I use the center channel to fool friends all the time because since I tweaked the cables and upgraded my midrange ribbons it just sounds like (on a number of but not all) recordings that its in use. I fooled audiophiles by telling them how great the center blend was and non audio guys aswell. Its a fun thing to experience that really shows your room, system and position are really clicking! Having said that, the center is a absolute must for the best projector based widescreen movie presentation.
Stereo Imaging
I think I've written about this before, but I wonder how many of us who use the same system for HT and music get fooled into suspecting the center channel must be generating the center image. I was playing the Abkco disc of "Let It Bleed" and found myself compelled once again to put my ear to the center channel to assure it was not generating the strong centered image I was hearing. Intellectually I knew it wasn't because I've tested it before, but the image is so strong it creates a cognitive dissonance. In a world of 7.1, I'm afraid I forget just how effective stereo can be in generating a soundstage.
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