timber matching

larrykwiat

what is timber matching. I have a rm6200 with a psw303. I love the psw303 it is great in my room. I am thinking of getting a csi30 main speaker to upgrade the center channel. I am hearing that these speakers have to match (timber/driver) the others. Is this really true. wouldn't I get better center channel by upgrading to the csi30. I plan on upgrading everything but am wondering if I have to worry about timer/driver matching....thanks

mantis

to get you started on timber matching, drivers and tweeters need to be the same.The Tweeteralways seems to be more inportant then the drivers.But,
having the same exact tweeters and drivers all the way around makes for seemless theater.This is why you want Matching,so no speaker in the system stands out.They all work together to recreate an inviroment.
See Polk matching charts.They will tell you what Polk speakers go with What Polk speakers.

larrykwiat

thanks that gets me started, another dumb question is what is a driver...thanks again

brasil

The driver usually refers to the midrange/midbass part of a speaker other than the tweeter. If you take the grill off of one of your RM 6200 speakers the you will see a tweeter and a driver. Timbre matching the driver also refers to making sure they are made of the same materials

larrykwiat

that really helps thanks. I know the polk matching guide really should be followed unless you really know what your doing. I bought the rm6200's and the psw303 sub and now I want more....I am really into dvd's and now I want to upgrade. so this really helps

Dr. Spec

Timbre (not timber) refers to the character of sound a speaker or instrument produces. All speakers have a sonic signature, based on a variety of factors, but primarily the construction of the drivers. Using the same drivers in all your speakers will give them a similar sonic signature and panning effects for HT will be seamless.

ChrisDurano

"Seamless" in regards to Dr. Spec's statement is the key word. When you watch a movie at home and the action takes place across the screen from left to right for example, you want the sound to be moving but left to right smoothly and "seamlessly." That's when you want the speakers to be similar in design and construction. That's why its always nice to have timbre matched speakers. What's nice about this site is Polk has a list of recommended speakers that match very well together.

larrykwiat

dr. spec thanks for the explanation. even I can understand it. one more question.....Off topic but I respect your knowledge... I just got into home theater and love it. I have a 6200 satelite system with a psw303.

I have just noticed that one of our local electronics places has offered a set of r30's at $278 and a set of the r20's at $138. With the circuit city price match plus 10%, I could get the r30's at $266 and the r20's at $132. In addition I would get the csi20 center channel which is timbre matched for $141. grand total of $539 with a free psw202 sub.

SO..... I could sell the sub for 100 and the rm6200 for around $180(it is new) which would make it $259 after I sell the old stuff... Is this a good upgrade...

larrykwiat

thanks to you to Chris..

larrykwiat

hey chris, I noticed your sub is a little under spec compared to the other stuff you have. I have been thinking about upgrading but have been loyal to the polk recommendations. Is the sub critical in this decision. I have a psw303 and if I can upgrade to higher end center and satelites I would consider it... For instance would my psw303 do good with the csi30 and the fronts you have???

ChrisDurano

I got the PSW 250 for all kinds of reasons; budget, small living room, and last but most important, my wife wouldn't let me get anything larger . But it puts out plenty of bass for my space and I have it behind my sofa. My receiver is pretty low end too (I think 85 watts/channel) so I think they match up pretty well.