Center Channel - Help be choose

Shacqspack, I aggree with the above post about tonal matching. I'm always surprised at people who spend thousands of dollars and then don't voice match speakers. If that doesn't matter then why bother even auditioning speakers, they must all sound the same. Seriously, you need to decide what fronts you like the best. That manufacturer will make a center which matches the sound you liked the best. Your current speakers, although not expensive, are good speakers for the money. You may need to lay down alot of $$$ to get a big difference. Another thought, since you may not voice match your center, retain your current center and go for the fronts now. Good luck.....LR

I would agree that its a safe recommendation to use a manufacturer's center channel designed for use in a given line of speakers. From my own experience this approach hasn't always guaranteed great results. I didn't think that my B&W HTM Matrix matched well with my Matrix 802IIIs, but worked very well when using Matrix 805s for the L/R. There was always a big difference as sounds panned across the screen. A while back I had a Paradigm Ref HT system in another for HT, and while I think the Ref cc is a very good center for the money it always sounded sharper (for better speech intelligibillity?) then the 60v2s. In this case I'd say the 60v2s couldn't keep up with the center. Until recently I was using a Thiel MCS1 with my CS7.2s. The MCS1 shared the same clarity, transparency and tone, but the MCS1 always sounded more laid back and less punchy then the CS7.2s on bombastic scenes. I currently use an Aerial CC3B center with my Thiels. It is slightly darker tonally, but blends in very well and never calls attention to itself. It is a much better center channel then the MCS1 in that it has a lottt! more punch and jump factor, and reproduces the human voice quite accurately.

Hey Ed--nice name! I sell both B&W and Paradigm in a specialty store. I would consider the CDM9 and the CDM Center to replace your studios. Having listened to both combinations in the same system (B&K AVR307), I feel the jump in price is very well justified. The B&W's offer tons more more resolution, better definition in the bass, and a better soundstage. I think what stands out most is the midrange clarity and the quicker bass. The new CDM9 is essentially the N804 without the cool cabinet (and $900 lighter). Unfortunately I have not listened to any of the others you mentioned, so I cannot give you any help there. I do agree with the other posts--don't skimp on the center, and definitely match all three. In fact, match the surrounds, too, for the ultimate result. Although the CDMC is very ungainly, it is basically a reconfigured CDM1--which is a helluva speaker. Good luck. Ed

Thanks to all....My resolution so far.... Do nothing. Interestingly, my local B&W dealer thinks it's the B&K pre-pro that is the weak link in the "big" system, altho' I think eventually I'll have to have B&W. May also go the next step up in the B&W center, if I can "create" 1/2 inch of space. Your inputs have saved me some costly mistakes of impusivity over what I knew already. PS shaqspack is for my lab, Shaquille, and he was named after his somewhat smaller namesake. Ehm3 - let me know how to find you for future B&W

Shaq, I can be found at edward3rd@aol.com. As a dealer, I am not allowed to sell outside of my territory, but often an employee has personal stuff for sale, or maybe we have a demo piece we need to move. I will be happy to keep in touch with you, and feel free to email me with any questions/opinions you may have. Happy holidays!