Anyone running Dual Center-Channel Speakers

kevhed72

I may have the opportunity in a few years to build a "dream" HT room with minimal space constraints.

What are everyone's thoughts regarding dual-center channel speakers, or any other config. for your center, instead of the standard 1 center speaker to handle 60% of the sound output of your HT?

Also, is anyone running a dedicated amp for just the center channel....

tonyb

Lots of us run dedicated amps for centers, and run 2 centers too. Question is whats the goal and how much room you have. In a perfect world, 5 identical speakers, or in your case, 5 A9's would be optimal if multi-channel music is your thing. Even having the front 3 speakers the same can sound damn nice. All depends....is there something missing from your center sound wise that is making you look at other options ?

Oh nuts, you said HT didn't you......in that case I would go with 3 exact same speakers in the front and bi-pole speakers all around, the more the merrier. At least dual subs too of good quality. That will give you more of an enjoyable experience over 2 centers in my opinion.

falconcry72

Dual centers can be awesome when done right. The best way is one above the screen and one below the screen so they image to the middle of the screen.

Like everything else in this hobby, you just gotta give it a whirl and see what you think.

MikeC78

As I've read, there are MANY issues with dual center speakers. The best would be three identical speakers up front. Here is a link to an older thread over at AVS, in which a couple speaker builders have chimed in and gave their reasonings on why its not a good idea. It's a good read...

http://www.avsforum.com/t/154775/dual-center

Btw- I'm currently using a phantom center and it works quite well in my setup. My mains image quite well and I do not ever sit out of the sweet spot, so it works perfect for me.

tonyb

Actually, I use a phantom too, as is none. Don't miss having it either. The key to that is having fronts that image well. In a larger room however, a center may well be the ticket.

WLDock

The dual center thing is one that I'm trying to understand. Going back to audio basics....as i understand them....having multiple drivers in two different(side by side, above and below, etc) locations trying to play the same information seems like the makings for smeared sound...ie....comb filtering.....acoustic lobing.

I guess I don't understand the need for two centers? If one needs more sound why not a single center with larger higher power handling drivers and more power? I do understand that by adding a second speaker and more power that volume will increase but at what cost? I guess if I had a big room that had problems with getting clear, articulate, and loud dialog to the ears I would be looking to change to a single high output speakers like these:





.....I never played with dual center however it would be interesting to play around with it someday. maybe I should find another cheap CS400I and try it out?.....but with something like the above I doubt I would need to? Especially the second center pictured in a "Dream Theater"

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/841136_10151389856151866_1054804605_o.jpg
https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/385223_10151389849386866_949558926_n.jpg
https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10151389845881866&set=pb.85313456865.-2207520000.1379872360.&type=3&theater

dkg999

I run dual LSiC center channels, powering them with a separate amp (B&K Reference 125.2). I have them side by side and I don't have any issues with smearing of the sound, on the contrary I get far better dispersion and coverage of the listening area and all seats become good enjoyable seats to watch a movie from. I had dual CSi40's in a previous HT setup, with one above and one below the TV. It worked OK, but not as well as the current side-by-side setup.

drummer86

Do you feel that something is lacking from your current setup or are you just itching to try something new? Personally, I'd rather have dual subs before dual centers. But that's me, and you may not agree.

If you have the space you could just add a third A9.

WLDock

The center in my post above is a custom job using Acoustic Elegance TD10S's (10") along with a TD6M (6") and RAAL ribbon tweeter. Here is the LR column



This would be my deam setup...no second center needed!


www.aespeakers.com

kevhed72

drummer86 wrote: »

Do you feel that something is lacking from your current setup or are you just itching to try something new? Personally, I'd rather have dual subs before dual centers. But that's me, and you may not agree.

If you have the space you could just add a third A9.

A third A9 may be a placement issue unless I invest in an acoustic-transparent screen - I would think unless I am missing something. My plan is to possibly move away from the A9s and go with LSiM bookshelves for the fronts with dual subs.....and either the LSiM center or a third bookshelf.

The 3rd A9 does intrigue me.....but not sure how to place in front with a 100" or so screen....

WLDock

The 706C seems like the logical choice if you have to put it below or above the screen. OTOH, if you are talking an acoustic transparent screen then the 703's positioned in the middle of the screen may take away the thought that you need dual centers. One could even put a 705, 707 on a riser as a center and drop big power on it and call it a day.

mantis

I never once ever considered using dual center channels. I never found a room that one center didn't work in. it's all about using the correct size center channel for the room, building a full speaker package off it and making sure you have enough power to run it.

I have done countless theater rooms of all sizes and shapes, always got it to work and work well with just one.
I'm still not clear on why this is an option.

kevhed72

All good feedback here....thanks folks. What about idea of running a single center bi-amped.....ie running a 2 channel amp with each channel connected to one of the two sets of binding posts (this would require the center RCA cable to be split coming out the source though...) Thoughts?

Dawgfish

I used to run dual centers when I had an HT system. The reason I did it was because of the layout and room constraints, I could not put a single center channel in the ideal position in front of the TV and in the center. Putting the center on a small stand in front of the tv was not an option either due to my then step-sons and large dogs. I did have room to put the centers on either side of the TV however, so I put one on each side of the TV just to see how it would sound. Each was amplified by an external amp. I thought it sounded great and never had any issues with it! YMMV.

falconcry72

kevhed72 wrote: »

All good feedback here....thanks folks. What about idea of running a single center bi-amped.....ie running a 2 channel amp with each channel connected to one of the two sets of binding posts (this would require the center RCA cable to be split coming out the source though...) Thoughts?

You should try to match the amplification across your front soundstage as closely as possible.

WLDock

The same thinking applies, Bi-amping is supposed to increase detail, image, focus, dynamics, etc. Try it and see what it does for you.

George Grand

falconcry72 wrote: »

Dual centers can be awesome when done right. The best way is one above the screen and one below the screen so they image to the middle of the screen.

Like everything else in this hobby, you just gotta give it a whirl and see what you think.

Your ears have to be perfectly equidistant from both in order for them to image to the middle of the screen. And that's if THEY (the speakers) are perfectly equidistant from the middle of the screen. An inch or two off-center, and as mono, you'll only APPEAR to hear the top or bottom speaker.

Gatecrasher

I had "dual" everything and loved it.

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