2. home-theater
  3. 126181-126

What next?

Excluding the front speakers(Monitor Audio PL500) what has the most impact on surround sound? The center, rears, or AV receiver. My center is a Monitor Audio Gold C350 and I'm thinking about going to the Monitor Audio PLC350, but won't have an opportunity to hear it. My rears are Monitor Audio Bronze and I could go to Monitor Audio Silver speakers. I have a Marantz SR5011 AV Receiver and could go to a better AV Receiver. What is my best option?
ricred1
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dbphd
1,630 posts
 
By rears do you mean side surrounds?  It seems pretty obvious that side surrounds would have the most impact on surround sound.  Have you tried setting the center channel to none in your processor/AVR menu?  You might find you prefer the center image generated by your front LR speakers if you like their sound for stereo.

db

soix
9,651 posts
 
Are you using only the Marantz to drive your speakers?  If so this is a no brainier.  Your speakers at the very least deserve a separate power amp and high quality prepro.  Is this system 100% home theater or is stereo and/or surround music important as well?
ricred1 OP
2,051 posts
 
Soix,
I have a 2-channel and surround set-up.The Marantz only drives the center and rear speakers. When I'm listening to 2-channel the Marantz is turned off. My two channel consists of the Jeff Rowland 625 S2 amp, JR Corus preamp, and JR Aeris DAC. I use my HT bypass on the Corus when I'm watching movies, so the 625 S2 is still driving my fronts. 
jdlynch
62 posts
 
Since it is the consensus that speakers make the biggest difference in a system, and that the center channel gets 80% of the movies' audio soundtracks, it is easy to conclude that the center channel would have the biggest impact.
elevick
2,637 posts
 
I think that having the same amp driving all front 3 speakers if vital.  It's the only way to get seamless sound across the soundstage.  To match your Rowland isn't easy or cheap but will make an amazing difference.

I know that for music, the Rowland will crush the Marantz but, how does theater sound when you use the marantz for all 3 front speakers?  Probably much better for movies?
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