I'm planning to purchase the beautiful M60's with maybe the M40s or M50s for the rears, but I was wondering if anyone knows if the bookshelf (M3Ti or M22) speakers could be used as a center channel?

Any pros or cons to this setup?

At least one of the fellows here (JohnK, I believe) prefers, and recommends a monopole speaker (such as the M3 or M22) as a center channel speaker. So, it's not out of the question. Most of us use the conventional centers (VP100 & VP150). I do, so I don't feel qualified to comment.

As to your other choices, it helps to know the size of your room (WxDxH); how far from the speakers the listening area will be; your speaker configuration (5.1/6.1/7.1) and what you listen to (i.e. 50% music, 50% movies; are you interested in SACD/DVD-A; etc.)

Hello bdmst16,

Jack's advice is good, but keep in mind that the closest tonal balance to the M60ti's will be found in the M22s, M2s and the multi-directional QS8s, which are very persuasive and more forgiving if you are not in the sweet spot than direct radiators.

The M3s are a closer tonal match for the M50s and M40s, which have slightly more recessed midrange output than the M60s and M22s.

Regards,

Thanks for the advice guys.

I wish I knew the measurements offhand, but I don't.

This setup will mostly be used for movies (80/20). Right now I will be staying with a 5.1 setup, but *might* consider moving to 6.1 or 7.1 in the future.

I've mostly considered the M40 or M50 for the rears since I am interested in SACD/DVD-A. I currently am a proud owner of M3Ti (mains), M2Ti (rears) and VP50, SVS PCi-25-31, with a Denon 3803.

So I guess that the best *center* would be the M22 if paired with the M60s.

Its the rears that I'm not so sure about though.

Brian

If you're staying with 5.1 for the moment, and doing 80% movies, I cannot recommend the QS series surrounds highly enough. As good as any of the monopoles might be as surrounds, I cannot imagine watching a movie without my QS8s. They are the most unobtrusive, yet immersing surrounds I can imagine. Here is a portion of a post I made over at the HomeTheaterSpot regarding the same issue.

"I cannot recommend the Q'S series speakers too highly. I'm in a room 11.5x18x8 and I'm running M60s/VP150/QS8s. All of them are excellent speakers, but, of the three, the QS8s are best at doing what they are designed to do. They are amazing, enveloping surround speakers. I wouldn't miss the HT experience they provide for anything. My first SCAD/DVD-A player is soon to arrive, and I have no trepidation whatsoever about using the QS8s for surrounds in either format. Though, in the future, I hope to add a pair of M2s, for my 7.1 setup."

Depending on the size of your room, I'd recommend getting the M60s for mains, and the QS series (8s or 4s) as your surrounds. I don't think you'll be sorry.

If you want a monopole for your center then go with an M22 or M2. Since you already have M2s, you could try one in the center position to see if it would do the job, and if you like a monopole as a center speaker.

Keep your M3s for a bedroom stereo set (or sell them if you wish), hang on the M2s to use as your rear surrounds when you go 7.1. As Alan pointed out, the M2s are a good tonal match with the M60s. If you find the M2s lacking in the rear surround role, you can then upgrade if you so desire. But you should give them a try as rears before you do.

BD, I won't go through the whole analysis, but I'd especially agree with Jack's suggestion that you temporarily disconnect one of your M2s and use it(vertically)as your center speaker.