RE: So, do I really need an HT receiver?

Posted by David Aiken (A) on September 3, 2010 at 13:32:42

In Reply to: RE: So, do I really need an HT receiver? posted by dvb on September 3, 2010 at 08:32:34:

As Brian A said, a centre channel anchors MOST of the dialogue to the screen (there is always the occasional off screen dialogue that comes from one of the other channels). It also tends to make the words clearer because there is always some comb filtering when you're listening to a "phantom centre" and that isn't present when the words are coming from a single speaker.

I tend to think there's also a gain from reducing the amount of other channel info downmixed into the L and R channels as well.

The problems with having a centre are two. First, it needs to be a reasonable tonal match for your L and R speakers otherwise the tonal character of a voice will change as it moves to or from one of the left or right speakers as will happen occasionally. If that's a big tonal change, and it can easily be a big change if the centre is a poor tonal match for the other speakers, it can drive you crazy. It did when I tried using a couple of different centre speakers with a 25 year old pair of KEFs—they simply didn't match tonally. The other problem is that you don't want to have more than 12-18" difference in height between the tweeter of the centre speaker and those of the other speakers otherwise the height difference can start to cause problems.

A good centre speaker which matches your L and R speakers is a really good upgrade and a 3.0 or 3.1 system is definitely better for movies with surround soundtracks than a 2.0 or 2.1 system if you can find a centre speaker which is a good tonal match for your existing speakers.

David Aiken

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - So, do I really need an HT receiver? - dvb 17:15:10 09/01/10 (19)

RE: So, do I really need an HT receiver? - HiOnFi 14:50:01 10/07/10 (0)

As far as the audio is concerned, I prefer regular 2 channel. - soundnut 06:11:50 09/21/10 (0)

RE: So, do I really need an HT receiver? - Rod H. 14:53:01 09/16/10 (0)

No. - sbrians 13:06:34 09/14/10 (2)

RE: No. - dvb 18:40:49 09/14/10 (1)

Good point. - cfraser 11:32:35 09/15/10 (0)

Maybe Not - Tom Brennan 13:36:33 09/05/10 (1)

RE: Maybe Not - dvb 19:27:50 09/05/10 (0)

RE: So, do I really need an HT receiver? - Ben Van Dyk 22:30:51 09/03/10 (0)

RE: So, do I really need an HT receiver? - Pro Sound Guy 07:50:23 09/03/10 (4)

RE: So, do I really need an HT receiver? - dvb 08:32:34 09/03/10 (3)

Center channel? No need if you are sitting in the sweet spot. - mwhitmore 10:07:55 10/06/10 (0)

RE: So, do I really need an HT receiver? - David Aiken 13:32:42 09/03/10 (0)

Center Channel is the most important - Brian A 10:18:42 09/03/10 (0)

I've been living with 2 ch and HT for awhile now. - Prisoners 10:52:21 09/02/10 (1)

RE: I've been living with 2 ch and HT for awhile now. - dvb 11:35:03 09/02/10 (0)

That depends… - David Aiken 22:30:52 09/01/10 (2)

RE: That depends… - dvb 07:30:39 09/02/10 (1)

Buy used - phatty 11:23:08 09/03/10 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: So, do I really need an HT receiver? - David Aiken 13:32:42 09/03/10 (0)

RE: So, do I really need an HT receiver?

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