Thin center channel to replace Bose

[jonnythan]

My dad has a Bose Acoustimass 5.1 speaker set right now, and audio clarity really isn't what it should be. I'd like to move him to a Primus setup, but he might not be amenable to large speakers, especially for the center channel.

Can anyone recommend a good, low height CC that would provide much better voice clarity than the Bose speakers?

 

[zieglj01]

Look at Definitive
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-DThi5y5PFtJ/p_735PCTR1KB/Definitive-Technology-ProCenter-1000-Black.html#details-tab

HTD
http://www.htd.com/Products/flat-panel-speakers/flat-panel-speaker

Cambridge
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CAS50

 

[Adam]

Hi, Jon. What is an acceptable height?

The MartinLogan Motion series might work. I have the Motion 8 (review here) and think it sounds quite good. It's 5.6" tall. The Motion 6 center is 5.25" tall.

I remember listening to a Bose center channel back in the mid 90's before I bought my NHTs. I wasn't impressed because there were sounds that were very hard to hear. For example, the chains dragging across the carrier deck in the beginning of Top Gun.

 

[jonnythan]

Right now he has a 70" Sharp LCD on top of a new entertainment center he won't want to replace. There's only maybe 4 inches to the bottom of the screen so I'm going to try to convince him to mount it on the wall and get us another couple inches. It's already a little high though, thanks in part to how freaking huge it is, so I can't go much higher.

The Motion 6 might be an option, though it'll be pushing the budget to pair it with some Motion 2s.

The Def Tech ProCenter 1000 and HTD look like interesting options. Any comments on those? Or maybe the Polk VM20?

 

[zieglj01]

The Def Tech ProCenter 1000 and HTD look like interesting options. Any comments on those?

They are more clear and detailed than Bose, and you can hear the
voices. This Martin Logan is a good one - good price
Amazon.com: MartinLogan Encore TF Center Channel (Black): Electronics
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B00280M774/ref=dp_otherviews_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&img=2
http://www.martinlogan.com/products/encoretf

 

[Adam]

Related to pricing on the Motions, be sure to check for sales. The ones that I've seen on sale are the towers, so I don't know if the others get discounted as much. As an example, the Motion 10s retail for $800/pair, but last month newegg had them for $300/pair.

 

[kini]

Maybe this- Polk TL3

Polk Audio Blackstone™ TL3 Center channel speaker at Crutchfield.com

Ring radiator tweeter and all. 4.25" H

Nice review on the whole system

Review: Polk Audio Blackstone TL350 | Sound and Vision Magazine

Gene

 

[GranteedEV]

I'd like to move him to a Primus setup, but he might not be amenable to large speakers, especially for the center channel.=

Why not use NO CENTER

..it's invisible..

 

[zieglj01]

Why not use NO CENTER

..it's invisible..

That will be better than the nasal, congested and hoarse sounding
Bose center. It may be small - however, you can not hide the poor
quality sound.

 

[jonnythan]

The seats are too wide for phantom center to work, especially with such a large TV.

The Polk and HTD options seem to be winning.

 

[Swerd]

If you're interested, I have a small NHT center channel speaker for sale

5.5" High × 16" Wide × 8" Deep
13 lbs.

$75 or best offer.

 

[zieglj01]

If you're interested, I have a small NHT center channel speaker for sale
5.5" High × 16" Wide × 8" Deep
13 lbs.
$75 or best offer.

That is a good one - you should consider this.

 

[jonnythan]

Oh wow. I forgot you were selling that. I might see if I can convince him to buy it tonight. He won't really be able to use it until he buys a sub, but still...

 

[agarwalro]

+1 for MartinLogan Encore TF. My friend has them and they sound fanatic. I knew my Axiom setup needed to go when we finished calibrating and optimizing his setup.

Some more info on them, MartinLogan - Encore TF - Flexible Center / Surround-Audio Advisor