I am curious as I learn more about HT: Why is it that centers and surrounds, such as those made by Axiom and other top speaker companies, are so often tuned to rate at 85 Hz or higher on the low end? And with DVD-A and SACD becoming more widely adopted, do people think this is likely to change?
One source of this question is an interesting recent thread here under Advice from Axiom Users on whether one could use M3s (or M2s) vertically or M22s horizontally as centers. Alan described some testing he did that showed how well the M22 worked as a center. Ian also explained some of the competing technical goals in center design, and while explaining how the VP 150 was Axiom's best synthesis of these problems, he noted that sonically the M22, VP 100 & VP 150 have a lot in common, with the 150 resembling in some ways two horizontally placed M22s.
If there's such similarity, then why not extend the range of the center down to 60 Hz, as it is with the M22 and M3? I understand that standard HT receivers with fixed LFE cross-overs tend to have them factory set at 80 Hz (my 4 yr-old Yamaha is, irritatingly, fixed at 90 Hz), which on first glance might make it seem superfluous to have a center or surround that extends below this point. But with the advent of more and more AV receivers that have variable cross-over settings, and perhaps as importantly, with the allure of SACD and DVD-A (even DTS 5.1 music), doesn't it make sense to create centers and surrounds with slightly fuller musical range? I covet a pair of QS-8s, for example, but I also want to get some new DVD-Audio and SACD music, so I'm hesitating between the higher range surrounds and fuller range M22s or M3s as rear speakers (in a 5.1 setup ... 7 is too much speaker for my room, receiver and budget).
I don't understand the technology here -- would appreciate input -- but I believe others share these questions as they ponder whether to purchase surrounds or radiating speakers as surrounds, or even as centers. I'm also curious to know why it's necessary, technically - or if is is - to set the centers and surrounds at 85-95 Hz when they would seem to have the drivers and encasements capable of good sound reproduction at lower frequencies. (On this last point I'm totally guessing, being armed with only a dangerously small amount of technical knowledge.)
