Help with center channel

[TheAllmaniac]

I'm looking for a new center channel for my home system. Everything around me is klipsch. Should I get a center channel with dual 6.5'' woofers or will dual 5.25'' woofers be enough? Thanks for any suggestions/comments.

[Slec]

I've been on this same hunt. I was looking at getting the RC-52. Heard that the 62 is a better match with the RF-82's. Yesterday I took a couple CD's to a local store that carried both. The RF-62 sounded MUCH better than the 52. Had them playing through the same setup to try and control as much as possible.

At one point just the center was playing while the volume was cranked up, and it really held its own. I asked to do the same with the 52 and although it did well, there was a difference in clarity.

My advice would be to find a store that has both, give them a listen and go from there. (IMO the 62 is the way to go, but I'm hesitant to say more as I don't want to sway you).

[Marcusarilius]

Considering the size of your other speakers, it should be fine.

[Ranger-R]

I'm in the same boat currently, I have Klipsch F3's up front, F1's for rears and some S1's for surround backs. I currently have been using a Bose vs10, sounds great but i know its not matched. I can't decide whether to order online the Klipsch C3 or go buy the C2 at the store. they don't carry the C3 in stores in Washington. anyone own the c3? specs have it as a very large center channel.

ps, running these with an elite94

[Ranger-R]

anyone here own the Klipsch c3

[werewuf]

You really want to get the center speaker that closely matches the timber of your front right and left speakers. On the Klipsch website what they are pairing your fronts with the C-3 which has a similar tweeter as the B-3's and two of the same woofers. Klipsch goes with the premise, I believe of having the center channel having higher wattage capability and dual woofers to enable a fuller sound in the center. Seems like a great match.

[MatrixS2000]

Originally Posted by TheAllmaniac

I'm looking for a new center channel for my home system. Everything around me is klipsch. Should I get a center channel with dual 6.5'' woofers or will dual 5.25'' woofers be enough? Thanks for any suggestions/comments.

Don't use speaker size a a measurement for which to get.

Check the specs then listen to them.

[jomari]

id go with the rc-62s because it can handle a lower frequency.

if you can find an RC-35 get that one.

[krazeyeyez]

Originally Posted by werewuf

You really want to get the center speaker that closely matches the timber of your front right and left speakers. On the Klipsch website what they are pairing your fronts with the C-3 which has a similar tweeter as the B-3's and two of the same woofers. Klipsch goes with the premise, I believe of having the center channel having higher wattage capability and dual woofers to enable a fuller sound in the center. Seems like a great match.

what he said, i got the klipsch rc-62 paired with the rf-82's and they match perfectly.

[ManUtd]

I also put very high priority on timbre matching. If possible, how about using the same B-3 as a center channel? This would be optimal.

[Snowgod]

Speakers need to match sonics. I mean they have to sound the same with the same material. Try a movie soundtrack that has sound that travels across the front stage (Mask of Zorro), then listen as the sound moves. Many center channels that don not match will make the sound change timbre as it switches speakers. In Mask of Zorro, Zorro walks on to the stage during the opening credits and moves from Front left to center. If you speakers match then the click of his boot heels sounds the same. IF not you hear click, click and then clack or clunk. I can't think of a BD to use as an example but I am sure others on the forum can suggest one.

[JimPullan]

On of the benefits of staying with a 'matched' front sound stage (Center, Left and Right) is for timbre and tonal balance and identical cross over points. Mixing brands only contribute to headaches. As far as woofer size in the center, the larger the center woofers, the more natural a voice like James Earl Jones will sound (and we know how low his voice goes!). You don't want bass voices or instruments for that matter to sound nasel, nor do you want to redirect low frequency information to be sent to a sub. It would be terrible to be watching James Earl Jones in something like Patriot Games or Hunt for Red October, directly in front of you on the screen and his voice sent to a sub outside the front sound stage. The brain will freek out !!!. So, bottom line, stay with the same brand as your left and right fronts and get a model with good size bass drivers in them. Then, you won't be disappointed. [Jim]

[dobyblue]

I can only reiterate Jim's point - timbre matching is very important across the front three speakers. You don't want a pan of someone going from left to right to sound hollow as they cross the middle of the soundstage, which will happen if the frequency response is not similar to the front speakers (largely why THX recommends the same size and crossover for all speakers) and at the same time you don't want them to keep the same range, but SOUND different as they cross the soundstage, which can happen by mixing brands.

For the Klipsch example, if you had F3's as your fronts no doubt you will liekly get a more accurate soundstage if you chose the C3 over the C2. If you had a screen there would be nothing wrong with getting one more F3 to place behind it either for your centre channel.