In my experience, the center channel is more important than side or rear channels.
The Center channel (or dialogue) carries the voices of the actors and when set up properly, matches the action and position in the room the actors occupy (when dialogue is above or below TV, aimed at you).
I have on occasion, watched a movie with dialogue only and given the choice of dialogue only or all other channels (without), I would choose dialogue only.
For my movies I employ my stereo systems large front channels, plus dialogue and sides to make the most of the movie. But I find the story line of the movie is in the speech and with most decoders, that level can be changed to match your existing speakers. This allows changing dialogue output from movie to movie, keeping special effects from overwhelming the story line and plot.
As for cost, you can likely find a decent center channel speaker here at Audiogon and if you can assign the amplifiers you currently have, I suggest disconnecting both rear channels and using one of those to power your used dialogue channel as an experiment.
If you don't agree the addition is worth the effort, sell the dialogue speaker and continue as you have. If disconnecting rear channels is not a loss in your system, you are good to go as is. If you require all the above, search for an inexpensive amp for center and go for it.
For me, I recently bought a multi function receiver to do this job. I have all tube amps and big speakers for front, but using the Vandersteen dialogue and B&W in wall for sides. I experimented with everything from small transistor gear to all tube system and have decided that the current crop of receivers are adequate for dialogue and rear, greatly simplifying my system.
These HT processor-amplifiers are very inexpensive, less than a grand for the best ones and many offer video processing, AM-FM tuners and the latest movie sound processors in one small package.
Mine has over 100 watts per channel and is very effective, especially since the power supply is only having to operate three of the five channels. Still a bargain for the less than $575.00 I paid.
The Center channel (or dialogue) carries the voices of the actors and when set up properly, matches the action and position in the room the actors occupy (when dialogue is above or below TV, aimed at you).
I have on occasion, watched a movie with dialogue only and given the choice of dialogue only or all other channels (without), I would choose dialogue only.
For my movies I employ my stereo systems large front channels, plus dialogue and sides to make the most of the movie. But I find the story line of the movie is in the speech and with most decoders, that level can be changed to match your existing speakers. This allows changing dialogue output from movie to movie, keeping special effects from overwhelming the story line and plot.
As for cost, you can likely find a decent center channel speaker here at Audiogon and if you can assign the amplifiers you currently have, I suggest disconnecting both rear channels and using one of those to power your used dialogue channel as an experiment.
If you don't agree the addition is worth the effort, sell the dialogue speaker and continue as you have. If disconnecting rear channels is not a loss in your system, you are good to go as is. If you require all the above, search for an inexpensive amp for center and go for it.
For me, I recently bought a multi function receiver to do this job. I have all tube amps and big speakers for front, but using the Vandersteen dialogue and B&W in wall for sides. I experimented with everything from small transistor gear to all tube system and have decided that the current crop of receivers are adequate for dialogue and rear, greatly simplifying my system.
These HT processor-amplifiers are very inexpensive, less than a grand for the best ones and many offer video processing, AM-FM tuners and the latest movie sound processors in one small package.
Mine has over 100 watts per channel and is very effective, especially since the power supply is only having to operate three of the five channels. Still a bargain for the less than $575.00 I paid.