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Matching the center channel to the fronts

OK, I know it is ideal to match the center channel to the fronts, but I am constrained by the fact that my TV stand will only accomodate a center channel that is approximately 19 1/4" wide. This severely limits my choices when it comes to the fronts which I am thinking about purchasing. With each brand, I would have to drop down a class to get a center channel which fits.

So the question is: should I just drop down a class in the fronts as well, in order to get timbre matched speakers (i.e. get the Focal Chorus instead of the Cobalt with Chorus center or the Dynaudio Audience 42C with the 72 instead of the Focus 200 and audience 42C)?

Or should I go with the higher grade fronts, especially since I plan to use it 70% music and 30% HT (and I do more critical listening with music as opposed to movie soundtracks).
rs691919
markphd
667 posts
 
Javachip said:

"That said, I am not so sure about the idea of watching a movie in "phantom center" mode with no center channel speaker. Around 80% of the soundtrack (especially the dialog) is directed to the center channel speaker. Having that speaker close to the video screen ensures that dialog will emanate from the actors' mouths, not from somewhere else."

If stereo speakers are located properly for imaging, the voices are going to come from the actor's mouths, not somewhere else. That's what stereo imaging is. If you can't place your speakers properly because of space limitations, then it would be better to keep some speaker in the centre. I would also agree with the rest of the post.
rs691919 OP
9 posts
 
Thanks for the advice...I intend only to listen to 2 channel music. It was my inclination to pick the fronts and just go with whatever center channel fits. It will still be better than my current center, even if its a class down from the fronts. But now, picking the speakers...that's the hard part.
javachip
56 posts
 
"But now, picking the speakers...that's the hard part."

Many would say, that's the FUN part.

We're in this hobby because we enjoy it, right? (Right?)

:)
holenneck
127 posts
 
I am running my center information through my front speakers at this moment and have had great success. I have listened with and without many times before and the only real difference when the center is removed is the loss of sound information that is dedicated to the center channel. This loss is most noticable in action movies, the lack of detail or the energy created by my center speaker was missing. Making the towers do .5 tims more work leads to some information getting lost. It made a big difference to me. Plus, without a center channel, you cant raise or lower the level of the dialouge dedicated to the center channel. I am letting a friend borrow my speaker cables right now, but when i get them back i am going back to a 5.1 system.
cdwallace
216 posts
 
IMO, I think removing the center speaker is hindering the performance of your system. If there are other factor contributing to removing the speaker, thats one thing. If no outside constriants are there, keep the center channel and take the receiver off of phantom.

Just as a suggestion, you might wanna work on blending the speakers better, especially integrating the center with the fronts. It wouldn't hurt to get the front soundstage blended with the rear as well. When all speakers are configured properly, you'll completely understand why I say keep the center channel.
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