The Best Center Speakers in the World!!! (under $1000)

[ridikas]

** Important Notice:

- If you own a horn loaded center speaker (Klipsch, JBL, etc.) you are good to go
- If you own a coaxial center speaker (KEF, etc.) rest easy
- If you own any MT, MTM, etc. speakers and they are placed vertically, perfect!
- If you own a speaker that looks like a center channel, but all drivers are aligned vertically (2-way, 3-way, etc.) then again perfect!
- If you own an MTM speaker and it's placed horizontally, but has the tweeter on top, or severely offset, you have the lesser evil...

[ADMIN] You generalize way too much about center channel designs. What matters most is how the speaker measures and sounds in a real room along with how it's being used.

Suggested reading: Vertical vs Horizontal Center Channel Speaker Designs



Wait for it...

- If you own a traditional LCR (MTM) speaker and it's placed horizontally, then it's definitely time to upgrade

This is a great article which describes the problem perfectly: Center Channel Speaker Design Additional Considerations — Reviews and News from Audioholics

The following center channels are all 3-way, where the upper midrange driver(s) and tweeter(s) are aligned vertically and crossed to the woofer(s) at a low frequency (approximately 400Hz).

This is the only way to have a proper horizontal center channel speaker If I missed anything on the market, please let me know!

** End Notice

Asperion Intimus 5C Center $280 (not recommended) Aperion Intimus 5T-DB Hybrid HD Speaker System Measurements | Home Theater
Infinity Primus PC351 $280 (no anechoic data available)
JBL ES25C $350 (not recommended) JBL ES20 Speaker System HT Labs Measures | Home Theater
Jamo D 500 LCR $350 (recommended, THX Select 2 certified, no anechoic data needed)
Paradigm Center 1 $380 (no anechoic data available)
NHT Twoc $400 (no anechoic data, but not recommended due to ThreeC's performance below)
JBL LC1 $400 (no anechoic data available)
Revel C12 $500 (fantastic) The Revel Concerta F12 Surround Sound Speaker System Measurements | Home Theater
NHT ThreeC $500 (not recommended) The NHT Classic Four Surround Sound Speaker System Measurements | Home Theater
JBL LC2 $500 (no anechoic data available)
Jamo D 600 LCR $600 (recommended, THX Select 2 certified, no anechoic data needed)
Paradigm SE Center $600 (no anechoic data)
Paradigm Center 3 $600 (recommended) Test Report: Paradigm Monitor Series 7 Speaker System | Sound and Vision Magazine
Energy RCLCR $650 (no anechoic data available)
Asperion Verus Grand Center $700 (not recommended) Aperion Verus Grand Speaker System HT Labs Measures | Home Theater and Aperion Verus Grand Center Overview and Measurements — Reviews and News from Audioholics
M&K S-150THX $750 (recommended, THX Select 2 certified, no anechoic data needed)
Polk Audio LSiM704c $750 (no anechoic data available)
Paradigm Studio CC-490 $850 (no anechoic data available)

The above list has been ranked by price. As you can see, there are literally only a few good center channels being sold today. It's unfortunate I hope this list helps someone decide in a purchase of a center speaker under $1000.

The only recommendations are for the Jamo D 500 and D 600, M&K S-150, Revel C12 (probably the best there is), and maybe one of the Paradigms.

I will make another list for $1000 and above in a day, or two.

 

[ratso]

alrighty, i take it back. you are crossing the line of sillyness now.

 

[ridikas]

How else can one recommend and narrow down a decent center speaker?

BTW, your Selah center channel looks great! I'll include it in my over $1000 recommendations

 

[ratso]

How else can one recommend and narrow down a decent center speaker?

BTW, your Selah center channel looks great! I'll include it in my over $1000 recommendations

ohhhh i dunno, maybe by letting people put down what they like without you setting your arbitrary guidelines? just a thought (that has been beaten like a dead horse in your other threads). but have fun, whateva..

 

[ridikas]

That would defeat the purpose of using sound science and providing facts and measurements...

 

[fuzz092888]

Maybe you should try learning the science and taking some measurements before you go trying to cite it haphazardly after getting blasted for the lack of it in your other threads. Reading one or two articles and only taking the information that was given to you in the other threads at a very shallow level leaves you wide open to criticism, which you will surely receive yet again.

As anyone can tell you science can only take you so far and then comes reality. A "good center" is a somewhat subjective term and your criteria for what makes one isn't all sound.

I'm really not sure why you keep making these lists when you clearly don't have wide enough experience with the speaker world and all that it has to offer.

 

[ridikas]

People keep critiquing my reasoning, yet not one of these characters has offered a solution of his/her own. You know what that means? It means that I'm right, but the egos around here cannot accept it...

It would be extremely naive to assume that I'm wrong in any way, or that I have no experience.

Even a moderately technical person reading this thread, would come to the conclusion that some of these posters could actually learn a thing, or two from my threads

 

[Irvrobinson]

Maybe you should try learning the science and taking some measurements before you go trying to cite it haphazardly after getting blasted for the lack of it in your other threads. Reading one or two articles and only taking the information that was given to you in the other threads at a very shallow level leaves you wide open to criticism, which you will surely receive yet again.

As anyone can tell you science can only take you so far and then comes reality. A "good center" is a somewhat subjective term and your criteria for what makes one isn't all sound.

I'm really not sure why you keep making these lists when you clearly don't have wide enough experience with the speaker world and all that it has to offer.

You're not too good at taking your own advice, are ya?

 

[fuzz092888]

You're not too good at taking your own advice, are ya?

I am terrible at it

It's easily my fatal flaw for sure

 

[fuzz092888]

People keep critiquing my reasoning, yet not one of these characters has offered a solution of his/her own. You know what that means? It means that I'm right, but the egos around here cannot accept it...

It would be extremely naive to assume that I'm wrong in any way, or that I have no experience.

Even a moderately technical person reading this thread, would come to the conclusion that some of these posters could actually learn a thing, or two from my threads

All that you've proven, especially with this last post is that you're arrogant and completely beyond help

Can you tell me what center this is? Is it good or bad? The first graph is quasi-anechoic and the second is at the LP




This is another center. Is it good or bad? the top line is quasi and the bottom is at the LP. What about this one?

 

[Matt34]

That would defeat the purpose of using sound science and providing facts and measurements...

I've yet to see any of that in these "lists" you've made.

The subwoofer thread was "funny" but you're pushing your luck with these last two.

 

[ridikas]

Fuzz, the graphs look OK, but if you think that quasi and listening position measurements are enough, then I don't know what to tell you. It's practically as meaningless as it gets. Is this a horizontal MTM? If so, please show me 15, 30, and 45 degree horizontal off axis measurements. Please do them at 1m and set the gate to 7-10ms.

Matt, I'm sorry that you don't think this is sound science. There are many great articles on Audioholics which explain different technical aspects of acoustics.

 

[fuzz092888]

Fuzz, the graphs look OK, but if you think that quasi and listening position measurements are enough, then I don't know what to tell you. It's practically as meaningless as it gets. Is this a horizontal MTM? If so, please show me 15, 30, and 45 degree horizontal off axis measurements. Please do them at 1m and set the gate to 7-10ms.

I never said any such thing, and to assume otherwise is sheer stupidity on your part. Meaningless isn't what I'd call it. An incomplete picture, but one that shows that both of these centers can potentially stack up against those that you "recommend" and like Matt said, you have yet to actually show any of what you claim to.

I'll humor you one last time. And I never said what they were, they could me MTM or otherwise. What does it matter? Why should the design principle matter, measurements are measurements.

 

[fuzz092888]

These measurements are also not taken in a professional setting with "pro" equipment like the magazines so I would argue that the graphs of both would be even better given a more controlled environment.

 

[Matt34]

Your lists make no sense. You have speakers listed there and then have (not recommended) next to them, others with no data available but yet still listed in the "Best Center Speakers in the World".

You're "rustling my jimmies" with this nonsense. My tolerance level for trolling on this forum is much lower than what you may be used to.

I'd suggest no more "Best ***** of the world" threads.

 

[ridikas]

What's the point of me looking at these graphs if I don't know what's being measured and how?

If the graph with the midrange dip is due to horizontal off axis, then that's a bad speaker. If that's vertical off axis, then it's pretty normal for most speakers. The drivers at that point are practically out of phase, at some distance above and below the listening axis. Where was the mic positioned? Type of speaker? Speaker orientation?

I've done my share of designs and measurements. Your behavior is rather childish. And in fact it more reflects on you and your lack of knowledge in this field.

If you want to continue this conversation, tell me what you're measuring and how. And I'll help you interpret the results

 

[ridikas]

Matt, that is not against the forum's rules. I have not insulted you, or any single member on this board. Nor have I trolled. Putting together these lists take time and effort. If you don't find them usefull that is perfectly okay, but other members might. Please stop the unprovoked threats. As a moderator, you have plenty of opportunities to give people a time off for personal attacks and insults. I wish people would use the ignore button more often instead of trolling other members' topics. Thanks for being understanding.

 

[fuzz092888]

I don't need your help to interpret the results and childish behavior can also be summed up as spamming a website with meaningless threads about topics that no one here particularly cares about due to the subjective nature of this hobby.

Furthermore, the constantly contradictory criteria in the other thread which lead to almost zero productive conversation about speakers shows how out of wack your train of thought can be. I've reread the thread a few times (best speakers) and in one post you'll say something seemingly just to argue with the person who's disagreeing with you and in the very next post contradict yourself. That is as childish as I've ever seen.

On top of that you start this thread, which is as completely idiotic as the other threads, in which you chest beat in front of guys who are extremely knowledgable when it comes to speakers, their design, and the science behind it all by proclaiming yourself right with no proof and no evidence to back you up.

You disregard certain speakers based on what exactly? Measurements alone? You say certain ones are "recommended" even though so measurements are provided? Which of the above centers have you actually HEARD? You don't provide all the information and expect everyone else to interpret, why should I provide more than the basic information for what you ask? You asked for measurements, here they are. Interpret away. As far as I can tell the first center and even the second stacks up against at least one of the "recommended" centers you mention.

Where are the off axis for the paradigm monitor series 7?

My behavior reflects nothing except that fact that like more than a few other members on this website we're growing increasingly tired of you and your behavior. Have you noticed fewer people replying to this thread? It's because you're making a lot of ignore lists and about to be one more. If you think my behavior is childish you obviously missed some of the "childish" behavior being thrown your way in some of your other threads. I'm sorry that I'm more direct and couldn't come up with something that would go zooming over your head.

I'm not making judgment of you as a person on the whole when I say all this. However I am pointing out that at this point in time you're irritating the bejesus out of nearly everyone around here with your nonsense. If you want to have real conversations I suggest you stuff your own ego back wherever it was and come up with more coherent criteria for your "best whatever" or better yet just don't make anymore. You're the one who leaves little room for discussion with your arbitrary criteria, even though this has been pointedly pointed out to you.

I wish you luck, but here we part ways like you and many other members before this point.

 

[Matt34]

Matt, that is not against the forum's rules. I have not insulted you, or any single member on this board. Nor have I trolled. Putting together these lists take time and effort. If you don't find them usefull that is perfectly okay, but other members might. Please stop the unprovoked threats. As a moderator, you have plenty of opportunities to give people a time off for personal attacks and insults. I wish people would use the ignore button more often instead of trolling other members' topics. Thanks for being understanding.

You're insulting the community with these type of threads.