Question for speaker experts

[JimShaw]

I am running Speakercraft AIM8 ones as a 6.1 system. The Ones are low end of the AIM8s and AIM8 fives are the top end.

My sound is fantastric. I love it but I am always trying to produce and even better sound.

Now my question for speaker experts.

If I remember correctly, the center speaker is generally for "voice" and if this is the case, do you think I would get a sharper or better "voice' sound if I changed the center speaker from the low end AIM8 one to the high end AIM8 five?

I know there are a low of unknowns in this but would this speaker change generally be to the better?

[Johnny Vinyl]

Well Jim, that's an excellent question, but not one that I could definatively answer. All I can do is give you my take on the situation. So here it goes.

Your front speakers and centre speaker should be "timbre-matched" (seems to be a popular phrase around here) to obtain the best possible sound. It looks like you've done that with your AIM8 Ones. Your speaker manufacturer should be able to confirm that with you as well (just for the record).

Introducing a better-grade, better-quality centre speaker as a replacement for the timbre-matched one, might give you a better sound. In theory it should, but that leaves you open to another conundrum. If this centre-channel speaker provides you with a better "voice" (more open, more dynamic, aurally clearer), then you will start to question the quality of your fronts as well. Can I get more punch out of my fronts if I changed them to "timbre-match" the AIM8 Five? Yeah! You could, but now we're looking at a complete change and more money.

Can you see the pattern here Jim?

[JimShaw]

Originally Posted by John72953

Well Jim, that's an excellent question, but not one that I could definatively answer. All I can do is give you my take on the situation. So here it goes.

Your front speakers and centre speaker should be "timbre-matched" (seems to be a popular phrase around here) to obtain the best possible sound. It looks like you've done that with your AIM8 Ones. Your speaker manufacturer should be able to confirm that with you as well (just for the record).

Introducing a better-grade, better-quality centre speaker as a replacement for the timbre-matched one, might give you a better sound. In theory it should, but that leaves you open to another conundrum. If this centre-channel speaker provides you with a better "voice" (more open, more dynamic, aurally clearer), then you will start to question the quality of your fronts as well. Can I get more punch out of my fronts if I changed them to "timbre-match" the AIM8 Five? Yeah! You could, but now we're looking at a complete change and more money.

Can you see the pattern here Jim?

You bet I can. If I start up again, there is no stopping. Money, money, money. There seems to be no end. The only end is to STOP.

Thanks. I think you have cleared my head. At least for now until I can think of something else that might...there I go again. I got to stop. This is almost like a drug.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by JimShaw

You bet I can. If I start up again, there is no stopping. Money, money, money. There seems to be no end. The only end is to STOP.

Thanks. I think you have cleared my head. At least for now until I can think of something else that might...there I go again. I got to stop. This is almost like a drug.

Yep! And until someone develops a 12-step program for us HT junkies...we're F&^%$#!

[Big Daddy]

Use three identical high quality speakers for your front. If money is a problem, do it in steps.

[mrjackolanterns]

what do you think of psb's or aperion audio over polk's

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by mrjackolanterns

what do you think of psb's or aperion audio over polk's

I am quite familiar with PSB speakers. Their high-end speakers are above Polk speakers. Polk used to be a higher-end company in the 1980s and early 1990's. It is now a mass market company and offers good value to beginners. You can do better than Polk, but it will cost you a lot more. I don't have any personal experience with Aperion, but I do know that they have excellent customer services. I also like Axiom speakers.

[ozzman]

Originally Posted by John72953

Yep! And until someone develops a 12-step program for us HT junkies...we're F&^%$#!

I said it before and i"ll say it again you don't need a 12 step program,Just share with your wife what you want to do next with your system.
But you have to be honest with her.
There's your program now thats expert advise

[Geezer00003]

If you have big upfront speakers, be sure to have a big upfront centre speaker to match.
Remember, your centre channel speaker is going to produce alot more than just spoken dialogue.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by ozzman

I said it before and i"ll say it again you don't need a 12 step program,Just share with your wife what you want to do next with your system.
But you have to be honest with her.
There's your program now thats expert advise

+1

I run everything by my wife first. Not so much for approval, but to maintain trust. I've spent a good amount of money on HT gear over the years and I've always kept her in the loop. I'm also supportive of large purchases for her as well. Throw in some flowers once in a while and you're set.

[petenad]

Originally Posted by ozzman

I said it before and i"ll say it again you don't need a 12 step program,Just share with your wife what you want to do next with your system.
But you have to be honest with her.
There's your program now thats expert advise

I have a different approach I have two M60 axioms over at my fathers place and am trying to figure out how to disguise them as my old speakers Anyone good at disguising speakers??

[JimShaw]

because of the info. given me by members of this forum my decision has been made.

I will upgrade the three fronts from AIM8 Ones to AIM8 Threes and leave the backs AIM8 Ones (at least for now until the bug hits me again).

The Threes will give me a big noticible change to my system (more bang for the buck).

The Fours and the Fives would not be that much of a change over the Threes to warrant their cost. The Fives would cost about $850 each. Very expensive for a small improvement over the Threes.

Threes it is.

Thanks for all the info. to help make my decision.

[Gremal]

Good luck w that Jim and congrats on your decision.

My center speaker chases any potential wife out of my house.

[Halcro 1]

Originally Posted by red_5ive

+1

I run everything by my wife first. Not so much for approval, but to maintain trust. I've spent a good amount of money on HT gear over the years and I've always kept her in the loop. I'm also supportive of large purchases for her as well. Throw in some flowers once in a while and you're set.

I just watch a chick flick with her once in a while and shes happy with it LOL... Really she enjoys movies and we dont waste money by going to the movie house