Timbre matching Front speakers to Subwoofer and Center Channel speakers
vickievinyl
Posts: 37
in Speakers
Hello All,
Been considering an upgrade to my front speakers... Currently I have Monitor 30 series ii Fronts, CS1 center channel and a PSW10 subwoofer which are all timbre matched I believe. I am not thrilled with the Monitor 30's when listening to music. To my ears, they sound harsh. I have been considering replacing the Monitor 30's with RTI a1's.
I am using the high level inputs/outputs on the subwoofer and not the LFE out from the AVR because I am sharing the front speakers with an HK integrated stereo amp for vinyl and CD listening and wanted a lower end when I do that. I'm using a Russound AB box to switch between the HK or Yamaha AVR.
So the bottom line question is, will the CS1 and PSW10 subwoofer timbre match to the RT1 A1's?
Been considering an upgrade to my front speakers... Currently I have Monitor 30 series ii Fronts, CS1 center channel and a PSW10 subwoofer which are all timbre matched I believe. I am not thrilled with the Monitor 30's when listening to music. To my ears, they sound harsh. I have been considering replacing the Monitor 30's with RTI a1's.
I am using the high level inputs/outputs on the subwoofer and not the LFE out from the AVR because I am sharing the front speakers with an HK integrated stereo amp for vinyl and CD listening and wanted a lower end when I do that. I'm using a Russound AB box to switch between the HK or Yamaha AVR.
So the bottom line question is, will the CS1 and PSW10 subwoofer timbre match to the RT1 A1's?
Comments
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The CSI A4 and CSI A6 are the timbre matched centers for the RTI A series of speakers. So no, your center will not be timbre matched.
Subs are never timbre matched with the rest of the speakers. Some prefer the same manufacturers badge, others prefer other manufacturers for subs. -
Would the CS1 center channel sound weird if used with the RTi A1's?
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This only my deflated 2 cents worth, but for HT I'm not as picky as I am with 2-channel music.
So I'd be less concerned about timbre matching if you are simply watching movies.
If you go with the RTiA1s (good choice for your budget, imho), you can always upgrade the center later. The HT and Music 'gods' may raise an eyebrow at not timbre matching, but a sincere genuflection and promise of upgrading later should appease them.
If music is more of a concern for you - then I think the RTiA1s would be a nice pairing with your HK.
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
Hi Erik, Yep me too, pretty much the same. I'm okay with the Monitor 30's for HT. I would like vinyl and CD's to sound better and they aren't really cutting it. I really think that the RTI A1's offer a lot at that price point, even real wood veneer. I'm surprised how many speakers that cost much more are covered in wood grain foil. Cosmetics don't help the sound obviously, but the real wood veneer is a nice bonus.
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vickievinyl wrote: »Would the CS1 center channel sound weird if used with the RTi A1's?
I wouldn't exactly call it weird. I think a better way to think of it as it could be better. The difference may be subtle enough that you will find it acceptable.
If not, the CSI A4 shows up frequently on E-Bay for around the $100 range.
