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Stereo Imaging

I think I've written about this before, but I wonder how many of us who use the same system for HT and music get fooled into suspecting the center channel must be generating the center image. I was playing the Abkco disc of "Let It Bleed" and found myself compelled once again to put my ear to the center channel to assure it was not generating the strong centered image I was hearing. Intellectually I knew it wasn't because I've tested it before, but the image is so strong it creates a cognitive dissonance. In a world of 7.1, I'm afraid I forget just how effective stereo can be in generating a soundstage.

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mceljo
1,351 posts
 
This is exactly why I don't use a center channel for home theater. I really don't believe that it's necessary for a listening position between the main speakers.

The other reason is that the matching center speaker was far to big to fit into any piece of furniture that I was considering.
theo's avatar
theo
2,664 posts
 
That reminds me of when I was sampling different cables for my system. When ever I would try a certain cable I would hear a wider soundfield and deeper into the room. So I would immediately jump up to set my pre/pro to 2 channel as I thought I had somehow switched on the rears. Then the lightbulb went on! So I bought the cables. But your story made me remember that I had been there/done that.
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
This is exactly why I don't use a center channel for home theater. I really don't believe that it's necessary for a listening position between the main speakers.

Agreed - a center is not necessary. It is only a benefit when you have listeners outside the sweetspot.
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jb505
60 posts
 
But all the dialog comes through the center. Do you only run two channel or do you still have surrounds? Can you tell your processor you don't have a center, so It would be like running 4.1?
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