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I rarely use center channel with processor

I set up my processor, nad m17 v2i, so that I can alternate between six channel or five channel(without center). I’m finding that my mains which are B&W 802D3, don’t really need the center channel for most streaming. I am biamping with tubes and solid state so that may be helping the quality

The vocals come through just fine on the main speakers.  Overall things sound better. It’s easy to toggle back-and-forth for purposes of excluding the center.

Does anyone else not use a center speaker because it is better to use only the mains?  I will admit I occasionally use the center channel sometimes when I need the vocal sound to come through better but it rarely happens. 

emergingsoul
emergingsoul OP
1,550 posts
 

@jrareform 

I'm talking about home theater stuff only not stereo listening with two channel sources like like streaming or albums.

All I'm talking about is getting rid of the center channel if you have decent main speakers that do a better job and if the recordings are structured properly by the engineers which is very rare. So I avoid the center channel most of the time.

Problem is if you have a revealing system it really matters because the engineers don't care because most people can't distinguish they just want sound coming from multiple speakers and somehow they think this is wonderful it's probably good for systems that are not resolving

erik_squires
17,584 posts
 

All I'm talking about is getting rid of the center channel if you have decent main speakers that do a better job and if the recordings are structured properly by the engineers which is very rare. So I avoid the center channel most of the time.

While I'm not going to say everyone should get a center, the idea that a center channel is worse than not only happens with centers that are greatly mismatched. 

One other issue that can make a center underperform is placement.  On a shelf near a rear wall a center may suffer from significant resonances that the side speakers don't have.  

emergingsoul OP
1,550 posts
 

@erik_squires 

Yes all of this is true and yes my center is matched with my mains, and placement is ideal.

I recommend toggling back-and-forth while watching home theater stuff if you can configure things correctly and you will really see the difference.

 

erik_squires
17,584 posts
 

Yes all of this is true and yes my center is matched with my mains, and placement is ideal.

I recommend toggling back-and-forth while watching home theater stuff if you can configure things correctly and you will really see the difference.

I have, all the time.  If you are hearing a significant difference it's not because center channel speakers are bad. 

emergingsoul OP
1,550 posts
 

@erik_squires 

it sounds good either way when I toggle to exclude the center channel, improves when I exclude the center. Maybe it's because, the upper/mid range drivers on the main speakers are tube driven. And the center is solid state.

But I allowed for that and I still think it sounds better. 

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