How big should center spkr be to set to "large"?

I also have full-range floorstanders for front L/R, but I don't have a sub, so I can't set them to small.

I'm confused, how about everyone else?

Small center channel with no sub and full-range LR's = big problem.

There is no good answer except work some overtime and get a subwoofer ASAP!

Are your left and right speakers Paradigms? If they are not then you must get the "matching" center for your speakers or you're designing your system all wrong and no setting is going to cover your mistake.

So what are the rest of the speaker? Lets fix your system right not patch a problem that goes much deeper than the bass response of your center channel.

Do we have an agreement to fix it correctly from the start?

Sorry, no such agreement here, due to financial considerations!! My question is just trying to get at what the best setting might be for my setup, and so far, it seems the consensus here is that I should set it to small.

My front L/R are Legacy Signature III, which have a rather large subwoofer section and go down to about 20hz in the right room, which mine is not. But they do shake the room pretty good if you turn it up.

It does seem that movies overall sound better with the center set to "small". It seems the processor in my receiver sends the bass for the center to the front L/R since I have it set to "no sub".

Mtrot...I think what D Edwards is getting at is that what your focusing on is just a temporary solution to a situation that should really bring the best out of your setup. This is part of the reason why attention should be paid to speaker selection.

Setting the center to small may work fine for you for now, but once seen and heard how sub intergration really effects the overall performance..if you haven't already, there's a good chance you gonna want to change. If you fix things early instead of slapping a band-aid on it, you're gonna be much better off.

Since there are certain limitations holding you back, I can see how you've focused on just the settings and not the overall setup. If the band-aid approach works for now, although it wouldn't be my first choice of approaches, then do what works for you. But, keep in mind you will be selling you system short though.

"But they do shake the room pretty good if you turn it up. "

I had the same misconseption about a sub and/or front-sub combo system. I was close to spending the $2500 for a Def Tec setup. Glad I didn't. Room shake is just a added bonus to a strong sub. However, it really isn't the main point though. It bares more weight and has more effect on the entire system than you think.

Good Points CDW,

My solution would be get rid of the Paradign Center channel immediately, use phantom mode and pine for a Legacy Silver Screen I center channel. ($450 used?)

Best? you don't even have a shot at mediocre. The Paradigm and the Legacy speakers you have couldn't be more different and incompatible. (who recommended that combo anyway?) In your case no center channel is better than the combo you have.

Another cheap fix which I don't recommend but I know audio guys are, is to get the Behringer "feedback Destroyer EQ $89" and EQ the Paradigm to match the Legacy's better. But that's a longshot possible fix for you.

So start selling the Paradigm and searching for the SS1 then we can really help you when you've atleast assembled a system where our advice can matter.