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Post by bumpytrail on Oct 14, 2009 16:10:05 GMT -5
Already have two Emotiva amps; XPA-3 and XPA-5 and really think they are great quality amps for the money. Now I'm getting ready to purchase 8 speakers for my home theater setup, front left and right, two center channels and four surrounds. I'm going with the ERT-8.3 for the fronts and the ERD-1 for the surrounds. Have a SVS sub for the low end.
The choice for the two center channels for home theater listening has me confused (I run them one above and one below the screen).
I could go with: two ERM-6.3's or one ERM-6.3 + one ERM-6.2 or two ERM-6.2's
Always looking for the most bang for the buck, the two ERM-6.2's would be less expensive and from some online comments stating that the ERM-6.2 was preferred over the ERM-6.3 for 2-channel music is making me lean towards two ERM-6.2's for center channel duty.
Looking for input on the ERM-6.2 vs ERM-6.3 for center channel home theater use. My hearing is not as good as it use to be so I want the dialogue to be very clear, crisp and undistorted. Also, I do not want a speaker that is fatiguing to listen to.
Would appreciate any and all input on the differences between these two center channel speakers and my 3 different mix and match choices for center channel duty.
Thanks.
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Post by tbro49 on Oct 15, 2009 21:49:36 GMT -5
I went to Emofest thinking I would bring home a 6.3 for my center, but after listening to both the 6.2s and 6.3s, I went with the 6.2 mostly for its sound. Lonnie said that unless you have a very large room, the 6.2s will work fine and he was right. He said the 5.3s can overwhelm a small to medium room. My room is 18 x 20 x 10.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2009 22:24:52 GMT -5
Welcome to the Emo Lounge, Bumpytrail. You do not give any info on your room. I suppose your choice of 4 surrounds is for good reasons such as a deep room and not just because you have heard that 7.1 is better than 5.1. I only mention this because you say you are a bang for the buck person and many times, except for a long room the extra two surrounds don't add a significant improvement.
That said, my choice is for the ERM-6.3 for the center channel, but one only!. I see no advantage and a number of disadvantages going with two center channels. The old idea, if one is good then two must be better, is not true IMO. The single 6.3 will give you plenty of clarity and output. Two will just negatively affect the center sound. The SS-6 center stand is a great match for the 6.3 whether above or below the display.
The 6.3 has higher power handling than the 6.2. The 6.3 also has the three-way midrange control which the 6.2 doesn't. The 6.3 will be closer to the 8.3 in total output and midrange adjustment and be a better match for a powerful soundstage across the front.
There might be a few here who disagree. but IMO, two center speakers is almost always a mistake.
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Post by bumpytrail on Oct 16, 2009 9:59:57 GMT -5
Thank you tbro49 and chuckienut for your input, much appreciated. The room that the speakers will be used in is approximately 23 x 21 with a cathedral ceiling starting at 12 feet rising to 17 feet and open to the upper level. I went with 4 surrounds because the rear 2 surrounds are mounted on a wall about 8 feet behind the rear sofa and adds some nice fill depending on the movie and how I have my Yamaha receiver set.
Two centers for movie viewing: almost everything I read online said running two centers was a bad idea but I went ahead and tried placing two matching centers, one directly above and one directly below the screen and I loved the way it nailed the movie dialogue to the center of the screen. For me using two centers really helps immerse me into the movie I'm watching and I can also hear the dialogue much better. Hey, I'm no audiophile so if it's wrong oh well, I tried it, I liked it, that's my story and I'm sticking with it! (A little humor)
I will go with two centers and the ERM-6.3 having midrange control is something I need to look into ... hmmm this is going to be a hard decision. I find it very difficult for my fingers to let go of my pennies.
Thanks again for your input. Food for thought. Any further input or comments would be welcomed in helping me make a decision, 6.2 vs 6.3.
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Post by bfisher on Oct 16, 2009 12:38:57 GMT -5
I have not heard the 6.2... but own 3 6.3s (LCR). They are great speakers and are incredibly detailed and clear.
I agree with chuckie (like usual)... I would try 1 6.3 first. If after you try it, you are convinced you NEED 2... then I'd add a second. However, if you have enough power (you have the XPA so yes) - I strongly believe 1 6.3 will make you much happier than 2. If one of your criteria is clarity - having 2 centers is risky (unless they are exactly equidistant from your ears).
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Post by roadrunner on Oct 16, 2009 13:32:32 GMT -5
You asked for additional "food" to help you in choosing which speaker should be used in the center channel portion of you HT system. One thing you want to be aware of is that the ERM-6.3 adds two 4" drivers versus the driver complement on the 6.2s. This is primarily why you would want the 6.3 for center channel work. The addition of those 4" drivers ensures you will have superior voice reproduction that will make your dialog clarity the best you have ever heard.
In a room your size, I don't think you will hear any advantage to using two 6.3s. As a matter of fact, using two 6.3s is more likely to overwhelm the "balance" with the other speakers in your systems. Depending on your listening room's setup and location of your seating position you also run the risk of deteriorating the quality of your dialog due to "cancellation". There is a chance you can get away with using dual 6.3s for center, but it is far more likely to worsen your experience.
Any of the Emotiva speakers could be used for the center channel simply because they were designed to have nearly identical sonic signatures across the entire speaker line; but, the 6.3 was designed, from the ground up, to be a world-class center channel speaker. It is the perfect speaker to complement the 8.3 in a multi-channel system.
You did not reveal the genre of the music you listen to, so it is more difficult to judge how big of an advantage the 6.3 will afford you in listening to your favorite music. Keep in mind that the 4" drivers provide the perfect vehicle for reproducing "life-like" vocals for male or female artists -- not to mention what it does for producing convincing instrumentals like the piano, harp, violin, guitar, flute, piccolo, and horns.
When listening to high quality media, during the evaluation period, the 6.3 sold the performances so well I would have sworn the musician were in the room with me, and that I could have reached out and touched one of them. In my 45 years of listening to speakers, I have never experience another speaker that could "engage" me as quickly.
If you love music, you will want to have the 6.3 speaker in your system. This is the best speaker I have ever listened to in reproducing female vocals, bar none. It is so convincing you will instantly feel part of the experience -- far more than you ever thought possible. The 6.2 will give you an experience better than most speakers within 5 times its cost, but the 6.3 gives you that extra push toward nirvana.
I hope this helps you in decided which way to go, but it may have just made your decision more difficult. The only help I can offer is that if you like listening to live music you will prefer the 6.3. If musical realism is not a high priority, then you will probably not notice a significant difference between the 6.3 and 6.2. Good luck. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2009 17:04:17 GMT -5
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROADRUNNER !
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Post by bumpytrail on Oct 16, 2009 18:52:46 GMT -5
bfisher and roadrunner thank you very much for your input. Per roadrunner:
"One thing you want to be aware of is that the ERM-6.3 adds two 4" drivers versus the driver complement on the 6.2s. This is primarily why you would want the 6.3 for center channel work. The addition of those 4" drivers ensures you will have superior voice reproduction that will make your dialog clarity the best you have ever heard." --------------------------------
That is exactly what is causing my purchase indecision; is the extra clarity in dialog for movie watching enjoyment from the ERM-6.3 over the ERM-6.2 worth the extra money to me (a penny pinching Grinch that I am...)?
I think what I'm going to do is buy (2) ERT-8.3's, (4)ERD-1's and one each of the ERM-6.2 and ERM-6.3 since it will only cost me $44.00 to ship one of the centers back if I don't want to keep one of them. I'll contact somebody at Emotiva on Monday and make sure that this is ok. I hate to return something but I really can't make my mind up without hearing them both. This way I can play around with them individually and together, even thou they are not identical, this will allow me to evaluate if two centers is going to really make me happy.
If anyone else has directly compared the ERM-6.2 and ERM-6.3 for center channel duty watching BluRay movies I would really love to hear your opinions also.
Again, thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts and knowledge with me, much appreciated!
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Post by bodhisafa on Oct 16, 2009 19:28:02 GMT -5
What mechanical advantages does a 4" driver have over other designs that makes it a midrange monster.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2009 10:27:32 GMT -5
Off topic:
I'm still amazed how well the 6.3 integrates with my all Magnepan setup for home theater listening.
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Post by Nemesis.ie on Oct 19, 2009 10:28:14 GMT -5
I'm with roadrunner on this one. Also, consider this - if you will use a powered sub for HT (well you would, wouldn't you and the SVS will not be wanting I imagine) how much would be saved buying 3 x 6.3 versus the 2 x 8.3s + 1 x 6.3? I suspect you would have money left over - that could go towards a 2nd centre if you REALLY feel the need (I would also suggest you order the SS-6 stand, as previously mentioned, as well, so you can tilt the centre up/down as needed so it points towards your listening position and then it might also sound like it is coming more from the screen centre). I also like the dialogue to sound like it is coming from the screen, but I'm "cheating" I have my 3 x 6.3s all vertical in line behind an acoustically transparent screen - you may want to look at that as an option too although you didn't say what display device you are using. AT screens (unless you DIY) are a bit pricey, but again, the savings versus 8.3s (or indeed 2 x 6.2 + 1 x 6.3) and the cost of a 2nd centre if you feel you need it, would make a nice dent in the price. More food for thought. ;-)
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Post by bfisher on Oct 22, 2009 21:19:47 GMT -5
Like Nemesis - I have 3 6.3s behind an AT screen and i can't imagine a better setup. 3 6.3s are 100% seamless - there is no change in the sound at all between the speakers. That said... I've never heard the 8.3s with 6.3s to know if there is any change. But 3 identical LCR is hard to beat...
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