Replace Front Main Speakers or Center Channel First??

[AudioBuffCO]

Hey All,

Regardless of brand names, etc, if money is a limitation from replacing the main front speakers and the center channel at the same time, and I am going to do one of the other, which would you replace first? This is for my 5.1 system. I am very much thinking replacing the Center first would be the wise choice, since dialogue (and lots of effects in movies) are centered (pun intended) in the Center Channel. Several months after replacing the Center, I will have the money to replace the Mains.

Thx,
Tom

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

It depends but in general, if you have issues understanding dialog, upgrading center should be helpful (sometimes)

 

[lovinthehd]

Without knowing more my consideration would be to plan all three to either be the same speaker or at least in the same family. If the system is primarily about listening to two ch content then L/R would be my priority. If video related probably the center could be a priority.

 

[AudioBuffCO]

Thanks for your replies.....I feel perhaps I need to clarify. I am going to replace BOTH the Front L & R AND the Center. However, due to budget constraints, I am going to replace one or the other NOW. I will replace the secondary choice within 6 months. I am asking, given that info, which would you replace first, the Mains or the Center?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I think we are very clear on your question, but without knowing your actual budget and your speaker you aim to purchase very little additional guidance is possible.
Trust me we have seen a fair share of occasional visitors with $500 budget for the whole 5.1 system and $500 budget for a single cable from another side

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks for your replies.....I feel perhaps I need to clarify. I am going to replace BOTH the Front L & R AND the Center. However, due to budget constraints, I am going to replace one or the other NOW. I will replace the secondary choice within 6 months. I am asking, given that info, which would you replace first, the Mains or the Center?

Thanks,
Tom

That's not much clarification. What do you prefer to have first based on use? Or what can you afford first?

 

[ryanosaur]

Yup, do whichever of the two options you are most comfortable with right now... And like Lovin said, whichever speakers you choose, kep them matched up when you take the next step a couple months down the line.

 

[shadyJ]

It's not all that often that a center channel speaker is so lousy that dialogue intelligibility is a problem. I would take a look at the acoustics of its placement before looking for a new speaker. If the problems are due to its acoustic situation, getting a better speaker is not going to solve your problem.

What is your current speakers? What is their placement like?

 

[sterling shoote]

Don't do anything, just save to buy Left, Right, and Center at the same time. There are a multitude of reasons why this is the BEST idea. You can probably think of all of them in a few seconds so I won't spend the 3 or 4 minutes it would take to list them.

 

[beginjapan!]

Don't do anything, just save to buy Left, Right, and Center at the same time. There are a multitude of reasons why this is the BEST idea. You can probably think of all of them in a few seconds so I won't spend the 3 or 4 minutes it would take to list them.

Agreed. If you buy the center OR the L R speakers you might not be able to find the other component of that system later. Getting all three together assures you'll have a fully timbre matched system on the three most important speakers in your surround system.

 

[Darenwh]

Knowledge of current system would also help to give good advice as some systems will not work well with any speakers but the ones that came with them. If you buy without full knowledge of what will work you may find yourself with a paperweight until you can upgrade other aspects of the system.

 

[m3incorp]

If you watch more movies/TV than music, then replacing the center first makes a lot of sense. As others have stated, hard to give a recommendation without knowing what you currently have and your use.