Center Channel

[Audio72]

Hi,

I have some JBL Decade L36's and need some recommendations for a center channel.

Thanks

[ProAc_Fan]

Well ideally you'd want a timbre matched center channel from JBL. Whether or not one of those exists is another question I'd don't have an answer for.

Mike

[Audio72]

Something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3016603970&category=14992

[THOR]

Remember you don't have to use an actual center channel speaker for your center channel. I find even high price center channel speakers lacking in sound, especially considering their price and prefer to use a traditional "pair" of speakers as a center channel. Whether or not you need video shielded speakers would of course dictate somewhat what speakers you could use.

[House de Kris]

I'll have to agree with THOR here, most speakers sold as center channel speakers aren't all that great. Even though those listed in the e-bay link are JBL, I somehow doubt that they have many similarities in timbre to your L36s. Why not do it right and get a single or pair of L36s for center channel use?

Not trying to talk you out of what you are trying to do, buy are you sure you even NEED a center channel? Many people, myself included, are quite happy with a phantom center channel. Of course it depends on your needs and situation, but I just thought I'd thow out that possibility.

[Thatch_Ear]

The center channel typically has more sound go through it than any other so the best you can get is a good choice. I use a pair of of good 25 year old speakers and I get lots of bass out of them. Using the typical center channel speaker that is made for voicing only, well it just won't be as much fun, and it is a very good reson to buy another pair of great speaks. As if we really need one. The wife might need one, so there you go.
That will be $10 please. Audio Councilling fee. :D

[Audio72]

OK,

This is what I'm going to do. I'm going to leave my L 36's for my stereo only system. I didn't like the phantom center effect. I have some Paradigm Atoms v3, I love the way these little speakers sound. So, I'm going Atom all around. My subwoofer is a Hsu VTF-2. The only problem is my local Paradigm dealer won't sell them separately. Anybody have a spare Atom laying around. Does your local Paradigm dealer do the same? or does anybody want to split the cost of a pair of Atoms.

Thanks.

:D

p.s my HT receiver is a Sherwood & my TV is a Proton.

[ProAc_Fan]

If money is not a concern Audio72 just skip all the B.S. and buy this set for your home theater. If I ever lost my mind and decided that home theater was the holy grail this set would find it's way into my livingroom.:D

Mike

[Audio72]

Very Nice.

:D

[Shain]

For the most part the center channel is primarily for "voice" reproduction.
At least that's what my HT 5 channel receiver manual indicates.

So, I bought a dedicated center channel speaker, and it works fine. I ended up with a Bose "kit" that had the center, and rear speakers.

The fronts are a pair of Warfdale towers (that I already had, and got cheap), and added a powered sub separately.

I may change the fronts out to something different, but haven't had the time to get into it.

Haven't made any changes since I put it together (about 2 years ago). Just enjoy the movies, and some FM occasionally.

Did add another tuner, because the tuners in the HT recievers SUCK!

[botrytis]

If you have around 1500 lying around look at this - Totem Dreamcatcher system - supposed to be very excellent!!

Dave

[THOR]

Use a pair of Atoms for your Center Channel.

[botrytis]

Using a pair of speakers is not a good idea, besides would you hook them in parallel or serial. It has to do with loudness. If you use two, your center channel will be louder them the L-R setup. This is why most speakers companies are making a matcheing center channel.

Dave

[Thatch_Ear]

Just hook up a separate integrated for the cener if you can so that volume is not an issue and then you would have separate outputs for the speakers, Believe me that there is much more than just voicing going on. I get a lot of bass from special efects as well as voice from mine. Thr fact that I use analog outputs frm the DVD player might have somthing to do with this, but I do get a very full range signal for the center. I just split the mono signal and use a stereo integrated to drive the pair of speakers. It is at least worth checking into. If you can only get 120 Hz and up then a single made for center might work as well as anything else. That would be a shame but is not an uncommon thing when dealing with HT.

[ProAc_Fan]

Dave please tell me where you can buy a new set of the Totem Dreamcatcher 5.1 system for only $1,500 USD. AFAIK retail is closer to $2,500 which makes sense when the mites alone sell for nearly $600/pr and then you add a $500 center channel and the powered sub.

Mike

[Shain]

With my Sony HT receiver, the volume for all 5 channels are adjustable, individually. (most HT receivers are set up like this)

I can raise/ lower the center, the fronts, the rears, the sub woofer, ....... all independently.

IE: I can raise the volume of the center, lower the rears, raise the fronts.... whatever...

So I've been able to adjust and tailor each "channel" to the room, and the speakers being used.

The powered sub of course has a volume, etc control also.

[botrytis]

There was a small dealer in the Finger Lakes that was selling them for that price in Dec/Jan time frame. Maybe they went up in price - I haven't really priced them since then. If I misquoted a price - SORRY.

They are still a great system!!!


Dave

[ProAc_Fan]

Dave, I wasn't trying to make it seem like you were in error, I'd like to know where you could find that setup for "only" $1,500 US. You are correct, BTW, all of Totems line up is fantastic with build quality nearly unsurpassed. Here's a pic in the cherry finish

[botrytis]

P_F, I understand what you are saying. I saw the ad on another audio forum, looked at the site (but since I wasn't looking for any speakers) didn't jot down the website. I thought - hey - that is a great price! I think they had an overstock and were just trying to dimish their stock.

I was thinking about either the Mite's or the Mite-T's would match with my Royd's, but I am not planning this any time soon.

Dave

[THOR]

Originally posted by botrytis
Using a pair of speakers is not a good idea, besides would you hook them in parallel or serial. It has to do with loudness. If you use two, your center channel will be louder them the L-R setup. This is why most speakers companies are making a matcheing center channel.

Dave

What Shain said ;)

[botrytis]

Thor,

I have seen people try it with terrible results. Think about hooking the speakers in parallel - you would have a 4 ohm load (for 8 ohm speakers) - many receivers can't handle it. In series - 16 ohms (8 ohm speakers) - I don't think that you would have enough volume control to counteract these points. Many of the new HT receivers really are meant for an 8 ohm load - easier to design and manufacturer. The amps are not as good as the 70's/80's model we all love.

It is easier to get a dedicated center channel - or use one speaker, not two.

Jes' my opinion and I am stickin' by it!

Dave

[Rob Babcock]

I certainly consider a center channel an absolute necessity, and it should ideally be the same as your mains. Not similar, identical. That having been said, I know that's easier said than done. The front & rear match isn't as critical as the front L/C/R match. If you can arrange separate speakers for music and HT (say if you have an A/B switch if you're using a reciever), and you like the Atoms, you might try 3 of them. It would be pretty cheap and they're small enough that the L/R pair may be able to perch on your mains. Just a thought.

If you ever get the chance to hear a setup with 5 identical speakers, go it (assuming you haven't done so). It can be very impressive.

[THOR]

Well I am going with two speakers for a center channel I find even the most expensive center channels do not put out enough sound for me. Luckily my HT receiver has pre amp outputs so if I need to I can use a seperate amp to power them.

[Shain]

Thor, can't you just adjust the volume, of the center channel independently?

I can literally drown out my front and/or rear channels if I wanted (by on screen adjustment). Using a Bose center??

[THOR]

I believe I will be able to, receiver should be here soon, it should have all the bells and whistles needed. I believe it's rated at 90wpc x 6 and since I will only be using the receiver amp section to power the front and rear center channels I don't think it will overtax it driving 4ohm or 16ohm loads instead of 8ohm. But if I need to I can use a seperate amp.

[Shain]

My HT receiver is a Sony STR DE945 , digital, 32 bit, etc, etc.

It was one the best overall rated HT receiver a year or so ago, by HT Magazine, in it's medium price class.

Thor,
Once you get everything all wired, and everything works, the final thing is to set the out put of all the channels, using the on screen settings.

As I said, on screen, you should be able to set the (output) of EACH of the channels. (with the remote control, and a DVD movie playing) Try a couple of different movies too. (On my receiver, the volume settings is done with an audiable test tone, by the receiver)

I did this two or three times to get sound just right for my family room. (experiment a few times)

And I can also further adjust the sub woofer, with it's controls on the sub itself.

[THOR]

I am gonna buy one of those HT setup discs that helps you set up your picture (HDTV) and surround, using different pictures, scenes, soundtracks, test tones ect.

[botrytis]

Go to Rat Shack and buy a db meter. This will help you to balance out your system.

Dave

[THOR]

Hmmmm I've been wanting a DB meter for a long time, so do you use it to make sure the same level of sound is coming out of each speaker???

[botrytis]

You have to use a db meter to make sure all of the speakers are putting out the same volume of sound. You also have to use it to set your sub.

I suggest Avia for the setup DVD - it will help with all of the settings.

Dave

[THOR]

Thanks for the help boytris!

[botrytis]

Glad to be of service!!

Dave