Need a small center.

[panteragstk]

So, I've got a good 4.1 system in my office (specifics in my sig), but I'm wondering if I should go full 5.1.

I've got a nice phantom center, but wifey has issues hearing dialog sometimes (I do as well on occasion) so I need a small center.

I found this one from monoprice that looks decent, but I'm wondering if you guys have any other thoughts. Size needs to be as close as possible to the linked speaker.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

How 'bout NHT Supercenter? Only marginally larger than the monoprice speaker

 

[panteragstk]

How 'bout NHT Supercenter? Only marginally larger than the monoprice speaker

Awesome. I'll put that one in the pile for consideration.

 

[Mr._Clark]

Awesome. I'll put that one in the pile for consideration.

I'm not sure if this is in the range you're looking for, but newegg has the JBL Studio 520 on sale for $149.95 right now: https://flash.newegg.com/Product/9SIA5Z267E2822

I just bought one, but I have not set it up yet so I can't provide any personal insights on it just yet

 

[panteragstk]

I'm not sure if this is in the range you're looking for, but newegg has the JBL Studio 520 on sale for $149.95 right now: https://flash.newegg.com/Product/9SIA5Z267E2822

I just bought one, but I have not set it up yet so I can't provide any personal insights on it just yet

Sadly, that one is too big.

 

[lovinthehd]

See this one at A4L that's pretty small https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamnsc210bl/yamaha-ns-c210-3-2-way-center-channel-speaker-black/1.html or maybe this Pioneer if it comes back in stock https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/pionspc22/pioneer-sp-c22-4-2-way-center-channel-speaker-black/1.html. A couple years ago I needed a small center and picked up a nice little Mordaunt Short (Carnival 5) that I was wondering if was still around....

 

[TheWarrior]

@KEW was finding some good deals on Infinity closeouts as I recall....

 

[Swerd]

I haven't heard that Monoprice center speaker, but I have heard the MP-T65RT towers also sold my Monoprice. They're OK, especially considering their low price. They don't seem to have highly noticeable flaws, but they do seem to be limited in power handling, the ability to be loud without distorting. This may or may not be a problem when they're combined with the left & right front speakers you already have.

Also their cabinets are thin walled and light weight. That may be less of a problem for small center speakers than for the towers.

The NHT SuperCenters are more robust, can go louder, and are more expensive.

 

[zieglj01]

I would go for the NHT

 

[shadyJ]

I haven't heard that Monoprice center speaker, but I have heard the MP-T65RT towers also sold my Monoprice. They're OK, especially considering their low price. They don't seem to have highly noticeable flaws, but they do seem to be limited in power handling, the ability to be loud without distorting. This may or may not be a problem when they're combined with the left & right front speakers you already have.

Also their cabinets are thin walled and light weight. That may be less of a problem for small center speakers than for the towers.

The NHT SuperCenters are more robust, can go louder, and are more expensive.

For an MTM center, you are really going to want a low pass filter on the woofers, or else lobing will go very high up in frequency, especially with 4" woofers. See the Dayton B452-Air Center. The damage done to the off-axis response is considerable.

 

[Swerd]

For an MTM center, you are really going to want a low pass filter on the woofers, or else lobing will go very high up in frequency, especially with 4" woofers. See the Dayton B452-Air Center. The damage done to the off-axis response is considerable.

Good point. You're right.

I hadn't thought of the fact that this center speaker lets the two mid-woofers run full range instead of limiting their higher frequencies, as most speakers do. In that case, I think the NHT SuperCenter speaker might be a good solution for the OP. I believe this speaker does have a low pass filter for the mid-woofers.

 

[shadyJ]

Good point. You're right.

I hadn't thought of the fact that this center speaker lets the two mid-woofers run full range instead of limiting their higher frequencies, as most speakers do. In that case, I think the NHT SuperCenter speaker might be a good solution for the OP. I believe this speaker does have a low pass filter for the mid-woofers.

I am sure the NHT center has a low-pass filter for the woofers! However, a better solution might actually be to just use a bookshelf speaker on its side. It's off-axis response will not be great in that orientation, but it could easily be better than a MTM center.

 

[panteragstk]

I am sure the NHT center has a low-pass filter for the woofers! However, a better solution might actually be to just use a bookshelf speaker on its side. It's off-axis response will not be great in that orientation, but it could easily be better than a MTM center.

I would, but I'm very space limited. I think I may try the Yamaha or Monoprice just due to the low price. If they don't cut it then the NHT will be at the top of the list.

 

[zieglj01]

I would, but I'm very space limited. I think I may try the Yamaha or Monoprice just due to the low price. If they don't cut it then the NHT will be at the top of the list.

Also look at the Dayton Audio MK-442
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-mk442-2-way-center-channel-speaker-with-dual-4-treated-paper-woofers-and-silk--300-456

 

[slipperybidness]

So, I've got a good 4.1 system in my office (specifics in my sig), but I'm wondering if I should go full 5.1.

I've got a nice phantom center, but wifey has issues hearing dialog sometimes (I do as well on occasion) so I need a small center.

I found this one from monoprice that looks decent, but I'm wondering if you guys have any other thoughts. Size needs to be as close as possible to the linked speaker.

Similar in size, never heard it, but hear good things about it
http://ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/htm200/htm200.html

 

[panteragstk]

@KEW was nice enough to gift me a good center. Turns out to be a Jamo A 3CEN.4 and it sounds pretty good. Wife is happier that she can hear dialog better.

What I'm going to do now is decide what final set of speakers need to go in this office. Looking like DIY is the way, but I've got little time and a long list of things to do before I get to them. Plus, it's too damn hot outside right now.

Thanks for all the replies. You guys are awesome.

 

[KEW]

@KEW was nice enough to gift me a good center. Turns out to be a Jamo A 3CEN.4 and it sounds pretty good. Wife is happier that she can hear dialog better.

What I'm going to do now is decide what final set of speakers need to go in this office. Looking like DIY is the way, but I've got little time and a long list of things to do before I get to them. Plus, it's too damn hot outside right now.

Thanks for all the replies. You guys are awesome.

Glad you and your wife are enjoying it!
Don't ask me why I was keeping an odd-ball center! "Because it sounds good" doesn't fully qualify ... I just did not like the idea of it ending up in the dump! Thanks for giving me an alternative!
... and when you upgrade, you are stuck with throwing in the dump or finding a better alternative - HA!
Sucks to be you!

 

[panteragstk]

Glad you and your wife are enjoying it!
Don't ask me why I was keeping an odd-ball center! "Because it sounds good" doesn't fully qualify ... I just did not like the idea of it ending up in the dump! Thanks for giving me an alternative!
... and when you upgrade, you are stuck with throwing in the dump or finding a better alternative - HA!
Sucks to be you!

Pfft. Like I throw away speakers that work.
It'll just get added to the large selection of unused speakers I already have. Funny enough, I usually always need a test speaker for one reason or another.