2. speakers
  3. 138881-1839

Center channel speaker recommendations

A post by geek101 spawns this post concerning center channel 3.1 vs 2.1 systems. My wife and I always have problems with hearing and understanding dialogue while watching movies. Granted I’m 69 so hearing deterioration is a factor but I get the complaint from those much younger than myself. I’d like to get recommendations for a center channel speaker, preferably self powered to be used for movie viewing only. 

My current setup is an Oppo 205 using its preamp going into a pair of Kef LS50W’s. Due to an anticipated move I’ve stored my main system of Magnepan 20.1 speakers driven by a Bryston 14b sst2 amp. This will be my main system when we move. We watch a movie maybe twice a month so I’d like to keep cost low, somewhere below $1,000. 

Thanks in advance for recommendations.

mitchchavis

Showing 2 responses by auxinput

auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Go to ebay and search for "KEF LS50 Single". This will give you a few "single" LS50 speakers, a couple in white and one in black. Ranging from $535 to $641 shipped.

----
For amplifier, you can get a brand new Emotiva PA-1 Balanced Class D monoblock for $299. (150 watts into 8 ohms, 300 watts into 4 ohm). The KEF speakers drop down to 4 ohm around the 200hz area, so this amp might be a little weak in the midbass area. I’m sure there are much better amps (higher current), but this was the cheapest monoblock I could find at short notice.

----
Actually, there’s a guy on ebay selling three Emotiva UPA-1 (200 watt) monoblocks for $850. These would do much better than the PA-1 Class D. You might reach out to him and ask if he would sell one of them for something like $250 plus shipping. He might say yes, as it is harder to sell "three" amps than it is to sell "a pair".
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Hi soix, sorry to keep disagreeing with you.  ugh, sorry.
--
I heard the audioengine monitors at RMAF and actually was not impressed at all.  They really sounded like low cost computer speakers and I think you could do so much better.  This is nowhere near the sound quality of the LS50.

---
The Adam monitors could be an interesting choice, but the ribbon tweeter is definitely going to have a different sonic signature than the KEFs.  If we are looking at powered monitors for cheap, I would actually get a normal old Yamaha HS5 single (you can get them for $199).  In my opinion, the Yamaha are most natural and pleasing of the monitors.  They will not be an exact match with the LS50, but they will be a lot closer than either the audioengine or adam monitors.
---
The R200C center is a great suggestion, however. lol
More to discover