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Why is it that there are no Center Channel speaker reviews in the magazines? I would like to see some measurements. Curious about the frequency response curves. Is there a hump of the voice range? I am considering listening in Mono on one center speaker, now that one ear is almost gone..
Cheers
Bill
Follow Ups:
Usually, centre channel speakers are included as part of a home theater speaker system review and not in isolation in review by itself.
I agree that a center speaker AND the rears should be identical. That can be cost prohibitive and for rears I use the neutral sounding RS minimum 7s and phantom center for now.
It's important to note that ANY center should sound very much like the left and right fronts to make a proper surround system.
...regards...tr
In a properly functioning world, the center speaker should be the same as the left and right speakers.
Many people wrongly believe that the center channel speaker can be some sort of "lesser" speaker. I suppose it "can", but that is the wrong approach.
You may be interested in reading this:
http://www2.grammy.com/pdfs/recording_academy/producers_and_engineers/5_1_rec.pdf
:)
Wonderful read. I am studying it. Thanks.
Cheers
Bill
Inmate, that link was helpful to me. I've been trying to decide whether to return to a phantom center. I'm currently using a KEF Reference 204/2c, a monster center speaker that's 3.5 wide and weighs 76 pounds. I'd almost convinced myself to go phantom before I played the Blu-ray of Chicago and was surprised how much punch was lost when I switched from small to none -- the Bryston SP3 makes this easy to do on the fly. I assume that effect is specific to how the disc was mastered, because my KEF Reference 107/2s generate a very stable phantom center and the switch from small to none usually results in no discernible difference. I think I'll listen to more Blu-rays and maybe look for a smaller 202/2c.
db
From a home theatre perspective, the centre channel is used to "anchor" dialogue to the display, especially when sitting at angles more than 30 degrees off center from the display. That is their intended design. If your seating positions are at angles 30 degrees or more, then a center channel speaker is required.
From a home theatre perspective, the centre channel is used to "anchor" dialogue to the display, especially when sitting at angles more than 30 degrees off center from the display. That is their intended design. If your seating positions are at angles 30 degrees or more, then a center channel speaker is required.
I use MMG's - a left and a right only spread 7 feet apart at the inside edges, toed in 45 degrees tweeters inboard and get a great phantom center from not only my center located listening chair - but als the separate left and right seats that are facing the TV.
"The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat" - Confucius
If the angle is narrow enough, I can see that.
Why is it that there are no Center Channel speaker reviews in the magazines?
Regarding purpose built center channel speakers, I think you'll find such with home theatre focused mags like Sound and Vision.
Otherwise, multi-channel music comprises a microscopic part of available content.
Is there a hump of the voice range?
I cannot imagine why a competent speaker manufacturer would do such. In the case of my Polk LSi based HT system, the LSiC center differs from the LSi9 mains using the same drivers only in the shape of the cabinet. It is wider (taller) and less deep.
a bump in the mids is welcomed....Its quite difficult to hear dialogue on many programes/DVD's
"a bump in the mids is welcomed"
And, that's fine. We all have our personal preferences and our hearing and room issues.
:)
I have a couple of old movies where the dialogue is a bit reticent as well - I add a bit of boost around 1 kHz with my processor's parametric EQ.
I would definitely not choose perpetually "shouty" sounding speakers.
that. At an estate sale I picked up a Klipsch Sub and Center channel for virtually nothing. Set them up in a room with the center channel tipped vertical driving the center with an old Dynaco MkIV (30 watt) Tube Amp (sitting on the Center channel) with a old iPod mini feeding its input (cable mixing Left and Right channels together). Playing Christmas music nicely.
"The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat" - Confucius
I really doubt that they bump the vocal range up, and you will
need a subwoofer to get any bass.
My single complaint about my KEF R600 for surround music was that it seemed to have a bit of emphasis in the vocal range. I suspect far more centers are used for HT than for surround music.
db
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