2. home-theater
  3. 1271008914

is a center channel really necessary??

I am currently redesigning the family room and have the option of installing a 5.1 system but have always been a 2 channel kinda guy. I love films and music equally, but assuming a fixed budget, may $4K, I know I could get a killer 2 channel setup but just a mediocre HT. MOst films I like aren't effects type, but I am concerned about hearing dialog clearly.

How much does the center channel matter?? Won't a set of good monitors image well enough to handle the dialog??
tswei99

Showing 1 response by ryanmartinson

ryanmartinson
34 posts
 
I had a 5.1 system and went back to 2.1 because I wanted to use my surrounds in a desktop setup. So I sold my center channel.

While I liked the 5.1, I really don't miss it at all. Voices are centered and perfectly intelligible. Sure, the cool effect of sound coming from behind me is gone, but really it was more of a novelty...the real impact of movies comes from the fronts and sub.

I think the commonly recited theory that a center channel is the most important speaker in a HT system is completely false.

I use a Marantz AVR to decode into 2.1 though, so I can't say how it would sound with a regular integrated.

Ryan
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