Center Channel.... how important?
I am thinking about finishing up my setup with a center channel, the LSiC. I have long been used to 4.1 for my personal system (my parents have a 5.1 Klipsch system) because I figured my room was small and I could just get away with a "phantom" center.
However, I'm really thinking about getting the LSiC now..... perhaps I'm ready for 5.1?
What are your guys opinions on a center channel? Is it really that important for movies? Can one get away with phantom in a smallish room (11x12, bedroom)?
However, I'm really thinking about getting the LSiC now..... perhaps I'm ready for 5.1?
What are your guys opinions on a center channel? Is it really that important for movies? Can one get away with phantom in a smallish room (11x12, bedroom)?
Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
Post edited by Joey_V on
Comments
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you're a big boy now. it's time to graduate from a 4.1 and step up to 5.1 now.
go for it. just so long as your center matches the same type drivers as your fronts. you should be fine.PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin: -
If you mostly watch movies alone....
and your main speakers image the center well...
The best center your gonna get, it what you already have. NONE.
Its the best blend yall get. -period-
Its the best L to R transition your gonna get...- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit. -
For a long time I only had 4.1 and I have to say that I prefer that setup. Now that I have a roommate we have 5.1 and that is better for multi person viewing. But I think that when you have just yourself in the optimum center possition then the imaging is nice and dramatic
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Unfortunately I have to agree with Sid (I joke, I joke)
He's right. If it's just you and you have some great fronts already, it won't be much of a step up. Once you start adding people or not sitting in the same spot, it becaomes more and more important.
As for the LSiC, IIRC it is the least "liked" speaker of the LSi series and people are using the 9's or 7's instead.There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin -
or stickin an lsi9 xo inside the lsic to pretty much make it an lsi9 laying on its side
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Whats wrong with the LSiC?Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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Originally posted by jdhdiggs
He's right. If it's just you and you have some great fronts already, it won't be much of a step up. Once you start adding people or not sitting in the same spot, it becaomes more and more important.
I disagree. The sound difference at different seats will not change that much, so slightly that only a machine or meter can tell. Besides, if you have a normal HT, everyone isnt stilling 30 yards apart -
Originally posted by subwoofer
I disagree. The sound difference at different seats will not change that much, so slightly that only a machine or meter can tell. Besides, if you have a normal HT, everyone isnt stilling 30 yards apart
Really? I can easily tell the difference of just moving a foot form one side to the other. Also, the center of the image will move as you go side to side so someone on the sides can have it sound like the sound is coming from the side of the screen and not the screen itself.
I have done this with the RT800, LSi7, and SDA1-B's and all of them do this if the center channel is removed (to various extents-not all speakers did it the same amount)There is no genuine justice in any scheme of feeding and coddling the loafer whose only ponderable energies are devoted wholly to reproduction. Nine-tenths of the rights he bellows for are really privileges and he does nothing to deserve them. We not only acquired a vast population of morons, we have inculcated all morons, old or young, with the doctrine that the decent and industrious people of the country are bound to support them for all time.-Menkin -
I find the LSiC to be an excellent center channel speaker and pretty well matched to the 9's. Even the 9 will sound different of you lay it on its side (if you really listen closely and analytically...meaning you're not really listening to the material). However, I do know some folks who prefer the center imaging of two good main speakers, so if you don't feel your lacking anything now, there's no shame in not getting one. But I also agree that using only the mains will work best if you're seated in the prime position.
Lastly, if you are going to add the LSiC into the mix, then I highly recommend upgrading your amplification. If it has preamp outputs, you could use your HK as a preamp/processor into a 3- or 5-channel amp. This will help you get better clarity and performance from your LSi's, especially considering that they are 4 ohms.Polk LSi9 Mains, Polk LSIC Center, Polk RT25i Surrounds, Polk M3II Rear Surround, SVS PB10-ISD Sub, Denon AVR 2809 (as digital pre/pro only), Sony BDP-S350, Oppo DV-981HD, Cambridge Audio Azur 540C (CD), Marantz MM9000 5-ch amp, Outlaw ICBM, Panasonic th-42PX85u HDTV, Behringer BFD Pro, Monster Power HTS 2600 Conditioner -
If you want to see the movies THX style (As the director intended it to be seen) I would step up to a center channel. I use the center about 6-8 feet away from me and I think it sounds fine. Awhile ago I added the center channel, and I think it was the best possible upgrade for my HT, it added clarity for dialougue, and made sound effect damned cool.
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Nothing at all, some folks claim that the lsi9 crossover sounds better to them.Originally posted by Joey_V
Whats wrong with the LSiC?
A phantom center is fine but it's not as good as having a dedicated center channel. The center channel handles 70% of the dialogue, why burden the main speakers with additional duties. Any movie that is mixed in 5.1 is going to sound better when played through a 5.1 system than it would on a system having 1 less speaker. -
I agree with the arguments in favor of having a center channel speaker, especially the argument that the soundtrack is mixed in 5.1, or even 6.1, so it makes sense to have a speaker for every dedicated channel, rather than having one channel split between the mains. The reality is that dialogue is coming from L/R equally in most cases, to create the illusion of a central image. If someone is sitting to the side of the "sweet spot," they may experience a bit of a delay effect, where they hear the dialogue in an off center way.
The biggest reason I like a center speaker is so that the mains really have a chance to focus on the sound f/x and score, as they handle the bulk of both.Current System:
Mitsubishi 30" LCD LT-3020 (for sale**)
Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Concert Grand (Rosewood)-Mains (with Audioquest Mont Blanc cables)
CSi5-Center (for sale**)
FXi3-surrounds (for sale**)
Martin Logan Depth-Sub
B&K AVR 507
Pimare CD21-CD Player
Denon 1815-DVD Player
Panamax M5500-EX-Line Conditioner -
No center channel? That's just plain silly.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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I run 4.1. I have a center speaker and an amp. I just choose not to use them.Make it Funky!
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G, you're from Detroit man, what else can I say.
CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
