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B&W Nautilus 804 - center speaker - SACD 5.1 and Hometheater

I want to 'upgrade' my center speaker for large living room system with Nautilus 804 front main, 18" Dayton sub driven by ED LT1300 and (for now) AR rear (have Infinity RS225, Reference 2, Dayton on hand to try). 

Centers are AR CS25HO, recently (lower profile, to put under TV) replaced with Polk Monitor XT35 and Signature S35 (nice low profile, fit under TV). But now giving into the need to raise the TV to allow use of a BETTER center speaker (SACD made the need for a good center speaker clear to me). 

Price is ALWAYS a concern (and used is certainly considered) and I would like to stay under $300. 

Would a CC6 be an upgrade and good match? LCR6? LCR600? HTM62?

The "Nautilus" line of centers appear cost prohibitive, even used (and very bulky, with stupid tweeter on top, but may have to accept bulky disadvantage to some extend, just not putting a 15" high center under the TV).

There is a Center 2 (but already over $300, not sure how high it will sell) on auction right now. 

I have not looked into other brand yet, but may find better bang for buck outside B&W, and not sure anymore how important 'sound matching' is; in the past tried to use center that uses same tweeter/mid range drivers as front main speakers. 

 

 

 

 

kraftwerkturbo

Showing 4 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,662 posts
 

Hey OP:

While the selection of crossover points has to do with the individual drivers, a higher crossover point here means the tweeter works less hard, and may be a good indicator of higher dynamic range.

So, given no chance to hear a speaker, and going only by spec, I would pick a higher crossover point.

Given what I've seen of available mid ranges and tweeters, I'd be more comfortable with a 3-way that crossed above 2kHz.

 

Best,

 

Erik

erik_squires
15,662 posts
 

I'd go with SVS for two reasons:  1 - I know those woofers and they are very smooth. 2 - Better crossover points. 

erik_squires
15,662 posts
 

PS - The Gold line is also good and less expensive.  Sorry I missed your price requirements.

erik_squires
15,662 posts
 

Any of the Monitor Audio Platinum center 3-way speakers are outstanding. Make sure you get to a 3-way if you want the most performance.  2-way centers have limited dynamic range and narrow sweet spot.  Don't worry as much about -3db point. :)

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