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Matching the center channel to the fronts

OK, I know it is ideal to match the center channel to the fronts, but I am constrained by the fact that my TV stand will only accomodate a center channel that is approximately 19 1/4" wide. This severely limits my choices when it comes to the fronts which I am thinking about purchasing. With each brand, I would have to drop down a class to get a center channel which fits.

So the question is: should I just drop down a class in the fronts as well, in order to get timbre matched speakers (i.e. get the Focal Chorus instead of the Cobalt with Chorus center or the Dynaudio Audience 42C with the 72 instead of the Focus 200 and audience 42C)?

Or should I go with the higher grade fronts, especially since I plan to use it 70% music and 30% HT (and I do more critical listening with music as opposed to movie soundtracks).
rs691919
rs691919 OP
9 posts
 
Thanks for the advice...I intend only to listen to 2 channel music. It was my inclination to pick the fronts and just go with whatever center channel fits. It will still be better than my current center, even if its a class down from the fronts. But now, picking the speakers...that's the hard part.
javachip
56 posts
 
"But now, picking the speakers...that's the hard part."

Many would say, that's the FUN part.

We're in this hobby because we enjoy it, right? (Right?)

:)
holenneck
127 posts
 
I am running my center information through my front speakers at this moment and have had great success. I have listened with and without many times before and the only real difference when the center is removed is the loss of sound information that is dedicated to the center channel. This loss is most noticable in action movies, the lack of detail or the energy created by my center speaker was missing. Making the towers do .5 tims more work leads to some information getting lost. It made a big difference to me. Plus, without a center channel, you cant raise or lower the level of the dialouge dedicated to the center channel. I am letting a friend borrow my speaker cables right now, but when i get them back i am going back to a 5.1 system.
cdwallace
216 posts
 
IMO, I think removing the center speaker is hindering the performance of your system. If there are other factor contributing to removing the speaker, thats one thing. If no outside constriants are there, keep the center channel and take the receiver off of phantom.

Just as a suggestion, you might wanna work on blending the speakers better, especially integrating the center with the fronts. It wouldn't hurt to get the front soundstage blended with the rear as well. When all speakers are configured properly, you'll completely understand why I say keep the center channel.
sgower
27 posts
 
I agree with those suggesting some sort of center channel. Just because a system images great with music, don't expect it to make sound appear to be coming from the actors on the screen. The recording are not done the same way. It seems that you are making decisions on sound based on furniture limitations. I suggest picking your equipment then furniture. I had the same problem with too large a center for any cabinets I could find. I ended up using a console table for behind couches for the TV. I cut the legs down so it would just clear my center mounted on its stand. This was done for $150 leaving the big money for the good stuff :)
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