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B&W Nautilus 804 - center speaker - SACD 5.1 and Hometheater

I want to 'upgrade' my center speaker for large living room system with Nautilus 804 front main, 18" Dayton sub driven by ED LT1300 and (for now) AR rear (have Infinity RS225, Reference 2, Dayton on hand to try). 

Centers are AR CS25HO, recently (lower profile, to put under TV) replaced with Polk Monitor XT35 and Signature S35 (nice low profile, fit under TV). But now giving into the need to raise the TV to allow use of a BETTER center speaker (SACD made the need for a good center speaker clear to me). 

Price is ALWAYS a concern (and used is certainly considered) and I would like to stay under $300. 

Would a CC6 be an upgrade and good match? LCR6? LCR600? HTM62?

The "Nautilus" line of centers appear cost prohibitive, even used (and very bulky, with stupid tweeter on top, but may have to accept bulky disadvantage to some extend, just not putting a 15" high center under the TV).

There is a Center 2 (but already over $300, not sure how high it will sell) on auction right now. 

I have not looked into other brand yet, but may find better bang for buck outside B&W, and not sure anymore how important 'sound matching' is; in the past tried to use center that uses same tweeter/mid range drivers as front main speakers. 

 

 

 

 

kraftwerkturbo
kraftwerkturbo OP
310 posts
 

The CM Center 2 descriptions reads a lot like the B&W HTM61 S2 including dimensions and chassis

kraftwerkturbo OP
310 posts
 

Update: I ordered a new SVS Prime Center and a used B&W HTM61 S2 (both about same price). Will run them both in my system to determine which one to keep.

System is an VERY large volume room (2 stories high, open on 2 sides to several room), serves as TV/Movie (5.1) watching, stereo audio, SACD 5.1 audio. 

Any predicitions? 

 

soix
8,936 posts
 

Great.  Please let us know how it works out if you could.  Make sure you let the SVS burn in before making judgements, and maybe ask them how much time they recommend.  It’s nice they give you a generous 45-day trial period.  I think you’re gonna be a very happy camper one way or the other.  

kraftwerkturbo OP
310 posts
 

So, received the B&W HTM61 S2 and the SVS Prime. Both cost roughly the same (used B&W in very good shape, original box and packaging, etc, SVS brand new). 

Hooked up to my 5.1 and did some back/forth switching and listening. 

Then turned the sub off to focus more on the centers. Very obvious differences between the 2:

- SVS very 'sharp' highs

- SVS mids sound a bit 'compressed'

- B&W has more bass

- B&W overall sounds more 'harmonious', vocals have more weight and sound more natural. 

Important note (and I am not how much this effects the above): the SVS have only a few hours of burn in time. I will keep them running a bit longer on the 'small room' system, then redo the comarison (the B&W is used, so should be fully burnt in). 

If I had to pick one right now, hands down the B&W

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