Does a center channel have to match the front spke

To answer ur question, NO! The center channel does not have to match. But, I highly recommend it.Your C1s have the ESOTAR SQUARE tweeter...not the esotec. In the Dynaudio line, u have two options: Contour SCX center, or the Confidence center. They both have the ESOTAR SQUARE tweeter. The Contour will be about half the price. And there are deals to be had right here on Audiogon. I find that matching the center for HT has a certain degree continuity in sound quality. Same tonality if u will.I have the C2s and a Contour SCX center. This combination works fine. However, I wish that I would have waited a little bit longer to get the Confidence center. I'm still considering the upgrade. I guess that it all depends on how well u want ur HT presentation to sound. I've heard other systems that mixed mains with different brand centers. To me, it's noticeable! And that is distraction for me. Others are not as discerning. I've always felt that the equipment facilitates the goal of the director..."to suspend your disbelief" while watching a film. I really enjoy watching film...and to listen to a soundtrack that gives u goosebumps while watching, can be very rewarding. But, then again, this is coming from a guy who has enjoyed film all of his life. I hate using the word "serious," but I guess it all depends on how serious u are about viewing movies.

All good answers. I agree with both points of view on this subject. That's only because of all of the variables involved, content,equipment,room and so on and so on. A mix of speakers can work well, my father in-law has a mix all the way around and it's all entry level stuff and actually sounds pretty good. I've also heard many systems that are mixed that are awful. But for me I will always use matched speakers, it sounds more balanced and even across the whole sound field, not just the front sound stage. Go out and demo and see what you can come up with.

Thanks for all the help. All excellent points.

I just got a pair of the new Sony AR1s. They don't make a matching center channel (and apparently have no plans to do so), so I am currently using a Dali mentor vokal center channel which I plan on upgrading (to possibly a dynaudio confidence center). Truth be told, I am currently using a different amplifier and speaker cable to my center channel as my Sonys. Most of my music listening is in 2 channel and I don't do a lot of critical multichannel listening, but I do listen to 5.1 for concert DVDs, and I would say that while not a perfect match, the center channel did not detract at all from my listening enjoyment. For movies, the mismatch doesn't bother me at all.

In the perfect world, all speakers should be exactly the same. This is rarely practical, so usually the surrounds are different and very often the center as well.

I would get a center that is designed to match your fronts... yes, you can get close with a different brand (you can also go very wrong with a different brand...). I used to use a Linn center with my Thiel fronts and thought it sounded good. That was until I got a matching Thiel center and only after that did I realize how much I had given up by not matching my fronts...