AV center channel questions

[Dennis S]

1. If you buy a separate center channel speaker, is it just luck if the volume or timbre matches the main speakers?
2. If it is just luck, does that relegate you to buying a matching set?
3. If question 1 turns out not to be a problem, should buying a quality center channel be a top priority?
4. What brands are the top tier in mid-priced center speakers?

[Rolando]

I bought mine 5.1 as a set. If you don't, you'd need a reciever/amp that can individually tune volume to each speaker.

[Harooneneutics]

Your best bet is to get a center channel from the same manufacturer/series as your left and right front speakers.

Many A/V receivers have a feature that will set levels for your speakers automatically using a microphone hooked up to it. You can then adjust as needed.

Wirecutter has some recs: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/revie...nd-system/

They're not mentioned by Wirecutter, but I'm partial to the Infinity Reference series, which will occasionally go on decent sales in their refurbished section.

[RAMd®d]

As far as matching timbre, yes it's luck unless one purchases a set.

It's still no guarantee, but it's about the best one can do.

But I was reading something somewhere that suggested center channel speakers don't really deliver on their promise.

I think it was suggesting better L and R channel speakers and skipping the center channel all together, or that with Atmos, a center channel threw off the staging.

My exposure to the article was very brief and I may totally be misremembering the Why.

I didn't have time to read the article thoroughly and neglected to save it.

But before I bought another center channel speaker, I'd do a lot more research, particularly into finding that or a similar article.

[Gareth]

Dennis S wrote:
3. If question 1 turns out not to be a problem, should buying a quality center channel be a top priority?

I've always considered the center channel to be the most important speaker (for TV/movie viewing with dialogue), and I've always bought the "matching" center channel from the same manufacturer of my L/R speakers.

RAMd®d wrote:
But I was reading something somewhere that suggested center channel speakers don't really deliver on their promise.

I think it was suggesting better L and R channel speakers and skipping the center channel all together, or that with Atmos, a center channel threw off the staging.

I notice a huge soundstage difference when my center channel is not being used. Maybe if my L/R were better aimed it wouldn't be as problematic? But I'd rather read this article you're referring to than get 2nd hand "skimmed" information.

[RAMd®d]

But I'd rather read this article you're referring to than get 2nd hand "skimmed" information.


So would I, hence the ... I'd do a lot more research, particularly into finding that or a similar article.

But everyone is free to do their own research, or not.

It's their money.

My center channel speaker experience is different from yours and hasn't been fully realized.

Yes, it does fill in a hole in the middle, but dialog, the raison d'être, has not been noticeably enhanced.

At this point, I'm not interested in upgrading A/V kit, so I may never seek out that article.

If I do, it'll be posted for consideration, or not.

[August West]

I rock a center channel. However, I think there is lot more to worry about than mismatched timbre on a center channel. Of course it's nice to buy a matched set, but it's certainly not a deal-breaker not to have the same badge on the front. As I try to do every time home audio come up on the forum. Think about your listening space and how you can treat it before you are sweating the small details.

[N-OS X-tasy!]

Gareth wrote:
I've always considered the center channel to be the most important speaker (for TV/movie viewing with dialogue), and I've always bought the "matching" center channel from the same manufacturer of my L/R speakers.

This has always been my understanding also.

[Fritz]

what Gareth and N-OS X-tasy, as long as the media was recently and well mixed in 5.1 (or 3.1).
Media that has been upmixed with an app can vary, a lot, depending on the app and how it's applied.
But the apps have become much more sophisticated of late.
A long explanation.
Longer and historical explanation.

Some modern rcvrs have the "ability" to upmix.

but where local OTA stations are concerned rather than actual media or streaming services that get the idea, Netflix, Apple, HBO .... YMMD.

One place I work has 5.1 wrongly installed from my pov. But it's a corporate facility. Decisions are slow and not necessarily made with full understanding by the "deciders" who may be more interested in showing off whos' zipper is longer.

My friends place down the block is extremely well designed and installed by JBL and Dolby as 9.2 or 11.2 (I fergit which). With the most modern kick ass dig audio console .... anywhere.
For me, it sounds way better than the JBL/Dolby demo I heard some years back when Atmos officially hit the streets. But that was a demo room and people were still wrapping their ears around getting 5.1 right let alone immersive.
After hearing their "system", there was no reason for me to update my "home theater".

As a true audio professional, my "home theater" is stereo, no .1, a 10-year-old 5.1 rcvr, and probably 35 yo design ROR speakers.
I'm not sure they were ever commercially released.
The were designed by Ted Rothstein and Shimon Ron.
A couple of very smart guys what had their hands in early Electric Lady, Record Plant NYC, and Bearsville Studios, NY, among others.

In television, where I work now, if it looks good, it sounds fine.
But if it sounds great, no one gives a grumpy.

[mikebw]

I have a mixed set of HT speakers, mostly budget stuff with a DIY subwoofer, but have no complaints about unmatched timbre.

I recently upgraded the center channel from a Parts Express 3-way to a Klipsch RP-450C; 2.5-way which is more sensitive and has a wider frequency response than the PE. Really pleased with it.