Center shoot out.

pearsall001
pearsall001 Posts: 5,094
edited May 2009 in Speakers
I've been thinking about trying out a new center for awhile now. The AAD that I currently have does a good job, even though it's not a perfect match for my mains, but I'm curious as to what might perform better. These are the speakers I have in mind for the shoot out. I'm trying to stay with companies that offer a 30 day home trial so I can take my time with listening. I also want to keep it at around $600 +/- a bit. Any other suggestions for me to try?

Polk LSiC (my first choice because I already have the LSiFX surrounds)
Aperion 5C
Aperion 6C (this might be a tad too heavy at 39lb for my TV)
Axiom VP150 v2
Ascend CMT-340SE
"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • thuffman03
    thuffman03 Posts: 1,325
    edited May 2009
    Good choices but have you thought about Definitive Technology CLR2002 or Mythos 3?
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited May 2009
    Just a note to remind you that the LSiC does respond well to crossover upgrades.....
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,094
    edited May 2009
    McLoki wrote: »
    Just a note to remind you that the LSiC does respond well to crossover upgrades.....

    What's your thoughts on it before a crossover upgrade? I'm not one for tinkering with stuff like that. I like it served straight up right from the factory.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited May 2009
    Why isn't your AAD center a match for your AAD mains? Seems odd.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited May 2009
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    What's your thoughts on it before a crossover upgrade? I'm not one for tinkering with stuff like that. I like it served straight up right from the factory.


    I have an LSiC and 4 LSi15s, and the LSiC works great. Sound is equal to the 15s, and it balances right in. I have never had the low volume issue others mention, or felt only one side was working. I have mine set to large.

    That being said, I am in the mode for a CC upgrade, so I ordered a PSB Syncrony One Center, $1999 list - $1400 on the web. I expect (hope) that it will blend it with the 15s but be even clearer and more powerful in the center, which is where a lot of audio in movies takes place.

    If not then I guess I will be replacing my LSi15s in the front with a pair of Synchrony One towers.

    http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Synchrony/Synchrony-One-C
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited May 2009
    ricardo wrote: »
    why isn't your aad center a match for your aad mains? Seems odd.
    +1...
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,094
    edited May 2009
    Ricardo wrote: »
    Why isn't your AAD center a match for your AAD mains? Seems odd.

    The AAD 2001 monitors that I have are one of only three models in the Millennium 2000 series. The 2000 series is strictly for 2 channel & don't have a dedicated matching center or surrounds. The closest match (according to my dealer Stephen Monte of Quest for Sound) is from the S series. That is a full line with dedicated center & surrounds.

    My only option would be to try to find a single 2002 monitor & use that as the center. Awhile back EarlyB had for sale but the damn thing weighs about 70lbs & would be too heavy for the top of my TV. Plus it was in maple & my monitors are rosewood.

    The center I have now is a very good match but the itch is starting to try another center. The S-3C MKII center only has 2-4.5" mid/woofers & a 1" tweeter. I'm banking that larger drivers & more of them will provide a little more "clout".
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,094
    edited May 2009
    thuffman03 wrote: »
    Good choices but have you thought about Definitive Technology CLR2002 or Mythos 3?

    Dually noted & added to the list. I can't believe I overlooked them.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,028
    edited May 2009
    Ya need to dump those AAD's for a complete Def tech system.

    Dibbs!!!!
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,094
    edited May 2009
    tonyb wrote: »
    Ya need to dump those AAD's for a complete Def tech system.

    Dibbs!!!!

    Don't laugh, the thought was already there. My only problem is that every time I play music I have to say to myself...self, what the hell are you thinking!!!. These are just too friggin good to let go & the urge subsides.

    Funny story, a few weeks ago I had an audio bud over & he brought his long time friend from New York with him. Both of these guys are died in the wool true audiophiles & really know there stuff. My local audio bud has heard the AAD's before & he still scratches his head in amazement when he hears them. Now his NY friend never heard them before...I needed a shovel to scrape his jaw up off the floor. He was literally bewildered & amazed at the sound.

    I ran the whole idea of changing up the AAD's & gave the Def Tech scenerio & they nearly ran me out of my own house. However the Mythos line is still a recurring thought.

    But for now, to change things up a bit, the center speaker is foremost on my mind for a change.

    If I do ever decide to let them go, you'll be the first on the dibbs list. I just won't tell the other two!
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited May 2009
    I can't imagine any of those choices being a better match than the center you already have.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,094
    edited May 2009
    AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »
    I can't imagine any of those choices being a better match than the center you already have.

    You could be right, but I'm curious to try something different that has an in home trial period. Especially the Aperion...they pay shipping both ways if you decide it's not for you. That's too good of a deal not to at least give it a listen. The other companies pretty much pay shipping to your door, but if you return it, the shippings on you. Still that's not too bad either.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited May 2009
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    What's your thoughts on it before a crossover upgrade? I'm not one for tinkering with stuff like that. I like it served straight up right from the factory.

    I always liked the LSiC. I will say that I read a few reports of others not liking it and did not really understand why. That was my main reason for upgrading. (just to see if it would get better)

    The stock LSiC was very good. The modded LSiC is even better. It went so well, I plan to upgrade the crossovers in all my LSi speakers rather than upgrade the entire speaker at some point in the future....
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,094
    edited May 2009
    McLoki wrote: »
    I always liked the LSiC. I will say that I read a few reports of others not liking it and did not really understand why. That was my main reason for upgrading. (just to see if it would get better)

    The stock LSiC was very good. The modded LSiC is even better. It went so well, I plan to upgrade the crossovers in all my LSi speakers rather than upgrade the entire speaker at some point in the future....

    What's involved with the mod process and in what way would you say it improved on the stock LSiC. Apparently you speak highly of the mod. My curiousity is peaked!
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited May 2009
    The top end will be more open, transparent, and the speaker as a whole will sound more dynamic.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited May 2009
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    What's involved with the mod process and in what way would you say it improved on the stock LSiC. Apparently you speak highly of the mod. My curiousity is peaked!

    In my case, I replaced all the caps with sonicaps (the 260uf cap was replaced with AEON caps) and all resistors were replaced with Mills. You can read about the upgrade here....

    As far as the upgrade goes - now that I have lived with it for awhile (and compared it to a stock LSiC) here are my obervations.....

    The bass is much better. The Cascade array now seems to work better than it did before. much more dynamic and better upper\mid-bass presence. (to be honest, I noticed the bass more than the highs)

    overall - the speaker is much more dynamic. It is not that it plays louder than before, but rather like the background noise has been reduced. I am not sure why, but voices are just clearer and easier to understand, even at a whisper.

    Just talking about it makes me want to upgrade the rest of my speakers.... I think next sale I see at SonicCraft, I will have to order the parts for my LSi7's. (15's will be last as they are the most expensive speakers to do)

    Any other questions, just ask.

    Michael

    BTW - here are a few others comments on it who heard it compared to a stock LSiC at the last RAS get together that I attended....
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,094
    edited May 2009
    McLoki wrote: »
    In my case, I replaced all the caps with sonicaps (the 260uf cap was replaced with AEON caps) and all resistors were replaced with Mills. You can read about the upgrade here....

    As far as the upgrade goes - now that I have lived with it for awhile (and compared it to a stock LSiC) here are my obervations.....

    The bass is much better. The Cascade array now seems to work better than it did before. much more dynamic and better upper\mid-bass presence. (to be honest, I noticed the bass more than the highs)

    overall - the speaker is much more dynamic. It is not that it plays louder than before, but rather like the background noise has been reduced. I am not sure why, but voices are just clearer and easier to understand, even at a whisper.

    Just talking about it makes me want to upgrade the rest of my speakers.... I think next sale I see at SonicCraft, I will have to order the parts for my LSi7's. (15's will be last as they are the most expensive speakers to do)

    Any other questions, just ask.

    Michael

    BTW - here are a few others comments on it who heard it compared to a stock LSiC at the last RAS get together that I attended....

    Great info on the mod process & it's worthy results.

    Thanks Michael!!!
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited May 2009
    Here is the LSiC I upgraded: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77046

    The toughest part was removing the left woofer. :D
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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