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Center Channel Needed?

My HT setup is currently biased towards two channel but I am running two fronts, a sub and two rears. I do not currently have the amplification or the speaker to run a center channel. The front speakers are the Aerial 10T's which are spaced 12 feet apart. The imaging during both two channel playback HT applications are super. I am not necessarily opposed to adding a center channel, but even at used prices, this addition would be somewhat pricy as I would need to get another amp and the center speaker. Would love some perspective from those of you that have added centers what I am missing from the current setup...will adding the center add a level of excitment and realism to HT playback? My assumption now is that running the processor in center channel phantom is just as good as adding a center due to the imaging the remiander of the system and the Aerials provide. Would especially love to hear from current 10T owners, but appreciate all feedback & comments.

Thanks
Ag insider logo xs@2xmattkimb96
dlr
201 posts
 
Yes the center speaker is important especially if anyone is not sitting in the sweet spot. Otherwise it sounds like the persom is speaking out of one of the front speakers. But this is a concern for movies.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
I've tried many configurations over the last year...while all sounded pretty good..."with center" is far better as long as the center is a good match with the mains.

It's sometimes hard to get a good match because of placement issues so many people go with out...can't say I blame them.

My mains are Apogee Duetta Signatures which caused the problem for me also, moving to a projector allowed me to get rid of the mis-matched and horizontal center speaker and add a much larger (Apogee Centaur Minor) in the vertical position for a seemless match.

dialogue is crisp, clear and pin-point as needed....way above anything phantom could do. Having very clear dialogue allows for lower listening levels...a great plus as the dynamic range in movies is often waaaay over the top as we turn up the volume so that we can hear the often to quiet vocal mix.

Do I wish it wasn't so...yep

Dave
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
The center channel plays a very different role for movies than for music. My (good) system is used only for music, and my center channel is identical the the front left and right, consisting of a custom two driver subwoofer system and MG1.6 planar speaker. For music, the center channel is most important and should be as good or even better than the others. Obviously there would be no room for a video screen.

For movies, the center channel is mostly for dialog. A superb full range speaker is not the best choice. Dialog is more easily heard and understood if the frequency response is restricted, and shaped to emphasize a certain range.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
mattkimb96 OP
107 posts
 
Appreciate all of the responses. With a total of five weighing in, it appears that it is 5-0 in favor of adding a center to the current mix. Not sure I would be able to find just one 10T, so will begin looking for the Aerial CC5 Center. Thanks again for all of the well thought out & informational responses.
brainwater
520 posts
 
Matt , i would consider contacting Aerial directy and posing the single 10 t query. This company is very customer friendly . As I said however , a cc5 is a great center and mates well with 10 s.
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