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Thread: Centre speaker - or lack of!!

  1. #1
    Join Date: Jul 2014

    Location: Shropshire

    Posts: 2,420
    I'm Anto.

    Default Centre speaker - or lack of!!

    Been fiddling with the Marantz SR5600 that JacHawk so kindly donated me last yr!
    I have my Samsung TV on the wall above it and the RelQ50 sub in the corner of the room , that I use with the other Hi Fi most of the time .
    I have 2 old Marantz speakers from my original hi fi ,as back speakers , 2 Mission 733 speakers as sides (that I had with some seperates I bought a few weeks ago ,and repaired the woofer in the one ) , but I don't have a decent centre speaker at present .

    Do I really need a centre or could I program the AV receiver to push the vocals through the other 2 pairs?
    I do have a couple of Aiwa speakers that are not being used , and I have consider using just the one as a stop gap centre , until I find a good centre on the bay ,locally !!(I have been underbidder on 2 just lately , and rather than rush to buy something I regret , thought I would take my time to find a good second hand one ,as they don't tend to make a lot?)
    Thanks , I have not visited the AV studio before
    I only ride 'em, I don't know what makes 'em work

  2. #2
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 37,772
    I'm Martin.

    Default

    You can program the receiver to send the centre output to the front left and right. Just de-select the centre speaker in the menu and it will happen automatically.

    That's what I do and I prefer it to having a centre speaker.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

  3. #3
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK

    Posts: 110,012
    I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.

    Default

    Yes, and it works well... Until that is you hear things done properly in an expertly set-up 5.1 system, employing a high-quality centre speaker!

    Marco.
    Main System

    Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.

    Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.

    Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.

    CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.

    Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new, by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.

    Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.

    Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.

    Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.

    Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.


    Protect your HUMAN RIGHTS and REFUSE ANY *MANDATORY* VACCINE FOR COVID-19!

    Also **SAY NO** to unjust 'vaccine passports' or certificates, which are totally incompatible with a FREE society!!!


  4. #4
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 37,772
    I'm Martin.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Marco View Post
    Yes, and it works well... Until that is you hear things done properly in an expertly set-up 5.1 system, employing a high-quality centre speaker!

    Marco.
    Man I was an early adopter of DVD and 5.1, I've had an HT system for 16 years, I'm on my 3rd receiver (which isn't bad going for me) and a mate who got into it the same time as me has a THX 7.2 set up in a dedicated room and all professionally installed. I'm under no illusions as to what is possible. I just got a bit bored with it and didn't take it any further myself.

    Incidentally, he had a lot of issues with centre speakers, he now has a 3 speaker array just for the centre channel, using active Meridians. He reckons this is just about satisfactory.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

  5. #5
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK

    Posts: 110,012
    I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.

    Default

    Ha - sounds like a perfectionist/hardcore dude, and my kinda guy!

    I ain't going there, though. Once I add the second sub, that's me done

    Marco.
    Main System

    Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.

    Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.

    Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.

    CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.

    Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new, by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.

    Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.

    Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.

    Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.

    Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.


    Protect your HUMAN RIGHTS and REFUSE ANY *MANDATORY* VACCINE FOR COVID-19!

    Also **SAY NO** to unjust 'vaccine passports' or certificates, which are totally incompatible with a FREE society!!!


  6. #6
    Join Date: Jan 2011

    Location: Bristol, UK

    Posts: 278
    I'm Stephen.

    Default

    I think the centre channel is the one that works the hardest in a home cinema installation.

  7. #7
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 37,772
    I'm Martin.

    Default

    I agree. That is the issue he had, the system was B&W all round. At THX reference level there was distortion in the sound. He is not into hi-fi so thought it was normal. It was uncomfortable to listen to at this level, backed off a bit it was mint. But he had paid for THX reference so he persisted, eventually the tweeter in the centre speaker started misbehaving, hence the replacement Meridian array. Basically it could not do what it was specced. All the speakers and the amp were THX certified.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

  8. #8
    Join Date: Jul 2014

    Location: Shropshire

    Posts: 2,420
    I'm Anto.

    Default

    Thanks folks!! Nice to see an can of worms opened
    I have given it some thought during milking and I will put one of the Akai (not Aiwa , I get confused ), 3 way , and not bad speakers , in as the front for now. The other ,I will put against the back wall as the rear speaker ,although I don't think that output has been used before.
    I am but a beginner , but I think it might be good enough for me ,that is until I get bored of it!!

    I just need a bolthole to go to during all the Christmas 'festivities!! bah Humbug
    I only ride 'em, I don't know what makes 'em work

  9. #9
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 37,772
    I'm Martin.

    Default

    The Akai should be fine. Try it both in and out and see which you prefer, you might be surprised. As the Bishop said to the actress.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

  10. #10
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Wrexham, North Wales, UK

    Posts: 110,012
    I'm AudioAl'sArbiterForPISHANTO.

    Default Say hello to the 'Cream Boy'...

    Quote Originally Posted by Oddball View Post
    I have given it some thought during milking...
    I thought you were an early morning ham-shanker?

    Marco.
    Main System

    Turntable: Heavily-modified Technics SL-1210MK5G [Mike New bearing/ETP platter/Paul Hynes SR7 PSU & reg mods]. Funk Firm APM Achromat/Nagaoka GL-601 Crystal Record Weight/Isonoe feet & boots/Ortofon RS-212D/Denon DL-103GL in Denon PCL-300 headshell with Funk Firm Houdini/Kondo SL-115 pure-silver cartridge leads.

    Paul Hynes MC head amp/SR5 PSU. Also modded Lentek head amp/Denon AU-310 SUT.

    Other Cartridges: Nippon Columbia (NOS 1987) Denon DL-103. USA-made Shure SC35C with NOS stylus. Goldring G820 with NOS stylus. Shure M55E with NOS stylus.

    CD Player: Audiocom-modified Sony X-777ES/DAS-R1 DAC.

    Tape Deck: Tandberg TCD 310, fully restored and recalibrated as new, by RDE, plus upgraded with heads from the TCD-420a. Also with matching TM4 Norway microphones.

    Preamps: Heavily-modified Croft Charisma-X. LDR Stereo Coffee. Power Amps: Tube Distinctions Copper Amp fitted with Tungsol KT-150s. Quad 306.

    Cables & Sundries: Mark Grant HDX1 interconnects and digital coaxial cable, plus Mark Grant 6mm UP-LCOFC Van Damme speaker cable. MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads. Lehmann clone headphone amp with vintage Koss PRO-4AAA headphones.

    Tube Distinctions digital noise filter. VPI HW16.5 record cleaning machine.

    Speakers: Tannoy 15MGs in Lockwood cabinets with modified crossovers. 1967 Celestion Ditton 15.


    Protect your HUMAN RIGHTS and REFUSE ANY *MANDATORY* VACCINE FOR COVID-19!

    Also **SAY NO** to unjust 'vaccine passports' or certificates, which are totally incompatible with a FREE society!!!


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