2. home-theater
  3. 1286322105

4.1 HT?

Last night I tried an experiment by setting center channel to none in the Proceed PAV setup. My rationale was that the KEF 104.2 LR speakers provide excellent stereo imaging with a solid centered image when appropriate, and they use dome tweeters, whereas the KEF 200C uses a Uni-Q tweeter. Finally, the 104.2s are just much better speakers than the 200C. I think I prefer the sound without the center channel. I played the Opus Arte Blu-ray opera & ballet sampler, and definitely preferred the sound without the 200C; I played Robin Hood, and at least imagined the dialog is clearer; I played an HD-DVR recording of the Charlie Rose program, and could tell little or no difference. I'll live with 4.1 for a few days before deciding.

db
Ag insider logo xs@2xdbphd
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,676 posts
 
A mismatched center is better than no center but a matched center is better.

Kal
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
I've done it both ways.......I'll keep my center speaker. I guess if your center speaker is junk, you would benefit by getting it out of the system? (not saying "your" center speaker is junk).

Dave
patrickp
59 posts
 
I prefer no dedicated center myself - I've had a high quality matching center and just prefer the sound of the imaging without the dedicated center. My setup is such that no person sits very far off center so the center image is stable without the extra speaker anyway.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
dbphd OP
1,628 posts
 
Perhaps that there are just two of us, sitting 8.5' from either main and 7.5' from the center, is the reason it's so hard to tell whether or not the center channel is active, except for a slight coloration. I certainly don't think a KEF 200C is junk, but it's not a Reference 104.2 either. As a lark, I've thought of trying one or both of my AR3a speakers in the center, because they do have dome tweeters. It's been so many decades since I heard them that I can't remember how they sound. Unfortunately, a 104.2 in the center, as Kal suggests, would impinge on viewing the bottom quarter of the screen.

db
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
I think for some who have small monitors and closer speaker placement can get away with phantom easier then others. If your like me and use a projector the center IMO makes more sense and really helps to anchor the sound. As far as mono movies of old you can manipulate that sound within most any reciever and certainly a processor to make the sound more desirable.
I like and have always championed the use of a center and have had good results with carefully selected non matched centers when at times I had either no funds or a speaker that offered no center option.
Even when seated in center at times phantom is harder to hear the vocals as the mains are doing alot of duty on some material. I also enjoy the ability to increase and decrease volume of vocal content to my liking for any given material. Phantom wont allow you to do that.
For those in the business I think one should develop and market a speaker that offers both the center and the main in one cab, a tower that included drivers dedicated for center and ones for right and left could be a hit with some. I want payed for this idea, or atleast a free pair of speakers!
More to discover