Center channel for Avalon Eidolons

I just acquired a pair of Eidolon Visions and am facing the same decision. I am currently using Kef 204c (not bad at all), but I have feeling I can do better, preferably with something Accuton driver based.

I did get a (very reasonable) quote from Rick Craig @ selah as suggested here, but I am a little reluctant to get something custum made, although I will if it is the best option available. Wondering if there is any new insight on this. Note that I am space resticted (center sits closely under my screen), so I can accomodate 12" height at most and for example the Wilson Watch needs not apply.

I found out myself before your post. Just got of the phone with Jim @ Salk. He has accuton midrange and ribbon tweeter that will likely integrate quite well with the Eidolons. He even offered to build a center with the Eidolon's Accuton 1" tweeter instead of the ribbon (I prefer to stay with the standard design). This is 95% likely the way I will go.

Great news about the Avalon center. However, a brand new Avalon center channel using the same components as the $3,000 (no overhead, no advertising/marketing cost, no dealer margin - manufacturer direct sales only) Salk center will sell for $7,000 - $10,000, which is why I only buy "Avalon grade" stuff a few years old at 40-50% of MSRP. So I'll probably use the Salk for a few years until the first used specimens of the yet to be released top of the line Avalon center channels start showing up used on Audiogon. Not ideal, but the only way to keep this hobby affordable for me.

So four months later my Salk Soundscape Center arrived, replacing my Kef 204c. First, based on build quality and components used this $2900 center would cost at least double from an established manufacturer with dealer network and overhead/marketing. Of course, this is all moot if the speaker does not deliver in terms of sound quality. Not to worry, this is a killer center channel, easily besting my Kef 204c. I have not tried a movie soundtrack yet, but famliar multi channel music recordings sounded distinctly better. The Salk simply disappears between the Eidolons, creating a completely unified, well .... Soundscape.