Timbre matching

Knucklehead

I kinda have a newbie question that is driving me nuts! What makes the center channel and the two front mains "matched or timbre matched"? And, is it possible to have a different make of center channel and still be "matched" with the front mains? Thanks in advance.:)

cnh

Having the similar drivers in all three speakers and compatible crossover configurations. But in a two way speaker what is most important is the same tweeter at least.

Can you have different makes and still match? Well it's best to have the same maker, but it is possible to get a 'closer' match depending again on the drivers, etc.

I pass to our more illumined members here.

cnh

Early B.

Screw timbre matching. Buy what sounds good, not what sounds similar.

Knucklehead

Early you made me smile........I have a Cerwin Vega center that I just love, the rest are polks. all is good in my world again!

cnh

Early B. wrote: »

Screw timbre matching. Buy what sounds good, not what sounds similar.

Sounds good to me, maybe we should inform Mr. Polk not to worry about matching his speakers in production--no centers necessary.

Just kidding....enjoy what you want.

cnh

Mike21

I have had systems where the center was a different brand than the FL&R and the timbre match was fine. Unfortunately, the only way to tell is to audition the 3 speakers toghether and that might be difficult if not impossible.

leroyjr1

Early B. wrote: »

Screw timbre matching. Buy what sounds good, not what sounds similar.

Well said

Face

Timbre matching the front end is most important. If you mix and match brands, product lines, etc, it may not sound very natural and you can run into phase problems.

phipiper10

I'd confirm Face's comments. My mains are different than my center and I usually end up fiddling with the volume of the center channel to even things out a bit. I'm dealing with it for now but it's slightly annoying. The surrounds are fine.

lakesailor

There are a fair bit of variables that can be at play when you do not Timbre match. Crossover; drivers/tweeter differentials; impedance; efficiency; all can present some challenges hence why it is easier to timbre match to eliminate many of these variables

Having said that; most of the better AVR’s and processors have onboard auto-eq’s that can greatly assist in helping to better integrate non-timbre matched front ends. I think to a degree it also depends on your system preferences.

I know one fellow who runs relatively modest FL & FR and has a very hi-end; non timbre matched center channel and his AVR settings have the dialogue tight radiating from the centre instead of being more spread out between the more common FL-C-FR setup that most use by default.

I have to agree with Early B that you must let your ears be your judge; After listening to my friends setup; although unconventional it is amazingly effective; the dialogue is more focussed and detailed with the centre channel dominating through the vocals.

It is also a reasonably cost effective solution and although my HT system currently is timbre matched I am thinking of upgrading my centre channel to something different as well. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try something different; Let your ears be the judge.

ben62670

lakesailor wrote: »

There are a fair bit of variables that can be at play when you do not Timbre match. Crossover; drivers/tweeter differentials; impedance; efficiency; all can present some challenges hence why it is easier to timbre match to eliminate many of these variables

Having said that; most of the better AVR’s and processors have onboard auto-eq’s that can greatly assist in helping to better integrate non-timbre matched front ends. I think to a degree it also depends on your system preferences.

I know one fellow who runs relatively modest FL & FR and has a very hi-end; non timbre matched center channel and his AVR settings have the dialogue tight radiating from the centre instead of being more spread out between the more common FL-C-FR setup that most use by default.

I have to agree with Early B that you must let your ears be your judge; After listening to my friends setup; although unconventional it is amazingly effective; the dialogue is more focussed and detailed with the centre channel dominating through the vocals.

It is also a reasonably cost effective solution and although my HT system currently is timbre matched I am thinking of upgrading my centre channel to something different as well. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try something different; Let your ears be the judge.

You may get lucky, but most likely no. It is not about the levels. A buddy of mine modded LSI's, and till we did his center it was yuck foo...

Face wrote: »

Timbre matching the front end is most important. If you mix and match brands, product lines, etc, it may not sound very natural and you can run into phase problems.

This is important. If you run dissimilar sounding speakers the whole front stage can sound unnatural. There are good sounding speakers that have different voicing. A very forward sounding center channel, and laid back L/R speakers, or vise versa can sound like crap.
Ben

messiah

Even if you run all polk across the front you may not be "timbre matched". For instance, if you had 2 rtia9's as fronts, ans a lsic for the center it would be poo poo although they are all good speakers

Knucklehead

Just for the record, since this thread started, I have 2 R50's as my mains and a Cerwin Vega center channel and its pretty seemless to me and the sound stage sounds very natural. Not sure if its dumb luck on my part but it sounds just fine at any volume level.

mdaudioguy

messiah wrote: »

Even if you run all polk across the front you may not be "timbre matched". For instance, if you had 2 rtia9's as fronts, ans a lsic for the center it would be poo poo although they are all good speakers

The boxes that my RTi10 speakers came in have a statement printed on them to the effect that they are timbre matched for integration into ANY Polk home theater system... The implication (to me) is that it doesn't matter which line, as long as it's Polk. Not sure whether I believe it, but that is what it says.



Of course, I've found the easiest way to timbre match without a doubt -- 3 RTi10s across the front.:)

vijayl

mdAguy, How do u like ur 3 RTis across fronts, as compared to a CSi5 and 2RTis?

debussyj

Glad somebody brought this up. I just picked up a new Sammy LCD and it will be hung over my mantle. I currently have the whole LSI speaker line with 15's in the front and a Marantz SR 9200 receiver, which does 140WPC. After measuring, my LSI C is just looking like it's going to be too tall to sit under my new display. I had scoped out the new VM 20 and thought about using that as a center, but one of the Polk reps said it would be a lousy match. Now my only alternative is to put the center off axis to the left and try it that way or bag the center completely and use just fronts, rears and sub. Does anyone have any ideas/thoughts for me? Thanks. DJ

Face

Before buying anything, try running a phantom center(program center to none). It works great for me and won't cost you anything to try.

debussyj

I was seriously thinking about trying that. It would simplify things, but sad I would not be able to use my center. Thanks.

mdaudioguy

vijayl wrote: »

mdAguy, How do u like ur 3 RTis across fronts, as compared to a CSi5 and 2RTis?

Personally, I'm blown away by it. I only had a CSiA4 center for a short time, and it was before I got my screen, so I never really experienced it during a movie. If I would have stuck with a CSi center, I probably would have eventually upgraded to the larger CSi5/A6. I did have a sense that the smaller center would have struggled to keep up. I think most people are happy with the RTi tower/larger CSi combo.

I had read a lot about a matching front three and realized that it would work very well in my layout. I went for it and I'm very pleased.:) Once the lights are out, it's almost as if I just have a wall of sound - completely seamless. I highly recommend it to anyone who can physically accommodate it.

vijayl

Good to hear that. I was under the impression that ALL mid range Speakers for center shud be at the same level (may be a myth).

I think going with Towers for the center is going to be a challenge, unless I hang my LCD screen high up above 5'