Quote:
Originally Posted by alphaiii 
The dealer is making a blanket statement that might not be correct.
Without hearing the B6 and C5... I can't speak for how each one handles dialogue clarity... Some companies do design in a bit of a peak in the 1kHz-5kHz region to boost vocal clarity by boosting level in that frequency range... (measurements of the NHT Absolute Center comes to mind when comparing to measurements of the NHT Absolute Zero monitor... there is a peak from 1kHz-3kHz with the Center, but the Zero's are ruler flat).
BUT... generally, a horizontal center is a design compromise to provide easier placement above or below a TV. Yes, the dual woofer design can provide better dynamics...
But as you know from the audioholics article... the horizontal MTM design also greatly compromises off axis performance.
I read a review of the Image series where measurements were done and the reviewer commented that the C5 didn't show any lobing until about 30 degrees off-axis, which is pretty good for this type of design, and shows that Paul Barton knows how to design xovers.
All of that said... many, including myself, are fans of a perfectly matched vertically placed front 3.
I had 3 ACI Emerald XL's in my bedroom setup one, and that was the best system I had in there for a few reasons, one of them being how seemless the front stage was. And vocal clarity was excellent, but this is due to the speaker as well as placement/setup.
If the C5 were a 3-way design that offered advantages over the B6, I'd be more inclined to say go that route... as I did with the Energy RC-LCR in my living room to go with RC-10 L/R. Of course, space dictated a horizontal center anyway... but in this case the RC-LCR, IMO, offers a performance advantage due to a very good design.
Given that you seem to have room for a B6... AND I'M ASSUMING YOU WOULD PLACE IT VERTICALLY...I see no reason not to go that route.
The dealer is making a blanket statement that might not be correct.
Without hearing the B6 and C5... I can't speak for how each one handles dialogue clarity... Some companies do design in a bit of a peak in the 1kHz-5kHz region to boost vocal clarity by boosting level in that frequency range... (measurements of the NHT Absolute Center comes to mind when comparing to measurements of the NHT Absolute Zero monitor... there is a peak from 1kHz-3kHz with the Center, but the Zero's are ruler flat).
BUT... generally, a horizontal center is a design compromise to provide easier placement above or below a TV. Yes, the dual woofer design can provide better dynamics...
But as you know from the audioholics article... the horizontal MTM design also greatly compromises off axis performance.
I read a review of the Image series where measurements were done and the reviewer commented that the C5 didn't show any lobing until about 30 degrees off-axis, which is pretty good for this type of design, and shows that Paul Barton knows how to design xovers.
All of that said... many, including myself, are fans of a perfectly matched vertically placed front 3.
I had 3 ACI Emerald XL's in my bedroom setup one, and that was the best system I had in there for a few reasons, one of them being how seemless the front stage was. And vocal clarity was excellent, but this is due to the speaker as well as placement/setup.
If the C5 were a 3-way design that offered advantages over the B6, I'd be more inclined to say go that route... as I did with the Energy RC-LCR in my living room to go with RC-10 L/R. Of course, space dictated a horizontal center anyway... but in this case the RC-LCR, IMO, offers a performance advantage due to a very good design.
Given that you seem to have room for a B6... AND I'M ASSUMING YOU WOULD PLACE IT VERTICALLY...I see no reason not to go that route.
alphaiii: Thank you for really good explanation on center channel designs. Can we conclude this from best to worst...??
Option 1) Three identical fronts
Option 2) W(T/M)W Horizontal placement
Option 3) MTM Vertical placement
Option 4) MTM Horizontal placement
And should this be applied across the board for most average (value) to decent (not really high end) brands?
It is a bit trickier with detailed and laidback but along the same line.... too much details will wear you out quickly, even in expensive system. That's psychnology.
