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4.1 HT?

Last night I tried an experiment by setting center channel to none in the Proceed PAV setup. My rationale was that the KEF 104.2 LR speakers provide excellent stereo imaging with a solid centered image when appropriate, and they use dome tweeters, whereas the KEF 200C uses a Uni-Q tweeter. Finally, the 104.2s are just much better speakers than the 200C. I think I prefer the sound without the center channel. I played the Opus Arte Blu-ray opera & ballet sampler, and definitely preferred the sound without the 200C; I played Robin Hood, and at least imagined the dialog is clearer; I played an HD-DVR recording of the Charlie Rose program, and could tell little or no difference. I'll live with 4.1 for a few days before deciding.

db
dbphd

Showing 3 responses by dbphd

dbphd OP
1,633 posts
 
Perhaps that there are just two of us, sitting 8.5' from either main and 7.5' from the center, is the reason it's so hard to tell whether or not the center channel is active, except for a slight coloration. I certainly don't think a KEF 200C is junk, but it's not a Reference 104.2 either. As a lark, I've thought of trying one or both of my AR3a speakers in the center, because they do have dome tweeters. It's been so many decades since I heard them that I can't remember how they sound. Unfortunately, a 104.2 in the center, as Kal suggests, would impinge on viewing the bottom quarter of the screen.

db
dbphd OP
1,633 posts
 
The 104.2s are floor standers, each with 5 drivers, 2 woofers, two mids and tweeter located in a separate cavity in an Appolito arrangement. The 200C is a fairly large horizontal center speaker with 3 drivers, the center of which is a coaxial tweeter KEF calls Uni-Q. We sit at an apex of what is essentially an equalateral triangle formed with the 104.2s. Projection is to a 100" screen.

I've listend to Blu-rays and HDTV in 4.1 for a couple of days now. The sound of voices appear to come from the speakers on the screen, even closer than with the center channel. The real convincer was the click when the cards are dropped on the table Casino Royale: the sound seemed to come from the image of the cards. I've listened to a variety of program materials, including those that are mostly talking, Broadway Empire, Magic Flute, a Rolling Stones concert, and so forth. I think any listener, even Kal, would be hard pressed to tell whether the center channel was active or not, but I think the sound is a bit cleaner. It is true that I can't boost the center level, but I rarely do that and have not so far experienced any feeling of need in 4.1.

db
dbphd OP
1,633 posts
 
I've replaced the KEF 200C with a pair of KEF Reference 102s that have a tweeter that matches that of the KEF Reference 104.2s. Despite warnings about mutual interference with two center speakers, I've tried both single and twin 102s, and think the twin arrangement better matches the 104.2s. I perceive the 3.1 soundstage as seamless, HF clean, and centered images firmly established. I've listened to a wide variety of DSD surround, Blu-ray films, and TV. I've been impressed with this arrangement. I bought another pair of 102s that I plan to install as surrounds to replace the Uni-Q 102.2s.

I've moved the Proceed PAV/PDSD to the living room system, and installed a Cary Cinema 11a in the media room; thus the DSD surround via HDMI.

db
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