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My own experience has been that, mismatched speakers can sound fine, until you listen to matched speakers in the same rig.
I had a combo of B&W, KEF, and Klispch, and was happy enough, but always wondered how a matched set of Series 1 B&W 600s would sound. So, off to ebay for a CC6 center, and to the used market for a pair of 601s to go in the rear, all to match my 604 mains.
Lest just say I will not be going back to mismatched speakers again any time soon.
For me, the biggest difference seems to be across the front. With my 604s and a Klipsch KV-2, I always was aware that the center was high up on the TV, and on a different plane then the L/R pair. It was distracting, and while tolerable for movies, it wrecked the front soundstage when listing to MC music.
With the B&W center, I get a much better illusion that I am listening to a cohesive whole in front, rather than sound coming from three speakers at different locations.
Of course, YMMV, but I would definitely say that identically matching speakers, or as in my case, timbre matched speakers is worth the effort to do so...even if it takes some time to put it all together.
BGL
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