2. home-theater
  3. 1186968472

Good sounding, small center speaker

I'm considering the Gallo or Orb speakers for a home theater speaker system, but I'm concerned that especially dialogue will sound a bit light or thin coming from such small speakers. Anyone have experience with either of these in an HT setup, and if so how do they do as center channels for movies. Can they do a credible job with movie dialogue, and how do they compare to larger center speakers you've heard?

As an alternative I'm thinking about avoiding the center speaker altogether and just running something like 4 Maggie MMGWs and using a phantom center and adding a HSU STF-2 or VTF-2 sub.

Any thoughts would be helpful, but I'm really looking for a small footprint speaker that can do a great job with movie dialogue so I don't feel like I'm hearing a "small" speaker. Thanks all.
soix
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Try using a "regular" bookshelf speaker for your center. I find they work better than most center speakers.

For those with larger centers; I found that setting the output to small speaker improved the clarity of larger center speakers in my HT system.
scpetscott
47 posts
 
the gallos make superb center speakers as long as you have the speakers rolled off correctly with the bass managemet system. The a'diva system i had was one of the most musical systems i have owned. you wont be dissapointed.
flrnlamb
508 posts
 
I would recommend against a "mis-matched" center, as it will not work! You'll never have a believable, cohesive soundstage, with smooth tonal transitions, and a system that "disappears". Rather you'll always be aware of tonal shifts in the sound, and the fact you are listening to "speakers" and gear, not the soundstage!
I would also recommend against small single woofer/tweeter designs, in favor of dual mid/woof speakers, which will control acoustical reflections from floor to ceiling, and provide often better transient reinforcement, and dynamic impact, dialoge inteligibility, etc.
Alternatives I'd recommed are Polk RM7200 system (???...maybe it's 8000), Infinity TSS1100 system, and little
Atlantic tech or M&K Systems as such.
I used to sell the otherwise very clear and detailed (on axis, that is) Maggie system lacking dyanmics for movies, and not so strong, while off-axis listening is combfiltered for a rolled off sound.
hope this helps...
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I can agree with Flrnlamb. I should have said that it helps some if you use a bookshelf center; to try to stay within the same brand; hopefully one with the same or similar tweeter.

If you are using a center rear as well; you can use the same speaker and then not have to buy a pair and only use one.

I admit that I run separate systems, and do not get so fussy with the surround system which is just for TV/Movies. I can see you might have more difficulty if you want a perfect image. I still don't think a lot of center speakers are properly designed. Making it fit above the TV seems to matter more to some companies, rather than actually having it sound good.
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