how do you select a center channel to match when the company only makes monitor speakers?


I have a pair of harbeth supper plus speakers and  I want to build a 7.1 system around them how do I choice a center channel s-speaker to try to match them when the company doesnt make one?
bigblockchevy1

Showing 1 response by tls49


I definitely would NOT use another brand of center speaker. At best the overall sound from the front would be mediocre or it may even ruin the sound from the Harbeths. Take a look at this article,

http://www.soundandvision.com/content/matching-front-and-surround-speakers

And a mismatch between front L&R and center is more degrading than front and rear.

An absolute perfect matching center speaker would be a single Harbeth Super Plus, or any other Harbeth should be good. As suggested, try to find a single Harbeth. If this is not possible, here are some other options using 6 speakers.

3 front (L/C/R) and 3 rear (L/C/R)

3 front (L/C/R), 2 sides, and 1 rear

2 front (phantom center), 2 sides, and 2 rear

Phantom center can work well, but only when listening positions are on the center axis or fairly close. Extreme off axis listening positions from the center will not be good.