Question For Those That Watch Movies/TV Through Your Two Channel System

Hi Erich,
A center channel is better than using stereo speakers, but only modestly so and works best with automatic room correction.

For reasons related to head transfer, a center channel actually does sound different than a phantom center, even if you are sitting in the middle, but the effect is not gargantuan. 

Best,
Erik

I should also say that if you do use a center, it should be matched, or at least reasonably the same quality as the sides.

Using a very small center, with limited dynamic range and power handling, with a L/R pair that is not as restricted will show up at moderate to high volume listening.

Eric, I think most of the issues have been covered by those above me.
Unless the sound source is miles away our vision can an does override our hearing and speech will be localized to the individual talking. With a good system imaging correctly a center channel is totally unnecessary and maybe even detrimental. If you look at my system you will see a very big screen and no center channel. I do not even use surround speakers.
I would rather put the money into my 2 channel gear. 
Set the system up and live with it for a while. I suspect that you will not feel the need for a center channel. 

I just watched a Blu-ray movie in 5.1....could hardly understand the words.   That's true of tv as well.....sometimes it comes through fine...other times bad.  I think they produce it at a low resolution rate.

@stringreen Yes, I've had that same problem with my HT system, Parasound 5 channel amp, Marantz AV processor, Paradigm speakers.
Sometimes I just turn on the captions.

@mijostyn Thanks, maybe my son's Christmas present this year will be an integrated amp.