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Center channel speaker recommendations

A post by geek101 spawns this post concerning center channel 3.1 vs 2.1 systems. My wife and I always have problems with hearing and understanding dialogue while watching movies. Granted I’m 69 so hearing deterioration is a factor but I get the complaint from those much younger than myself. I’d like to get recommendations for a center channel speaker, preferably self powered to be used for movie viewing only. 

My current setup is an Oppo 205 using its preamp going into a pair of Kef LS50W’s. Due to an anticipated move I’ve stored my main system of Magnepan 20.1 speakers driven by a Bryston 14b sst2 amp. This will be my main system when we move. We watch a movie maybe twice a month so I’d like to keep cost low, somewhere below $1,000. 

Thanks in advance for recommendations.

mitchchavis
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Hi soix, sorry to keep disagreeing with you.  ugh, sorry.
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I heard the audioengine monitors at RMAF and actually was not impressed at all.  They really sounded like low cost computer speakers and I think you could do so much better.  This is nowhere near the sound quality of the LS50.

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The Adam monitors could be an interesting choice, but the ribbon tweeter is definitely going to have a different sonic signature than the KEFs.  If we are looking at powered monitors for cheap, I would actually get a normal old Yamaha HS5 single (you can get them for $199).  In my opinion, the Yamaha are most natural and pleasing of the monitors.  They will not be an exact match with the LS50, but they will be a lot closer than either the audioengine or adam monitors.
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The R200C center is a great suggestion, however. lol
bstatmeister
534 posts
 
The Emotiva C2 is supposed to be one hell of a center channel for the money based on what I've researched, Check it out:

https://emotiva.com/collections/loudspeakers/products/airmotiv-c2
mitchchavis OP
86 posts
 
Thanks for the recommendations. I thought I had the issue resolved when I had a local deal for a Kef R600c speaker but the seller damaged the speaker getting it out of storage. 
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