2.1 to 5.2 (Vandersteen 2C)

If you like Vandersteen there's zero reason to switch. While a center channel will enhance the experience be aware a lot of alleged 5.1 content is actually missing center, so if your L and R aren't sounding great for dialogue a center won't necessarily enhance it.

What you need to consider is a good processor instead OR adding some EQ between your LG and your 2 channel rig.

My point is the center alone won't help the dialogue but a processor will, and a processor with a good center will be great.  Stick with Vandersteen.

PS - I'm talking specifically about Netflix streaming missing center channel.

If your LG is like mine there is no analog output.  I suggest you use something like this which is a DAC + EQ for it's output:

https://www.minidsp.com/products/dirac-series/ddrc-24

You can use the auto-EQ features and tweak them for better dialogue. :)

@erik_squires

I used 2 channel stereo for my TV for years, and although what you say may be correct, and may work, for those as I who refuse to put their TV right smack in the middle between our ‘front speakers’, a center channel speaker is a must. In fact, in ‘TV mode’ it is the most important speaker I have. Yes, also for years, I had my TV in between my speakers in 2 channel stereo mode, but that doesn’t work for me anymore as my system set-up and ‘main speaker’ placement is optimized for 2 channel music listening, and again, my TV isn’t going in the middle.

And as I said, I would never use a multi-channel receiver/integrated/processor for my 2 channel listening again. I tried that. Not good. If others don’t mind, good for them, but not good enough for me, personally. I know you can spend gobs of money on ‘good’ multi-channel processors, but for me, I would rather spend most my money on dedicated 2 channel amplification/equipment for music, and keep them separate.

I guess it comes down to how much of a ‘true Home Theater’ experience you desire, and how important it is vs 2 channel system for critical listening. For me, my multi-channel set-up is fine, and sounds wonderful when I am watching/listening to the Berlin Philharmonic steaming live, or watching a football game, or a movie, TV show, or the news. Others may require more. It all depends what your priorities are.

But back to the original question by @holmz, yes, Vandersteen makes speakers you can use for a full HT set-up. But for the potential cost, how critical is that vs. money spent? You can always buy used, and as a Vandersteen ‘fan boy’ myself, that is what I would do if it made sense. But I also think that if ‘true Home Theater’ is the goal, there might be better speaker manufacturers who are more geared to that set-up.

The sound from my Samsung TV was quite anemic, so I bought a zVox for $250.00 and love it.  I has settings for dialog and now we don't need the TV loud to hear what is being said.  I never use my audio system with the TV.

@bkeske I have AV processor coming, so I figured I would take the XLR to RCA and run the L/R through the stereo amp…(Is this what you meant?)
Then I think I can just run the AV outputs to some plate amps the only level matching would be to remember to set the stereo preamp to a known position like 12 o’clock.


@erik_squires I have an MP-50 on its way (used). So that is HDMI-in and HMDI-out to the LG.Mostly there is just a NUK (Intel PC) streaming in NetFlix. We have a handful of DVDs, maybe 10–20 at the most, and rarely view those. So it is NUK—>LG now, and will be NUK—>MP50–> LG.
I considered a MiniDSP, but the lip syncing, etc had me just jump to a full AV-preamp… plus I wasn’t sure I could get HMDI into MiniDSP… (think I should have checked before jumping in)


@bkeske Yeah I think used is fine for me… The room is 18’ wide + another 12 for a dining room, and 14’ deep. The ceiling it’s 11am high. (I can supply those dimensions in metric, rather than freedom units - but it is probably sort of common for a mixed use room in an older house).
There is not a lot of room as the sofa is against a wall. So I was thinking a used set of VSM1 on the left and right wall 95 degrees to the sides of us.(Definitely no room for a 7.x.x system.)
On the Vandersteen Q&A page, it looks like a VCC1 is not enough so I should be looking at VCC2 or a VCC5. I will probably go for a VCC2 as the WAF is the hardest part to address.
It should probably help if the TV is wall mounted, and if I put together a cabinet below it for the gear to sit in.
I am also thinking of putting a buttkicker on the sofa for the 10-30Hz, (so we remember to evacuate when the monsters or other scary sounds/feeling happen.) Or something to do the <20 or <25 Hz stuff. The other aspect related to the WAF stuff is that she both doesn’t like loud sounds (hyperaccousis) , and simultaneously has a hard time hearing the dialogue.Is a butt kicker a decent option to augment “bottom end” LFE sounds?