Center speaker for KEF iq30

For tonal match, stay with KEF. If you can, use a single IQ30 for the center. This would be best.

You want the center to have the same tonal qualities as your left and right speakers. That being said the iQ60c is your best bet for a matching center. Since they are currently almost impossible to find, you second choice should be either a Q600c or Q200c. The reason being that they both have a Uni-Q driver array that best matches the iQ30.

The KEF C6LCR speaker is the best match for those speakers; $269 at KEF Direct.

The iQ60 is hard to find because it sucks. KEF has basically dumped it.

Smaller drivers are better for a center speaker; it should NOT operate below 120 Hz. Anything lower from the center speaker just mucks up the sound, and larger drivers are problematical from a clarity standpoint in my experience.

Another excellent one that should work well is the Cambridge S50, which is $200.

I have seen at least 3 cases where the Cambridge S50 has been used with other brands of speakers and works great.
Edited by commsysman - 12/4/12 at 7:18am

As has been said before, repeating this many, many times does not make it any truer

Even if you laid it on it's side? I have 3 iQ3 for my front with the middle one on its side.

This is not only MY opinion, but the concensus of several audio professionals I know that install home theater systems for a living. They, and I, KNOW what produces the best midrange clarity in a system from extensive installation and troubleshooting experience. Since you don't seem to know, maybe your opinion could be improved if you get more experience?

You are entitled to any opinion; just don't waste time contradicting those more experienced than yourself.

How come KEF recommends the Q200c instead of the C6LCR? Wouldn't they be more experienced than you guys?

Also, if the center speaker should not go below 120hz, why aren't we recommending little satellite speakers for a center?
Edited by afrogt - 12/4/12 at 7:40am

If this was true it would also be true for midrange from left and right mains and everyone would crossover to subs at 120Hz for all speakers to improve midrange clarity

Or is midrange clarity from mains not important

Here's a thought - have speakers that are able to faithfully reproduce ALL of the sounds that the producers (be it music or movies) intended to be heard from each of the speakers. I am aware of no producers/directors that intended for any channel to only have 120Hz - 4kHz.

Listen to your own words. Everyone on this forum with WAAAAAY more experience than you contradicts this opinion of yours, and yet you choose to keep repeating it.
Edited by rick240 - 12/4/12 at 7:46am

LOL

I would recommend you stay with a KEF speaker that uses the Uni-Q driver like the Q200. The C series do not and consequently have a very different sound.

The iQ30 is a single source speaker so laying it on it's side works acoustically, plus on it's side it's just about the same height as the Q200, NTM cheaper. I've seen/heard a set-up with three iQ30's across the front with the center iQ30 laid on it's side and it looked fine to me, and sounded excellent.
Edited by sdg4vfx - 12/6/12 at 10:35pm