Subwoofer???

[terrible]

In my pursuit to create a a good sound stage for music and cinema, this is another horizontal step. I have Focal Chorus 726V speakers and Cambridge Audio CXR200 AVR. The room these are placed has rectangular dimensions with TV to sitting space being 12 feet which then spreads rectangularly to a distance of 25 to 27 feet. Now the question is should I buy subs that belong to the Focal family or otherwise. Is it advisable to buy passive or active subs? What should the specifications be? I would greatly appreciate your suggestions.

Another matter to ponder for me is the centre speaker. Now upon decent amount of reading, the verdict on whether one is needed seems to be split right in the middle. I currently experience a lovely 'phantom centre'. My only hesitation is that am I going to actually spend money on spoiling this sound by getting a 'centre' rather than enhancing it. On this too, your experience would greatly benefit me.

Thank you.

 

[raghupb]

Really good equipment you have there!!

In my pursuit to create a a good sound stage for music and cinema, this is another horizontal step. I have Focal Chorus 726V speakers and Cambridge Audio CXR200 AVR. The room these are placed has rectangular dimensions with TV to sitting space being 12 feet which then spreads rectangularly to a distance of 25 to 27 feet. Now the question is should I buy subs that belong to the Focal family or otherwise. Is it advisable to buy passive or active subs? What should the specifications be? I would greatly appreciate your suggestions.

Subs are better if they active; unloads the AVR from LFE duty. One or two, Focal or other brand depends on your budget. If budget allows, go for Focal.
Your room could do with 2 medium subs rather than 1 monster. What you could do is borrow a local FMs sub and experiment in your home before putting money down.

Another matter to ponder for me is the centre speaker. Now upon decent amount of reading, the verdict on whether one is needed seems to be split right in the middle. I currently experience a lovely 'phantom centre'. My only hesitation is that am I going to actually spend money on spoiling this sound by getting a 'centre' rather than enhancing it. On this too, your experience would greatly benefit me.

Phantom center is a delight for stereo music sessions with strong vocal content. But a dedicated center is required when watching movies, specially Russell Crowe movies (the great mumbler).
Having this allows you to up the channel level for dialog listening. Again Focal or other brand is wallet dependent.
I strongly feel "timbre matching" is 80% marketing; why would a company readily agree that you can put any other's component and still have it sound good?
Again, if you can wing it, borrow and try it out.

Cheers,
Raghu

 

[Deleted member 79034]

I was just recently reading on the advantages/disadvantages of using a bookshelf speaker instead of a proper center speaker and it appears technically the opinion is considerably swayed towards having a bookshelf speaker for center channel if possible instead of a M-T-M center.

The logic for a horizontal aligned center is more of a convenience than anything else.

I am myself planning to experiment with a bookshelf but there is still some time before I move into my new house where I am going to have an HT.

I suggest if you have or can borrow a good/decent bookshelf as a center speaker and try if it is really any better than the MTM center. Provided you have space to put in a bookshelf below/above your TV/screen.

 

[raghupb]

I was just recently reading on the advantages/disadvantages of using a bookshelf speaker instead of a proper center speaker and it appears technically the opinion is considerably swayed towards having a bookshelf speaker for center channel if possible instead of a M-T-M center.

The logic for a horizontal aligned center is more of a convenience than anything else.

I am myself planning to experiment with a bookshelf but there is still some time before I move into my new house where I am going to have an HT.

I suggest if you have or can borrow a good/decent bookshelf as a center speaker and try if it is really any better than the MTM center. Provided you have space to put in a bookshelf below/above your TV/screen.

In a "normal" Indian home sized HT, the width of the room is not more than 16 feet (max).
MTMs (horizontal) will work just fine for movie experience, provided the seating area does not extend beyond the L/R by a foot or two.
Remember, the center channel usually carries dialog, and the human ear is damn good in placing vocal frequencies.

A good simple 2-way bookshelf with wide dispersion will also work if the seating area is not wide; and it will definitely be cheaper as long as it is vertically oriented.
I have an MTM and could not make out a difference in either orientation. Of course my seating area is at max 10 feet.

Cheers,
Raghu

 

[terrible]

Really good equipment you have there!!

I can't but agree with you. I have members here and AVSForum to thank at arriving at this. When I started I was clueless, just about knowing the kind of sound I like. Music is pretty sorted with Raspberry Pi and Spotify on the AVR itself.

Subs are better if they active; unloads the AVR from LFE duty. One or two, Focal or other brand depends on your budget. If budget allows, go for Focal.
Your room could do with 2 medium subs rather than 1 monster. What you could do is borrow a local FMs sub and experiment in your home before putting money down.

More than budget but I think would go for something that'll complement this system. So not looking at anything overpriced or low cost, just something thats good for the equipment I own. Would be nice if you indicate specific models or names I should look at.

The suggestion of two medium subs sounds good. Would this become inadequate when I move to a larger room or does it work as effectively as a single sub in all environments? I am afraid I don't know anyone as experienced in real life with these kind of equipment so I'll just get recommendations and hear them hopefully at dealers or retailers.

Phantom center is a delight for stereo music sessions with strong vocal content. But a dedicated center is required when watching movies, specially Russell Crowe movies (the great mumbler).
Having this allows you to up the channel level for dialog listening. Again Focal or other brand is wallet dependent.
I strongly feel "timbre matching" is 80% marketing; why would a company readily agree that you can put any other's component and still have it sound good?
Again, if you can wing it, borrow and try it out.

Cheers,
Raghu

So far, I have a very good experience on dialogues too with this phantom center.

I was just recently reading on the advantages/disadvantages of using a bookshelf speaker instead of a proper center speaker and it appears technically the opinion is considerably swayed towards having a bookshelf speaker for center channel if possible instead of a M-T-M center.

The logic for a horizontal aligned center is more of a convenience than anything else.

I am myself planning to experiment with a bookshelf but there is still some time before I move into my new house where I am going to have an HT.

I suggest if you have or can borrow a good/decent bookshelf as a center speaker and try if it is really any better than the MTM center. Provided you have space to put in a bookshelf below/above your TV/screen.

Yes I have read this too. In fact they suggest that you buy a single floor standing along with the pair. However, in the case of center speakers I think the bookshelf also has to be from Focal. Anyway, I don't know if they sell a single piece here in India.

 

[efernand1]

Hi Terrible,

Check with Fair Deal and speak to Imran.....he will help out with some solution.....