Center Speaker Suggestions

mgdelhi

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Hi Guys,

I am using ONKYO HT-S5300 HTIB. I use it mostly for movies and overall I am satisfied with it except the center speaker where I feel, it needs improvement.

So, please suggest me a good center speaker matching with the AVR (HT-R580) of my HTIB.

Thanks.

Specifications for my AVR:

HT-R580 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver
160 W/Ch at 6 ?, 1 kHz, 1 Channel Driven, JEITA
HDMI (Version 1.4a to Support 3D and Audio Return
Channel) with Deep Color, x.v.Color, LipSync,
Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, DVDAudio,
Super Audio CD, Multichannel PCM, and CEC
Audio and 1080p Video Processing via HDMI
(4 Inputs and 1 Output)
Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby
Digital Plus, DTS-HD High-Resolution Audio Decoding
Dolby Pro Logic IIz for New Surround Channels
Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-Bit DACs (PCM1690)
for All Channels
Jitter-Cleaning Circuit Technology
Audyssey EQ for System Equalization
Audyssey Dynamic Volume
Audyssey Dynamic EQ for Loudness Correction
Powered Zone 2 and Zone 2 Line-Out for Playback of
Separate Source in Another Room
Overlaid On-Screen Display (OSD) via HDMI
WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology)
H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply) Massive
High-Power Transformer
Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry
Advanced 32-Bit Processing DSP Chip
4 DSP Modes for Gaming: Rock, Sports, Action, and
RPG (Role Playing Game)
Music Optimizer for Compressed Digital Music Files
Direct Mode
Double Bass Function
CinemaFILTER
Non-Scaling Configuration
A-Form Listening Mode Memory
Theater-Dimensional Virtual Surround Function
Universal Port for Single-Cable Connection of UP-A1
Dock for iPhone/iPod
HDTV-Capable (720p/1080i) Component Video
Switching (2 Inputs and 1 Output)
Front-Panel Audio Input for Portable Devices
Front-Panel Auxiliary A/V Input
4 Digital Inputs (2 Optical and 2 Coaxial)
4 A/V Inputs and 1 Output
Video Output (Monitor)
1 Audio Input
Subwoofer Pre Out
Color-Coded, Banana Plug-Compatible Speaker Posts
(Except Front High or Zone 2)
Headphone Jack
Crossover Adjustment (40/50/60/80/100/120/150/
200 Hz)
A/V Sync Control Function (Up to 100 ms in
10 ms Steps)
Tone Control (Bass/Treble) for Front L/R Channels
3-Mode Display Dimmer (Normal/Dim/Dimmer)
40 FM/AM Random Presets
RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI) for
System Control
Compatible with RI (Remote Interactive) Dock for iPod
Preprogrammed RI Remote Control
 
Changing centre channel only would not suffice. Search the forum for a discussion by Sajjd and there was another guy who wanted to go this route.

My take sell off the speakers and get good speakers. step by step.
 
yeah thats righly pointed out by pupu, I too wanted to just change the center only, but its better you change the fronts + center and make sure to have them of same make

there are many options available, so whts ur budget ?
 
whats ur budget?

There is a group by offer available for Wharfedale Center speakers in below link. Not sure if it is still open. Just give it a try.

http://www.hifivision.com/group-buys-deals/19496-wharfedale-diamond-centre-speakers-3.html

I haven't thought of budget. Maybe 8-10k or may be more. I am not an audiophile as such but I have noticed the dialogues of the movies are not so clear/crisp as compared to some other systems.

Thanks for the link of group buy.

Changing centre channel only would not suffice. Search the forum for a discussion by Sajjd and there was another guy who wanted to go this route.

My take sell off the speakers and get good speakers. step by step.

yeah thats righly pointed out by pupu, I too wanted to just change the center only, but its better you change the fronts + center and make sure to have them of same make

there are many options available, so whts ur budget ?

I am using Fried Signature Series Speaker Model as fronts. I am happy with the powered sub-woofer. So, I think changing center speaker will make a difference. If not, I will think about changing other speakers later.

PS: I have to take it in black color, please see my current setup.

20120213170101.jpg
 
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I was in the exact same situation, where the dialogues weren't clear. My front stage was something like MA-M4's floor standers coupled with a Wharfedale Center speaker. I knew this wasn't the right setup and changed the center to MA M-center.

Works well now, however I still need to tweak the AVR itself for better output.
 
I was in the exact same situation, where the dialogues weren't clear. My front stage was something like MA-M4's floor standers coupled with a Wharfedale Center speaker. I knew this wasn't the right setup and changed the center to MA M-center.

Works well now, however I still need to tweak the AVR itself for better output.

Thanks.

How much you paid for it and from where you bought it? Any links ?
 
@mgdelhi you got good setup, if you just looking to change the center for now and add the others later then choose a brand which will give you options for front in later

one option for center is deftech procenter 1000, it should cost approx 12-13k and i recommend you to listen to it, its very powerful yet small center

another one is wharfedale center, they are bigger ones but again has very powerful sound

polk also has some options, check hifimart.com

but keep in mind later on you got to replace the rest with same brand

and lastly try boosting the center channel level for few dbs, that also sometimes make a difference, if ur AVR has audyssey setup, run it
 
My recent upgrade to Epos M8i specifically to improve the center channel which consist of AVR7002/Jamo FS/ wharf DFS. It suits this mixed chain very well and I could see vast difference from my present Jamo Center.
 
I saw it even before creating this thread. But I want something better.

1. The seller himself has posted in this thread "dialogues weren't clear".

Dude , I think you missed the whole point as to in what context that statement was made. From what I have read off this very forum " the front stage needs to have speakers from the same manufacturer preferably ".

With the M-center I am pretty satisfied and the Wharfedale was languishing in my closet doing nothing.
 
Any suggestions as to what centre speaker would go well with the KEF Q300 BS speakers? Would be run off a Yamaha RX V667 avr. KEF Q200c or 600c would be the obvious choices, but they are pretty expensive. Any other centre speaker that may match the Q300's timbre?
 
mgdelhi,

i have notice the same with my onkyo hts 5300, center speaker not giving clear sound. did you bought any? if yes please let me know i wanted to buy for me. or if you have selected any to buy.

Regards
Taher
 
The Q200c is listed at 23k on the ProFX site. I'm sure a bit of negotiation will bring it closer to the 20 mark. The 600c is 10k dearer :(

Not sure how the Jamo centre would work with the Q300s. Unfortunately, no way of trying that out either!
 
A beautiful, well-constructed speaker with class-leading soundstage, imaging and bass that is fast, deep, and precise.
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