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Anyone doing this: Mains & Center only?
#238024 01/04/09 02:04 AM
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LT61 Offline OP
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Hey Guys,

I have been thinking of getting a LCD flat screen in the future.
I suspect we will be watching more movies when that happens.
In the past, I have always watched movies in stereo...and still do. Because of the way most newer movies are mixed, the dialogue seems to get lost in the score, and/or explosions, etc.
So, since I am not sure I want a full "surround" system with all the speakers, wire runs, and installation.....I am considering just using my M60's (mains) and add a Axiom center. (for the dialogue)
Is anyone here doing this? Is this a problem for an A/V receiver?
I kind of like the idea of the "old school speakers behind the movie screen" type set-up, but If there are potential problems with this, I would like to know.

Thanks.

Larry


LIFE: "Choices, balance, and timing"

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Re: Anyone doing this: Mains & Center only?
LT61 #238032 01/04/09 04:25 AM
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Larry,
Up until now I have been using M60's and a VP100.
This is not a problem for the A/V Receiver.
I just added a EP350 Subwoofer and QS8's with stands.
Quite a difference in sound however there is nothing wrong with starting with a smaller speaker setup.

Cheers,
Shaun

Re: Anyone doing this: Mains & Center only?
LT61 #238033 01/04/09 04:26 AM
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Hey Larry,

I don't think any modern AVR will have trouble with a 3.0 or 3.1 setup.

Not sure what you mean by "behind the movie screen", but if you're looking to hide the speakers, there are likely to be purveyors of allegedly "acoustically transparent" fabric. While I don't claim golden-enough ears to claim to hear a difference with grills off v. on, I have always been somewhat dubious of many such fabrics.

If you really are going to watch more movies and don't currently run a sub, you might consider adding one even if you elect not to use it for music.


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: Anyone doing this: Mains & Center only?
tomtuttle #238044 01/04/09 06:03 AM
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Tom,

What I meant was, I want to try to have the audio sound like when movie theaters had all the speakers behind the screen, not to hide them.
I know this is not the same as a 5.1,7.1, etc. I just want to know if this 3.0 set-up would improve hearing the dialogue, and not cause problems.

Thanks,

Larry


LIFE: "Choices, balance, and timing"

(Larryism)
Re: Anyone doing this: Mains & Center only?
LT61 #238045 01/04/09 06:22 AM
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 Originally Posted By: LT61

I know this is not the same as a 5.1,7.1, etc. I just want to know if this 3.0 set-up would improve hearing the dialogue, and not cause problems.

Yes it will improve the dialogue and no it shouldn‘t cause any problems except it could be a symptom you’re catching upgraditice ;\) . For a long time I was just running a “phantom center” and only used the center speaker when the score and sound effects from the mains were overpowering the dialogue.

If your receiver has a dynamic compression mode “night mode” is what Denon calls it you can try it on DD tracks but I don’t know if it works on DTS. I prefer to use a center than give up the dynamics but it might be worth a try.


3M80 2M22 6QS8 2M2 1EP500 Sony BDP-S590 Panny-7000 Onkyo-3007 Carada-134 Xbox Buttkicker AS-EQ1
Re: Anyone doing this: Mains & Center only?
grunt #238085 01/04/09 06:11 PM
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I agree that addition of a center will very likely improve dialog intelligibility. It will also help anchor the dialog for anyone who is not sitting in the sweet spot.

Speaker positioning is going to be pretty critical to obtain the seamlessness you desire. Of course, three identical speakers across the front is optimal, but not realistic for most of us. While some users have reported dissatisfaction with center channel timbre matching, I would contend that those perceptions are due more to placement (and the associated boundary issues) than to some inherent mismatch in character between the M60 and VP100 (for instance). I use those components and am very satisfied with the clarity and the matching.


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: Anyone doing this: Mains & Center only?
tomtuttle #238567 01/07/09 12:21 AM
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From a performance for your buck standpoint, I think surround speakers would be the next best upgrade, then a sub and the center channel last. If you are going to get a vp150, then you are pretty close to the price of the qs4's or qs8's. However, you said that you don't want to have to run speaker and worry about installation, so the center channel would probably be the easiest upgrade from that standpoint.

As far as dialogue intelligibility, I have never noticed any problems listening to soundtracks in stereo on my m22's. In fact on older movies with poorly recorded tracks I will usually put it in stereo even if it was recorded in mono or 5.1 remix to help with dialog intelligibility. Are your speakers setup close to the golden triangle for spacing? Have you tried a slight toe-in for you speakers to improve vocals?

- Nick

Re: Anyone doing this: Mains & Center only?
Nick B #238581 01/07/09 03:58 AM
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Sometimes I jump into my setup (Denon 3808) and turn off my surround speakers (5.1) and just use my M60s and VP100 center and leave the sub on too. That works fine and in my mind the center channel definately helps with movie and television dialog.


"Real Gun Control Is Hitting What You Aim At" - can't remember
Re: Anyone doing this: Mains & Center only?
edmondwolfman #238844 01/08/09 02:56 AM
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I use 3.0 in the main family room set up (the QS8s got moved into the new home theater) with a pair of M22s and a VP150. Sound is great. I tried going 2.0 with a phantom center, and it worked fine, but having the center channel really does help all around.

Rich

Re: Anyone doing this: Mains & Center only?
samandnoah #238953 01/08/09 04:21 PM
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I run a setup like Rich, M22s and a VP100 in my livingroom and the center helps anchor the vocals better to the TV for off axis viewing.


Jason
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Samsung 85" Q70

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