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Looking for center speaker upgrade recommendation

2245 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by pclivingood, Jun 19, 2021

pclivingood

Discussion Starter · May 31, 2021

I have a 5.1 speaker setup in my smallish living room and it is almost entirely used for watching movies/TV. Most of the speakers are ~20 years old, and I am especially interested in finding an upgrade that will improve how well we could understand dialog. My wife and daughter have especially commented/complained about that (not sure how much of that is the speakers, and how much is just comparing the experience to headphones?) The setup is a bit eclectic, and is just a bare step above budget equipment in most cases.

My speakers are composed of:

Wharfedale Modus Music Center Channel speaker. Purchased 2000. Specs.
Four satellite Klipsch Quintet 2.0 Speakers. Models QUIN2B-00122136, 100 watt, 8 ohm. Purchased 2000. Specs (only look at satellite).
JBL Northridge E150P Powered Subwoofer. Acquired 2006. Specs.
Onkyo TX-NR676 7.2 Channel Network A/V Receiver. Bought 2019.

It is hard to tell whether lower-cost speakers now would perform better than the center and satellites from 21 years ago (these forums are full of posts espousing the latest-tech as well as they-don't-build-them-like-they-used-to posts, which might not even apply to speakers from 2000)!

Either way, I am interested in recommendations for upgrade paths. What would you recommend if I just wanted to buy a center speaker to improve the dialog, something to go with the Klipsch satellites I already have? I expect one issue some of you might note is finding something to match the audio qualities of the satellites, so what would you recommend if I wanted to replace the 5 speakers and keep the subwoofer and receiver? The subwoofer seems more than punchy enough for the space we have. I say that knowing that most deals I have found are for a 5.1 setup.

Probably looking at wanting to spend no more than ~$250 (give or take) if I was just replacing the center speaker. And no more than $500 if I was looking at replacing the five main speakers.

Thanks in advance for any advice you have!

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Deaf-Forever

· #2 · Jun 1, 2021

Did you by chance search "center speaker"?? Im pretty sure your aren't the only person in the last 72 hours that was looking for a center speaker.

Umm, 500 to replace all 5 speakers??

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Zorba922

· #3 · Jun 1, 2021

That Wharfedale center is junk. $250 will get you an Emotiva C1+ which would eat it for lunch.

Airmotiv C1+ Center Channel Loudspeaker

The Airmotiv C1+ is a three-way center channel loudspeaker that delivers a superb listening experience with surround sound music and movies. The Airmotiv C1+ combines exceptional accuracy, amazing precision and detail retrieval, and unsurpassed smoothness - all in one truly great sounding...

emotiva.com

For the remaining 4 speakers, get two pairs of these for $300 shipped and with free return shipping in case you're not pleased:

JBL Stage A120 | Home Audio Loudspeaker System

Designed and engineered in JBL’s world-famous acoustic engineering facility in Northridge, California, the Stage A120 is the 4.5-inch 2-way bookshelf loudspeaker of the JBL Stage Series. The narrow footprint features a 2-way design with patented High-Definition Imaging (HDI™) waveguide geometry...

www.jbl.com

The JBL e150p was my first sub when I first got into this hobby in the early 00s, think I paid about $120 for it. I never stopped regretting it the whole time I owned it, but it was admittedly in a huge open plan living room with cathedral ceilings where it was all but useless. So if you're in a much smaller space it might be tolerable for the time being.

pclivingood said:
I have a 5.1 speaker setup in my smallish living room and it is almost entirely used for watching movies/TV. Most of the speakers are ~20 years old, and I am especially interested in finding an upgrade that will improve how well we could understand dialog. My wife and daughter have especially commented/complained about that (not sure how much of that is the speakers, and how much is just comparing the experience to headphones?) The setup is a bit eclectic, and is just a bare step above budget equipment in most cases.

My speakers are composed of:

Wharfedale Modus Music Center Channel speaker. Purchased 2000. Specs.

Four satellite Klipsch Quintet 2.0 Speakers. Models QUIN2B-00122136, 100 watt, 8 ohm. Purchased 2000. Specs (only look at satellite).

JBL Northridge E150P Powered Subwoofer. Acquired 2006. Specs.

Onkyo TX-NR676 7.2 Channel Network A/V Receiver. Bought 2019.

It is hard to tell whether lower-cost speakers now would perform better than the center and satellites from 21 years ago (these forums are full of posts espousing the latest-tech as well as they-don't-build-them-like-they-used-to posts, which might not even apply to speakers from 2000)!

Either way, I am interested in recommendations for upgrade paths. What would you recommend if I just wanted to buy a center speaker to improve the dialog, something to go with the Klipsch satellites I already have? I expect one issue some of you might note is finding something to match the audio qualities of the satellites, so what would you recommend if I wanted to replace the 5 speakers and keep the subwoofer and receiver? The subwoofer seems more than punchy enough for the space we have. I say that knowing that most deals I have found are for a 5.1 setup.

Probably looking at wanting to spend no more than ~$250 (give or take) if I was just replacing the center speaker. And no more than $500 if I was looking at replacing the five main speakers.

Thanks in advance for any advice you have!

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fishx65

· #4 · Jun 1, 2021

Assuming you've already tried cranking up the center channel level, maybe just slide an inexpensive Klipsch R-52C center channel in there and see how she sounds. The horn should brighten things up quite a bit.

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RayGuy

· #5 · Jun 1, 2021 (Edited)

You wouldn't want to match the qualities of the Klipsch speakers, as that would just leave you in the same position you are already in. You will want to improve on those and, eventually. replace them (at least the front 3) with something better. The go to choices for bang for buck and sound quality are the Emotiva C1+ and the Chane A2.4. Fill out the set when funds allow.

Airmotiv C1+ Center Channel Loudspeaker

Chane A2.4

If funds are extremely tight, look at the Micca OoO, nowhere near the class of the above, but should still be a significant upgrade over your current set-up.

Micca OoO Bookshelf and Center Channel Speaker | Micca Electronics

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pclivingood

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 1, 2021

Super helpful guys, thanks! Looks like the Airmotiv C1+ is the overwhelming recommendation that fits this budget.

Thank you for confirming that just swapping out the center speaker, without necessarily trying to "match" the satellites is a reasonable incremental move.

Looks like I missed the sale on the JBL A10s. Not sure if I am ready to pull the trigger on those too this month, but I will review the boards again to see if there are recommendations for pairs that can be purchased in the $100-200 range.

I have shadowed this board off and on for years. Thank you all for addressing my specific situation.

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Zorba922

· #7 · Jun 1, 2021

pclivingood said:
Looks like I missed the sale on the JBL A10s. Not sure if I am ready to pull the trigger on those too this month, but I will review the boards again to see if there are recommendations for pairs that can be purchased in the $100-200 range.

Keep an eye on the Harman website for sales on the Infinity Reference R152 and R162 bookshelves, about $120/pr and $160/pr respectively IIRC. They pop up maybe 3 times a year. You might be able to subscribe to Harman to get immediate updates, or check sites like slickdeals.net for the latest sales links.

There's really nothing else that comes close to the price-to-performance of those 2 speakers, and the JBL A130 for $180/pr when on sale.

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Monstrosity

· #8 · Jun 1, 2021

fishx65 said:
Assuming you've already tried cranking up the center channel level, maybe just slide an inexpensive Klipsch R-52C center channel in there and see how she sounds. The horn should brighten things up quite a bit.

I have the klipsch rp450-c. I love it but it’s a bit too big. I wanted to place it inside my cabinet which I couldn’t find any cabinet outside of a custom cabinet to fit it in the middle shelf so I bought the rc-62, maybe I am spoiled but I thought it was terrible. It sounds very “boomy” compared to what I was used to. I think it’s because the 4 speaker has its own crossover per pair and also the bass port is on the back instead of the front. I am still looking at going with the Rp-440c as that would fit and it’s essentially the same design just smaller speakers

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wbdzynr

· #9 · Jun 1, 2021

I just replaced my center channel with the Airmotiv C1+. What a HUGE difference - you won't be disappointed! I also upgraded my sub to a BIC America F12. Again, what a difference compared to what I had.

I'm really happy with how things sound now but already know I will want to upgrade my satellites/surrounds at some point. So your post was timely! Good luck!

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pclivingood

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 19, 2021

I have had the C1 for close to two weeks ago. They made an immediate and noticeable difference. Thank you all!

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