What's so special about centre speakers?

[pimvda]

I don't understand what the added value of a centre speaker channel is in home theater. Why aren't two front speakers enough to do the job?

The only thing the centre channel does in my opinion, is adding a better transition in the placement of the front sound.

Anyone agree or disagree?

 

[muzz]

I don't understand what the added value of a centre speaker channel is in home theater. Why aren't two front speakers enough to do the job?

The only thing the centre channel does in my opinion, is adding a better transition in the placement of the front sound.

Anyone agree or disagree?

The Center takes care of the dialogue, while the mains are doing music/effects/what have you........

I'm not sure I understand what it is you are trying to say.

 

[jinjuku]

Center channel is critical.

Take the movie HEAT, go to the bank heist scene, and disconnect the center channel.

 

[j_garcia]

The only thing the centre channel does in my opinion, is adding a better transition in the placement of the front sound.

You answered your own question...

 

[Seth=L]

I don't think most stereo speakers have a good enough soundstage to center stage perfectly for dialogue.

Also, anyone sitting off-axis from the "sweetspot" doesn't get the full affect of a 4.1 system.

 

[Seth=L]

Center channel is critical.

Take the movie HEAT, go to the bank heist scene, and disconnect the center channel.

He is talking about Phantom. I am sure that whatever scene you are refering to would still be there in phantom, but not with the same focus of course.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

When using fronts with good imaging, a center speaker has no benefit for viewers sitting on axis. Its only purpose is to anchor dialog for those sitting off axis. Since I mostly watch movies solo, I don't use a center and I am not missing anything.

 

[j_garcia]

When using fronts with good imaging, a center speaker has no benefit for viewers sitting on axis. Its only purpose is to anchor dialog for those sitting off axis. Since I mostly watch movies solo, I don't use a center and I am not missing anything.

I disagree. My speakers image very well and having a center still adds quite a bit.

 

[Seth=L]

I disagree. My speakers image very well and having a center still adds quite a bit.

Indeed, I need to get one, I feel naked without it.

 

[billnchristy]

The only true way to realize how much a center channel does is by owning a lousy one first!

And if anyone needs such a lousy one I have an Infinity CC-1 that you would just LOVE!

 

[jake5717]

The only true way to realize how much a center channel does is by owning a lousy one first!

And if anyone needs such a lousy one I have an Infinity CC-1 that you would just LOVE!

I hope you're right. I have a MC616C in the mail that will be replacing a RCA HITB center.

 

[MACCA350]

The only true way to realize how much a center channel does is by owning a lousy one first!

Or going from a smaller center to a tower same as the mains
For those who can....Highly recommended

cheers

 

[u2generator]

If youre old and partially deaf, you can really realize the importance of a center channel. I can now hear all of the dailogue.

TW

 

[Rickster71]

Just my two cents

Back in 1988, I had a Kenwood KA-V1000R surround amp.
It was 80 watts, front and rear surround, with no center channel.
I listened mostly to music; but when I did watch movies, I
would always turn the volume up.
We had trouble hearing the dialogue. For years I was under the misconception
certain movies were just recorded badly. The movie Backdraft comes to mind.
Well I was wrong. It was my four channel amp.
Years later when I retired the Kenwood to bedroom stereo duty, I got a proper 5.1 system. We found the center channel made all the difference in our ability to hear the spoken word, and transitions across the soundstage.

 

[u2generator]

Yeah,

I had Bose 901's that I used in the phantom mode. I really loved those speakers for music but they didn't cut it for surround sound.

I am very happy with my Axiom HT system now.

TW