2.1 or 3.1

I have a 2.1 setup currently for my main living room tv.
Polk T15 bookshelf
Polk PSW108 sub
Pioneer VSX524K receiver
I know setting up rear speakers is going to be a challenge with what I call "wife acceptance factor" so I have ruled those out.
My question is will adding a center channel be worth it?
Right now my receiver is downmixing to stereo and I'm not sure if downmixing to 3.1 will be an option or if I will be missing sounds. Just looking for advice.
If I did get a center channel I will probably stick with the T series center.
Thanks in advance!
Polk T15 bookshelf
Polk PSW108 sub
Pioneer VSX524K receiver
I know setting up rear speakers is going to be a challenge with what I call "wife acceptance factor" so I have ruled those out.
My question is will adding a center channel be worth it?
Right now my receiver is downmixing to stereo and I'm not sure if downmixing to 3.1 will be an option or if I will be missing sounds. Just looking for advice.
If I did get a center channel I will probably stick with the T series center.
Thanks in advance!
Best Answer
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Legender Posts: 478
The center channel will carry most, if not all, of the voices for movies... so you get the feeling that the characters are directly in front of you. The rears and sides carry extra sounds/noises that add to the full experience but don't think you'll be hurting yourself by only adding a center... my opinion, anyways.Music: Oppo103 - Parasound JC2 - Parasound A21- SDA 3.1
Theater: Denon 3808 - B&K 7500/Emotiva XPA-3- RTi12, CSi5, RTiA7x4, PSW505
Sleeping: Marantz 70005 - Harman Kardon 2400 - SDA 2
2 Channel: Cary 306 SACD - Canary Audio 906 - Pass Labs x250 - PS Audio Perfectwave DAC, Polk LSiM705, SVS SB13 Ultra
Office: Dell Optiplex, Emotiva XDA-2, Adcom 5500, LSiM 703
Spares: Yamaha CA-810; LSi 15; Kenwood Basic M2a, Yamaha M60/M80, Polk Monitor 7, SVS SB13 Ultra
Answers
When you set up the receiver for 3.1, you simply set it up like a 5.1 only you select no or none for rear speakers. Your receiver will route those surround signals to the front left and right. It's not going to give you that immersive 5.1 surround feel, but you won't lose information either.
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1430
Tad 803 speakers
I actually ran a Polk 3.1 for a while, and loved it. I have a 6.2 system right now and honestly can't tell much of a difference. Surround for most media such as tv shows and movies is poor. Games are where it really helps; nevertheless, I don't LOVE it. The center channel adds much more.