A Better Center Channel - Blu-ray Forum

Drew664 · 07-21-2009, 03:32 AM

Matching fronts are recommended in every post and Google search I can find.
*I understand that it is important*

However, I'm going to challenge that idea or rather test it's flexibility a little bit in this post.

I'm personally considering upgrading my center channel to a reference level line within the same brand. However this is not the same speaker recommended for my left and right.

Has anyone personally upgraded their center channel several notches above what their left and right speakers are within their same speaker brand? What were your thoughts if so?

Even if anyone has experience with mix matched fronts - leave your thoughts/impressions on what you hear!

SammyG · 07-21-2009, 03:40 AM

Yes, I have the Klipsch RF-5's and the recommended centers are the RC-3 and RC-7. I upgraded to the RC-64, which is from the newer reference lineup. I've dialed in all speakers accordingly and it sounds great. You can't tell that they were not made for each other, as long as you have access to an SPL meter you'll be able to dial them in perfectly.

Hammie · 07-21-2009, 04:06 AM

Where you will start to hear differences is when the tweeters are different. This may not be initially noticeable, but during a scene where a sound traverses the front sound stage, it may sound different when it goes from the left to the center to the right.

However, there may be the chance that you don't ever hear a difference, but that first moment you do hear it, it will probably bug you all the time moving forward.

Audiophile_At_Birth · 07-21-2009, 04:10 AM

What kind of center were you going for any who??

Drew664 · 07-21-2009, 04:18 AM

Thanks Sammy, I was hoping for that kind of response.

And Lou, the speaker I'm looking at is going to be unique in the sense that it mixes a soft dome tweeter (I think it's the same as the ones in my left and right channels) and a ribbon tweeter. This will more than likely change the sound, but possibly for the better. And I say for the better because of the acclaim that ribbon tweeters receive for their 'airy-ness'.

Currently I have a mix matched front sound stage(brand, quality, and build), and I don't notice any difference in transition unless I switch from stereo to surround.

Drew664 · 07-21-2009, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audiophile_At_Birth

What kind of center were you going for any who??

http://www.swanspeaker.com/product/htm/view.asp?id=407

07-21-2009, 03:32 AM	#1
Drew664 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:South Dakota Home Theater Gallery:28 Blu-ray collection:68	A Better Center Channel Matching fronts are recommended in every post and Google search I can find. *I understand that it is important* However, I'm going to challenge that idea or rather test it's flexibility a little bit in this post. I'm personally considering upgrading my center channel to a reference level line within the same brand. However this is not the same speaker recommended for my left and right. Has anyone personally upgraded their center channel several notches above what their left and right speakers are within their same speaker brand? What were your thoughts if so? Even if anyone has experience with mix matched fronts - leave your thoughts/impressions on what you hear!

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07-21-2009, 03:40 AM	#2
SammyG Special Member Member since:Feb 2009 Location:Douglassville, PA Blu-ray collection:1034 Trading Score:7	Yes, I have the Klipsch RF-5's and the recommended centers are the RC-3 and RC-7. I upgraded to the RC-64, which is from the newer reference lineup. I've dialed in all speakers accordingly and it sounds great. You can't tell that they were not made for each other, as long as you have access to an SPL meter you'll be able to dial them in perfectly.

07-21-2009, 04:06 AM	#3
Hammie Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Washington, DC Metro Home Theater Gallery:53 Blu-ray collection:545 DVD collection:12 Trading Score:12	Where you will start to hear differences is when the tweeters are different. This may not be initially noticeable, but during a scene where a sound traverses the front sound stage, it may sound different when it goes from the left to the center to the right. However, there may be the chance that you don't ever hear a difference, but that first moment you do hear it, it will probably bug you all the time moving forward.

07-21-2009, 04:10 AM	#4
Audiophile_At_Birth Special Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:El Paso, TX Home Theater Gallery:31 4K collection:8 Blu-ray collection:235 Blu-ray reviews:1	What kind of center were you going for any who??

07-21-2009, 04:18 AM	#5
Drew664 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:South Dakota Home Theater Gallery:28 Blu-ray collection:68	Thanks Sammy, I was hoping for that kind of response. And Lou, the speaker I'm looking at is going to be unique in the sense that it mixes a soft dome tweeter (I think it's the same as the ones in my left and right channels) and a ribbon tweeter. This will more than likely change the sound, but possibly for the better. And I say for the better because of the acclaim that ribbon tweeters receive for their 'airy-ness'. Currently I have a mix matched front sound stage(brand, quality, and build), and I don't notice any difference in transition unless I switch from stereo to surround.

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