center channel upgrade question - Blu-ray Forum

buckshot · 06-01-2007, 03:39 PM

I have been upgrading my home theater set up in pieces (essentially what's on sale at frys) and have hit a problem. I now have balboa 30 front floor standing speakers from jbl, the side channels are the old front channels from my onkyo theater in a box, and the rear channels are polk audio R300 floor standing speakers. I am not a huge audiophile so this set up is pretty good for me. I got a 10'' 150W velodyne sub as well. the problem is my center channel is from that onkyo set and is sounding pretty thin. I turned up the level for that speaker to quick fix it. but am getting more annoyed with it. i'm looking for a good center channel to go along with what I have now. price does matter a lot. i'm hoping to get away with a sub $250 amount. I can hunt for deals but I need to know what to look for first.

any help is appreciated. thanks.

Filterlab · 06-01-2007, 03:51 PM

Even a basic KEF centre channel will be a huge leap in quality. Try any of the 'Q' series, they all sound very strong (with frequency response from 55hz up) and won't break the bank. Not sure of the US prices but they're around £150 over here. Also have a look at the B&W CC series, along the same price line and really good speakers.

Try speakers from these manufacturers if you can get them; Castle, KEF, Celestion, Tannoy, Monitor Audio, Ruark and ProAc. You should get something within your budget from any of those, although you may have to go to ebay for the Monitor Audio's and ProAc's.

Penton-Man · 06-01-2007, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckshot

i'm looking for a good center channel to go along with what I have now. price does matter a lot. i'm hoping to get away with a sub $250 amount. I can hunt for deals but I need to know what to look for first.

any help is appreciated. thanks.

See……………..
https://dmc-electronics.com/Main.asp

PSB Image 9C center speaker

PSB Image 8C center speaker

They are located in Garden Grove, if you’re close by.
David C. (the owner) is a good guy whose honesty is beyond reproach. He also provides excellent follow-up customer assistance in case you have any problems in the future.

donricouga · 06-01-2007, 04:50 PM

Try the Polk CSi3 or maybe a used CSi5.

teemacone · 06-01-2007, 05:20 PM

I recenlty purchased purchased the Energy RC-LCR, you may be able to find it online at a very good price and it sounds amazing after broken in a few hours.

Gremal · 06-01-2007, 10:11 PM

Doesn't JBL make a center that matches your L/R speakers? The most important thing is to maintain a cohesive soundstage across the front three channels.

Zaphod · 06-01-2007, 10:29 PM

This is the one I have and I love it! It is the Klipsch RC-64.

clyon · 06-01-2007, 10:30 PM

Those 'balboa 30' look just like JBL e60's, I have the e50's same but there 'book shelf' style. see my sig for my center speaker.

You don't want to miss match speakers, the sub is diffent & you can get a diffent brand.

buckshot · 06-02-2007, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clyon

Those 'balboa 30' look just like JBL e60's, I have the e50's same but there 'book shelf' style. see my sig for my center speaker.

You don't want to miss match speakers, the sub is diffent & you can get a diffent brand.

is the center channel the s-center? I looked that up and it got a lot of good reviews but a few bad ones said that it wasn't very clear and the plastic cabinet for it was pretty crappy. I haven't seen them anywhere around where I live to listen to one. does anyone else have an opinion of this center channel?

jbl s-center

Filterlab · 06-02-2007, 11:55 AM

Or if you can stretch the budget a bit....

buckshot · 06-04-2007, 03:12 AM

Filterlab; i can't see that picture. what is it?

I'm having trouble finding to many jbl center channels. the JBL S-channel looks good, but can't really find any place that carries them. i'm looking at the JBL CSC55. but can't find any reviews on it. any help......

clyon · 06-04-2007, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckshot

Filterlab; i can't see that picture. what is it?

I'm having trouble finding to many jbl center channels. the JBL S-channel looks good, but can't really find any place that carries them. i'm looking at the JBL CSC55. but can't find any reviews on it. any help......

The S is a older speaker and not made any move, but the replacement is a sweet 4way but big, $499.

www.harmanaudio.com (JBL) - it is not working now so I can't get the link

clyon · 06-04-2007, 03:42 AM

I found it on amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/JBL-LC2-Wall-M...928342&sr=1-15

Filterlab · 06-04-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filterlab

Or if you can stretch the budget a bit....

Don't know where that link's gone, hold on.....

That's better.

buckshot · 06-05-2007, 12:45 PM

I have now narrowed my search to jbl centers after talking to people on here and that I know outside of here. the 2 I am looking at to compliment my current set up without overpowering it are:

jbl balboacenter
80 mhz to 22ghz (i think)

jbl csc55
55 mhz to 22 ghz

does that 25 mhz difference between the balboa center and the csc55 make that big a difference?

I feel kind of bad that I keep bringing this post back from the dead.

Filterlab · 06-05-2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckshot

jbl balboacenter
80 hz to 22khz

jbl csc55
55 hz to 22 khz

does that 25 mhz difference between the balboa center and the csc55 make that big a difference?

Yes! Go for the one with the wider range. Anything below about 100hz is lower bass (basically speaking) so it's very important for vocal reinforcement and general audible coherence.

Also you can set your processor/receiver to output full range (i.e. large speakers) on the centre channel as 55hz-22khz is a very good range for a centre.

Looking at the specs it looks like a really nice speaker. Go for it.

HDJK · 06-05-2007, 01:27 PM

Sorry, totally OT, but Filterlab: just visited your hompage and listened to your tracks. Very tasteful Electronica, good Job Mate

I especially liked Cynicism

buckshot · 06-05-2007, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filterlab

Yes! Go for the one with the wider range. Anything below about 100hz is lower bass (basically speaking) so it's very important for vocal reinforcement and general audible coherence.

Also you can set your processor/receiver to output full range (i.e. large speakers) on the centre channel as 55hz-22khz is a very good range for a centre.

Looking at the specs it looks like a really nice speaker. Go for it.

thanks for the correction on the hz's. I think i'm going to go with this. is 50W continuous enough is my last apprehension. i'm tired of the voice for PE being drowned out. thanks for your help filterlab i'll have to go check out your site now. electronica not my thing usually. but we'll see.

Matt X · 06-05-2007, 04:18 PM

the common response to this question is to buy a center that at least has the same-type tweeter as your mains. those JBLs sound like they might be a good choice. tweeter matching makes voices and effects sound the same as they "move" across your room from side to center to opposite side.

Filterlab · 06-05-2007, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckshot

thanks for the correction on the hz's. I think i'm going to go with this. is 50W continuous enough is my last apprehension

50wrms continuous is by far enough.

06-01-2007, 03:39 PM	#1
buckshot Blu-ray Guru Member since:Feb 2007 Location:san die ego Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:9	center channel upgrade question I have been upgrading my home theater set up in pieces (essentially what's on sale at frys) and have hit a problem. I now have balboa 30 front floor standing speakers from jbl, the side channels are the old front channels from my onkyo theater in a box, and the rear channels are polk audio R300 floor standing speakers. I am not a huge audiophile so this set up is pretty good for me. I got a 10'' 150W velodyne sub as well. the problem is my center channel is from that onkyo set and is sounding pretty thin. I turned up the level for that speaker to quick fix it. but am getting more annoyed with it. i'm looking for a good center channel to go along with what I have now. price does matter a lot. i'm hoping to get away with a sub $250 amount. I can hunt for deals but I need to know what to look for first. any help is appreciated. thanks.

06-01-2007, 10:30 PM	#8
clyon Special Member Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Just left of the Alpha Quadrant 4K collection:57 Blu-ray collection:824 Blu-ray reviews:8	Those 'balboa 30' look just like JBL e60's, I have the e50's same but there 'book shelf' style. see my sig for my center speaker. You don't want to miss match speakers, the sub is diffent & you can get a diffent brand. Last edited by clyon; 06-01-2007 at 10:34 PM.

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06-01-2007, 03:51 PM	#2
Filterlab Senior Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:East Molesey, Surrey, UK	Even a basic KEF centre channel will be a huge leap in quality. Try any of the 'Q' series, they all sound very strong (with frequency response from 55hz up) and won't break the bank. Not sure of the US prices but they're around £150 over here. Also have a look at the B&W CC series, along the same price line and really good speakers. Try speakers from these manufacturers if you can get them; Castle, KEF, Celestion, Tannoy, Monitor Audio, Ruark and ProAc. You should get something within your budget from any of those, although you may have to go to ebay for the Monitor Audio's and ProAc's.

06-01-2007, 04:50 PM	#4
donricouga Senior Member Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Atlanta, GA Blu-ray collection:138 Blu-ray reviews: 9 Trading Score:1	Try the Polk CSi3 or maybe a used CSi5.

06-01-2007, 05:20 PM	#5
teemacone Member Member since:May 2007 Blu-ray collection:40 Blu-ray reviews:1	I recenlty purchased purchased the Energy RC-LCR, you may be able to find it online at a very good price and it sounds amazing after broken in a few hours.

06-01-2007, 10:11 PM	#6
Gremal Blu-ray Samurai Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Daddyland Home Theater Gallery:49 Blu-ray collection:184	Doesn't JBL make a center that matches your L/R speakers? The most important thing is to maintain a cohesive soundstage across the front three channels.

06-01-2007, 10:29 PM	#7
Zaphod Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Apr 2007 Location:A small planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse. Blu-ray collection:350 Trading Score:4	This is the one I have and I love it! It is the Klipsch RC-64.

06-02-2007, 11:55 AM	#10
Filterlab Senior Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:East Molesey, Surrey, UK	Or if you can stretch the budget a bit....

06-04-2007, 03:12 AM	#11
buckshot Blu-ray Guru Member since:Feb 2007 Location:san die ego Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:9	Filterlab; i can't see that picture. what is it? I'm having trouble finding to many jbl center channels. the JBL S-channel looks good, but can't really find any place that carries them. i'm looking at the JBL CSC55. but can't find any reviews on it. any help......

06-04-2007, 03:42 AM	#13
clyon Special Member Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Just left of the Alpha Quadrant 4K collection:57 Blu-ray collection:824 Blu-ray reviews:8	I found it on amazon. http://www.amazon.com/JBL-LC2-Wall-M...928342&sr=1-15

06-05-2007, 12:45 PM	#15
buckshot Blu-ray Guru Member since:Feb 2007 Location:san die ego Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:9	I have now narrowed my search to jbl centers after talking to people on here and that I know outside of here. the 2 I am looking at to compliment my current set up without overpowering it are: jbl balboacenter 80 mhz to 22ghz (i think) jbl csc55 55 mhz to 22 ghz does that 25 mhz difference between the balboa center and the csc55 make that big a difference? I feel kind of bad that I keep bringing this post back from the dead.

06-05-2007, 01:27 PM	#17
HDJK Blu-ray Guru Member since:Oct 2006 Location:Switzerland Trading Score:2	Sorry, totally OT, but Filterlab: just visited your hompage and listened to your tracks. Very tasteful Electronica, good Job Mate I especially liked Cynicism

06-05-2007, 04:18 PM	#19
Matt X Senior Member Member since:Feb 2007	the common response to this question is to buy a center that at least has the same-type tweeter as your mains. those JBLs sound like they might be a good choice. tweeter matching makes voices and effects sound the same as they "move" across your room from side to center to opposite side.

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