How big should center spkr be to set to "large"?


in the processor, that is?

My center speaker is pretty big as center speakers go, a Paradigm cc570. But it pales in LF response compared to my front L/R. Also, I am not currently using a sub.

I have tried it with the center set to small and large. When center is set to large, the movies seem to lose a lot of overall bass. I have plenty of amp power to the center, 200w.

I would like to set the center to large to get a bigger sound right there in the middle, but perhaps you have to have an even bigger center speaker. But that is going to get really expensive.
mtrot
Yeah, except when a speaker (in this case, center speaker) is sitting in somewhat of a hole in the 70-80hz regigion, and someone ends up getting some more "umph" by crossing their rather large center speaker over at, like 60hz or whatever, you should most always be looking at crossing over a normal sized center speaker at "small"! Why? Yes, they don't play so low. But that's not the problem entirely. Another case, and just as important of one, is that these passive speakers can't properly deal with full range bass info efficiently enough, often leading to distrotion, clipping, and squashed dynamics. Basically, not only does the speaker have to play lower than comfortable often, when set to "larger" (or anything larger than 60-80hz really), but the amps (usually receivers) can't really control the drivers well enough in most passive crossover design models either! The passive crossover is a rather innefficient design overall. And most speakers aren't so "sensitive" as well. (some larger horn speakers help greatly).
So, the vast majority of the time (I've yet to run any center speaker as large in any setup I've ever done, and I've done hundreds!), you get better efficiency, and dynamic range from crossing over to "small". The critical part is making sure your speakers and sub(s) are coupled well (and flat ideally) at the crossover frequency, and in phase! Here in lies the problem where most people run into with speaker/sub placement and setup. They know nothing of this part...
Here's a shorter explaination, IMHO. If the speaker can't handle "full range"...45 or 50Hz to 20kHz for arguments sake, set the center channel to small on your receiver. It just makes life much easier that way.

Thats just my take on things though. It works for me.
I use full range floor standing speakers for my front LR, but I find the sound more open and transparent even for stereo if I set all the speakers to small, and let the sub handle LF.

db
I also have full-range floorstanders for front L/R, but I don't have a sub, so I can't set them to small.
I'm confused, how about everyone else?

Small center channel with no sub and full-range LR's = big problem.

There is no good answer except work some overtime and get a subwoofer ASAP!

Are your left and right speakers Paradigms? If they are not then you must get the "matching" center for your speakers or you're designing your system all wrong and no setting is going to cover your mistake.

So what are the rest of the speaker? Lets fix your system right not patch a problem that goes much deeper than the bass response of your center channel.

Do we have an agreement to fix it correctly from the start?