Center Channel Suggestions - Starting rebuild of Home Theater Speakers

[Joey717]

Currently I am running a system with a Denon AVR-1911 paired with the Klipsch Quintet III satellite speakers, and a 12inch Klipsch powered sub (cannot remember the model number at the moment).

 

This configuration worked out great in the home that I bought it in, but recently I have moved into a larger house. The room that we have setup as our theater room is above a 2 car garage, so its a bit larger than the original room. Maybe 17 x 20 however the current configuration has us with everything off to one side of the room, and we sit at about the 15-16 ft mark away from the front speakers.

 

We have noticed issues with dialog for a long time, even after re configuring the receiver to the room using the supplied mic from the unit. I have always found that to be a good starting point but still having to manually adjust speaker levels.

 

However even with adjustments, I found myself turning the receiver up to single digits in volume just to get mostly clear dialog and that ends up causing the other speakers to go out of wack by being too loud.

 

I am not in a position to replace everything all at once, and eventually plan to get floor standing Left and right channels but cannot at the moment due to the current configuration of furniture.

 

So I wanted to start with a center channel, but even after researching I still a bit confused on the best path to take.

 

I was leaning towards the R-25C as its the "old model" and I cannot seem to find any real difference between that and the R52-c

 

However I came across a Crutchfield sale for RP-400C and was wondering if this would be a better option?

 

What Im looking for is a good center channel that will grow with my system, with the expectation that the current config (Quintet satellites for L\R, Rear) and this new center will be around for a while so I want it to at least sound decent and work well enough with each other.

 

Any thoughts from some of the more well versed people here?

 

Thanks.

 

Edited July 17, 2020 by Joey717

[Joey717]

I know that I have not gotten any response, so there may not be anyone that is able to assist but I had one more thought come up.

 

I am in a situation with the center channel that it is on a shelf against a wall. I see some of the offerings have a rear facing "exhaust" that I assume is for Bass? Im guessing these would not be an acceptable option to have against the wall correct?

[billybob]

Welcome to the forum again and 

for best performance would say that you would probably want at least 6+ inches where the port is from a wall. 

[billybob]

There is a center made for the Quintet. If going to go larger like appears the case then, you should have some idea what floorstanders you will be getting and from which line of speakers you are possibly considering as  influencin your choice of a center.

[Joey717]

35 minutes ago, billybob said:

There is a center made for the Quintet. If going to go larger like appears the case then, you should have some idea what floorstanders you will be getting and from which line of speakers you are possibly considering as  influencin your choice of a center.

 

Good to know, however Im not sure where to start on trying to identify that.

 

I know eventually I will want to more to floor standing speakers and use the remaining Quintet's as rear surrounds. I do have the Quintet center channel but Im not getting clear dialog, and Im assuming its just due to the speaker not being good enough or powerful enough (please correct me if that is an inaccurate assumption).

 

If the clearance is the case then I assume I am stuck in the standard Reference series?

 

[billybob]

1 hour ago, Joey717 said:

 

Good to know, however Im not sure where to start on trying to identify that.

 

I know eventually I will want to more to floor standing speakers and use the remaining Quintet's as rear surrounds. I do have the Quintet center channel but Im not getting clear dialog, and Im assuming its just due to the speaker not being good enough or powerful enough (please correct me if that is an inaccurate assumption).

 

If the clearance is the case then I assume I am stuck in the standard Reference series?

 

There are worse places to be stuck. If you cannot  pull out your center a few inche's to try the sound. Since unknown when and what, get one of the front ported

If were me would get one of the front ported reference meanwhile.

Buy it right and you can resale later when you know more.

All this to say, would work with the Denon again to try to clear up the dialog. Would put your existing center out some on something so it can breathe better from the wall, just to see and hear 

[billybob]

11 minutes ago, billybob said:

There are worse places to be stuck. If you cannot  pull out your center a few inche's to try the sound. Since unknown when and what, get one of the front ported

If were me would get one of the front ported reference meanwhile.

Buy it right and you can resale later when you know more.

All this to say, would work with the Denon again to try to clear up the dialog. Would put your existing center out some on something so it can breathe better from the wall, just to see and hear 

I see your Denon has different sound programs to try and Audessey. Would try all those and refer to your user manual.

[rebuy]

You can Buy all the different center speakers you want

but if you do not have your speakers levels set correctly

you will still have a dialogue problem.

 

Yes run the calibration and let the AVR set the levels

then you will probably Tweak the center level from there.

 

Get a Movie that you like with Action and Talking at the same time.

Turn the sound to the point that you normally listen with.

If the dialogue is Hard to Hear, Turn up The Center Channel

until the dialogue becomes dominate and understandable.

Forget the numbers on the AVR, just get the sound right.

 

 

[rebuy]

When setting the Dialogue Level. on the remote

on a Denon when you press the "setup" button,

and "Audio" is showing, press that and then a

"Dialogue Level" Setting is available.

It is separate from the normal speaker levels.

You can use this to Boost the Center even more

and make your center as Loud & Clear as you need it.

 

[Joey717]

On 7/17/2020 at 1:40 PM, rebuy said:

When setting the Dialogue Level. on the remote

on a Denon when you press the "setup" button,

and "Audio" is showing, press that and then a

"Dialogue Level" Setting is available.

It is separate from the normal speaker levels.

You can use this to Boost the Center even more

and make your center as Loud & Clear as you need it.

 

 

So I ended up getting an R-34c for about $50 off or so, and I will say that after a re setup on the receiver I did notice an immediate difference in a good way. It also made me want to start saving towards nicer floor standing L\R speakers.

 

However while the difference was definitely noticeable and I have made some slight manual adjustments to levels, I have had a few instances where I thought dialog could be a little better, and was looking for this setting you referenced. I cannot seem to locate it.

 

I found a button on the Denon remote that says "setup" in gray just over the button labeled Search. I cannot seem to figure out how to "activate" this secondary button and I went thru the standard menu and did not find references.

 

Am I missing something or is it possible that my unit just doesn't have this feature capability (AVR-1911)

 

Also as I continue to do my research, would the 1911 be capable of driving something like the R-820F or R-620F speakers? It looks like the 1911 is a 90watt per channel unit, and those speakers seem to be higher.

 

I am a little of a dummy with these things, but isn't under powering a speaker just as bad as overpowering it?

[rebuy]

OK, My "setup" button is right beside the Volume buttons.

when I press  it goes to "Audio" on the TV Menu 

Then  Hit "Enter" and the "Dialogue Level" Appears

Hit enter again and you'll see the level for the Center Channel.

A 1911 has Plenty of power to drive the Speakers you want to buy.

In Most cases you probably Will Not use over 5 to 10 Watts

to drive those speakers because they will be too Loud.

Your AVR is OK

 

Hope this Helps