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Center Channel Speaker Question

Jim here, long time lurker, first time poster.
My center speaker does not match fronts and surrounds. I have a very modest system: Marantz SR-6004, Oppo BDP-83, B&W LM-1's, center and sub are Kliptch. Viewing distance is 10ft while listening is 15ft. (fronts) and 10ft (surrounds). The "wife factor" requires me to suspend fronts and surrounds from a 4 pitch ceiling and center sits just above 60" plasma display. Separation of all channels is very pleasing but dialogue is "sometimes" hard to understand. Could I replace the center with another LM-1 or should I bite the bullet and purchase a true B&W center? I use the LM-1's because they are easy to hang and have a surprisingly good sound. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks
nmilliga
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 
You should be able to get away with using just 1 channel on your amp for both speakers.
Sorry to disagree, but B&W states the impedance of the LM1 as 8 ohms with a minimum of 3 ohms. Using a pair on a single channel will result in a 4 ohm impedance with a minimum of 1.5 ohms. The recommended minimum impedance for the SR-6004 is 6 ohms. It just seems too risky, mainly because of the severe drop to 1.5 ohms. I would talk to Marantz tech support before attempting to use a pair of LM1’s on the center channel.

I would definitely use a single LM1 for the center, as this will give you a perfect timbre match throughout the entire room.
jjrenman
279 posts
 
If your dialogue alone is hard to understand it may be more of a "lip sync" issue. Try closing your eyes and if the dialogue is now understandable then its a lip sync issue. I know it seems crazy to try but if your lip sync is not adjusted correctly than your brain has a harder time with understanding the dialogue because the lips start moving before the corresponding sounds come out of the center.

If it is still an issue than pursue matching your front speakers.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"Sorry to disagree, but B&W states the impedance of the LM1 as 8 ohms with a minimum of 3 ohms. Using a pair on a single channel will result in a 4 ohm impedance with a minimum of 1.5 ohms. The recommended minimum impedance for the SR-6004 is 6 ohms. It just seems too risky, mainly because of the severe drop to 1.5 ohms. I would talk to Marantz tech support before attempting to use a pair of LM1’s on the center channel."

Not if you wire them in series. Also, if you use 2 speakers, you won't need as much volume. It will definitely work.

Its easy enough to test what I'm talking about here. The OP can just take the pair of LM-1's that he already has and hook them up to one channel on his amp, and do some listening.
nmilliga OP
1 posts
 
Thanks for the response. It appears that all agree I don't necessarily need to purchase a true center speaker. Usually the LM1 come as a pair so my curiosity is piqued. Zd542; Am I correct in understanding that all I need do is use center channel wire, hook up 1st LM1 and continue wire to 2nd LM1 effectively wiring in series? If the result is not pleasing then I can fall back to using 1st LM1 as center. If the "series" setup does no harm then why not try it? Wired in series,will there be a "volume drop" between the 1st and 2nd LM1?
audionuts
74 posts
 
Your receiver has Audessey. Try to turn the dynamic EQ on. It may boots the midrange up a bit. You may get away of buying new speaker.
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