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Any surround better than none at all?

Hi everyone, I'm brand new to these boards, so please be gentle!

Background: I have just recently purchased:

Rotel DSP-1066 and RMB-1075 with a pair of Aeon's (have an 'i' after them, would be interested if any of you know what that means), and a depth sub. This is far superior to any gear I have ever had the pleasure of owning, so I'm pretty exited about it.

My question is this:

My main goal is music, i'm a 2ch junkie, but feel the need to finish it for the full movie effect. My old system (total garbage) did have a cerwin vega center and bose rear bookshelfs (please don't laugh). As the parts above were more than I ever expected my wife to allow me to get, I am unable to purchase new rears or center at this time.

Should I even bother hooking them up for movie use or will it demolish any gains by having the ML's by using trash for a center and rear?

Watched our first movie on it last weekend and I was a bit dissapointed by having no surround, but the quality of the system was well beyond any expectations.

I guess I could just hook it up and try it, but wondered what your opinions would be before I start pulling cable.
zonsolo
seth
38 posts
 
I totally agree with Rsuminsby, use a "phantom" center and any ol' surround speakers.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Albert is correct. Movies are for fun and most of the "sound" is dialog. Center channel really helps anchor dialog to the screen. I would use what you have for now and upgrade (center first) as you get some $.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
Your Bose for surrounds will be fine. However, either use phantom for the center or get a new one. Don't even try the CV. What you may want to try if you have a little money: Contact either madisound.com or speakercity.com and see if they have drivers that will fit in the CV box that will match the Aeons. Many times they have exact replacements for many manufacturers parts (only a handful of manufacturers make the bulk of the drivers used). They may suggest a new crossover also.
I was forced to do this when I wanted theater and didn't want to give up my 2 channel mains. Coincident didn't make a center at that time. Speaker City custom designed a center using the same tweeter and a pair of matching woofers. It isn't exact but no one has ever noticed (exept me). This solution for only $200 when the pair of Coincidents were $1799.
zonsolo OP
1 posts
 
Thanks guys for all your help, very good posts and you were very gentle (thank you!).

I'll probably try to beg a friend to use his energy rears and center.

But lets say I get the wife to let me buy a center, then what would be a good economical center that would be in a similar class to the Aeons? Target price range of say, $700?
willhitx2eb4
37 posts
 
I'd bet you could find a used ML Cinema near your budget. That way you're matched up front. Position and calibrate any ol' rears and you're good to go until you can spring for ML rears.
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