is a center channel really necessary??

The simple answer in my humble opinion is: yes.

A couple of things to consider is the room layout and seating arrangements. The other factor is how well your AV Pre "sums" the center channel sound to the R and L speakers.

My center channel sits idle most of the time. Once the placement of the Maggie 20.1s was perfected the center channel became just extra baggage to me. When sitting in the sweet spot it sounds like the center channel is on anyway due to the sharp directional focus of the Maggies. Generally speaking the movies are just fine without the CC, although sometimes, in action movies, it seems that the center channel does a better job of separating the voices from the action.

Also, on a lesser note, I hate to see that electric meter spinning so fast with three monos going all at once. OK, call me cheap!

As usual though, so many of these discussions are interesting but not necessarily poignant because everybody's systems, room layouts, etc. are different.

Like many of you, for my non-audiophile friends I am the go-to guy for all things AV. For those with no existing infrastructure in their homes I set them all up now 2.1 for home theater, spending more money on better front speakers, and a good sub. None of them have been disappointed.

If they are already wired with rear channels, we do 4.1 using the crappy, in general, speakers that are usually in the ceiling.

I nice reciever, or better yet a good 2 channel preamp, is much better to me than any 5.1 channel set up. Don't really need the center channel.

I got rid of the center channel on my hybrid home theater (4.1) 2 channel (actualy 2.1) system -- using home theater bypass on preamp to connect a pre/pro to the stereo pre-amp.

Never looked back. Didn't miss it. Now that I have separated 2-channel listening from home theater (the systems are in separate rooms), I still don't use a center channel with the home theater systm and I still don't miss it. And I love the simplifcation in terms of fewer cables, less cabinets taking up space, etc.

However, I care more about music than movies. I think a real HT buff would never want to be without a center channel as it does create better separation of dialogue from background sounds and soundtrack. For me, that small (to me) benefit is not worth the extra hassle and cost. For you it might be.

I would start with spending more money on your L/R main speakers in a hybrid system. See how well it does on movies. Then if you really feel the need for a center, get one (hopefully with a trial period) and see how much it improves things. You may be delighted with it, or you may be delighted to skip it.

In my case I bought the center first, and then, realizing I didn't need/want it, I sold it. But at a substantial loss.

Good luck.