Timbrrrrrrr-r-r-r-r-r-e

[Tomorrow]

I know that timbre matching, and perhaps crossover matching, are important reasons why the center channel speaker should match the front L/R speakers. I am considering buying into a 6.1 system (Onix Rockets) that has a humongous center channel that will not fit in my cabinet, nor on the top of the tv. It's too large to fit in front of the tv (but on top of the cabinet). I would have to build a stand for the tv..that would also house the speaker underneath. I'm not enamored with that option. WAF considerations have eliminated other options (like a stand in front of the cabinet). The RS200 is the speaker...25" wide x 12" tall. Onix has a smaller Reference CC that may be a close match, driver-wise, but that dude is $950...WAY out of my price range.

So to my question....how would I go about selecting a close matching cc? Or should I chuck the idea until I get a new custom cabinet (NOT) or can afford all Onix References or similar system (year 2015 )?

T'anx in advance for your suggestions.

 

[Sheep]

I don't run identical fronts(yet). My amp has a center EQ so I can make it close to my fronts though.

SheepStar

 

[j_garcia]

I would say look at some other speakers that do have a center that will fit your needs. I've seen/heard the Bigfoot, and it is definitely BIG. Consider the Paradigm Studio offerings, as they sound similar.

Is stand mounting a possibility for the Bigfoot?

I run idenitcal speakers all the way around. Works great.

 

[Tomorrow]

I would say look at some other speakers that do have a center that will fit your needs. I've seen/heard the Bigfoot, and it is definitely BIG. Consider the Paradigm Studio offerings, as they sound similar.

Is stand mounting a possibility for the Bigfoot?

I run idenitcal speakers all the way around. Works great.

Sadly, no stand is possible. Thanks for the Paradigm suggestion. But the recent posts on that cc and Para reliability/customer service..........Dunno.

 

[j_garcia]

Check the new thread about Paradigm's customer service The CC470 is a much different animal than the CC370, which is the one that there were some complaints about. I had the CC370 and I didn't find it to be a bad center. The 'digms cost more than the Rockets too, so I'm not sure it is the best alternative, but at least a possibility.

 

[rschleicher]

As someone said above, if your receiver has an EQ function for the center channel, it can possibly be adjusted for better timbre match to the fronts. The best way to do this would be with a test CD or DVD that has a whole series of different frequency test tones, so that the various bands of a typical center channel graphic equalizer can be adjusted one at a time.

As a final check it can be helpful to run the receiver's built-in pink noise test tone through all of the speakers, to see if it now sounds basically the same. But if the pink noise test tone is all you have, it will be a frustrating, time-consuming, trial and error process to try and adjust the EQ of the center channel, with just pink noise to go by.

 

[Tomorrow]

As someone said above, if your receiver has an EQ function for the center channel, it can possibly be adjusted for better timbre match to the fronts. The best way to do this would be with a test CD or DVD that has a whole series of different frequency test tones, so that the various bands of a typical center channel graphic equalizer can be adjusted one at a time.

As a final check it can be helpful to run the receiver's built-in pink noise test tone through all of the speakers, to see if it now sounds basically the same. But if the pink noise test tone is all you have, it will be a frustrating, time-consuming, trial and error process to try and adjust the EQ of the center channel, with just pink noise to go by.

Great tips, everyone. Thanks.

My receiver does not have an EQ function. Maybe I ought to sell my aged body parts to science, scrap this HT-Junk-On-A-Budget system, and start all over again. Besides, the Rockets (auction) I was looking at just went over my budget. Alas and alack.

Too bad I'm not a Hindu. I could plan on being born again AS a nice 6.1 surround speaker setup...and find a nice home somewhere.

 

[Matt34]

Damn, you weren't kidding that RS 200 is HUGE!!

 

[krisg]

Sadly, no stand is possible. Thanks for the Paradigm suggestion. But the recent posts on that cc and Para reliability/customer service..........Dunno.

Read thre follow up on the Paradigm customer support.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18195

I was the one with the problem. It has been resolved. Once I got past the dealer who was the real problem.

 

[Tomorrow]

Read thre follow up on the Paradigm customer support.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18195

I was the one with the problem. It has been resolved. Once I got past the dealer who was the real problem.

Got it. And I'm glad you got that issue resolved. Being able to afford our systems is bad enough without shady business practices adding thievery to our woes.

 

[silversurfer]

Here is a question I have always wondered about with the RSC200.

Over the last few years, AV123 has had RS250, RS250MK2, RS550, RS550MK2, RS750, RS750SE, RS850, RS1000, and now I think there is a RS760. All of these supposedly have a different sound...and some with a rather large difference. But the RSC200 has always stayed the same....so which one has the best timbre match?

The company doesn't seem to have a signature sound, just a signature cabinet. Which is beautiful BTW.

 

[j_garcia]

Across most of their lines, the timbre still matches well enough that it shouldn't be an issue. The setup I heard used the RSC200 with 750SE mains and ELT surrounds and it still sounded pretty well matched all around. The tweeter between all of the larger mains that would be matched to the RSC200 has not changed, and the midbass drivers I believe have also remained basically the same as well, and that alone will go a long way to making the speakers match well timbre wise. The tweeter that is used on the lower models and the ELTs, though a different design, still seems to blend well with the higher models.

 

[silversurfer]

Across most of their lines, the timbre still matches well enough that it shouldn't be an issue. The setup I heard used the RSC200 with 750SE mains and ELT surrounds and it still sounded pretty well matched all around. The tweeter between all of the larger mains that would be matched to the RSC200 has not changed, and the midbass drivers I believe have also remained basically the same as well, and that alone will go a long way to making the speakers match well timbre wise. The tweeter that is used on the lower models and the ELTs, though a different design, still seems to blend well with the higher models.

I have heard the 250MK2, 750, 750SE, and 550MK2, as well as the 200. Eventhough the tweeter is the same(I don't think the mid-woof is the same though), I felt 250 and 550 matched the 200 much better than the either of the 750's. A nice soundstage yes, but not seamless.

 

[j_garcia]

I wasn't entirely impressed with the SEs to be honest. Good, but you wouldn't be likely to see them in my system. It was my understanding that the 750SE had a x-over tweak to soften up the tweeter some. I haven't heard the 550s, so I can't comment on them, but the SEs seemed to blend fine in the setup I heard.