Inexpensive Center Channel Speaker

[frogman54]

I just bought an inexpensive pioneer 5.1 system. All is good for my needs with the exception of the center channel. I'm afraid it doesn't have very much bass and sounds a little weak. I am very poor so I can't afford anything spectacular...but maybe you guys could stear me in the right direction with a brand or maybe a specific speaker.

 

[j_garcia]

Roughly how inexpensive? $100? $50?

These guys have some decent low cost stuff:

http://www.fluance.com/

http://www.hometheaterdirect.com/

 

[frogman54]

50 to 100 bucks would be acceptable.

 

[frogman54]

http://www.fluance.com/fluancemv670c.html

This speaker is in my price range. Do you guys think it will do the trick?

 

[j_garcia]

Do you have the model of your system? It would be see if we can figure out what the current speaker's response is, because it's hard to say if that guy will do any better than what you have. That one is somewhat low sensitivity at 88dB and goes to 70Hz. It looks decent, but can't say if it's better without the specs.

 

[mazersteven]

I just bought an inexpensive pioneer 5.1 system. All is good for my needs with the exception of the center channel. I'm afraid it doesn't have very much bass and sounds a little weak. I am very poor so I can't afford anything spectacular...but maybe you guys could stear me in the right direction with a brand or maybe a specific speaker.

You've had some good help so far. I just wanted to add this for options.

Paradigm Cinema CC

Design 3-Driver, 2-Way mineral-filled polymer enclosure
Crossover 3rd-order electro-acoustic at 2.4 kHz
Drivers Tweeter 14 mm (5/8") CPC™ dome Midrange Two-90 mm (3-1/2") MPC™ cones
Frequency Response ±2dB 135Hz–20kHz
Sensitivity 89dB / 86dB
Suitable Amplifier Power Range 15 - 100 watts
Maximum Input 50 watts

$129.00

You should be able to get this for $100

 

[jaxvon]

I think you'd do better with this. It's a good center channel. It has amazing bass for a bookshelf speaker.

 

[LOUMFSG]

I'll second the BIC recommendation

I think you'd do better with this. It's a good center channel. It has amazing bass for a bookshelf speaker.

I have the BIC DV-62CLR-S, and I think it is a great sounding center channel for the money. One thing though, it is pretty large (7 11/16" H, 20" W , 10" D), I forget what the weight is, but just make sure you have room for it. If so, I think it is an excellent choice.

 

[frogman54]

The model I bought is here: Sam's Club

The closest thing I could find to it on Pioneer's website is here: Pioneer

The model numbers are different but the specifications look the same.

Like I said, all of the speakers sound very full and powerfull with plenty of bass...but whenever someone talks, it just doesn't seem to match up. I like to watch epsiodes of Batman the animated series and with my old stereo setup (not 5.1), batman's voice had this huge bass resonance to it. I imagine James Earl Jones would have a similar effect...but now I don't get that anymore.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I could be totally off on this, but I'm looking at the specs on this HTIB, and I personally don't think any of the mentioned center channels will work properly with this system.

Take a look at the speaker specs. The BIC DV62 CLRS would probably put out more bass than his subwoofer, IF the receiver had enough power. Next, try to decipher the receivers power. I can't make heads or tails from those specs.

My advice would be to keep the speakers together - they're matched. Try to angle the center speaker directly at the listening position (up or down depending on where it is). Then try to angle the surrounds away from you, thus having to turn up the volume to balance the system. The center channel should be a few dB louder.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_2047433_209695987_tab=B,00.html?compName=PNA_ProductDetailComponent

 

[j_garcia]

After seeing the specs for that system, I'd have to agree with Buckeyfan. A heavy duty center is going to overpower the rest of the system. I'd also look at how the receiver is setup to make sure the correct settings are being used - all speakers should be set to small, sub = yes (if these options are available) and the speaker levels should be adjusted so the system sounds balanced (with an SPL meter ideally). Next would be to make sure the center speaker is pulled all the way to the front edge of whatever it is sitting on so it is not reflecting directly off whatever it is sitting on.

 

[jaxvon]

Wow, that IS laughable. My DV-62si bookshelves are strong down into the 50s, lower if near a wall or corner.

 

[frogman54]

I knew you guys would make fun of my cheap *** system. Honestly...I couldn't even afford what I bought. It is a long story that involves disability from a medical condition that causes me to have to be in bed most of the day, and the tiny paychecks that the government is willing to give you if you can't work like a normal person. But dammit all I have to do all day is watch TV and movies and I wanted surround sound. The problem is...I use to be a muscian and I'm afraid I have a bit of a picky ear.

The speakers aren't matched. They may have been sold together...but I'm telling you that they are not matched. I'm going to use a musician's term that maybe you audio guys use as well. Resonance...the fullness of sound. All of the speakers in this system have it...except the center channel. Turning up the level of the center channel is not going to fix the problem (I tried it). As for the "weak" subwoofer...it is fine for my needs. It has a big booming sound and explosions and whatnot are quite impressive.

I think you guys have me sold on the BIC DV-62CLRS speaker. I have looked up the specs of the reciever in the manual for you guys. Let me know if this helps your analysis.

Continuous power output:
Front,center, and surround
100 W per channel (200Hz - 20KHz, 1.0%, 6 ohms)
Subwoofer
100 W (45Hz - 200Hz, 1.0%, 6 ohms)

RMS power output:
Front,center, and surround
125 W per channel (1KHz,THD 10%, 6 ohms)
Subwoofer
125 W (100Hz,THD 10%, 6 ohms)

Music Power Output
Front,center,surround, and subwoofer
167 W per channel (DIN MUSIC, 10%, 6 ohms)

So do you think I should give the BIC a try?

 

[brian32672]

Please know, I am disabled as well. By chance I had finally got my settlement, and went and did the Audio thing for one last time. Now I get the tiny checks..

I still think that a tad better sub is what you may want. It should give life to your entire system.

I by no means was laughing at your choice.
I always try to find good deals for people on a tight budget.
Since I know how that goes....

Edit::This sub is what I recommend and its 79.99 shipped. Please read lower to Joes' review
Please read here http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13459&highlight=79.00

 

[frogman54]

I'm telling you...the sub is fine. And the manual says that the subs frequency range is 30 Hz to 2.5 kHz. I'm not sure if that is the same spec you were talking about when you said it was 100 Hz.

 

[brian32672]

That output is what the reciever is rated. Well at least thats what I think its trying to state. There is no way that the 6.5 sub is hitting anything lower than at most 80hz. Just being truthful, and trying to help.
I'm not ragging on anyone...

 

[jaxvon]

Sorry to rip on you man. I dumped some serious cash into my system (well, serious to me) and as a result, I'm now poor. I also forget that many people can't afford to do what I did. I apologize.

If you feel that your low-frequency stuff is doing okay, I guess you can live with that for now. The BIC center channel is very good for the money, and has an impressive range. It has excellent bass response, so males voices will have the proper depth and "weight".

I can guarantee that it has higher sensitivity than your current center, so it can player louder with less power. Hopefully it doesn't overpower your fronts! Here's an idea though: the slow upgrade. As you get some extra cash (which sounds like it doesn't happen too often), you can slowly upgrade your system. Your receiver isn't awesomely powerful, but it should be able to push 8ohm speakers to reasonable levels. With that, I think you could slowly replace your HTiB speakers with matching BIC speakers (that being DV-62 bookshelves) for a good sound. As budget permits, you can then upgrade your subwoofer, receiver, etc. until you have a nicer system.

As you can see in my sig, I run a full setup of DV-62 speakers and really like them. They are capable of playing VERY loud without distorting and sound very very good for the money.

I'd try to give you better info, but Pioneer's online manual is a lame 2-page quick setup guide.

 

[brian32672]

Hey Frogman... I totally forgot. I have a center that may be right up your alley for sale. Seriously I totally forgot about it.
I know its quite sensitive at 94db, and if I recall the FR is 55hz to 20Khz it has dual 6" and a 6" horn... And is in your price range by far. Its the Cadence XC-9. Here look here, then if you want the total specs I will take a pic of the original box with all the specs. I keep my equipment in 110% condition, and that speaker has about only at max about 15 hours on it.....
Look at this thread...
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13066

If your interested then PM me, and I will give my # and email address...

This might be exactly what you are looking for. Sorry, I totally forgot it...
I have just so much equipment, and forgot about that one....

EDIT:: Here are 3 pics, I can send full size pics to your email....
By chance I had a few pics still in my computer... So I uploaded them

 

[jaxvon]

That's a deal Frogger. It's not as nice as the DV-62, but I can guarantee that it's much better than what you have right now and the price is right. Since you're trying to be as cost conscious as possible, I think that you should take up Brian's offer. I've bought some stuff off of him (as well as other members here) and I've never had a bad experience. There's a good group of guys that hang here (and maybe a couple laides ).

 

[Ron Temple]

Sounds like a winner to me. Just a note. With an upgraded center dialog will become(or should) crystal clear, but for music, you will probably have to trim it a few dbs.

Brian's a great guy, take him up on it.