2. speakers
  3. 182912-167033

B&W Nautilus 804 - center speaker - SACD 5.1 and Hometheater

I want to 'upgrade' my center speaker for large living room system with Nautilus 804 front main, 18" Dayton sub driven by ED LT1300 and (for now) AR rear (have Infinity RS225, Reference 2, Dayton on hand to try). 

Centers are AR CS25HO, recently (lower profile, to put under TV) replaced with Polk Monitor XT35 and Signature S35 (nice low profile, fit under TV). But now giving into the need to raise the TV to allow use of a BETTER center speaker (SACD made the need for a good center speaker clear to me). 

Price is ALWAYS a concern (and used is certainly considered) and I would like to stay under $300. 

Would a CC6 be an upgrade and good match? LCR6? LCR600? HTM62?

The "Nautilus" line of centers appear cost prohibitive, even used (and very bulky, with stupid tweeter on top, but may have to accept bulky disadvantage to some extend, just not putting a 15" high center under the TV).

There is a Center 2 (but already over $300, not sure how high it will sell) on auction right now. 

I have not looked into other brand yet, but may find better bang for buck outside B&W, and not sure anymore how important 'sound matching' is; in the past tried to use center that uses same tweeter/mid range drivers as front main speakers. 

 

 

 

 

kraftwerkturbo

Showing 3 responses by soix

soix
8,833 posts
 

I would not use the CC6 as it’s not in the same performance league. If you can stretch a bit, which you should as the center speaker is critical for good HT performance, here’s a nice HTM61 that’d be a much better fit.
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649949818-bampw-htm61-s2/

If you’d rather not buy used I think this SVS center is excellent and would likely blend well with your speakers. They offer a 45-day, risk-free trial with free shipping both ways.
https://www.svsound.com/products/prime-center

Hope this helps, and best of luck.

soix
8,833 posts
 

I think the S2 is much better. Note the dedicated mid driver in the S2 is the similar yellow Kevlar driver as in your speakers, the tweeter is probably better and more refined, and the woofers will be less of an issue in terms of matching to your speakers than the all-important midrange driver (and the better tweeter). Also, note that in the S2 the tweeter is mounted directly above the midrange, which helps avoid the lobing that can change tonality for people sitting off center in an MTM design where only the tweeter is in the center between the mids. The S2 I mentioned is in great shape and basically the same price as the S1 you’ve found, and to me it’s a no brainer. Just my $0.02 FWIW.

soix
8,833 posts
 

Great.  Please let us know how it works out if you could.  Make sure you let the SVS burn in before making judgements, and maybe ask them how much time they recommend.  It’s nice they give you a generous 45-day trial period.  I think you’re gonna be a very happy camper one way or the other.  

More to discover