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build 5.1 audio starting with center channel?

post #1 of 6
12/5/09 at 3:05pm
Thread Starter 
I have recently done some upgrades and now am down to speakers. I have a Denon AVR-790 running 5.1, and currently use 4 Minimus 7s at the corners, a 12" passive Realistic sub with a Marantz MA500U power amp. The room is 15 X 20 and current setup is adequate except for the center. It is a Radio Shack 2-way that has very poor clarity and is headed for the dumpster. I have been reading posts about matching speakers, frequency, harmonics, etc. I would like to get a good quality center channel, less than $ 250 if possible, that I can build out as $ are available unless the consensus is that "mix and match" is OK with this current setup. In that case I would appreciate a center recommendation in this price range. If not, what would be a good starting point in this price range that would let me finish the four corners for $200 or so each. All design suggestions are appreciated as I can use the existing speakers elsewhere. Rest of system includes new BluRay, Panasonic Plasma & Xbox360 (why there's not much left!).
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post #2 of 6
12/5/09 at 8:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ldreisinger View Post

I have recently done some upgrades and now am down to speakers. I have a Denon AVR-790 running 5.1, and currently use 4 Minimus 7s at the corners, a 12" passive Realistic sub with a Marantz MA500U power amp. The room is 15 X 20 and current setup is adequate except for the center. It is a Radio Shack 2-way that has very poor clarity and is headed for the dumpster. I have been reading posts about matching speakers, frequency, harmonics, etc. I would like to get a good quality center channel, less than $ 250 if possible, that I can build out as $ are available unless the consensus is that "mix and match" is OK with this current setup. In that case I would appreciate a center recommendation in this price range. If not, what would be a good starting point in this price range that would let me finish the four corners for $200 or so each. All design suggestions are appreciated as I can use the existing speakers elsewhere. Rest of system includes new BluRay, Panasonic Plasma & Xbox360 (why there's not much left!).

First off, welcome, I see this is your first post.

Most people would suggest upgrading the front L/R speakers first. But for HT use I suppose there'd be no harm in starting with the CC.
You do have Audyssey room correction in your 790 so that will eleviate some of the concerns of timber matching. But it's still a good idea to stay in the same family so to speak. There's a ton of threads here requesting advice on "what's the best speakers I can get for X dollars". Figure out your budget and have a read on a few of those in your price range it'll give you a good idea where to start looking.

I must warn you that spending time on these forums can lead to spending money, it's addictive...
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post #3 of 6
12/6/09 at 8:46am
please also consider getting the front L & R speakers out of the "corners", move them in a little closer to the TV (check the Dolby Labs layout suggestions http://www.dolby.com/consumer/setup/...ide/index.html ).

Since you already have L & R speakers, even though they will be replaced later, first decide on which front three speakers you will eventually install. Buy the center for that series and then budget for the L & R from the same series. Be careful of discontinued models, even though the pricing is quite attractive. Finding the matching speakers later can be quite difficult if they are sold out and there is no further stock available.
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post #4 of 6
12/6/09 at 8:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by m_vanmeter View Post

please also consider getting the front L & R speakers out of the "corners", move them in a little closer to the TV (check the Dolby Labs layout suggestions http://www.dolby.com/consumer/setup/...ide/index.html ).

Since you already have L & R speakers, even though they will be replaced later, first decide on which front three speakers you will eventually install. Buy the center for that series and then budget for the L & R from the same series. Be careful of discontinued models, even though the pricing is quite attractive. Finding the matching speakers later can be quite difficult if they are sold out and there is no further stock available.

Yes, good catch, corner placement is not optimal.
The other option is the used market, you can get more bang for your buck that way. It requires a bit of patience and some buyer beware caution but there's a LOT of people in this hobby with the constant upgrade bug that sell near new stuff at half price or less.
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post #5 of 6
12/6/09 at 12:38pm
For no money at all, you can eliminate the center channel, move the fronts in towards either side of the screen, and go with a phantom center channel. Later you should buy 3 speakers that are a set of left/center/right. The center channel match is just as important as left and right. The Minimus 7 can stay as surrounds, and even rear surrounds.
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post #6 of 6
12/7/09 at 12:18pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you for all your replies. The 3 speaker upgrade is the kind of direction I need. The Dolby site explained a lot. I have the speakers hanging about 8 feet up and have wired them though the outside of the house so the placement (getting closer to the sides of the screen) can be improved but not to ear level as the Dolby site recommends. Space is limited by six foot tall windows on both sides so my left & right speaker size will need to be about 14" tall maximum and will still end up about 30" above the screen. There is no size restriction for the center. I'm not sure how this affects my options.

I know sound is subjective but with these restrictions can anyone recommend a three speaker solution that is in the 600.00 range or the manufacturers to consider at this price point?
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