question about mismatching speakers

[perry]

I know or at least been told that mismatching speakers will create different tones in the speakers. Now my question is will this effect happen if say i changed my center speaker with the same brand speaker but the model is a new model center? I currently have the JBL venue series speakers 5.1. 4 bookselves the center and 12 inch sub. Sorry there is no model number on the back of the speakers so all i know is that they are called jbl venue series. It just says on the back (monitor on the bookselves) and (voice on the center). I am not very happy with the centers performance so i was looking to upgrade to the JBL LC1 3-Way, High Performance Dual 5 -1/4-Inch Center Channel Loudspeaker (Black) or even JBL LC2 4-Way, High Performance 6-inch Dual Wall-Mountable Center Channel Loudspeaker (Black). What negative effects if any will this have if i only upgrade the center and keep the same bookselves and sub? Is there any way to get them to work together right?

 

[jliedeka]

I think timbre matching, for at least the front three, is something to strive for but is rarely achieved. Most speakers marketed as center channel speakers are in a horizontal MTM format which adds coloration to the sound. Even if they are from the same series, they will sound different from the mains. The good news is that your ears will get used to it quickly and you probably won't notice.

Currently I have a completely different brand center and I don't really notice. I'd recommend going with whatever center sounds best.

Jim

 

[AJinFLA]

I think timbre matching, for at least the front three, is something to strive for but is rarely achieved. Most speakers marketed as center channel speakers are in a horizontal MTM format which adds coloration to the sound. Even if they are from the same series, they will sound different from the mains. The good news is that your ears will get used to it quickly and you probably won't notice.

Currently I have a completely different brand center and I don't really notice. I'd recommend going with whatever center sounds best.

Jim

It's worse than that, (he's dead) Jim
(sorry, couldn't resist)
Not only is what you say about the (acoustic) sources themselves true, but their interaction with the room/surroundings also modifies their perceived output as well, further mismatching their timbre/tonal qualities. It would be indeed rare to have matching tone across the front stage without some eq, just from such interaction.
Like you, I would advise the OP that it's ok to "mismatch" models, but match the levels with the test tones in his receiver (which hopefully also has some eq capability), sit back, relax and enjoy.
Well, at least until it's time....to upgrade the mains .

cheers,

AJ

 

[perry]

It's worse than that, (he's dead) Jim
(sorry, couldn't resist)
Not only is what you say about the (acoustic) sources themselves true, but their interaction with the room/surroundings also modifies their perceived output as well, further mismatching their timbre/tonal qualities. It would be indeed rare to have matching tone across the front stage without some eq, just from such interaction.
Like you, I would advise the OP that it's ok to "mismatch" models, but match the levels with the test tones in his receiver (which hopefully also has some eq capability), sit back, relax and enjoy.
Well, at least until it's time....to upgrade the mains .

cheers,

AJ

I have the onkyo tx-sr608 so I should be good on the eq. I don't really know much about setting up the speakers so I just use the setup audyssey mic. How would do I do the test tones with my receiver?