Question is: Would a home theater sounds better without the Center? remove the center completely and let the Large Left, Right take over its task. This experiment is encouraged for you owners with theater width 1.5x of length (or more) to try.

Photo attached is of my room. Dimension is 13x21. In simple term, my theaters is elongated or rectangular shape. Those with a SQUARE (ish) theater, definitely need a center to complete the illusion of "sound from picture".

This is what I noticed: The dialogue sounds so much cleaner and crisper after I removed my center and tell the receiver to send dialogue to the Mains.

Mathematically, this makes sense, because the center produces 70% of all sounds. It makes sense to have the Mains do the heavy lifting.

Placement of the Center speaker is somewhat difficult if you ask me. But I do understand the center acts as dialogue anchor for off axis viewers. So If you have a spare 30 minutes, give this experiment a try. Pick a movie with lots of yapping. Try it with and without the center. Remember to set your AV as "No Center".

To remove any bias, ASK YOUR WIFE (assuming she is like mine, don't give a damn how many speakers we have or what goes where) which would she preferred? and do not tell her you'd removed the center. Because as you know we're used to "more is better", or bring a buddy over, but don't tell him you're using him as lab-rat.

I believe theaters benefit most from this experiment are the ones elongated, we are much less dependent on the center to "anchor" dialogue. You only have permission to bash it AFTER you tried it. Share your finding here.


http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv219/mobilevisual/THEATER.jpg

Sorry. I see you are new here, so please do not take this personally but, rather, directed specifically at the points you are making.

Your L/R placement against the lateral walls (and in the corner) already compromises your imaging severely and invalidates any generalizations from your experiment.

Also, most so-called dedicated centers are improperly designed to begin with. What kind of center do you have? If it is one of those wimpy horizontal MTMs, it is not surprising that removing it makes an improvement.

Using "phantom center" can sound better... exactly in the middle, between the L/R speakers. In that respect, it's just like stereo, with a stable central image when sitting exactly between the L/R speakers. However, move a little bit left or right, and the "central" image disappears. You have multiple seats in your room. Only *one* is in the middle. Try sitting in one of the other seats. Voices will originate from the speaker on the side of the room you move to.

In addition, if your diagram is a good representation of your theater, I suggest you move all your seating forward. You want your side surround speakers at your *sides* (or slightly behind you), not in front of you. Then move the rears towards the middle a little. Try to mimic the Dolby speaker layout:
http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_entertainment/speaker-setup-guide/index.html

Finally, if you can, move your mains forward and out of the corners. Corners are usually the *worst* locations for speakers.

Do you have any room treatments?

Craig

Your L/R placement against the lateral walls...

What kind of center do you have? If it is one of those wimpy horizontal MTMs, it is not surprising that removing it makes an improvement.

Picture simply to show dimension and Length/width ratio of my room, not mirror of my setup. I use 3 Energy 2.3i, I consider them not too wimpy. So are you saying those who use "wimpy horizontal MTMs" are better off without???

I have no idea what MTMs are, i'm assuming center speakers :)

Picture simply to show dimension and Length/width ratio of my room, not mirror of my setup. I use 3 Energy 2.3i, I consider them not too wimpy. So are you saying those who use "wimpy horizontal MTMs" are better off without???

I have no idea what MTMs are, i'm assuming center speakers :)

Driver configuration. Horizontal "midrange - tweeter - midrange."

Using "phantom center" can sound better... exactly in the middle, between the L/R speakers.

Do you have any room treatments?

Craig

My seating area is right in the middle of L/R speakers. which explains why I noticed a huge improvement.

My rear wall is treated.

My seating area is right in the middle of L/R speakers. which explains why I noticed a huge improvement.

You should notice it in the *one* center seat. The other seats will be off-center of the L/R's, and the central image will collapse to the speaker on the side you're sitting. Try sitting in the left-most seat, and you'll see what I mean.

Here's an article that demonstrates the point Kal is making:
http://www.audioholics.com/education/loudspeaker-basics/vertical-vs-horizontal-speaker-designs

Craig

You should notice it in the *one* center seat. The other seats will be off-center of the L/R's, and the central image will collapse to the speaker on the side you're sitting. Try sitting in the left-most seat, and you'll see what I mean.

Here's an article that demonstrates the point Kal is making:
http://www.audioholics.com/education/loudspeaker-basics/vertical-vs-horizontal-speaker-designs

Craig
Also:
http://www.stereophile.com/musicintheround/304round/index.html
http://www.stereophile.com/musicintheround/705mitr/index1.html