Center and Mains

IMHO, the biggest problem is the extremely bad match between the center and main speakers. Having different brands absolutely ruins any chance of timbre match and then there is a 6db sensitivity difference between the Def-Techs and the McIntosh.

Sounds in the front may come from a single speaker, or they may be created with L&C or C&R speakers, and that is a problem with the mismatch.

Read this article, especially the last line.

http://www.avtruths.com/speaker.html

Sounds in the front may come from a single speaker, or they may be created with L&C or C&R speakers, and that is a problem with the mismatch.

So the sensitivity would create a path of least resistance and push gain left or right? If I can’t change the speakers to match, can I amp up one or another to offset the effect? Maybe Bi or Tri-amp my center?
Having owned many Def-Tech speakers already, I really tried to go that way with my new center, but their centers available were not a match for the older 7000sc’s and considering the demand I was wanting ask of the center, it just wan’st going to cut it. I like the sound I have, even if it is sort of "hodgepodge".
I was watching "The Rewrite" last night and felt just "folded in" amongst a few of the tracks. I’m wanting to tweak / balance / squeeze my existing speaker system.
Side Surrounds: http://www.definitivetech.com/products/mythos-eight
Rear and Back Surrounds: http://www.definitivetech.com/products/sr-8080bp

If you can't match LCR speakers you might set the menu of your processor to center speaker = none so the processor will generate a phantom center image.  I think that is better than a timbre mismatch.

You can change the speakers to match. Here is the matching center for your L&R that is recommended by Def-Tech,

http://www.definitivetech.com/products/cs-8080hd

An amplifier will do nothing to overcome the timbre mismatch.

In a 2 channel system, the speakers create a balanced image with sounds that come from anywhere in between the 2 speakers and even outside the speakers. Now if the 2 speakers were different, that image would be totally ruined.

In a multi-channel system, that perfect front image can be created with 3 identical speakers, however that is only possible in certain situations. The next best option is to use the timbre matched center that was designed by the company to go with the L&R. If seating is tightly centered between the L&R, the "phantom center" that was mentioned can work well in some cases. Any other center speakers will just degrade the front sound, and IMHO, trying anything with amps, processors, etc is a waste of time. Doing this will always make it sound different, but never right, and your ears know that. When it's right, your ears won't tell you to "clean up" the sound.

Lol thank you. Good points. I had auditioned the 8080HD and frankly (it could have been me), but it didn't even come close to making the grade. To me it sounded "thin and without body". I wish that wasn't the case, it would have saved me about $6K. Nevertheless my investment has been made so I'll look forward to Bi / Tri-Amp testing!
Thanks so much guys for offering up your experience and ideas.