2. speakers
  3. 149927-120733

Center Channel Speaker Suggestion for HT

Hi,I am in the market for a Center Channel Speaker. Here is my current setup:
Marantz AV7702 Preamp, Monolith 7X200W Amp, Front Speakers - B&W CM10, Surround, CM5.

Room size is 20 X 12 and looking to upgrade center channel. Mostly I watch movies and music videos.

Suggestion for a matching Center channel for this setup would be appreciated.

Question - Does the center channel have to be B&W or can I go with something else? I am not necessarily looking for new speakers.

Question - Can I try a full range speaker for Center Channel - laying it flat?

Thanks for your suggestions in advance.


128x128terrancej
ricred1
1,983 posts
 
For what it's worth here's my experience. I have Monitor Audio PL500 II speakers. I wanted to save money and purchased a Monitor Audio Gold C150 center channel speaker. It stuck out like a sore thumb and I sold it. It was too small and once again to save money I purchased a Monitor Audio Gold C350 center channel. It was bigger and better, but it still bothered me, so I decided to get the matching Monitor Audio Platinum PLC350 center channel. It blends so well and totally disappears with the speakers. My point is I would purchase the center channel that matches your speakers.
soix
8,769 posts
 
Room size is 20 X 12 and looking to upgrade center channel. Mostly I watch movies and music videos.
What center channel are you using now?  That would be most helpful. 

Suggestion for a matching Center channel for this setup would be appreciated.
The CM Centre 2 would be an easy recommendation, but I'd consider doing an HTM2 like this...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/223583770285?ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F7...

Or if you've got the budget and want to go bigger there's the HTM1...
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649537588-bampw-bowers-and-wilkins-nautilus-htm1-center-channel-...

Question - Does the center channel have to be B&W or can I go with something else? I am not necessarily looking for new speakers.
No.  But B&W makes some good centers, so for maximizing the chances of making a good sonic match with your CM10s I'd stick with the same brand. 

Question - Can I try a full range speaker for Center Channel - laying it flat?
No.  A full-range speaker will be designed to sound best in a vertical position, so placing it on its side would likely be a sonic (and visual) mess. 


lucidear
88 posts
 
As ricred1's experience illustrates, not only the same brand but the same Series within a brand to keep Sonic uniformity...
Unless the company uses the same drivers etc., throughout their different series, then perhaps mixing & matching would work.

terrancej's avatar
terrancej OP
25 posts
 
Thanks for your responses. It totally makes sense to keep the same brand (B&W) to maintain the sonic uniformity.

Any thoughts on what is the matching center speaker for CM10?
Previously, I had B&W HTM62 (just sold it), which was not matching the sound coming out of the Fronts.

Thanks again for the suggestions
soix
8,769 posts
 
Yeah, the HTM62 is from the 600 series (a step below your CM speakers) so not surprised you found it lacking.  Technically the matching center for your speaker is the CM Centre 2 I mentioned above, but I'd go for the HTM 2 or even better the HTM 1 (if you have the budget).  They're from the Nautilus series, so are a step above your CMs but should still match well as they have similar drivers. 
More to discover