phantom center channel


My entertainment center can not accommodate a center channel without substantial and costly modification. Does anyone have experience with the "phantom center channel" option? Does this drastically change the listening experience?
sammydog
Eldartford-

We are on the same page. I was trying to emphasize that a real center channel source with a center channel speaker is superior to either a phantom center or a real one derived from a 2channel source.

As for recovering what 'should' have been the center channel signal, I have found only a few devices which will do this to my satisfaction. Merely feeding a sum signal or using DPL without lots of trim options don't cut it with me.

Kal
BTW, to get back to the OP's query: If he is mounting the center channel inside an 'entertainment center,' these subtleties may be irrelevant.

Kal
Having previously used an all Vandersteen setup with 3A's and a VCC-1. I have moved to Aktiv Tri-amped Linn Ninkas with Linn 5103 as preamp. Using phantom mode, I actually prefer the sound. I dont think I will be going back to a center speaker.