2. home-theater
  3. 134604-63913

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
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Martin Logan 50xt
Over the years I have changed out the center channel more times than sense just trying to get that clarity in dialogue that is essential to home theater.
I bought this 3 years ago and the changes have ceased!
I believe the "folded motion" tweeter is the key
None of my other speakers are Martin Logan
I have not bought into the all speakers from same manufacturer, have tried that twice and still was not happy.

Just my thoughts and experience
YMMV
wisciman99's avatar
wisciman99
75 posts
 
eternalcamper: I have not heard anyone yet speak of the phantom center channel that one gets when the mains are properly situated.  My ML Motion 20's produce such a clear phantom center I have to get up sometimes any be certain I have the processing turned off.  However, that being said, have you tried using the manual speaker setup and increase the level of your center along with the repositioning.  Your Marantz will allow you manually tweak the crossover (usually @ 80hz for surround processing) as well as the level.  I believe, if memory serves, you can increase the levels to as much as a +9db  (I too am an 'older' guy, lol).  I am in the voice matching camp.  My center is the ML Motion 8 and does quite well with a +2db setting compared to the flat setting on the mains.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
The problem with a phantom center is that it usually only sounds good to the person sitting in the sweet spot.
secretguy
1,719 posts
 
Another GE guy here and having the same problem (with a non matching center). I'm thinking about getting the small GE center. I think mostly my problem is old ears and a lifetime of loud drummers and trumpet players. I also switched from Maggies for a system the does double duty. For sure, if I ever get back to pure 2 channel, the Triton's will get kicked to the curb.
speakersninja's avatar
speakersninja
3 posts
 
A Top-notch channel speaker has a premium quality tweeter that produces high frequencies so that you can hear a clear sound at high volume. It has sophisticated woofers that replicate the sound and produce it clearly and more dynamically. The center channel speaker should have a clear cut crisp sound quality that provides clear audio quality and high quality.

Here is The List of Top 10 Best Center Channel Speakers For Your Home Theatre

1. Polk Audio Blackstone TL1
2. Polk Audio T30
3. Pioneer SP-C22
4. Cerwin-Vega SL-45C
5. KEF Q650c
6. Yamaha NS-C210BL
7. Polk Audio CS10
8. Definitive Technology Procenter 1000
9. Polk Audio CS1
10. Pioneer Elite SP-EC73
More to discover