Center channel speaker to match Snell Type J speakers?


I'd like to upgrade to 5.1 surround sound. I'm hoping to keep my current speakers (Snell Type J -- the originals, reconed, from around 1981) and subwoofer (Hsu VTF-2).

I've been told that matching the center channel speaker timbre to the main speakers is important. I'd appreciate suggestions for a specific center channel speaker that will match (as closely as possible) my 40-year-old Snells in tone and quality.

Extra thanks for also recommending rear satellite speakers of roughly the same quality as the rest of my stuff (see below). Thanks!

  • Yamaha RX-V679BL 7.2-Channel MusicCast AV Receiver
  • Sony Wega HDTV KD-36XS955
  • Panasonic Blu-ray/VHS DMP-BD70V
  • Saachi All Multi Region Code Zone Free Blu-ray BDP-SA98
  • Motorola HDTV DVR QIP-7216

fivebluestones

Showing 1 response by tls49


Everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion, and I do agree with some of what akg_ca says, however not this,

"especially for a 5.1 setup  wherein the CC and RL and RR are a non-critical  manufactured audio track"

This was true in the early days, but 5.1 today is 6 discrete audio channels. Above 5.1 (6.1, 7.1, etc.) is created using matrix processing.

The absolute best sound is created by using 5 identical speakers.

http://avtruths.com/speaker.html

http://www.soundandvision.com/content/matching-front-and-surround-speakers#GsU4hCQPZXlESVeL.97

IMHO, I would try to find another pair of Snells like you currently have and use them on the rear, a 4.1 system. Center channel will be set to none creating "phantom center". You don't lose any information as it just splits into the front L&R. This will sound fine unless you are sitting way off axis to the picture. Then find another pair of the Snells to use one as the center and the other as a single back surround, a 6.1 system. The only problem for the center is that you cannot place it too close to your TV. I noticed you are still using an old style TV, and the Snell will cause a problem with its picture because the speaker is not shielded. All dedicated center channels are shielded to prevent this. That's why I suggest 4.1 to start, and maybe by the time you're ready for another pair of Snells, you'll have a new TV. Then placing the center close won't be a problem.