design) then a dedicated center channel (MTM design).

I say get another M60.

SheepStar

 

[AVRat]

Just a check, if possible, have you adjusted bass management levels in the DVD player for the hi-res analog outputs?

 

[Hi Ho]

I use an old Advent as a center channel. It works great. You don't need to have a "center speaker". I had a Polk CS1 center before and I didn't like it at all. The Advent sounds much better and blends well with my DIY mains.

 

[mulester7]

I use an old Advent as a center channel. It works great. You don't need to have a "center speaker". I had a Polk CS1 center before and I didn't like it at all. The Advent sounds much better and blends well with my DIY mains.

.....the old Advents were/are magic, Hi Ho....I think they would enhance the mids and blend with about any pair of mains for a pleasing presence in a sound chamber.......

 

[j_garcia]

I believe the problem will be finding one M60. They don't sell single units, AFAIK.

 

[BostonMark]

I found this out

I believe the problem will be finding one M60. They don't sell single units, AFAIK.

I appreciate everyone's input. I am now down to deciding between picking up another M-60 or the MC-400. I listened to the MC400 v. the MC 500 today, and the 500 didn't provide a good match at all for the M 60s but the 400 sounded quite good.

The CAS sales person looked at me cross eyed when I suggested using an M 60 as a center, as if I had uttered Bose in front of a group of audophiles. He said that you couldn't do that because the M 60 wasn't BALANCED.

After pressing him a bit, he admitted that they didn't sell M60s separately, and wouldn't know how to ring up a single M 60 as a center in any event. He also wouldn't let me listen to an M 60 as a center because he didn't want to hook it up. (I suspect also because if the M 60 did sound JUST FINE as a center, he would have looked stupid, since he didn't have any real reasoning behind his disdain for using a L R speaker for a C speaker.)

Nevertheless, I did listen to the MC 400 and 500 and liked the way the 400 sounded. I live in Mass, so I have a few CSW stores I can go to, so that I can listen to an M 60 as a center. I am sure that at LEAST one of the stores will humor me, after all, in the end it does result in a sale for them. Wish me luck auditioning it as a center. (jees, I wish I had more money, I'd just go out and get 4 B&W 602 S3s and a B&W LCR600 S3).

As usual, Audoholics has provided me with far more helpful advice than the local salespeople at my stereo stores

 

[j_garcia]

Maybe you can pick up a pair of b-stocks or open box ones and use one as the front center and the other as a rear center?

 

[tomd51]

Maybe you can pick up a pair of b-stocks or open box ones and use one as the front center and the other as a rear center?

That's actually a very good idea if you were adamant on using an M60 as a center. Plus, if you did decide at some point you wanted to change things out and sell these, you wouldn't be stuck w/a single speaker.

You "couldn't do that because the M 60 wasn't BALANCED"?!?? Sorry, but that guy's a royal idiot. I'd say it would definitely be worth your while to try another CSW location and steer clear of that dope.

CSW has both a pair of maple M60s for $220 or an MC400 for $160 on their eBay store. They also have all three finish types of M60s on sale in their outlet store and the MC400 as well, but as you can imagine, they're a little bit more expensive here than their eBay store... -TD

 

[BostonMark]

took home mc400

I went to a different CSW store to listen. I am glad folks here agree that the salesman that couldn't fathom an M60 as a center was a bit narrow in his audio knowledge.

I went to one of the closer CSW stores, and listened to a lot of my own DVD audios that have good center channel stuff (Metallica for Lars drums, Doors - LA Woman for Jim's voice, Billie Holiday SACD for Billies voice, and Dire Straits Brother in Arms for the great production and drums and voices in center mix)

I actually did like the MC400 as a match to the M60s, it sounded very natural and well matched. It is easier to fit another center channel where the old center was. I got a b stock one, not as cheap as the ebay price. The guy there is also going to let me know if another pair of Maple M60s come in, I'd like to add the rear surround channels since the Denon AVR 19-5 is 7.1. It seems like a really good power (75 real watts per channel) and speakers. It doesn't have the Jerry Bruckheimer Blam of my Living Room home theater, but it is beginning to sound pretty awesome for a second system for music and movies! Best of all, since my Westinghouse 27" LCD HDTV is also my computer monitor, I can really sit right in the sweet spot to listen to my music now! The LR and C are literally all 4 feet from my head!

If I dont like my MC400, I have 45 days to return it. Aside from that one stupid sales guy I saw on my lunch break, I have been overall happy with CSWs as a retailer and a speaker manafacturer.

Thank you for all your replies and help! I'll have to clean up around my Entertainment / Computer station, and take some photos.

 

[BostonMark]

The MC 400 blends perfectly!

Thanks again for everyones help. I wrote up my experience with the MC 400 as a center channel with my Cambridge soundworks M 60s

Review of Cambridge Soundworks MC 400 as center channel

for the money, I think CSW really has a great sound for the price!

Now I'll have to pick up another pair of M 60s for the other 2 channels in my denon 7.1 surround sound receiver (the entry level AVR 1905)

 

[tomd51]

Another nice writeup, Mark. Glad to see you're as pleased w/the MC400 as I have been over the past couple of years.

You mentioned you're looking to pick up another pair of M60s for your rear surrounds. I think you've got the maple finish, but in case you're interested, I'm going to be selling my M50s with the mahogany finish in the very near future. The Newton series are a great value and the maple and mahogany real wood finishes are just beautiful, I just wish they'd do these finishes with the MC and S series as well... -TD

 

[BostonMark]

Yeah on the finishes

with me, it's not even a WAF, my girlfriend doesn't live with me, and has no complaints about my music systems. I just happen to appreciate a system that looks good as well as sounds good.