speaker recommendations

[Carolina]

OK guys, I need a center speaker for my TV audio setup. I already have a 5 speaker Bose system, which is fine (but I don't love it). Frankly, the Bose center speaker has a very attractive, low profile. But, I'm pretty sure I can do better sound-wise.

The speaker is going to sit on top of my entertainment center in our family room, so it needs to be somewhat aesthetically pleasing! Also, I don't want to spend more than $200.

Any thoughts?

[Mosco]

I hope you meant you have a '5' speaker system, not '55'!

Onkyo makes some very nice ones that sound great. Also - I am not sure how to spell it correctly, but I believe it is Klipsch - GREAT sound

[Carolina]

Oops - off to edit!

Thanks!

[Lion]

Carol, there are very nice center speakers out there but you will have to increase your budget!!! Klipsch do make excellent speakers but your $200.00 budget will not buy one.

[Carolina]

For one speaker? *sigh*

There is a Klipsch at Best Buy for $279 - we'll see...

[bodybump]

Get a denon carol..or Sony..it's cheap and very reliable for your budget..

[chriseskew24]

Acoustic Research. If you can find it localy. They have top notch audio at fairely good prices.. I am some what of a audiophile and have bought many speakers.. Also you may be able to fina a polk audo center for that price but im not sure..
Good luck keep us posted.

[frostie]

Logitech Z-5500

[Steppenwolf]

Out of the stated price range but American made and custom finished to match the decor of the room.

$450 MSRP (matched to any color paint)
$700 MSRP (matched to any wood finish)

http://www.triadspeakers.com/products/irmlcr.html

[Mort]

I have a Klipsch center as well as two towers and sub. The center was the first speaker I had bought from them and it was so much better than the bose I used to have, it made me go out and buy the other three. A lot of sound for the money.

[GBJIV]

B&W.... I think B&W are excellent. More than $200.00 though....

[tjs3023]

Originally Posted by GBJIV

B&W.... I think B&W are excellent. More than $200.00 though....

+1!. I love my B&W Matrix 3s' in my audio system. Way more than $200 though. I went with all M&Ks' in the HT system. Yes, you can do way better than bose sound wise, but you won't get the full benefit of the better CC if it's not matched to the L/Rs'. Do a little research here before you purchase ;
http://www.avsforum.com/
There's some great deals in the classifieds.

[Tools]

Almost any speaker can be used for a center since it doesn't ned the kind of range one of the front sides needs..

But if you do want a nice, small, flat and good looking speaker.why not get a matching Bose center........ I have one and it was excellent. I finally built all the speakers in the ceiling so don't need one any more.

But I still have a pair of JBL speakers as side speakers and when I turn on the music, I switch my speakers to "B" and use those for the best music sound.

JBL also makes some very small bookshelf speakers that would make a good center (but you might have one left over...)

[JJ Irani]

Hey Caroline,

When you go to pick up your speaker, carry out this simple test.

Let out one of your super-duper loud EEKS and see if that speaker can match your EEK by way of Signal to Noise ratio, Frequency Range, Sensitivity, Harmonic Distortion, Impedance, Crossover Frequencies and Power handling!!

Cheers - your nutty friend, JJ

[Carolina]

Originally Posted by Tools

Almost any speaker can be used for a center since it doesn't ned the kind of range one of the front sides needs..

But if you do want a nice, small, flat and good looking speaker.why not get a matching Bose center........ I have one and it was excellent. I finally built all the speakers in the ceiling so don't need one any more.

But I still have a pair of JBL speakers as side speakers and when I turn on the music, I switch my speakers to "B" and use those for the best music sound.

JBL also makes some very small bookshelf speakers that would make a good center (but you might have one left over...)

Larry, do you still have the Bose center, and would you like to sell it (if it's sitting in the attic gathering dust or something...) Just a thought, as I am still researching the brands.

[mretzloff]

Whatever you get, do NOT get Bose. For the money you pay for Bose (a good portion of which is for the name), you can get a much better quality speaker system.

[TswaneNguni]

Throw away the surround sound systems.

Merlin VSM or TSM with Manley Stingray tube amp ..... Heaven !!

Way above budget,but worth it !!

[Jimbits76]

Mission!

J

[jdc]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

Mission!

J

Mr Desperate Caroline is asking about speakers

[Jimbits76]

Originally Posted by jdc

Mr Desperate Caroline is asking about speakers

You never know...If I show her my woofer, she might email me pics of her tweeters!!!!!!!!!!!!

J

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

You never know...If I show her my woofer, she might email me pics of her tweeters!!!!!!!!!!!!

J

I could be the mid-rangers!!

[Carolina]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Hey Caroline,

When you go to pick up your speaker, carry out this simple test.

Let out one of your super-duper loud EEKS and see if that speaker can match your EEK by way of Signal to Noise ratio, Frequency Range, Sensitivity, Harmonic Distortion, Impedance, Crossover Frequencies and Power handling!!

Cheers - your nutty friend, JJ

Originally Posted by jdc

Mr Desperate Caroline is asking about speakers

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

You never know...If I show her my woofer, she might email me pics of her tweeters!!!!!!!!!!!!

J

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

I could be the mid-rangers!!

You are all nuts, but I love you anyway!

[unclesallie]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

You never know...If I show her my woofer, she might email me pics of her tweeters!!!!!!!!!!!!

J

hey, if you show her your woofer, she might show you her woo woo!(gracious credits to Mel Brooks)

[limbo]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

Mission!

x2

[nc42acc]

In the best case scenario the center speaker should be "voiced" the same as your others in a Dolby 5.1, 6.1 or 7.1 surround setup. Meaning they are all of like components (internal drivers, speakers).True most of the dialog comes from the center speaker but if you have moving sound from left to right having different characteristics can create odd effects. There is no reason you can't use other manufacturers center speakers it just works best as a package. Just my 2 cents worth......

[Lisa]

In our entertainment center, looks like Dave has mixed stuff up a little... there's a Harman Kardon receiver, and I see three little Mirage Omnipolar speakers across the top of the cabinets - and at the bottom there's a big Infinity subwoofer. I know NOTHING about sound equipment, but if he's got it it must be pretty good. No idea about the prices for that stuff, either. So how useless is that? Except to note that he must not think it necessary to have the same brands.

[clew84]

In that price range there are a few options that are close in price (esp. used) - Klipsch, Infiniti, Polk, and Monitor Audio.

My favorite speakers - Dynaudio (no surprise), B&W, Martin Logan, Tyler Acoustics, Revel, Thiel, Wilson, Kharma, probably a few others. Paradigm makes good stuff for the price. Also SVS Audio is making good stuff at a good price point.

[S/SOnly]

Bose VCS-10, great speaker and value for the money. Should be able to find for $200 or less.

I helped a friend search for, select, and install a 7.1 dual zone system, and we listened to several speaker options. The Bose just had the best overall quality and sound for the money.

It's also important however to power it properly with a solid receiver/amp.

[TheDude]

I'd recommend Definitive Technologies. I have their speakers.


They have a lot of Center channel speakers that have powered subs in them - the thought being that dialog and center information is vitally important, and adding a wider range of tone reproduction can only improve the entire listening experience.

My center has an 8" powered woofer in it.


http://www.definitivetech.com/Produc...px?path=Center Channel Speakers&productid=C/L/R2300


A bit more than you want to spend, but well-worth it.

[catman]

I've had my 2 Klipschorns horns & my one Klipsch Belle for 35 years and they still can't be beat.
I have a old Phase Lanear 1000 watter that feed them, I like the old tube stuff. I have made some noise in my earlier days here in the woods...