How important is the center channel? - Blu-ray Forum

TheZoof · 01-23-2009, 02:23 PM

I have an addiction and it is blu-ray movies.

A few months ago I decided I wanted to take advantage of lossless sound. In order to do that I had to upgrade my front speakers. I chose the PSB Alpha B1 Monitors. They are great speakers and for the price, size and quality they really were great.

My question now is how much am I losing not having the proper levels in the center speaker. I am still using my Infinity speaker that really can't handle the low sounds it needs. I always thought only voice went through the center but I last night while watching U-571 I could really hear the lack of bass with those depth charges.

Is it worth upgrading that speaker to the Alpha C1 Monitor and am I going to hear a world of difference?

The infinity speaker btw does sound good for voice(in my opinion) but it is the action sequences that I have a feeling I am missing out on.

What are your thoughts?

Mr. HiDef · 01-23-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheZoof

I have an addiction and it is blu-ray movies.

A few months ago I decided I wanted to take advantage of lossless sound. In order to do that I had to upgrade my front speakers. I chose the PSB Alpha B1 Monitors. They are great speakers and for the price, size and quality they really were great.

My question now is how much am I losing not having the proper levels in the center speaker. I am still using my Infinity speaker that really can't handle the low sounds it needs. I always thought only voice went through the center but I last night while watching U-571 I could really hear the lack of bass with those depth charges.

Is it worth upgrading that speaker to the Alpha C1 Monitor and am I going to hear a world of difference?

The infinity speaker btw does sound good for voice(in my opinion) but it is the action sequences that I have a feeling I am missing out on.

What are your thoughts?

You should deff timbre match the front three speakers

aramis109 · 01-23-2009, 02:35 PM

Center is everything. You've got a great pair of front speakers- don't waste 'em with a center that doesn't match (not that Infinity is a bad name, cuz it's not at all).

One thing you may want to try, is to remove the center entirely. You'll need to re-run any autocal programs, but the end result is the fronts take over that duty and act as a phantom center channel. Some people swear by it. Wouldn't take anything but time and effort to try.

Another thing is to check your crossover settings- where your center dips off in bass is where your subwoofer should be stepping in. What do you have the center's crossover set at?

Gremal · 01-23-2009, 02:49 PM

The importance of the center is best explained by looking at my HT photos.

Asylump · 01-23-2009, 02:57 PM

Nice choice in speakers. I'm running a set of the Alpha T1 Towers, a C1 Center and a set of the B1's for my surrounds - as well as PSB's 5i Sub.

Amazing sound and quality for the price, IMO. I demo'd these next to speakers 3x as much and couldn't bring myself to buy the more expensive ones.

Anyways, back on topic.. Get the center channel speaker, it is the most important as everyone has stated. Over time, I would move those B1's to surrounds and move into a larger tower speaker for the fronts. That C1 is much more powerful that the B1's.

PSB_Paradigm_HSU · 01-23-2009, 03:00 PM

Zoof, Definitely get the C1! You will definitely notice an improvement
Or you could consider waiting and saving up, getting the Image T45 and C40 and moving the B1s to surrounds. Just a thought

MrRoy · 01-23-2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gremal

The importance of the center is best explained by looking at my HT photos.

Your center is almost the size of my TV stand.

prerich · 01-23-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gremal

The importance of the center is best explained by looking at my HT photos.

Or mine

!!!!

prerich · 01-23-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheZoof

I have an addiction and it is blu-ray movies.

A few months ago I decided I wanted to take advantage of lossless sound. In order to do that I had to upgrade my front speakers. I chose the PSB Alpha B1 Monitors. They are great speakers and for the price, size and quality they really were great.

My question now is how much am I losing not having the proper levels in the center speaker. I am still using my Infinity speaker that really can't handle the low sounds it needs. I always thought only voice went through the center but I last night while watching U-571 I could really hear the lack of bass with those depth charges.

Is it worth upgrading that speaker to the Alpha C1 Monitor and am I going to hear a world of difference?

The infinity speaker btw does sound good for voice(in my opinion) but it is the action sequences that I have a feeling I am missing out on.

What are your thoughts?

Get the C1.....oh did I add now

!

Halcro 1 · 01-23-2009, 03:20 PM

Center is very importand buy the best one that fits your main speakers brand or line however you want to put it

TheZoof · 01-23-2009, 03:34 PM

Thanks guys. I guess I will pick it up. I am almost 100% satisfied with my apartment HT... so I should just do this.

When I buy a house in a year and a half... I will have this as a bedroom setup and get completely new stuff at that time(COUGH)...

TheZoof · 01-23-2009, 04:45 PM

Expect reviews lol on how much of a difference it does make.

Gremal · 01-23-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRoy

Your center is almost the size of my TV stand.

It weighs more than 200 lbs--built like the proverbial brick shiitehouse.

TheZoof · 01-23-2009, 08:07 PM

I can't get over how much speaker you have in that small room. I mean I guess it all depends what volume level you have on... but haha seems mighty overkill to me LOL...

BUT I am just a padawan at this point.

ozzman · 01-23-2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. HiDef

You should deff timbre match the front three speakers

This is like a golden rule That i have not completed but i do believe is important.
There is a choice to go with a different center then your fronts.Of coarse its possible and could sound awesome .

I love my speakers But I also know that my center will be changed in time .
It will sound better then it does today,and trust me iam happy with them today but looking forward to better(I love that word,BETTER)

I belive to complete One phase of your system with your speakers is always timber match the fronts and center for best results

TheZoof · 01-24-2009, 07:20 PM

I bought the center speaker and I couldn't believe the difference from before.

I am totally satisfied with my home theater experience now.

I watched Superman 2: The Richard Donner cut and I couldn't believe how great it sounded. I noticed a big difference in the first minute of the movie.

Thanks to everyone for the "sound" advice.

01-23-2009, 02:23 PM	#1
TheZoof Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Ottawa,Canada Home Theater Gallery:27 4K collection:850 Blu-ray collection:1636 DVD collection:10 Blu-ray reviews: 38 Trading Score:2	How important is the center channel? I have an addiction and it is blu-ray movies. A few months ago I decided I wanted to take advantage of lossless sound. In order to do that I had to upgrade my front speakers. I chose the PSB Alpha B1 Monitors. They are great speakers and for the price, size and quality they really were great. My question now is how much am I losing not having the proper levels in the center speaker. I am still using my Infinity speaker that really can't handle the low sounds it needs. I always thought only voice went through the center but I last night while watching U-571 I could really hear the lack of bass with those depth charges. Is it worth upgrading that speaker to the Alpha C1 Monitor and am I going to hear a world of difference? The infinity speaker btw does sound good for voice(in my opinion) but it is the action sequences that I have a feeling I am missing out on. What are your thoughts?

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01-23-2009, 02:35 PM	#3
aramis109 Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Milwaukee, WI Home Theater Gallery:10 4K collection:4 Blu-ray collection:360 Trading Score:18	Center is everything. You've got a great pair of front speakers- don't waste 'em with a center that doesn't match (not that Infinity is a bad name, cuz it's not at all). One thing you may want to try, is to remove the center entirely. You'll need to re-run any autocal programs, but the end result is the fronts take over that duty and act as a phantom center channel. Some people swear by it. Wouldn't take anything but time and effort to try. Another thing is to check your crossover settings- where your center dips off in bass is where your subwoofer should be stepping in. What do you have the center's crossover set at?

01-23-2009, 02:49 PM	#4
Gremal Blu-ray Samurai Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Daddyland Home Theater Gallery:49 Blu-ray collection:184	The importance of the center is best explained by looking at my HT photos.

01-23-2009, 02:57 PM	#5
Asylump Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Edmonton, AB Home Theater Gallery:32 Blu-ray collection:306	Nice choice in speakers. I'm running a set of the Alpha T1 Towers, a C1 Center and a set of the B1's for my surrounds - as well as PSB's 5i Sub. Amazing sound and quality for the price, IMO. I demo'd these next to speakers 3x as much and couldn't bring myself to buy the more expensive ones. Anyways, back on topic.. Get the center channel speaker, it is the most important as everyone has stated. Over time, I would move those B1's to surrounds and move into a larger tower speaker for the fronts. That C1 is much more powerful that the B1's.

01-23-2009, 03:00 PM	#6
PSB_Paradigm_HSU Active Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:VA Home Theater Gallery:9 Blu-ray collection:23	Zoof, Definitely get the C1! You will definitely notice an improvement Or you could consider waiting and saving up, getting the Image T45 and C40 and moving the B1s to surrounds. Just a thought

01-23-2009, 03:20 PM	#10
Halcro 1 Senior Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Everywhere Home Theater Gallery:12	Center is very importand buy the best one that fits your main speakers brand or line however you want to put it

01-23-2009, 03:34 PM	#11
TheZoof Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Ottawa,Canada Home Theater Gallery:27 4K collection:850 Blu-ray collection:1636 DVD collection:10 Blu-ray reviews: 38 Trading Score:2	Thanks guys. I guess I will pick it up. I am almost 100% satisfied with my apartment HT... so I should just do this. When I buy a house in a year and a half... I will have this as a bedroom setup and get completely new stuff at that time(COUGH)...

01-23-2009, 04:45 PM	#12
TheZoof Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Ottawa,Canada Home Theater Gallery:27 4K collection:850 Blu-ray collection:1636 DVD collection:10 Blu-ray reviews: 38 Trading Score:2	Expect reviews lol on how much of a difference it does make.

01-23-2009, 08:07 PM	#14
TheZoof Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Ottawa,Canada Home Theater Gallery:27 4K collection:850 Blu-ray collection:1636 DVD collection:10 Blu-ray reviews: 38 Trading Score:2	I can't get over how much speaker you have in that small room. I mean I guess it all depends what volume level you have on... but haha seems mighty overkill to me LOL... BUT I am just a padawan at this point.

01-24-2009, 07:20 PM	#16
TheZoof Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Aug 2008 Location:Ottawa,Canada Home Theater Gallery:27 4K collection:850 Blu-ray collection:1636 DVD collection:10 Blu-ray reviews: 38 Trading Score:2	I bought the center speaker and I couldn't believe the difference from before. I am totally satisfied with my home theater experience now. I watched Superman 2: The Richard Donner cut and I couldn't believe how great it sounded. I noticed a big difference in the first minute of the movie. Thanks to everyone for the "sound" advice.

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