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How much to spend for a matching center channel

I recently purchased a pair of Meadowlark Ospreys. They are still breaking in, but I can already hear how great they will be. I hope to someday arrange a quality HT set up, using the Ospreys as fronts, and perhaps acquire some Swifts or Kestrels for rears. Right now, I have the chance to buy one of very few matching Osprey center channels that Meadowlark made before their unfortunate demise. It will cost a litttle more than 2K, almost $500 more than I paid for the mains (half of original list). which is about twice what I was looking to pay, and hadn't expected to spend that until a little further down the road. But I also am working to avoid upgrade-itis since I don't really have the time or the $$$ to justify it, and therefore intend to keep the Ospreys a good long time.

Is having a matched center that ciritical that I should lay out the extra dough for a chance that might not come by again? Or could I do as well for less with a different brand?

TIA.
jeromedny
5 responses Add your response
programmergeek
322 posts
 
I hate to tell you that having the center matched is critical. Sound will tarvel accross the frount 3 speakers alot and if they are voiced differently you will notice. Also a good center is the most important thing in a good HT because 80% of your sound comes from it.

I had a similar situation I had Canton speakers loved them but couldn't get a matching center so I sold them just because of that.
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Not being familiar with the speaker itself I might say buy a second pair of the same fronts and sell the extra speaker and be bucks ahead.--You sound like the kind of guy that wouldn't be happy with less.
brainwater
520 posts
 
The center is absolutely critical , match it or go phanton unless the co has a center specifically designed for the mains that will be a good timbre match. Nothing beats 3 of the same across the front. Its very impt for movies but critical for multichannel music.
theo's avatar
theo
2,681 posts
 
One more chime on the matching center. I went years with an unmatched center and never had the fluid sound as I do now. The whole system IMO must be voice matched to really enjoy multi channel music or movies. You will not be disappointed. That sounds high for a center but it will be worth it in the long run.
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
there are lots that dont match the center because of age or price or size, anyway it is not a must, your ears will tell you if it is ok to use brand X with brand Y ofcourse matched is ideal, but nobody is gonna die if it isnt matched YMMV
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