att scottvamp center on steriods

I have answered this question 3 times since the original post.
Strange how one person "Gets it" & "Does it" and all of a sudden I get " aaah what is with this center thing now". But that is OK - I am here to spread the knowledge. LOL
I simply bought 2 rt35's and added to my frontstage along with my cs400. Bought a 2channel Onkyo amp (that was specifically designed for my reciever) - Split the "center" preout on my reciever and ran it to the inputs on the Onkyo M282. Now I have 300watts of power - with 3 "matching" speakers - all 3 with 100watts each of discret center channel sound. The cs400 is powered off my reciever and the rt35's off the M282. Solved all my center channel issues. Fun Project - Looks Cool And sounds amazing.
GET IT!!!!!!;)

Your best bet is going to be the RT line for starters. Since you have the "i" series. I would suggest:
#1 rt35i would be a perfect match or rt35
#2 another cs400i and you could truly bi-amp
#3 even the rt25i's are very impressive broken in.


Getting ya started RT35i's

It really depends on the speakers and the reciever/amps used.
High end equipment may yeild better sound on the "large" side of things. With my reciever and speakers - setting to all small is a much cleaner and more dynamic sound. The reciever does not work too hard and everything sounds less fatiged. Systems will vary - try both and hear what you like. And you do not have to go all large or small you can mix it up a bit to your taste.

Did you notice a big improvement with the additional centers?

Yes, big improvement on dialouge and more spread of sound to acommendate my projection screen.

Also how did you calibrate the speaker levels to match the Polk Cs400?

Not to much calibration needed - because it works off the center preout that is already calibrated for my setup.

You split off the receiver LFE to the l/r inputs of amp and located each speaker on the left and right of the Polk center?

I did not use the lfe - I split the center preout.

The Onkyo amp I think would be a good match with my Marantz receiver as they are both similiar build quality. What do you think?

I agree!

Well Russ - you start off with a chunk of rock - sort of like a boulder - then you chip away at it until it gets more roundish.
I'm looking into something new. I may call the - *get this*

---

wait for it ---- a "wheel barrel". Ya Baby Yaaaa!!!:D
I'll keep ya posted. lol

weiser - I hate showing off pics if my HT but if you want to see the placement here ya go..... again:

Have you tried the setup I was talking about on the other thread.

Yes I have indeed BUT as with many dedicated HT's my equipment is in the back of the theater and I would need like 50 feet of rca cable to run to my sub that I recently located upfront.
Another reason is:

I feel this way when listening to music only in 2ch. I have the benefit of the M&K with the mains.

Not that is would not still work but I listen to muti-channel music.
My reciever has a 6channel sterio dsp setting that kicks **** and I enjoy very much.

I sort of see the application given the size of your screen (damn big hole to fill between your mains), but somewhere between it and a Sony Walkman TV the multi-center benefit has to go away, yes?

This was best for my 8' and later growing applications.
NEXT

Also not all dialogue is dead center, some steering from the mains is desirable, yes? Do you still get this?

First of all a center channel is not just for dialogue - this was a very bad misconception spawning from Pro Logic setups.
You just hit on one of the reasons this is so great - it brought the "steering" dialogue more spacious and closer to the mains which makes it more "seemless".
NEXT

Seems like if you use a disc and SPL meter to set up your HT, you'd just end up backing the beefed up multi-center back down to keep it level with the rest of your rig...

I was asked this same question once before....

Also how did you calibrate the speaker levels to match the Polk Cs400?

Answer

Not to much calibration needed - because it works off the center preout that is already calibrated for my setup.

The monsterous look and 300watts specs may through you for a loop. All three speakers work as one - calibration stays the some.
But to get an even better use from this setup a run my center about 2db hotter than the mains. It gives a more Movie Theater Feel. Where as the images are well anchored to the screen. Images seem to jump out at ya rather than being so dispersed.
Bring it;)

I also have an Onkyo 898 so I took your advice and got the Onkyo amp. This has made a Huge difference in the center stage My cs1000p matches well with the rt1000s. Oh and I brought up some old rt800s out of the basement to fill in the surrounds. Thanks for the insperation!!!!!!!!!!!! As well as the 3 days of playing with the SPL and positioning.

Tntvt, thats very cool. Glad to get ya inspired. Sounds like a very good improvment. That M282 is a very nice edition to the Onkyo reciever. Nice to hear from ya. Now go crank that system up!!:D