Center Channel Advice

[jesusdima]

Hi.

I wanted to know your opinions on a center channel for the system I am currently Building, i decided to build the system step by step, using good components instead of buying cheap ones and replacing them with better ones a lot.

I actually have a pair of XLS340 Fronts with a MA6900 Powering them (My First McIntosh System) , I also have on order a MC402 for the fronts , i was thinking of buying a MC501 + XCS350 for the center and delegate the MA6900 to the surrounds, my dealer suggested instead the HTM2D

Auditioning might be a problem because i live in mexico and no one has a showroom with all these high end products, the Mc i can get buy ordering which takes more than 1 month (Order for the 402 was placed on the 23rd of Jan still haven't received it).

I will be using a top of the line Denon as the preamp, as i use a lot of the advanced functions like networking, HDMI, and I like the EQ Features.

Does the B&W Match with the Mcintosh XLS?
Anyone have experience with these Speakers?

Thanks
Jesus

[masterlu]

First Welcome to the Greatest Mac Forum on the Planet.

Next, do not mix & match with your center channel. If you are using Mac L&R's definitely get a Mac Center. This is for Timber matching, as sound and voice fades from left to right or vice versa.

A non-matched Center (HTM2D) will kill the front sound stage you are working so hard to build.

[masterlu]

I also agree with your choice of a 501 for Center channel duty, as it is the hardest working speaker in a surround setup.

[jesusdima]

Thanks for your advice, I also believed that I had to go with the matching center, plus it's 1.5k cheaper, one of the dealers here in mexico told me that the 501 was no longer going to be made, any truth in this or is he full of it.

Maybe he was trying to push the sale.

[masterlu]

Ha, he is full of it. :yes:

[jesusdima]

I supposed that.

Another question, the XCS350 speaker is only rated for 400w, could i damage it if i turn it up too loud with the 501? It says that it can produce peaks of 1200w.

Would the 501 in the center overtake the 402 for the fronts?

I used to have definitives for the fronts but when I bought the XLS my ears were opened, if you can say that, sometimes i miss the bass that they produced, but, that's what a sub is for.

I listened to my firs Mc when i was about 9, don't recall the model, but my uncle had some Klipsch Horn and it sounded beautiful, 13 years later I bought my 1st and actual mac and I got hooked. :music:

[masterlu]

I supposed that.

Another question, the XCS350 speaker is only rated for 400w, could i damage it if i turn it up too loud with the 501? It says that it can produce peaks of 1200w.

Would the 501 in the center overtake the 402 for the fronts?

I used to have definitives for the fronts but when I bought the XLS my ears were opened, if you can say that, sometimes i miss the bass that they produced, but, that's what a sub is for.

I listened to my firs Mc when i was about 9, don't recall the model, but my uncle had some Klipsch Horn and it sounded beautiful, 13 years later I bought my 1st and actual mac and I got hooked. :music:


No, you will not damage it. Even if your ears don't convince you to lower it, the speaker is internally protected.

No, it will not overtake the fronts. Most processors will have a trim control to adjust the balance of the front sound stage.