Center channel speakers make a big difference!

[dnut24]

A brief background. For what seems forever ago (right when Dolby 5.1 receivers came out) I've had my Kenwood "home theatre in a box" system. Now for the price and age of this thing it is still pretty darn good. Somethings could be better, but none the less good. Lately I've been having issues with the remote IR not working, and the optical signal cuts out sometimes and have to change sources for it to recognize the 5.1 digital audio. The other day I was playing Rock Band and when my g/f would scream into mic to go into over drive it would make crackling sound come out of center channel speakers, as thats where most of the voice audio comes through. Well I've been wanting to upgrade slowly so this was the time. After reading how important the center channel was (which I didnt realize) I saw that what I've been missing on movies. Due to the voice adio being primary I also have my receiver turned up loud to hear the dialog only to have ears blown away when exposions, etc happens. So I went and picked up a Klipsch Synergy C-1 center speaker.

At first didn't think anything speacial about it, but after firing up Rock band and letting the songs play the vocals were so much clearer, not to mention the center bass response was so crisp, I actually heard more of the bass lines then I could ever hear before. I can't wait to watch a Blu-ray to hear the difference in dialog audio.

Now for $190 it is not a bad speaker, but since it sounds so good I'm debating on getting the C-2 and returning this one. If it sounds this good, the difference between the two are 4" to 5 1/4" speakers, and for an extra $80, it may be well worth it. I'm just real happy with it and I think it is now time to start phasing out all the other speakers and eventually the reciever.

[smaug]

Yep, good speakers make a load of difference :)

[REFLEX]

Considering 70% of audio from movies, TV and Games comes from the center channel.. yes, big difference.

[Blu_Ray_Fan]

Considering 70% of audio from movies, TV and Games comes from the center channel.. yes, big difference.

Thats exactly what I considered when buying my center a few years ago.

I have the Definitive Technology C/L/R 2500. It retails for $899.00, but features 2 5 1/4 drivers, tweeter, and a 8" sub with a built-in 150 watt amp. The beast weighs 40 lbs, and was a pain to wall mount above my SXRD, but worth it every time I turn it on!:)

[GGab]

Which is why I LOVE my Boston VR 12!

[Shoelaces]

To the OP, before you rock the C-2, it would be wise to compare power output of your receiver to ensure you don't cook either side of your investment. Power matching can make just as big of a difference as just swapping for a better speaker.

[dnut24]

To the OP, before you rock the C-2, it would be wise to compare power output of your receiver to ensure you don't cook either side of your investment. Power matching can make just as big of a difference as just swapping for a better speaker.

Oh yea for sure. It can handle twice the power, but my reciever is under powering it anyways, I'm no where near the max wattage.

[RuneRules]

In that case I would invest in a decent amp.....

[opticnads]

A brief background. For what seems forever ago (right when Dolby 5.1 receivers came out) I've had my Kenwood "home theatre in a box" system. Now for the price and age of this thing it is still pretty darn good. Somethings could be better, but none the less good. Lately I've been having issues with the remote IR not working, and the optical signal cuts out sometimes and have to change sources for it to recognize the 5.1 digital audio. The other day I was playing Rock Band and when my g/f would scream into mic to go into over drive it would make crackling sound come out of center channel speakers, as thats where most of the voice audio comes through. Well I've been wanting to upgrade slowly so this was the time. After reading how important the center channel was (which I didnt realize) I saw that what I've been missing on movies. Due to the voice adio being primary I also have my receiver turned up loud to hear the dialog only to have ears blown away when exposions, etc happens. So I went and picked up a Klipsch Synergy C-1 center speaker.

At first didn't think anything speacial about it, but after firing up Rock band and letting the songs play the vocals were so much clearer, not to mention the center bass response was so crisp, I actually heard more of the bass lines then I could ever hear before. I can't wait to watch a Blu-ray to hear the difference in dialog audio.

Now for $190 it is not a bad speaker, but since it sounds so good I'm debating on getting the C-2 and returning this one. If it sounds this good, the difference between the two are 4" to 5 1/4" speakers, and for an extra $80, it may be well worth it. I'm just real happy with it and I think it is now time to start phasing out all the other speakers and eventually the reciever.


Thats great man. Now what you should do is have matching speakers for the fronts, youknow your l/c/r. So if you have a klipsch center, buy klipsch right and left speakers. The idea is to have constant sound output from each speaker so it wont sound broken up. make sure the driver material and size is the same.