[sunnytheseal]

I'd like a recommendation for a center speaker for my new Pioneer 1018AH-K receiver. I currently have 4 Studio Lab speakers which are about 10 years old (still sound good to me), but am missing the centre channel speaker and subwoofer.


My setup includes a 40inch Samsung, PS3, and HD Cable box.


I would like to spend $200 or less for both pieces, I understand the quality won't be amazing for that price, but I've already spent too much, lol.

 

[Varrius]

$200 for a center AND sub? Good luck with that. I'm not sure you will even be able to find that, quality aside. IMO, your challenge isn't finding something that's decent for your budget, it's finding something at all.


I would recommend focusing on one or the other right now, and add the other as budget allows. You'll do better going for a center at that price range, try shooting for 300-400 for a good sub.

 

[sunnytheseal]

Thanks. I'll try and find an affordable center first.

 

[Varrius]

I may have been a little hasty, and harsh, with my response. You could consider the used market, and possibly get something functional within that budget.


Enjoying the full 5.1 is VERY nice for movie watching. I don't mean to steer you away from that. It would be difficult for me to decide which to give up between my center and sub, so I couldn't recommend which to look for first.


You probably could find both within your price range, although I don't personally know of any brands that would. I recently bought one of the cheapest subs I could find at the local B&M's, and I dropped $200 on it. It isn't great, but it gets the job done for what I was looking for in that particular room. So, I guess it really wasn't too fair of me to say you have to spend more. I was just trying to keep you away from buying the cheapest garbage you could find just to achieve 5.1. But, all that really matters is what your system sounds like to you. If you can find the center and sub in your price range, and it sounds good to you, then go for it.

 

[sunnytheseal]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Varrius /forum/post/15465905


I may have been a little hasty, and harsh, with my response. You could consider the used market, and possibly get something functional within that budget.


Enjoying the full 5.1 is VERY nice for movie watching. I don't mean to steer you away from that. It would be difficult for me to decide which to give up between my center and sub, so I couldn't recommend which to look for first.


You probably could find both within your price range, although I don't personally know of any brands that would. I recently bought one of the cheapest subs I could find at the local B&M's, and I dropped $200 on it. It isn't great, but it gets the job done for what I was looking for in that particular room. So, I guess it really wasn't too fair of me to say you have to spend more. I was just trying to keep you away from buying the cheapest garbage you could find just to achieve 5.1. But, all that really matters is what your system sounds like to you. If you can find the center and sub in your price range, and it sounds good to you, then go for it.

No worries. I was concerned with which speaker should be a priority between a center and sub. I really need the sub, but at the same time, while browsing this sight, it seems that the center speaker is probably the most important one in a 5.1 setup.


I'm a bit skeptical on buying used though. If I can find a reputable seller, I'll consider it. Thanks again for the input.

 

[Varrius]



Quote:
Originally Posted by sunnytheseal /forum/post/15466797


I was concerned with which speaker should be a priority between a center and sub.

That's a tough choice for sure. Most of what you'll hear in a movie comes from the center channel, and most importantly almost all of the dialogue does. It is certainly an important speaker. That said, some AVR's will have a phantom center mode that allows your two fronts to act as a center, and that could produce moderately decent results. Alternatively, there is no way to produce what a sub puts out without having the sub.


Personally, I would really miss not having a sub when watching movies. I would recommend trying a phantom center situation if your AVR will do it, and if the dialogue comes out fine, go for the sub first. If you can't do that with your AVR or you don't like how it sounds, then go for the center first.


It may be, that if you don't have a center you'd have to go 2.1, and thus not be able to use your surrounds either. If that's the case the center probably makes the most sense to get first.