Center speaker

[disbthai]

Hello everyone, i'm a newbie here and started to turn my living room into a HT. I currently have Samsung 40" LCD 1080p TV, a Harmon Kardon reciever, 2front floor stand tower speakers and so far it sounds amazing. I don't have a center speaker yet as I want to know what sufficiant is the center speakers added? I've been using just the two front speakers and it sounds good to me. (maybe because i'm a newbie) Is it neccessary to have a center speakers? Thanks

[phastm3]

You'll find the center channel is the most important speaker in your system. 60% or more of movies sound/dialog runs through the center channel. When you purchase one, make sure it matches your left and right towers. You should buy the same brand and series that your towers are.

[CYMBOL]

If you want to get full surround sound (5.1 or 7.1) then, yes - you need a center channel.

Until you get some rear speakers though, I wouldn't bother.

Once you have the "full surround" package (two fronts, a center and two rears, at least - along with a surround receiver); you'll definitely hear the difference having a center channel. Voices will be prioritized (if the person is on screen, it will sound like it's coming from your tv. - if the acter is off screen to the side it will come from that speaker, etc.)

5.1 surround has specific audio for each channel (front, center rear) and your movie mixes will really open up. With out getting the rear channels, all your doing is bridging the left and right speakers which can sometimes muddy the sound experience. Really depends on your receiver.

Hope that helps a little.

[phastm3]

Originally Posted by CYMBOL

I you want to get full surround sound (5.1 or 7.1) then, yes - you need a center channel.

Until you get some rear speakers though, I wouldn't bother.

Once you have the "full surround" package (two fronts, a center and two rears, at least - along with a surround receiver); you'll definitely hear the difference having a center channel. Voices will be prioritized (if the person is on screen, it will sound like it's coming from your tv. - if the acter is off screen to the side it will come from that speaker, etc.)

5.1 surround has specific audio for each channel (front, center rear) and your movie mixes will really open up. With out getting the rear channels, all your doing is bridging the left and right speakers which can sometimes muddy the sound experience. Really depends on your receiver.

Hope that helps a little.

I disagree with some of this. Assuming he wants to build a 5.1 or 7.1 system since he said he wants to turn his room into a HT....I think he should definitely buy a center channel next.

Your surrounds are what you should buy last if you're piecing together a HT system. You'll find, on most movies, there isn't a whole lot of "movie experience" coming through your surrounds.

If you're truely piecing together a home theater, then your next purchase should be a center channel, then a sub and finally followed by your surrounds. You should head over to avsforums, there are a TON of knowledgeable video/audiophiles over there that will probably be a little more helpful than what you'll find here.

Good luck man!!

[CYMBOL]

Originally Posted by phastm3

I disagree with some of this. Assuming he wants to build a 5.1 or 7.1 system since he said he wants to turn his room into a HT....I think he should definitely buy a center channel next.

My advice was to purchase the center with the surrounds - adding a center channel only doesn't do much for a home theater, since it is only bridging the two fronts. But yes, I wouldn't purchase surrounds "before" getting a center channel if you are getting one piece at a time.

then a sub and finally followed by your surrounds.

A sub is great - but may not be the necessary "next" piece depending on the size of the front speakers. My fronts each have a twelve inch woofer - with heavy, heavy base - if I added a sub it would be way too much.

You should head over to avsforums, there are a TON of knowledgeable video/audiophiles over there that will probably be a little more helpful than what you'll find here.

Agreed, more die hard AV experts reside at the avsforums.

[MacDaddyOJack]

Originally Posted by CYMBOL

adding a center channel only doesn't do much for a home theater, since it is only bridging the two fronts.

In HT, the center channel does more than bridge the two fronts. In a 5.1 or 7.1 movie soundtrack, each channel plays its own discrete information meaning that each channel can play a completely different signal from the others simultaneously. The center channel of a HT plays 95% of a given movies dialogue and roughly 60% of any on-screen sound effects. The front L/R play movie music and the majority of on-screen soundeffects while the surrounds play ambient effects and panning material. The 0.1 channel is designed for use with a subwoofer as it is primiarily sound effects that are at 80Hz and below. There is plenty of material that will require large front speakers for movie playback, but only 0.1 channel will go as deep as say 20-30 Hz.

In short, the center channel is extremely important for HT and a good center channel speaker is a must for dialogue clarity. You will benefit greatly from adding a center channel speaker even if you don't add surrounds at the same time. Spend what you can on the center channel, it will be worth it. Upgrade over time, its the only way to go

[CYMBOL]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

In HT, the center channel does more than bridge the two fronts. In a 5.1 or 7.1 movie soundtrack, each channel plays its own discrete information meaning that each channel can play a completely different signal from the others simultaneously.

I mentioned that in my first post. The bridging effect is if he only adds a center channel and nothing else and does not enable 5.1/7.1 ect.

Originally Posted by CYMBOL

If you want to get full surround sound (5.1 or 7.1) then, yes - you need a center channel. 5.1 surround has specific audio for each channel (front, center rear) and your movie mixes will really open up. With out getting the rear channels, all your doing is bridging the left and right speakers which can sometimes muddy the sound experience. Really depends on your receiver.

Agree with both of you though, the center channel is very important. My Center Channel is pretty large and really fills the room (especially with voice overs/narrations.)

When it comes to speakers - save your money and get what you can afford.

[MacDaddyOJack]

[QUOTE=CYMBOL;1019237]

I mentioned that in my first post. The bridging effect is if he only adds a center channel and nothing else and does not enable 5.1/7.1 ect.

Ooops, I missed that first post of yours

[CYMBOL]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

Ooops, I missed that first post of yours

Too late. The damage has been done.

[BaronVH]

The center channel is the most important in my opinion for movies. Get as much as you can afford without going hungry. You really should try to match it with your front speakers.

[Pelican170]

Originally Posted by phastm3

I disagree with some of this. Assuming he wants to build a 5.1 or 7.1 system since he said he wants to turn his room into a HT....I think he should definitely buy a center channel next.

Your surrounds are what you should buy last if you're piecing together a HT system. You'll find, on most movies, there isn't a whole lot of "movie experience" coming through your surrounds.

If you're truely piecing together a home theater, then your next purchase should be a center channel, then a sub and finally followed by your surrounds. You should head over to avsforums, there are a TON of knowledgeable video/audiophiles over there that will probably be a little more helpful than what you'll find here.

Good luck man!!

Agree 100%

[JunkBoy]

Check on craigslist. You might find some used high end speakers for cheap there. Just make sure you can trial them first.

[CAB]

Originally Posted by JunkBoy

Check on craigslist. You might find some used high end speakers for cheap there. Just make sure you can trial them first.

audiogon.com - Resellers that I'd trust.