Centre speaker - high end

[moustachebandit]

I have been mulling over a centre speaker for my set up - little unsure on whether I actually want / need one, but there are a good few occasions where watching films the speech isn't as clear as I would like it.

Maybe I am just loosing my hearing or the film has just been sound mixed badly, but its also an opportunity to buy a new thing.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a decent high end centre speaker that can be picked up for a small sum on Ebay? Tannoy, Linn, Kef etc? I have seen that Linn Komponent centres can be had for around £150 now but considering all options.

Current set up is 4.1 - 2 Linn Briks up front, 2 Linn Sara's as rear speakers.

Thanks

[matt666]

I like the Kef T101c/301c, they come up quite regularly on ebay for a reasonable sum.

Their USP is how flat they sit to the wall

[Lucid_AV]

moustachebandit said:

2 Linn Briks up front,

Pardon!?! You've Isobariks up front and the vocals aren't clear in phantom mode??? Something's not quite right there. How is the stereo imagery when just playing music?

If you're going to add a centre then it needs to be voiced the same as the the main front speakers. Linn did use a lot of KEF drivers, but I'm not sure that's enough of a justification for pairing a KEF centre with (80s?) Briks. I have to be honest, I've never put a late addition centre in with a system with Briks. By the time someone is at that level, the system is normally so fine tuned that the idea of adding a centre kind of goes against the grain because it would compromise the stereo performance too much.

Linn do make centre speakers, new and old. Maybe have a quick look on the Pinkfish forum to see if anyone has done the same thing.

[moustachebandit]

The issue isn't with music, no issues there. Stereo is fine.

Its when I am watching something on Netflix / playing a game - the speech can get lost. The sound mixing could be garbage (if the source material is crap then what comes out the speakers wont be any better). But there are occasions where I think if there was a centre the speech would have more clarity.

Was just contemplating a centre for the times when we are watching TV / not listening to music. I do like the new Kef as its so flat, so passes the aesthetic test. The Linn Komponent centre seems like a second hand bargin but will stand out like a sore thumb in the front room.

[BRR]

I bought a Dali one, not sure how it compares to the others you mention but i think it's brilliant

[VEX]

Agree with the 'voicing' and Timbre matching comments.

Maybe a chat to this guy could help with advice.

https://newbriks.com/

[Graculus]

I thought I was the only one mad enough to use Sara's as rear speakers!

My fronts are Kaber's and I have a mk1 Centrik for my centre. It's essentially the top half of a Keilidh turned onto it's side and voiced as a centre. I'd say it would be a good match to the Brik's if you can find one which has been well looked after. They turn up for sale quite often and aren't usually very expensive (avoid the later Centrik model).

[Adrian W]

I stuck a Revel C208 in the middle, lifted the voices brilliantly , between some Neat XLS, I also use Dirac live

[page3]

General consensus I believe is to try and use the same as your main pair.

I use KEF LS50’s for front and centre, and KEF T101’s for surround. BK Sub to fill it out (even for music).

Room treatment/correction is worth investigating too. We use Anthem Room Correction.

We find it makes a dramatic improvement to films (and TV) as so much (modern) stuff is so badly mixed. It allows you to boost the centre channel.

Edited by page3 on Thursday 29th April 08:10

[Busa mav]

moustachebandit said:

I have been mulling over a centre speaker for my set up - little unsure on whether I actually want / need one, but there are a good few occasions where watching films the speech isn't as clear as I would like it.

Maybe I am just loosing my hearing or the film has just been sound mixed badly, but its also an opportunity to buy a new thing.

Thanks

We have exactly the same problem , thought we were both losing our hearing.
It’s particularly bad with American slang / street talk .

I came in to this section to look for centre speaker recommendations

[BertBert]

page3 said:

We use Anthem Room Correction.

Just picking up on this as it's a subject I'm interested in. How does it actually correct the sound? I can understand using a mic and software to analyse, but how is the sound then changed? Sorry if it's obvious!
Cheers
Bert

[VEX]

BertBert said:

Just picking up on this as it's a subject I'm interested in. How does it actually correct the sound? I can understand using a mic and software to analyse, but how is the sound then changed? Sorry if it's obvious!
Cheers
Bert

Very basically, automated equalisation for each individual channel and possibly delay as well.

This then should provide you with a custom equalisation, by channel, for your room to achieve a nice flat performance from your system.

ARC (Anthem Room Correction) is unique to Anthem. The other up and coming system is called Dirac Live which is a more open standard.

Edited by VEX on Sunday 2nd May 23:09

[theboss]

I have the same issue with "lost" dialogue with a two channel Akurate system (ADSM/A4200/Akubarik).

Not an issue with the speakers but rather with downmixing, I assume.

It doesn't bother me much as I have become strangely accustomed to watching everything with subtitles for the benefit of my wife who isn't a native English speaker.

If you want something by Linn I would look for a s/h trikan, majik 112 or 5120/ekwal (like this). If budget extends the akurate center comes up occasionally and is superb although hefty.

Edited by theboss on Tuesday 4th May 11:28

[AC43]

I have a Monitor Audio Radius 200. Really happy with it. Teamed with Radius 90's L &R and run through a Yamaha amp. Great sound, very crisp dialogue.

https://www.richersounds.com/monitor-audio-radius-...

[mgv8]

KEF or Tannoy (if you can get them) would best to see. If you contact the link provided it mite be worth getting something custom with mid high drivers in from your current speakers.

[tonyg58]

BertBert said:

Just picking up on this as it's a subject I'm interested in. How does it actually correct the sound? I can understand using a mic and software to analyse, but how is the sound then changed? Sorry if it's obvious!
Cheers
Bert

It corrects for highs and lows in the frequency response of each speaker.
Explanation here.

https://anthemarc.com/

The amps (stereo and home cinema) are all excellent products.
If you decide to buy one, make sure the dealer knows ARC Genesis properly as it's a very powerful tool.