What Center Channel are you using in your Home Theater?

Steve,
As another guy who struggles to hear dialogue (in movies, parties, etc.)...

I have gone through similar problems with dialogue clarity.  My experience is that the actual center channel speaker makes a HUGE difference in enjoyment of TV, movies, etc.  I have found minimal positive effect to adjusting center channel EQ curves, some beneficial effect to just raising center channel volume, and a large beneficial effect to getting a center channel built for dialogue.  To various degrees, I have been unimpressed with various center channels from B&W (entry level), Aerial CC3b (sounded like a blanket over the speaker, very disappointed given glowing reviews), Focal Chorus (nice for music, bad for dialogue), Martin Logan Motion 30 (could not understand males despite a "shouting" quality). 

These speakers have been run by a variety of high-end amps, preamps, processors, speaker wires, and +/- room correction, but it seems that the actual center channel speaker is the overwhelming piece of the puzzle.

I have Salk HT-3 mains, and talked with Jim Salk about my problems.  He built me the HT-3 equivalent center and it solved everything.  Great dialogue at low and high volumes.  Consider giving him a call to build a speaker, suggest an existing speaker from his lineup, or just give you some good advice.  Who cares if the center "matches" the rest of the system if you cannot understand what is being said.

My 2 cents
DF

Hi D Forrester
Well, I love your idea, and solution to our problem.

I live in Canada, Toronto

How can I get Jim Salk to build me  the same CC as you? Remembering, I have the Golden Ear system in my HT, and have their new Triton Ref as my mains, and am using their biggest XXL CC.

What is the cost?

Stephen

I have GE rig also with T1"s.  I haven't upgraded to the T refs, yet.  I'm curious about your HT dimensions and what processor you're using.  Also, how and where do you have your speakers placed?  What room treatments have you tried?

Well, hello, and good to hear that you are a GE lover too!

My room is 14.5' x 23'

Have put in a raised 2nd row just under the projector at the end of my room with a 128" screen

I have a Marantz 8802A with 2 amps, a 5-channel Classé + a 7-Channel Emotiva

I have my front L & R just in front and a little in from the side walls, my centre on the floor, with 4 atmos speakers in the ceiling, and 2 sides + 2 rears that are all built into the walls. I have 4 subs, 2 behind a false front wall, in the corners, and the other 2 subs in the rear corners of the room. I have installed a 12th inwall speaker as a 2nd centre channel just above my other CC. At this time, I do not like my centres, as I do have a challenge in hearing the dialogue clearly.

No room treatment!

Steve

Is the center speaker located on the floor angled upward so it points toward your head?