What does a center channel really do?

[marcb]

I have an Onkyo DS747, Cerwin Vega D5's for the front, and PSM Image's for the surrounds.

I currently have the center split between the fronts. What would I gain by getting a center speaker?

Thank you,.....marc

 

[jaxvon]

A dedicated center channel is your main speaker for dialog and the heart of the action in movies. For multi-channel music, it often has the vocals and the important instrumentation. You can get away with a phantom center channel if your mains have good imaging, but if not, a dedicated center channel is a must.

 

[knownalien]

the center is the most important channel for 5.1 listening and you should NOT skimp out on that one. I would rather get cheaper surrounds if it meant I could upgrade my center channel.

 

[Sheep]

the center is the most important channel for 5.1 listening and you should NOT skimp out on that one. I would rather get cheaper surrounds if it meant I could upgrade my center channel.

Its funy you mention that. Seems surrounds always get the bum rap when it comes to importance. I've seen numerous times when people say " oh yeah I got new fronts so I threw those junk speakers as surround. I personally think surround have to be more important, especailly cause mine are bookselfs, and I can't "aim" them right now.

Sheep

 

[j_garcia]

I've used phantom center before and I have to say, even with speakers that image well, one thing that I found very distracting was that at times vocals would be on one side or the other, even if someone was centered on the screen. A center, when correctly positioned and setup, really does anchor vocals that should be on screen very well. You can get by without a center, but I like having one.

 

[Dan]

In my experience the center channel has added little except volume IF you are sitting in the sweet spot. My spot is rather small, good for about two side by side heads. If I have a crowd over the the center channel helps glue the dialogue to the screen.

 

[abboudc]

The center is the most important speaker in HT. It handles most of the onscreen sound (which is in turn most of the sound in the movie).

 

[JeffD2.]

As former 4.1 owner I found myself cranking the "phantom center" channel unless sitting in the sweet spot. I also agree with Sheep about getting the cheapo surrounds. Once they expose themselves for what they are, you'll be upgrading.

 

[Tex-amp]

75-80% of a sound track is on the center channel. The big issue, when not using a center, is if sitting to the far left or right you are likely right in front of one of the speakers while the sound is split between the two.

 

[shokhead]

Turn the center off and see whats missing.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I have an Onkyo DS747, Cerwin Vega D5's for the front, and PSM Image's for the surrounds.

I currently have the center split between the fronts. What would I gain by getting a center speaker?

Thank you,.....marc

The center channel focuses, fixes the sound stage to the center of the stage when necessary, be it movies or music. It increases the so called sweet spot
so you do not have to be precisely in the middle to get the proper imaging. With two speakers, if you sit off center, or another person is with you off center, their imaging will be different.
With a center speaker, it will be extremely close to the center with multiple listeners.

 

[Bevan]

i agree that if you are going to use a centre, its quality is very important.

but i'd like to cast my vote for the 4.1 setup.


but one does need to set the speakers up to image properly, and sit in the sweetspot. so if you like to have your 10 mates over for a movie or your girlfriend always claims the centre of the couch, then concider a centre. youve got to have money to burn or be very thoughtfull to want to buy a centre just so your 10 non-audiophile mates can have centred dialog. infact i dont even care if i dont have the sweetspot during movies. music is however an entirely different story

but running a phantom centre allows you normally a 50% bigger budget for you front two speakers, which will afford an appreciable improvement in sound quality.

and maybe this is something particular to me, but i can never get used to looking at the voice of the singer come out of a box bellow the t.v. with my 4.1 setup the voices are usually centred in the middle of the screen, something which is impossible to achieve unless youre using a projector with your centre speaker behind the screen. infact when i used to have my t.v centred about 40cm above my tweeter heights i would find myself during music dvds watching the phantom image and not looking at the screen at all. that is fixed now that i have them tv and speakers at the same height. as i've said in a post before, there is something i like about the magic of the phantom centre as it hovers in empty space.

cheers

b

 

[brian32672]

Well, if you want to look at a realistic standpoint. Using a phantom center is not how the movie sound engineers made the movie. It was made for 5.1 channels so yes that means a dedicated center. Think about it, when a person talks to you - they don't talk to you in stereo. So the correct center imaging gives a realistic feeling that you are into the movie. Same thing with surround sounds. When a helicopter comes in from behind you on your left side towards the center. Obviously there should be a seemless sound that goes (5.1 setup) from the left surround and into the left main then into the center, then gets farther away. My point is, yes a center is needed if you look at it realistically.

 

[Bevan]

brian, i'm not convinced you could tell a voice is 'stereo' if you had your eyes closed in front of a well setup 4.1 system. you certainly still get the sence of a seemless 360 degree panning effect when it is used.

realistically, a movie soundtrack is mixed to sound good in a theatre of 400 people, where most are sitting way off axis, and so a centre channel is a neccessity. ht is a different creature from the cineplex.

also realize that we might, to some degree, be influenced in our perceived need for a centre speaker by the not insignificant efforts of speaker manufacturers to extract more $ from our pockets. if ever i'm told i 'need' something i tend to be suspicious.

bottom line, try with and without a centre, with fronts set up as well as you are able, and go with what you prefere.

cheers

b

 

[brian32672]

I have tried a 4.1 setup. And was not impressed. Just my opinion. Also I was never impressed with a normal 36" stereo TV. It always sounded unnatural to me. I hade a great tv, it even had 4 4x6 speakers to give better sound than most. Plus I've had many more tv's. When I went to a true 5.1 channel I was more impressed, it sounded much more natural to me. For many years, I stuck with a 4.1 system. Basically the Dolby Pro Logic, with the Phantom surround. And I was amazed when I first got that setup. But a true 5.1 Dolby Digital, was a major step in the right direction IMO. I can still do 4.1 if I choose, just by turning the center to off. The speakers I have, image very well. I also have about 20 speakers in the house. So I have played around with different sounds. This was the best by far (setup, I have up now).
Either way, if you enjoy 4.1 from a soundtrack that was made for 5.1 or even better a soundtrack that was made for 6.1, then hey all power to you. Every one that has come to my house, has now been looking to get a 5.1 or better setup. My mother usually gets all my used equipment. They have a 4.1 setup. And she is dying for me to come setup a 5.1 system for her. (She does have the equipment for it) I am not arguing by no means. I know Ron (Mulester) loves his phantom center. And he has a super expensive setup (the 2 subs alone are 3,000 each). And he is adiment that the sound comes in perfect, and he would not buy a center speaker. I guess like all things, each person has their opinion, and that it can/will not be changed no matter how far the technology advances.

EDIT:: Next will be 7.1 channel dvd's. I was curious if the 4.1 people are still going to stay at 4.1 Sorry, I am being kinda sarcastic and unkind. Just kidding guys. It all boils down to, if you are happy with your sound - then keep it the way it is, stop doing upgrades..... I know, 90% of us here have that problem, so I'm sure we can agree on that. Whether it be a Amp, DVD Player, CD Player, Speaker/Sub, Processor, Receiver, TV, Projector, etc... I'm sure we have all bought our share..... Time to put this business to a standstill



Nah, that'll never happen

Now pull my finger.

 

[Bevan]

i'm happy to agree to agree that it's all subjective, and to agree to disagree on what 'actually' sounds better

b

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Pertaining to 6.1 ES Discrete

FWIW, I used 4.1 for ages. I thought I had it mastered, tweaked perfectly. Then I bought a high end 5.1 receiver. It was like the heavens opened up. For the next 4 years, I was in love with 5.1. Then 6.1 and eventually 7.1 came about. I had my doubts. Too many speakers couldn't possibly be recognized in an average to large room, right? Wrong. I broke down and picked up a 7.1 unit, and the heavens opened up again. If you are really into DVD, I highly recommend DTS ES 6.1 Discrete DVD's to get the full effect of what you are missing in a 4.1 or 5.1 setup. You cannot possibly enjoy the effects recorded in ES Discrete on a 4.1 or 5.1 setup.

 

[MDS]

I'm back to 3.1 now that I've moved into a new house. I can't wait till after the holidays when I have time and can wire up this place properly. 2.0, 2.1, 3.1...it's all good - just keep that music coming.