Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Phantom Center Channel

This thread is from a month back. Funny how things have progressed.

I have been enjoying movies on my new 52" LCD and using just my Polk bookshelves (can't find the model # anywhere on these but my wife constantly tells me I can't find anything even if it's under my nose) I pay close attention to what I hear. How low the bass goes (or doesn't go) How clear the dialogue is. The dialogue happens to be rather good with these speakers. They are maybe 12-14" high and are sitting on the floor. The sound sounds like it's coming from the TV. At times causes me to wonder if a center channel speaker is really necessary. Wish I new someone with a good HT of any brand.

You do know a bunch of people with good HT's, you're just not living in the right city.

Good point!

Hey Bob

Neat question. We take it for greanted that you need a center channel speaker for a true HT. Who tells us this over and over again, the companies that stand to make the most money from selling these odd shapped things, speaker and hardware companies. We become numb, like you have to have a coffee table in a living room, why cuz you just do.

I remember back in 1999 I attended a show here in SW Ontario put on by one of the high end audio video stores. They had a key note speaker, Ian G. Masters. Now I remember reading articals from Ian since the early 80's in Sound and Vision Magazine. Like Alan Loft, his articals were always informative and intersting.

Anyways, Ian said back then that a center channel speaker was not only not required, you actually shouldn't have one. To be honest, I didn't really understand the reason why, something about the couch being too long.

You should have seen the faces of the sales rep's form the sponsering store when their key note told a large crowd they didn't need a center channel speaker. That was priceless.

For those interested to learn more about Ian Masters follow this link:

http://www.torontoaes.org/surroundview96/masters.html

Maybe Alan might have a better idea of what Ian might have been talking about back then.

For the record, I own a VP150 and use it everytime I watch a movie.

But have you compared how a movie sounds with and without it?

Nope, I never even though about trying it. But I will by the end of this weekend.

pn

If your sitting in the sweet spot or close to it, a phantom setup does a very good job. It is very similar to when your listening to 2 channel music and the vocals appear to be coming from the center speaker, perfect imaging. The problem arrises when you have say 3 seats up front or a wide couch, as you move to the left or right the whole experience goes out the window.

Just watch Toy Story. Digitally re-mastered audio and video. 12-14" Polk Audio bookshelves on the floor. TV height is now 52" to the center of the screen (with my new tv stand) The sound (to me) sounds like it's coming from the TV. I hope I hear the advantage of getting a VP150 when it gets here. (btw the speakers sisn't get here yet. Will check the door in the morning when I wake up)

Yes, I am listening / watching "Shine A Light" (Rolling Stones Concert)right now on Sat. in 5.1, and I am switching between 2ch and 5.1 mode.

You know, for music, and since the M80's have such awsome imaging, I really don't miss the center speaker, it sounds wonderful just in 2 ch. Jagger's voice is anchored right in the middle of the screen. Richard's guitar is nicely planted just to the left, unless it's a solo, then it moves to the middle.

I will have to try a movie tomorrow.

pn