Recomendations for center channel speaker to go with DCM Time Windows

[socal9]

Hi everybody. I have a pair of DCM Time Windows (the originals back from when people used to use charcoal to write on paper) and I love the way they sound on music. I am currently using it for my movie watching setup too. From this board I am learning how important a center channel speaker can be. Can anyone suggest a good matching center channel speaker for the DCM Time Windows. I know they are quite old and some may suggest just buying newer matched speakers but I really love the sound of them.

My budget is quite low (other expenses have more priority such as wife and kids). Perhaps $200. Is this doable or should I just live with the DCM's as my primary sound system for movies. thanks for any help you can give me.

[jvonl]

Howdy - I have used Time Windows since I bought my first pair around 79-80 and have never considered changing them. I now have one pair for music and another for my home theater. I have been using a Klipsch Reference center for many years and am very happy with it. My other surrounds are also Klipsch Reference. My center is an older model, the RC 35. Those can be found used (and occasionally new) well within your price range. It may also be possible to find newer versions in that range as well. I find the sound to be very clear and neutral, which works well with the Time Windows. I'm sure that there are others which would also work well. Good luck, and enjoy!

[jvonl]

There are two RC-35's on ebay now within your budget, one buy it now, the other auction. I didn't check for newer models.

[socal9]

thanks for the advice on the RC-35s. I did take a look on ebay and also checked out how much the sold ones went for and they are in my price range. I'm glad to hear that they pair well with the Time Windows.

This might sound like a stupid question but I'm going to ask anyway. I think the DCM Time Windows are about a 4 or 6 ohm impedance, and it appears that the RC-35s are 8 ohms. Would this cause any potential problems?

[jvonl]

Not that I know of. I run everything with a Harman Kardon AVR 3600, and have had no issues.

[jvonl]

Many folks will say (and rightly so) that all the speakers, especially the front line, should match. As the Time Windows were not up for discussion I originally tried two different DCM centers. They were ok, but a friend pointed me toward Klipsch. I found that to be an improvement. After learning more about the different models of Klipsch, I found a great deal on the RC-35. It was SO much better that I then had to slowly upgrade my surrounds to the Reference series, RS-35's on the sides and RS-25's in the back. I have had no urge to upgrade since then. What you have to remember is that while the Time Windows reign supreme for two channel music, in a theater setup they are merely doing surround duty, adding depth and spaciousness to the sound. Unless you eventually build a fully dedicated, ultra big-buck theater, I believe you will be pleased with the mix/match approach. What receiver will you be using?

[socal9]

Yamaha RX-V377. The reason I asked about the impedance is that the Yamaha actual has a setting for 6 or 8 ohms for the speakers. The 6 ohm setting is used for 4 to 6 ohm speakers (such as the Time Windows). Hopefully mixing and matching won't make a difference.

Oh, and I don't think I will be going for a big buck HT system anytime soon

[prerich]

Originally Posted by socal9

Hi everybody. I have a pair of DCM Time Windows (the originals back from when people used to use charcoal to write on paper) and I love the way they sound on music. I am currently using it for my movie watching setup too. From this board I am learning how important a center channel speaker can be. Can anyone suggest a good matching center channel speaker for the DCM Time Windows. I know they are quite old and some may suggest just buying newer matched speakers but I really love the sound of them.

My budget is quite low (other expenses have more priority such as wife and kids). Perhaps $200. Is this doable or should I just live with the DCM's as my primary sound system for movies. thanks for any help you can give me.

you need to check craigslist or eBay for a DCM CX-17 - that's your matching speaker !!!! Here ya go!!!!!! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-DCM-...item3cfd1f5cef

[jvonl]

My DCM centers were a CX and (I believe) a KX. Nice speakers, but I'm much happier with Klipsch Reference.

[Billy13]

Originally Posted by prerich

you need to check craigslist or eBay for a DCM CX-17 - that's your matching speaker !!!! Here ya go!!!!!! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-DCM-...item3cfd1f5cef

Agreed! I had those speakers in my garage at one point, and they flat out

[Show spoiler]

[prerich]

Originally Posted by jvonl

My DCM centers were a CX and (I believe) a KX. Nice speakers, but I'm much happier with Klipsch Reference.

The Klipsch reference would be a bad sonic match for the Time Windows (I've owned various Time Frames and Time Windows in my life, as well as Klipsch speakers).
The rc-35 is a fine speaker, but a bad timbre match. When using classic speakers, it's best to match the sound signatures, and since the OP is on a budget, the CX -17 (not the CX center channels made later - and not the KX series sold by the defunct Circuit City) is the best match outside a third Time Window.

[jvonl]

So, OP, do you have room for a 17 inch high vertical center?

[schan1269]

The correct TW and TF center speaker is the...

SurroundScape

I know, cause I have one with my 600/350 theatre.

But, they are rare as hens teeth.

Alternative is using a SounDecor in a custom box(not the SounDecor OW2).

2nd alternative is building your own. There are plenty of 6" drivers and tweeters on eBay.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by jvonl

So, OP, do you have room for a 17 inch high vertical center?

The CX-17 can be placed on its side since it is a coaxial mounted speaker (it will not suffer from lobbing either).

@schan1269 the surroundscape center is really just a coaxial mounted center channel where the driver is placed in the center of the enclosure. It's basically the same speaker (except the CX-17 uses a larger woofer - 6.5 inch - and goes deeper - not that it really matters on a center channel). I recommended the CX-17 due to the fact that the surround center is rare as hen's teeth - but you can find the CX-17 regularly and just place it on its side.

Both speakers use the exact same tweeter.

[socal9]

Originally Posted by jvonl

So, OP, do you have room for a 17 inch high vertical center?

With my current setup, a 17 inch high vertical center would be quite difficult if not impossible. WAF(wife acceptance factor) would not be good.

Looks like I'm getting quite a few options. I looked up the CX-17 and its dimensions are 17x10x9. Might be able to fit it on its side making it 9 inches tall. Not at home right now so can't do the mesurements. I was hoping for something shorter but sound is obviously extremely important (as is the WAF!)

As far as building my own, I've never done anything like that but it might make for an interesting task.

[schan1269]

Originally Posted by prerich

The CX-17 can be placed on its side since it is a coaxial mounted speaker (it will not suffer from lobbing either).

@schan1269 the surroundscape center is really just a coaxial mounted center channel where the driver is placed in the center of the enclosure. It's basically the same speaker (except the CX-17 uses a larger woofer - 6.5 inch - and goes deeper - not that it really matters on a center channel). I recommended the CX-17 due to the fact that the surround center is rare as hen's teeth - but you can find the CX-17 regularly and just place it on its side.

Both speakers use the exact same tweeter.

I know the Surroudscape is coaxial.

I've said it numerous times "why can't all center speakers be coaxial"...

[socal9]

OK, another question along the lines of the DCM Time Window and the need for a center channel speaker. I was just doing some googling and read that it appears the need for a center channel speaker may depend on the distance that your stereo speakers are from each other. In my listening setup, my spekers are about 6 feet apart. My viewing distance is approx 7 feet from the TV. the Time Windows give a pretty nice soundstage. Is a center going to help significantly with my setup or should I try to separate the speakers more if I have a center channel?

BTW, thanks for all the help. It is greatly appreciated. I can see why some people just have dedicated rooms for all of this.

[schan1269]

The center helps my TF immensely.

However good the TF are creating a soundstage...the Window is in another league.

Another solid option(worked a 10 hour shift yesterday...I was tired) would be a Mirage center. Yes the tweeters are different...but not so different.

[jvonl]

The center channel is argueably the most important speaker, as it handles most of the sound track of a movie. I've heard figures of 65-75%, not sure if there is a definitive number. It is why I heard such an improvement with the Reference center. My Time Windows are about a foot further apart than yours, but, as you said, the soundstage that they create is just amazing. You DO need a center, though. Hearing dialogue from the sides is unsettling (for me at least) unless it is supposed to be there. Whatever center you decide on will be a noticeable improvement.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by schan1269

I know the Surroudscape is coaxial.

I've said it numerous times "why can't all center speakers be coaxial"...

I haven't ran across that post yet Schan1269... but I'm glad you feel that way. I sold a trio of Bag End M6 monitors about a year ago (they had a custom automotive finish at that) ... charged only $500 for all three of them. I love coaxial speakers myself - gets rid of time alignment worries! Totally time aligned and balanced.