Is it true that 80% of all audio we hear in an audio system (AVR) comes from the center channel...

Yes and no. Most of the information comes from there, as it's the main source of dialog, so accuracy is a must. But that which comes from the L/R and sub when they do kick in requires much more power, so the center doesn't have to be any where near as capable of what the L/R and subs are, nor does it need to go nearly as low as the L/R. .

For movies, this would be fairly accurate, but for music it is not true at all. That is only by default though, you can manually adjust your own settings and have anywhere from 0%-100% of sound come from the center channel for any situation.

Please explain how to do this.

For recorded multi-channel music, like the Eagles Hell Freezes over DVD in DTS, the center channel carries much of the weight. The vocals, bass guitar, bass drum, and snare drum all come out of the center channel which the left and right channels cover the guitars, and other instruments (guitars etc). With this recording, a capable center channel is essential.

Most receivers have settings called "C. Image" and "C. Width" that will adjust the amount of sound going to the center channel. They are not avaible in every surround mode (C. Width is definitely available using Dolby Music), but you can always force the receiver into any surround mode you want and therefore use these settings any time you want. With C. Width set to 0, 100% of sound for the front speakers will be sent to the center channel, nothing will come out of the front speakers; with C. Width set to 7, 100% of the sound for the center channel will be sent to the front speakers and no sound will come from the center speaker. C. Image works similarly, I think it goes from 0-10.

80% of the sound from the center!? Depends on what setting you are using from your DVR...I prefer to let my L/R do more of the work...

You do know what we here in the LFE channel on our systems is re directed bass right? I've seen charts where there is information as low as 20hz in the center channel. But some of us cross our speakers as small with an 80hz cross over anyway. As your suppose to.

Technically, all speakers should be equally capable.

There's more than you think coming from the center. Try it

For films or concert blu-rays, just turn temporarily set your AVR to not use surround speakers, and then disconnect the front-left and front-right speakers, so that you're only getting the center. You can also disable the sub if you want and set the front three to Large. Don't play to loud, as low bass content will be directed to your center and it may not be able  to probably can't handle it.

 

So now you're hearing just the center channel of the sound track. 

 

Play your content. What do you hear from the center? 

 

I did it on Casino Royale, the initial scene in Africa with the mongoose / snake pit and the ensuing chase scene. I heard explosions and gun shots... not just dialog. I believe there was music, too, but I think it was muted versus the other front speakers. 

 

On other films, I had a lot of music in the center.