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When is a mismatched center OK?

Hi all, 

I'm going to go listen to some speakers in the next 30 days and need your advice.  My goal is to improve my 2 channel experience but I have to be cognizant of HT also.... and my primary problem is as follows:  For many of the speakers I like the center channel is freaking huge.  (Looking at you Paradigm Persona!)  I don't have room for the standalone style center.  I could reconfigure my rack if needed but like the way mine sits today.   I could shop down market a bit where the centers are more reasonably sized (Founders instead of Persona,) and likely still be pretty happy.  

I recognize that ideally you don't want a mismatch, but.....What I'm wondering is if you stay within the same family (Example:  Focal Sopra 2 with Aria center) , would your timbre match be solid enough to get by or would you create a potentially glaring mismatch?  

Any first hand examples appreciated.  

Thanks, 

Eric 


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Showing 2 responses by millercarbon

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Actually the only reason is because the HT industry has decreed this is what they need to sell more stuff. HT is based on turning your home into a theater. This makes sense only if you have rows of seats to fill, or you watch movies from way off center. Which is kinda bad, no matter what video source they all look best straight on. Just like all audio sounds best from one sweet spot. Which if you are there then there is no need whatsoever for a center channel at all.

Other than like I said, they need to sell more stuff.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
There are two reasons to have a center channel: 1) you enjoy funneling your money into someone else's pockets, and 2) you watch movies sitting way off to the side.

Which one is it for you?
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