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What Center Channel are you using in your Home Theater?

Hi all you Home Theater enthusiasts out there. I am looking for your help and experience!

I am using an all GoldenEar set up in my HT, with Triton Ones for my front L & R

their XXL center channel

with their in-wall for sides and rears, and even have 4 Atmos speakers in my ceiling, with an additional center channel above my XXL in the ceiling.

The reason I have put a 2nd CC in the ceiling is that I just do not hear the dialogue very clearly from my XXL on the floor.

Look, I have heard many times that one has to have the same matching speakers for the front BUT I really watch a lot of movies and believe that I were to get a really clear center, I would be ahead of the game as the dialogue would be clearer, and I could then hear the voices better than what I have now.

I am an "older" gentlemen, (now those 2 words really bother me, but I may as well be as honest as I can with all of you), so what I want is to hear the dialogue as well as possible. As my HT is dark, I am really not as concerned if the speakers do not match as no one will "see" them, we only "hear" them.

What would you suggest that I get? In your opinion, what are the best center channels out there now?

Steve

PS

I am upgrading my front L & R to the GoldenEar Triton Reference shortly, so now is the time to get a new CC if possible.
I am using a Classé 5300 to push my front 3 channels + my rears.
128x128eternalcamper
soix
9,549 posts
 
Is the center speaker located on the floor angled upward so it points toward your head?

erik_squires
16,119 posts
 
Intelligibility comes from tonal balance and early reflections. 

Are you using room correction? 

What kind of flooring do you have? 

Best,


E
erik_squires
16,119 posts
 
Also, ahem, I use my own center channel, the design is free of charge:

https://speakermakersjourney.blogspot.com/2016/03/introducing-lm-1c.html

I encourage every Audiophile to build at least 1 pair of DIY speakers in their hobby lifespan. 

Best,

E
12blistn
35 posts
 
It's my understanding that the closer to the corners you have your speakers, the more increase in bass you'll have and muddy the sound of your room.  You didn't mention your ceiling height, but I'm guessing you have your front LRC positioned the way you do because of the size of the screen.

What I would try before replacing my center, is repositioning your front speakers and subs disregarding how they affect your picture to see if you can get the sound right first.  Try using just the single XXL center and get it off of the floor to ear height or up a little and pointing toward ear height.  Move the subs out of the corners.  Also, I bet those T Refs will sound a lot better a little farther out and away from the side walls, too.  If the clarity improves, you might want to get an acoustically transparent screen and/or replace the false wall.

Depending on how well the T Refs do, I'll bet Sandy will come out with a matching center like he did with most of the Triton series.

My HT setup is in my living/family room/kitchen and the acoustics are pretty bad.  I'm hoping to get a better room for it soon.   
eternalcamper's avatar
eternalcamper OP
18 posts
 
Guys, thanks for the emails, and suggestions.

I was going to get a used B & W HTM 1D to use as a new CC but the seller had the older L & R 800 speakers but they where just too big for my room so I ordered the Triton Ref and will try to get a stand for my XXL speaker to see if there will be any difference in clarity.

Stand bye!

Steve
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