Could I pair this center with these fronts?

[DeadDog]

I'm pretty much a newb when it comes to speakers so any help is appreciated.

I'm looking at this center:
http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en...pecifications/

and would like to use these as left and right fronts:
http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en...pecifications/

I realize that there is a center more purposefully paired with those bookshelves (the C-C50 or C-C100) but the reason I'm looking at the smaller center is due to the way I would like to have it placed. The smaller height is better suited for my TV stand,otherwise I would have issues with placement. From reading through many posts I understand (to the best of my ability) the importance of matching the center with the fronts. I know that this may not be ideal, but would it really cause any noticeable sound issues? Or for that matter be a big deal in any other way? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[VinnAY]

YOu shouldn't skimp on your center channel, it's the heart of your system IMO. That's where all your dialogue is. It's important to match the fronts, say, in a certain series that's made by one manufacturer, i.e., JBL Northridge series.

[dad2erin]

Don't know where you are planning on buying these, but audioadvisor.com has the c-50's for 69.99pr. and an energy cc50 center for 69.99.

[Twitch9]

I would go with the c-c50 center it will be matched with L-R, this way you won't notice a shift when the sound crosses over from speaker to speaker.

[DeadDog]

Originally Posted by VinnAY

YOu shouldn't skimp on your center channel, it's the heart of your system IMO. That's where all your dialogue is. It's important to match the fronts, say, in a certain series that's made by one manufacturer, i.e., JBL Northridge series.

Yeah I get that, but I don't really know if this would be "skimping" on the center. It's still a nice speaker, not so much a step down as it is a step over (if that makes sense). The specs seem similar between the two centers and although it's not the perfect match, it's seems to me that it may be o.k.

Originally Posted by dad2erin

Don't know where you are planning on buying these, but audioadvisor.com has the c-50's for 69.99pr. and an energy cc50 center for 69.99.

Thanks for that, Those prices look great. Best prices I've seen so far.


Anymore opinions/thoughts

[kingofgrills]

I would definitely recommend going with the C-50 center instead of the RC-Mini Center. The drivers (treble and midbass) are mismatched between the pair, and that will be distracting, especially with voices. You will definitely notice it when people are speaking and moving across the screen.

Timbre matching is critical across the front channels, but it's not as critical for rear channels. Although you still want your rear channels to match each other for seamless surround panning.

[Yeha-Noha]

Originally Posted by DeadDog

I'm pretty much a newb when it comes to speakers so any help is appreciated.

I'm looking at this center:
http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en...pecifications/

and would like to use these as left and right fronts:
http://www.energy-speakers.com/na-en...pecifications/

I realize that there is a center more purposefully paired with those bookshelves (the C-C50 or C-C100) but the reason I'm looking at the smaller center is due to the way I would like to have it placed. The smaller height is better suited for my TV stand,otherwise I would have issues with placement. From reading through many posts I understand (to the best of my ability) the importance of matching the center with the fronts. I know that this may not be ideal, but would it really cause any noticeable sound issues? Or for that matter be a big deal in any other way? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

As a long time owner of Energy speakers, believe me you don't to use the rc-mini center with those. The others are correct, you certainly want to timbre match the front speakers. So if you get the C-50s, then get the C-C50 center.

With the money you save by not getting the RC-mini center, get a pair of better bookshelf speakers rather than the C-50s. I used to have the C-200s as fronts and the C-100s as side surrounds before I upgraded to 7.1 (see my signiture file). The C-100s will keep up with the C-C50 center better than the C-50s will. I have the C-C100 center though and bought towers because the C-200s didn't keep up so well with the C-C100. The C-50s would make good surround speakers though.

The C-series are getting hard to find. Audio advisor and wwstereo.com are good sources. Both have the C-C50 center channel. You might save at wwstereo.com even though you pay $10.00 more you get free shipping. Audio advisor still has the C-100s for $150.00/pair. If you live in Canada, you probably have a Future Shop near you or order on line, but only ship in Canada though.

You'd have a fine system made up of these: C-100s for L/R fronts, C-C50 center, and C-50s for surround L/R. Don't forget, with bookshelf speakers, you'll need a subwoofer if you want to get the full sonic impact of low bass found in many movie audio soundtracks. The minimum subwoofer for your system would be the Energy ESW-8, but for low bass extension I would recommend the Energy ESW-10. The Energy ESW-8 is $99.00 + free shipping at wwstereo.com. If you already have a subwoofer you should be fine using it too. Subwoofers don't need to be timbre matched with mains. What they need more is proper room placement for solid bass.

[DeadDog]

Thanks to everyone's replies. It seems the best way go is to timbre match. I was hoping to get away with it, but I suppose it's better not to sacrifice the sound.

Thanks for the great suggestions as well. They have been really helpful.