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Do I need better center ch speaker-dialog unclear?

I currently have a PSB Image Series C9 center channel. I had though this was a decent enough speaker, but have grown increasingly frustrated. For example, today I was watching the new release of Chariots of Fire that has the DD 5.1 track. Maybe it is just the big echo-y ancient rooms they shot the film in, or maybe it wasn't miked well, but I cannot discern much of the dialog. There are many other movies I have had the same problem with.

Not being satisfied with the intelligibility of dialog in movies, I recently upgraded to a seperate 5-channel power amp, using my Sony DA4ES receiver as pre-amp. I do not use any soundfields or such, just straight DD or DTS. This helped the clarity vere minimally.

This not having helped all that much, I next upgraded the speaker cable to one of Paul Speltz' Anti-cables, which have received great reviews. This, again, may have helped just a tad, but I am still having the same problem with dialog.

I am now down to the point of nothing left, that I know of, other than to consider upgrading the center speaker.

So, does anybody have any other tips short of a new speaker?

If not, can anyone reccommend a significantly better center speaker that would integate at least decently with my Legacy Signature III front mains? I can't now afford to go with one of Legacy's centers.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
mtrot
cinematic_systems
282 posts
 
2 possible issues contributing to the problem.

1. The Sony, clearly you now have a difference of opinion with all its stellar reviews it didn't deserve.

2. The Sony, but try adjusting the distances on your center channel, your speakers since they are dissimilar you will always have occasion for the center to be a bit out of place. But dialog should be clear.

The 9C is an excellent center channel for interim duty, you couldn't have a better speaker until the Legacy center is in reach.
jdevine
58 posts
 
How is the speaker situated , My center channel improved quite a bit when I put it on a sound anchor stand that sits atop my Pioneer Elite RPTV. A speaker that sits on a TV will vibrate the tv at the same time at the expense of clarity.
dlr
201 posts
 
Just last night I changed the speaker setting to small even thugh the B&W speakers aren`t small. It really opened up the dialogue. I could lower the volume 5 numbers. I have a Denon 3803. good luck Dan
dcrookham53
57 posts
 
Try setting your center to small(not fullrange) and your
fronts to fullrange, if you haven't already.

Try and position the center at ear level, or as close as possible, angle the speaker on the horizontal plane if you have to.
theo's avatar
theo
2,683 posts
 
I agree with swampwalker, also what cables are you using?
You may want to try a silver based cable and maybe gain a little speed to possibly clarify the dialog. Also the other suggestions for relocating the ctr spkr are good ideas.
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