Wilson Hines Posted April 8, 2023 Share Posted April 8, 2023 The title says all of it, I think. Wiring a Heresy I as a Center Channel on a 2-channel amp. I have a set of Forte 1's and the guy I bought them from threw in a Heresy I. He said he used the Heresy as a center channel for home theater and I supposed he meant with a 2-channel amp. This past weekend, we watched John Wick 3 as the first movie just using the Fortes. The dialog was laid back. It was just different than with music and I thought using a center channel would resolve the issue, but I didn't want to go the way of a AVR. Can someone tell me how to wire the Heresy I up to the amp without killing something expensive? Setup: Schiit Freya N Preamp Anthem MCA 225 gen 2 amp Forte I's Heresy I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted April 8, 2023 Share Posted April 8, 2023 There’s a way to do it but I’m not familiar with how. I know it was a common practice years ago. You might be better off getting a receiver with pre-amp outputs that can decode multi channel sound. Use your Anthem for your fortes and the receiver for your Heresy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrestonTom Posted April 8, 2023 Share Posted April 8, 2023 I think the trick wuzzzer was referring to will only work with a tube amp (where there is a transformer on the output). Even then, you would not have a separate volume control for the center speaker (which may be needed). Good luck, -Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanksjim1 Posted April 8, 2023 Share Posted April 8, 2023 Here's how PWK did it...used a simple connection box, but also had a mono amp for center duty Dope from Hope center speaker box.pdf 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idontknow Posted April 8, 2023 Share Posted April 8, 2023 I was curious about this too. Erhard makes a special preamp for this. https://www.erhard-audio.com/PAS-NGCT.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrestonTom Posted April 9, 2023 Share Posted April 9, 2023 The above two suggestions will not tackle the OP's question. If I understand things correctly, he wants to drive a center channel without getting an "extra" amplifier. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted April 9, 2023 Share Posted April 9, 2023 2 minutes ago, PrestonTom said: The above two suggestions will not tackle the OP's question. If I understand things correctly, he wants to drive a center channel without getting an "extra" amplifier. And we’re saying that he can’t and giving options as to how he can. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YK Thom Posted April 9, 2023 Share Posted April 9, 2023 What the world needs is a dedicated three channel stereo amp for TV watching. An oxymoron to be sure but you know what I mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted April 9, 2023 Share Posted April 9, 2023 On 4/8/2023 at 6:38 AM, Wilson Hines said: The title says all of it, I think. Wiring a Heresy I as a Center Channel on a 2-channel amp. you cant unless you have a Stereo integrated amp or preamp with A & B speaker controls ,the A would power the pair of Forte the B would power 1 Heresy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanksjim1 Posted April 9, 2023 Share Posted April 9, 2023 1 hour ago, OO1 said: the A would power the pair of Forte the B would power 1 Heresy You still don't get a mono (summed) center? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted April 9, 2023 Share Posted April 9, 2023 1 minute ago, hanksjim1 said: You still don't get a mono (summed) center? but you do get a mono speaker, which is better than nothing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted April 9, 2023 Share Posted April 9, 2023 Get a simple 5 channel receiver. Today's modern movies/TV sound excellent, that center channel is needed for the correct sound. If not, it will be like the TV sound coming through your speakers, those very nice speakers deserve the correct connection. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Invidiosulus Posted April 9, 2023 Share Posted April 9, 2023 1 hour ago, OO1 said: but you do get a mono speaker, which is better than nothing That doesn’t make any sense at all. running a receiver with A/B speaker outs is not going to give you a correct center output for the heresy. And it’s not going to give you a separate mono output for a single speaker. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Invidiosulus Posted April 9, 2023 Share Posted April 9, 2023 On 4/8/2023 at 6:38 AM, Wilson Hines said: The title says all of it, I think. Wiring a Heresy I as a Center Channel on a 2-channel amp. I have a set of Forte 1's and the guy I bought them from threw in a Heresy I. He said he used the Heresy as a center channel for home theater and I supposed he meant with a 2-channel amp. This past weekend, we watched John Wick 3 as the first movie just using the Fortes. The dialog was laid back. It was just different than with music and I thought using a center channel would resolve the issue, but I didn't want to go the way of a AVR. Can someone tell me how to wire the Heresy I up to the amp without killing something expensive? Setup: Schiit Freya N Preamp Anthem MCA 225 gen 2 amp Forte I's Heresy I Why would you supposed he meant that he used the Heresy as a center with a two channel amp? Most home theater setups use receivers with dedicated outputs. What was your source for audio feeding into the Freya? I watch movies all the time with just a stereo pair of LaScala and don’t find the dialog too low. But, I am using an old Yamaha AVR as the DAC with the surround and center outputs disabled. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted April 9, 2023 Share Posted April 9, 2023 21 minutes ago, Invidiosulus said: And it’s not going to give you a mono single speaker. sure it is , try it ..... A+B , A are the Forte , B is Heresy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Invidiosulus Posted April 10, 2023 Share Posted April 10, 2023 18 minutes ago, OO1 said: sure it is , try it ..... A+B , A are the Forte , B is Heresy On what amp/receiver? A+B is just two pairs of speakers both outputting the same stereo signal. this also wouldn’t give a separate volume control for the Heresy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubo Posted April 11, 2023 Share Posted April 11, 2023 I don't think there is a simple solution where you wire the LR amplifier outputs together and have a good outcome where your amp doesn't go up in smoke. The AVR was designed specifically for the application you want to use in your TV room A very good used one can be had for $200. Set it up for 3 channel, and use the direct mode and the built in DAC for the TV or video source decode. You can toggle the direct button in and out to see which way you like it. When you run it in stereo mode, it will derive the center channel, somehow they filter for voice frequencies on the center. You can also toggle to 2 ch stereo with direct mode. My 2 cents 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrestonTom Posted April 11, 2023 Share Posted April 11, 2023 Just a point of clarification and I hope I don't get shouted down again. You can use a 2 channel tube amplifier with a transformer on the output stage and power the center (the "third channel") and not require an additional amplifier. Look up the the posts by DJK on doing this with a McIntosh amplifier. Granted this is an oddball configuration that may not be what the OP can accomplish. Short of that, yes an additional channel of amplification will be required and one of the boxes that PWK provided a schematic for. I used to have one and was satisfied with the results for music. Note, a way to adjust volume on the center is strongly recommended. -Tom 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted April 11, 2023 Share Posted April 11, 2023 I just love threads like this where people offer advice and suggestions and the OP is never to be heard from again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubo Posted April 11, 2023 Share Posted April 11, 2023 32 minutes ago, wuzzzer said: I just love threads like this where people offer advice and suggestions and the OP is never to be heard from again. Maybe the OP has a job ? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.