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big screen - two channel system enough for dialog?

If I have a large screen (100"+), will I need a dedicated center channel to hear dialog well??

My priority is music, and movies are mostly drama and comedies where dialog is critical. Surround effects are NOT a priority. Many folks here believe you can get much better value from 2 channel systems, but I am getting older and dialog intelligibility is key.

I am concerned about blu-rays needing to downmix from 5 to 2 channels and with such a big screen and separation of my mains, will two channels just make the dialog more diffuse??
tswei99
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,611 posts
 
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I have a center channel in my system and I have a 240" screen. I've watched movies in stereo with only the front mains engaged and the dialog sounded just fine, and while watching the movie, having no center channel did not call attention to itself and I thoroughly enjoyed the movies.

Before I went whole hog and installed a surround system, I watched movies on a big screen in stereo for years and never had a problem with the dialog being unintelligible.
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sarcher30
596 posts
 
A center channel is not necessary IMO. If your speakers image well and you sit in the sweet spot they will work just fine. If you don't sit in the sweet spot the voices will not come from the right spot though.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,432 posts
 
It should reinforce center (improve imaging) for off center sitting position.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Mitch, how many seats do you have in your movie theater?
What's currently shown in there?
maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
1,113 posts
 
Stereo is great if you are sitting in the sweet spot. if sitting off to the side all dialog will obviously sound unnatural.
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