Who makes a good center channel?

slammy77 · 07-16-2007, 01:27 PM

I have a Sony receiver (100watts X 5 channels). I have the Sony sattelite speakers that came with the receiver. I recently replaced the subwoofer that came with the 5.1 system with the Klipsch KSW-10 powered sub which I am very pleased with. However, it doesn't "fill out" the sound - by that I mean the mid range frequencies - as well as the little Sony sub did no matter how I adjust the frequency range and gain. That brings me to where I am now: In need of a center channel upgrade.

Who makes a good center channel? I'm looking to spend less than $250 on it.

Ennsio · 07-16-2007, 02:02 PM

Your Sony sub filled in the middle-range? A subwoofer should only be playing the lower range of sound - that's the point of a sub-woofer.

As for a good center channel, you will want to buy one that matches your front left and right speakers (same drivers) to get an even sound across the front. This is called timbre-matching. In other words, if you keep the sony satellite front speakers and just buy a different center channel speaker, the action in a movie will sound different as it comes out of the three front speakers. It would be better to buy three new speakers for the front so that you have an even sound.

If your budget is $250, check out the Athena stuff at audioadvisor.com. I have LS 100's for my front three speakers and they sound great. They might be a bit big or out of your price range though, so you could also look at the Athena Audition series: http://www.audioadvisor.com/searchprods.asp

Paul_Dunlop · 07-16-2007, 02:39 PM

A new center probably won't solve your issue... your sony satellite speakers are the issue

You should look at some new front speakers - pick a line of speakers that you will be able to buy the front 3 at least

Save up a bit more and get a pair of front bookshelves for about $300-400
Then buy the center later on

Good work on the sub - it makes a big improvement

Hope this helps

slammy77 · 07-16-2007, 04:36 PM

Okay... now I'm getting somewhere.... Thank all of you for your input and time. Please help me out a bit further.

I will be buying a whole new set of speakers to go with my new sub. Keep in mind that my receiver is 100 watts X 5 channels. I don't want to buy an amp.

I'm thinking about the Klipsch Synergy Quintet II on eBay for $299. I'm so pleased with my Klipsch sub that I'm really biased toward getting Klipsch Synergy surround speakers to go with it. But I'm not totally stuck on the idea. I am open to suggestions. I intend to mount my new speakers on the walls in each corner of the room, pointed at the center of the couch.

Having said all that, who makes the best set of 5.1 surround speakers for under $400 (no sub included)

JohnRice · 07-16-2007, 04:39 PM

I have another approach. The problem is, the Sony "sub" is not a sub at all, but actually a woofer in a separate housing. The rest of the speakers rely on it to give reasonably full range, but now you have removed it and replaced it with a more legitimate sub, resulting in a big gap in the low mid/high bass. If the sony "sub" connects in series with the other speakers, such as the left/right or L/C/R, then put it back in the system along with the Klipsch. If it is a powered model that connects to the LFE output, you are kind of screwed, without replacing all three of the front speakers will fuller range models.

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JohnRice · 07-16-2007, 04:41 PM

I think buying those particular speakers will land you basically where you are now. I doubt they go down far enough to mix reasonably with the sub. There needs to be an overlap of at least an octave, but more is preferable.

4VTHOKIES · 07-16-2007, 06:58 PM

Look for a set of three speakers that will be the same. Three book shelves like the speakers from av123, svs etc should do the trick with your new sub.

You are better off only going with a 3.1 system now and save for the surrounds once funds come available then getting just a center and cheap fronts.

Since you like the Klipsch sound check out the RB51 book shelves with the RC 52 center. The total cost is around $650 but you can get them for less. Street price, if you negotiate well should be around $500 or so. This would be a great start and again when the funds come available look into the matching surrounds. Your amp will easily drive the Klipsch.

LanceJ · 07-17-2007, 01:57 AM

The seeming lack of midrange could be a perception-based issue i.e. the Klipsch has so much more low bass that - relatively speaking - now the midrange sounds diminished (especially the lower midrange since most HTiB sats cannot properly reproduce it*). If you think this sounds screwy: to demonstrate the opposite case, adjust the receiver's treble control to its minimum setting - the mids and bass will seem to magically "increase" in volume.......but obviously no such thing happened.

Many speaker companies use this "trick" all the time, particularly with very small models. They deliberately soften and/or lower the tweeter's output to give the impression of more bass. This isn't being dishonest or anything but is a way to make such a speaker more listenable, or musical to use another term. Otherwise if the frequency balance was untouched the speaker would very probably be perceived as tinny or harsh sounding.

* hear for yourself: take a regular speaker, something with an 8" woofer or similar and listen to it by itself with the receiver's crossover set at two of the most common points (80Hz & 100Hz) - you'll be amazed at how much bass is still present, enough to almost make one think there is *no* crossover being used. No wonder so many sat/sub systems, at almost any price point, sound so thin and unrealistic.

slammy77 · 07-20-2007, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnRice

I think buying those particular speakers will land you basically where you are now. I doubt they go down far enough to mix reasonably with the sub. There needs to be an overlap of at least an octave, but more is preferable.

I get what you're saying. I was hoping that the Klipsch sattelite speakers would satisfy my needs for $300 or so, but if the full size Klipsch boxed speakers are worth the extra cash, then maybe I'll wait a while and get them instead.