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Adding Home Theater To 2 Channel System

I have a two channel system that I am very happy with located in a dedicated listening room.  I am considering how to add home theater without giving up the two channel sound that I enjoy.  My main speakers are Avantgarde UNO’s (horn speakers - 18 ohm, 108 db sensitivity). Avantgarde does not make a center channel speaker.  I assume that I will have a problem matching any box speaker center channel speaker with the Avantgarde - my worry is incoherent sound.  Is this something I should worry about?  Are there center channel speakers that might be a good match (I have been unable to find any obvious candidates ohm/sensitivity match)?  Is it likely that I will need to find a new set of front speakers from the same brand as the center speaker?

The rest of my setup: Pass Labs XA 60.8, Audio Research Ref 6 preamp, SME 20/2 turntable, Lumin x1 streamer, Ayon CD player, REL 812/S subs (2)
chilli42
bwguy's avatar
bwguy
227 posts
 
I am using a Classe Sigma processor  that I can put in digital bypass when playing 2 channel music with my Lumin T2 streamer. In bypass mode, the full analog signal bypasses all processing and the Classe acts as a good analog preamp.  Gives me the best of both worlds.
surfmuz
399 posts
 
The topic was was discussed pretty well before. Build separate, independent system with own speakers for Home Theater. 
bwguy's avatar
bwguy
227 posts
 
Yes, in a perfect world, 2 separate systems is the way to go. For some people, this is not always practical due to cost and/or space issues, I am a 2 channel guy, but love listening to my many Blu-ray concerts that sound much more spacious in 5.1
larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,008 posts
 
Perhaps think about getting an ARCAM AVR 850 and adding a center channel speaker and two rear surround speakers.  Whey you switch to two channel there is plenty of clean power as the first 50 watts are pure A.
terry9
2,333 posts
 
I solved this problem by positioning TWO centre channel speakers next to the TV, between the main L and R speakers. Those two speakers were smaller versions of the L and R mains. Two more small speakers for surround speakers, and I had HT when I wanted it and two channel when I wanted that.

Those two smaller speakers above and below the TV is an even better solution if that can be made to work. I moved to that before I moved to separate dedicated HT and 2 channel rooms, and it's better. But a compromise is possible too. 
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