Piecing 5.1 setup on shoestring budget

[BoredSysAdmin]

I think it would be the same sound quality. Just whatever suits your budget and space requirements. The center speakers are designed to be slimmer (shorter in height).

I believe there was article on AH about how cheaper bookshelf speaker measured better than much pricier centers...
If you have the space for bookshelf center speaker - go bookshelf.

Go with center only for WAF or physical limitations.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I believe there was article on AH about how cheaper bookshelf speaker measured better than much pricier centers...
If you have the space for bookshelf center speaker - go bookshelf.

Go with center only for WAF or physical limitations.

That's my thinking as well. There is a good reason why most speakers are standing vertically.

But try telling that to those damn KEF and REVEL people!!!

They won't even sell a single bookshelf speaker! They make people buy their "Center" speaker instead. Bastards!

But some center speakers are more forgiving and less offending than others.

 

[Pyrrho]

That's my thinking as well. There is a good reason why most speakers are standing vertically.

But try telling that to those damn KEF and REVEL people!!!

They won't even sell a single bookshelf speaker! They make people buy their "Center" speaker instead. Bastards!

But some center speakers are more forgiving and less offending than others.

You just have to buy a pair and have an extra which is stored in a closet in its box, which will be good if there is a mishap with one of the speakers being used. Or find another person with your tastes and budget who uses the same speakers, and split the cost of that one pair of speakers. For my surround system, I use bookshelf speakers for all channels, and the ones I use were only sold in pairs.

With quite a few brands, the center channel speakers are so overpriced that it often isn't that much more expensive to buy a pair of the matching bookshelf speakers. Sometimes, it is even cheaper, while giving one deeper bass response.

 

[BobSaccamano]

I understand how it would be better for music, but I was under the impression that the center was more designed for a higher range, since that's where most of your dialog should come from. would a bookshelf be just as good for that?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I understand how it would be better for music, but I was under the impression that the center was more designed for a higher range, since that's where most of your dialog should come from. would a bookshelf be just as good for that?

I think an identical bookshelf could be even BETTER.

But I think we may be dramatizing this too much.

Could we even tell the difference between a bookshelf vs. center speaker in a double-blinded study?

I think probably not, especially if they are the same company and use the same drivers.

My first choice would be to use 5 identical speakers.

My second choice would be to use 4 identical speakers + a horizontal center speaker.

 

[Jason626]

Saw on Vanns today they have some Boston Acoustics on sale,

floor standing CS226B $98.89
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/accessories/542688464


Center CS225CB $76.39
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/accessories/548805010

 

[Pyrrho]

I think an identical bookshelf could be even BETTER.

But I think we may be dramatizing this too much.

Could we even tell the difference between a bookshelf vs. center speaker in a double-blinded study?

I think probably not, especially if they are the same company and use the same drivers.

My first choice would be to use 5 identical speakers.

My second choice would be to use 4 identical speakers + a horizontal center speaker.

My first choice is the same as yours, but my second choice would be 3 identical speakers for the front and something "voice matched" for the surround channels. I don't think horizontal center speakers are usually audibly indistinguishable from the speakers to which they are said to be "voice matched," though I have not done a double blind test to prove it. But almost no one would be willing to use one of them for the right or left front channel with a bookshelf speaker for the other that is supposedly voice matched to it, and so it seems quite strange to me that people would be willing to have a mismatch for the center channel, as if it did not matter.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

My first choice is the same as yours, but my second choice would be 3 identical speakers for the front and something "voice matched" for the surround channels.

Okay, first choice is 5 identical speakers, second choice is 3 identical fronts + 2 matching surrounds, third choice is 4 identical + matching center, and 4th choice is 2 identical fronts + 1 matching center + 2 matching surrounds.

By the way, the KEF 201/2 are $6K/pr, and the matching center 202/2C is $3,750 each.

The Revel Gem2 are $10K/pr, and the matching Voice2 center is $8K each.

 

[Pyrrho]

Okay, first choice is 5 identical speakers, second choice is 3 identical fronts + 2 matching surrounds, third choice is 4 identical + matching center, and 4th choice is 2 identical fronts + 1 matching center + 2 matching surrounds.

By the way, the KEF 201/2 are $6K/pr, and the matching center 202/2C is $3,750 each.

The Revel Gem2 are $10K/pr, and the matching Voice2 center is $8K each.

I presume you are giving list price rather than what they actually cost, which sometimes favors one approach over another. I think in most cases, it is easier to get a good deal on a pair of bookshelf speakers than on a center channel speaker, due to more of them tending to be made (as people who want speakers for a two channel system will buy them as well as people who want surround sound). But, again, this will vary on a case by case basis, depending on where one is and when one buys.


In the case of the KEF speakers, the bookshelf speaker is rated for a full 10Hz lower than the center speaker, which is an additional advantage, aside from being a perfect match for the bookshelf speakers. And it is a common advantage of bookshelf speakers over the matching center, though obviously this will vary somewhat (as, for example, with the Revel speakers). See:

http://www.kef.com/us/loudspeakers/reference/202

http://www.kef.com/us/loudspeakers/reference/201


In the case of the Revel, the price increase is only 20%, and would allow one to go with a 6.1 system instead of only having a 5.1 system. But it is one of the cases where the center actually produces deeper bass than the matching bookshelf speakers (10Hz lower, when compared at the -3dB point):

http://www.revelspeakers.com/ProductDetails.aspx?prdid=3

http://www.revelspeakers.com/ProductDetails.aspx?prdid=6


Besides, people with that kind of money often have enough for two systems, and then there is absolutely no problem with having to buy the speakers in pairs, as the mate to the center channel for the one system can be the center channel for the other system. Who would want to do without a home theater in their summer or vacation home? It is only an issue for poor people.

 

[texas123]

What reciever to match 6ohms speakers???

In Vanns, today they are offering one Jamo speaker package Jamo S-606-HCS-3 5.0 speaker system for $349.

Take a look into this Jamo speaker package. It has a good review in internet. Since these speakers are 6 ohms, I am not sure if it can be driven by Pioneer 1120 or equivalent. Can you guys tell me which receiver to drive this speakers????

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

In Vanns, today they are offering one Jamo speaker package Jamo S-606-HCS-3 5.0 speaker system for $349.

Take a look into this Jamo speaker package. It has a good review in internet. Since these speakers are 6 ohms, I am not sure if it can be driven by Pioneer 1120 or equivalent. Can you guys tell me which receiver to drive this speakers????

I think the Pioneer should do a fine job. I woudn't worry unless your room is 20' x 30' x 10' in size.