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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.

db
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shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 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?
mceljo
1,357 posts
 
I run a 4.1 setup and let my reciver mix the center channel into the mains.

The other option might be to use subtitles?
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jb505
60 posts
 
LOL, Good one.
At this point it would be easier!
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dbphd OP
1,629 posts
 
I use a center channel for HT but have tried 4.1 as well. Frankly, I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference now that the HF driver in my center speaker matches those in the mains. The speech seems to track the images projected on the screen. But when the center channel HF driver was different, I really noticed the disconnect when playing opera Blue-ray discs. That's when I set the center channel to none. I went back to 5.1 based on Kal Rubinson's recommendation, but we do sit in the "sweat-spot" so I doubt the center channel is necessary.
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