Do I need a center channel?


Hello all. I wanted to ask this question again, a little differently.

I listen to 80% 2 channel / 20% HT. I have a very solid center image off my two channel. When I watch HT I'm generally alone and sitting right in the sweet spot. Will I gain anything by adding a center? I would just like to know if a well integrated 3.0 system will preform better than 2.0 system for a solo user?
michaelkingdom

Showing 1 response by bhobba

No.

Forget it.

I use 2 channel HT and to be blunt think the rear channels are simply gimmicky. A good stereo setup images more than well enough to make the center channel redundant. It saves you money overall and by getting better 2ch components sounds better to me as well. For example listening to HT I use a NAD M51 DAC and have yet to find any HT processor/receiver to touch it sound quality wise. And I have other DAC's without the connectivity of the NAD that is better again.

I checked out a supposedly good HT receiver, an Anthem, and to be blunt its SQ was ordinary, very ordinary indeed. High quality 2ch is the way to go.

Thanks
Bill