Center or Phantom Center?????

Hi Guys:

I've had similar experience with the TM8800pro. I've been doing some beta testing of the 2.3e software which will be out soon. It is a BIG improvement over the earlier versions. In particular, it adds a Previous and Next button that allows you to go through all the surround formats. It also works out a lot of the format problems in earlier versions....and further resolves the gain issues.

In terms of Center Channel issues...i've had similar experience. I agree that the phantom center mode drops the gain by several db and this makes it hard to compare with Center Channel in. I have all Martin Logan speakers (CLS IIz's for L and R and the Theater for Center). I find the phantom mode to sound different...but not necessarily worse. A lot of it depends on the source material. To adequately assess this, I've been using a sound meter and test disc to make sure I have the gain matched. I am then listening for an hour at a time...one way...and then the other.

So far, I'm actually leaning toward the phantom center mode...but haven't made a final decision yet. With the center channel in.....dialog is more firmly anchored to the screen....but the depth of the soundstage is diminished. In phantom mode, the sound stage is deeper, perhaps wider, but more diffuse.

I tend to obsess about this stuff. I really like it both ways and while they sound different, i don't yet have a clear sense of which is "better".

harry

I only have 5.1 but with 5 Cornwalls, al timbre matching rocks...the center is horizontal on top of Elite HD710, verticles horns down, and 15" woofer up...sounds amazing...
It is best to have at least the front speakers the same.

Just a follow up. I really like the phantom center mode better, even though my Martin Logan Theater Center is well matched to my CLSIIz's and scripts.

Interesting article/interview on Multichannel music in this months issue of The Absolute Sound. Seems there is some emerging consensus to consider losing the center channel for multichannel music listening. For movies...there is lots of controversy and my guess is that it varies depending on room setup, equipment, source material etc. Very interesting read.