best to use components

[markyboy156]

hi

can anybody tell me if the svs ultra towers as fronts work well with the chane 2.4 centre speaker
and i want to use chane 2.4 all round as a 11.4 speaker package
would the svs ultra towers sound quality blend in well work seamellesy well together
would they still sound great with the chane 2.4 speakers thanks kindly marcus

 

[Mr Peabody]

I would not mix brands or series with the center and mains (L/R). I believe I explained to you before in another post the importance of seamless panning of sound. I wouldn't mix brands of amps in those 3 channels either. It's best all channels match but the front 3 are the most important.

 

[nicoff]

It depends of your primary use.

For the center channel I am using a different amp, different speaker type, and a different brand.

I don’t use the center channel while listening to 2-channel music. So for my stereo music listening habits, the center channel does not matter.

For movies, you may notice that most manufacturers of speakers for HT use different sizes and style (some horizontal for example) for the center channel. So they treat the center channel differently anyway. My set up works pretty well. So I do not think that the different speaker type/size is a big deal for movies either. That speaker is primarily for dialog anyway.

But... when listening to true multichannel music in 5.1 or 7.1 having speakers of same size and matching amps is best. I do have to adjust the volume of my center speaker to help the overall blend.

 

[Mr Peabody]

It's not the size, there's different crossover points for center to compensate for that. It's the timbre, they have to timbre match. You may not understand if you've never heard the difference. If you have panning from side to side, do you want the character of sound to change as it goes across? You should have a solid sound field across the front, a nonmatching center destroys that. The center has to mesh/blend with the mains.

And, the center is not just dialog, it's where most of the main action is on your screen. That's why if serious about your HT set up, not only should the center timbre match but don't get one of those with little 4" drivers. The center is arguably the most important speaker in a surround set up.

And, for multichannel music, it's the same as using mismatch stereo speakers or headphones with different cups on L/R. When was the last time you walked up and really listened to the center when playing? I don't think it was just dialog unless watching the news.

HT doesn't have to be primary but if not going to do it correctly, why bother at all.

NO one is happy about the center being horizontal, it's a compromise manufacturers have to make in order for the speaker to fit under the screen. Ideally, 3 of the same brand, model would be perfect. It's done in better HT systems where the screen is perforated or some other arrangement that allows the center to sit the same way. Most of us with not a dedicated room for just HT have to settle for a horizontal, yet, timbre matched speaker. Most manufacturers who sell a center to match a certain series design them to minimize the negatives of being horizontal.

Just saying

It depends of your primary use.

For the center channel I am using a different amp, different speaker type, and a different brand.

I don’t use the center channel while listening to 2-channel music. So for my stereo music listening habits, the center channel does not matter.

For movies, you may notice that most manufacturers of speakers for HT use different sizes and style (some horizontal for example) for the center channel. So they treat the center channel differently anyway. My set up works pretty well. So I do not think that the different speaker type/size is a big deal for movies either. That speaker is primarily for dialog anyway.

But... when listening to true multichannel music in 5.1 or 7.1 having speakers of same size and matching amps is best. I do have to adjust the volume of my center speaker to help the overall blend.

 

[Mechnutt]

Mr. P, I agree with everything you said. But when I used a B&W center channel speaker with my Magnepans for HT, I did not care about matching. All I cared about was clear dialog. It worked for me. I now use just a pair of Def Tech monitors for my TV and occasionally a sub in a 2.1 config with a cheap HT AVR as my Adcom AVR died. With today's TV's you need some type of audio system weather it be a sound bar or speakers as the TV speakers or horse bleep except for my old Sony XBR 3.

 

[nicoff]

Mr. P, I agree with everything you said. But when I used a B&W center channel speaker with my Magnepans for HT, I did not care about matching. All I cared about was clear dialog. It worked for me. I now use just a pair of Def Tech monitors for my TV and occasionally a sub in a 2.1 config with a cheap HT AVR as my Adcom AVR died. With today's TV's you need some type of audio system weather it be a sound bar or speakers as the TV speakers or horse bleep except for my old Sony XBR 3.

Interesting that you mentioned Magnepan and B&W. That is my current set up. And quite frankly I chose after my dealer suggested that I try it based on set ups that had done. At the time, magnepan did not make center channels. I am talking almost 20 years ago.
I have done several upgrades to my Maggie’s (MGIIIa, 3.6R, 20.1, and 20.7 now) but still have kept the B&W center because they work very well together.

 

[nicoff]

It's not the size, there's different crossover points for center to compensate for that. It's the timbre, they have to timbre match. You may not understand if you've never heard the difference. If you have panning from side to side, do you want the character of sound to change as it goes across? You should have a solid sound field across the front, a nonmatching center destroys that. The center has to mesh/blend with the mains.

And, the center is not just dialog, it's where most of the main action is on your screen. That's why if serious about your HT set up, not only should the center timbre match but don't get one of those with little 4" drivers. The center is arguably the most important speaker in a surround set up.

And, for multichannel music, it's the same as using mismatch stereo speakers or headphones with different cups on L/R. When was the last time you walked up and really listened to the center when playing? I don't think it was just dialog unless watching the news.

HT doesn't have to be primary but if not going to do it correctly, why bother at all.

NO one is happy about the center being horizontal, it's a compromise manufacturers have to make in order for the speaker to fit under the screen. Ideally, 3 of the same brand, model would be perfect. It's done in better HT systems where the screen is perforated or some other arrangement that allows the center to sit the same way. Most of us with not a dedicated room for just HT have to settle for a horizontal, yet, timbre matched speaker. Most manufacturers who sell a center to match a certain series design them to minimize the negatives of being horizontal.

Just saying

A little bit of a condescending post me think. I stand by what I said: for movies the center speaker does not have to be the same size or brand as other speakers.

Let me just add that after seeing the list of your HT equipment in your profile, I would not trade mine for yours.

 

[Mr Peabody]

Larry, I remember you doing that set up with the B&W, I imagined the center sticking out like a sore thumb.

If Nicoff thought I was condescending, which wasn't the intention, can you imagine Terrence's reply, LOL

 

[Mr Peabody]

Nor would I trade with you. You may out spend me but at least I know what I'm doing with mine.

A little bit of a condescending post me think. I stand by what I said: for movies the center speaker does not have to be the same size or brand as other speakers.

Let me just add that after seeing the list of your HT equipment in your profile, I would not trade mine for yours. ��