HT Center Channel Recommendation

[novisnick]

Hello friends. As of late my Mrs and I have been utilizing her theater and I’m just not thrilled with the center channel I’ve installed. I’d like recommendations to replace it. There is a problem in doing so though. 
1) Do I match the LR which is a pair of older JBL CF-120’s ?
or
2) Match the rear and surround speakers, Klipsch RB-61 II & KSF-s5’s?

The current center channel is a Klipsch RC-62 II

My system has a full sized center channel and has me rather spoiled as I need/want a bigger/fuller sounding center channel.

The theater is used for TV/Movies 90% and two channel the other 10% of the time.

Let me know if you have any other questions before making your recommendation.
Thanks friends, I know you can help.

[Boomzilla]

JBL HDI-4500

[LCSeminole]

The front stage, LCR, should be timbre matched, so look for something that goes with the CF-120's.

[novisnick]

Jul 25, 2021 16:57:42 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

The front stage, LCR, should be timbre matched, so look for something that goes with the CF-120's.

Yeah, I’m just not sure what that is. The JBL’s are about 30 years old. Guessing at their age. Bought them new. Don’t know what drivers they have.

[DYohn]

What's wrong with your RC-62?

[DYohn]

I just looked it up and there was a center channel sold with the CF-120's called a SC-305. That system did not get great reviews at the time.

[novisnick]

Jul 25, 2021 19:50:08 GMT -5 DYohn said:

I just looked it up and there was a center channel sold with the CF-120's called a SC-305. That system did not get great reviews at the time.

Perhaps true, the audio chain would have been helpful but they were not expensive and could fill a room with plenty of good sound. Great sound, no but at the time spending money and keeping debt free from a hobby was rather important.  Times have chansome but the CF-120’s are looking the same as when I purchased them.
This is now system number two so I don’t plan on spending like I did on system one but I’d still like something that has more body then the Klipsch center that im using now.
thanks DYohn

[novisnick]

Jul 25, 2021 19:33:14 GMT -5 DYohn said:

What's wrong with your RC-62?

One of possibly two problems. I am accustomed to a larger speaker with more drivers and auditory range. Or I may not have the system dialedin yet. I feel that the speaker is small for the size of the room. Can I be wrong? 

[jackpine]

Would buying another pair of CF-120s and turning them on their sides and using both work? Asking both Nick for practical reasons and the speaker gurus for sound reasons.

[novisnick]

Maybe I need to do a little work on these and then find a good but inexpensive center. This system isn’t my #1 rig but I’d like to spruce up the sound while Im at it.
Boomzilla , nice speaker but far more then I’d like to spend. Maybe somebody has seen something used if we can’t find a good recommendation.

[novisnick]

The RC-62 II looks so small compared to the CF-120’s

[Boomzilla]

Hmmm - Knowing you, Nick, may I suggest that "inexpensive" might not be a satisfying priority for you? Yes, you could get another used, inexpensive center, but it would be completely hit and miss as to whether whatever center you got matched your existing speakers any better than what you've already got.

OPTION 1 - Were I you, I'd consider (again) selling all three of your front speakers and just buying a matched set (3 KEF-LS50s?). That way you're not fishing with your cash looking for a "better match" that you're unlikely to find. Put your existing speakers on the local CraigsList and be patient.

OPTION 2 - Trade in your speakers at a store reasonably close to you (Baton Rouge? New Orleans? Houston?).

OPTION 3 - Trade in or sell your speakers online - Audio Classics is one option for trade ins. You may also find a wider sales market on Audiogon or USAudiomart. Even eBay (despite their fees) might be an option.

OPTION 4 - If none of this works, consider donating the speakers to a local charity and taking a tax break. Alternately do a charity auction for a cause of your liking and let the speakers go as the prize (I'd buy raffle tickets for that).

Cordially - Boom

PS: Remember - For stereo use, the only important speakers are the front Right & Left. For home theater use, the only important speakers are the center and the sub (everything else is just effects).

[monkumonku]

Jul 26, 2021 0:39:53 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

Hmmm - Knowing you, Nick, may I suggest that "inexpensive" might not be a satisfying priority for you? Yes, you could get another used, inexpensive center, but it would be completely hit and miss as to whether whatever center you got matched your existing speakers any better than what you've already got.

OPTION 1 - Were I you, I'd consider (again) selling all three of your front speakers and just buying a matched set (3 KEF-LS50s?). That way you're not fishing with your cash looking for a "better match" that you're unlikely to find. Put your existing speakers on the local CraigsList and be patient.

OPTION 2 - Trade in your speakers at a store reasonably close to you (Baton Rouge? New Orleans? Houston?).

OPTION 3 - Trade in or sell your speakers online - Audio Classics is one option for trade ins. You may also find a wider sales market on Audiogon or USAudiomart. Even eBay (despite their fees) might be an option.

OPTION 4 - If none of this works, consider donating the speakers to a local charity and taking a tax break. Alternately do a charity auction for a cause of your liking and let the speakers go as the prize (I'd buy raffle tickets for that).

Cordially - Boom

PS: Remember - For stereo use, the only important speakers are the front Right & Left. For home theater use, the only important speakers are the center and the sub (everything else is just effects).

Well I've got two of the three LS50's Boom is suggesting, so get them from me!

[housetech]

Nick
Check out the used speaker market for another JBL CF-120.
Don't know what your 'free time' is like, but have you considered building a JBL CF-120 clone?
There are a lot of JBL parts dealers & spkr rebuilders, new & used, that may have what's needed.

I don't remember that model, what year built?

[ttocs]

Hey Nick, it just dawned on me that I've got a Polk Audio CSi5 sitting in the basement doing nothing for years. Pay the shipping and I'll send it to you to try out. If you like it, keep it. If not, offer it to another good forum buddy.
Scott

[novisnick]

Jul 26, 2021 18:08:41 GMT -5 ttocs said:

Hey Nick, it just dawned on me that I've got a Polk Audio CSi5 sitting in the basement doing nothing for years. Pay the shipping and I'll send it to you to try out. If you like it, keep it. If not, offer it to another good forum buddy.
Scott

Thank you for such gracious, generous offer my good man! I’ll PM you, I have a few questions before I put you to any trouble.
👍 

[jackpine]

If your processor will do it maybe try using the phantom center feature.

[novisnick]

Jul 26, 2021 21:07:53 GMT -5 jackpine said:

If your processor will do it maybe try using the phantom center feature.

Thanks, I’ll look and see. 👍

[ttocs]

Nick, I ran the Polk CSi5 through REW, and have been listening to it for a short while. Unfortunately, I don't think it's quite up to the task of what we are used to these days.

When I used it in my last apartment up to 9 years ago, it was with the rear bass ports plugged to tame the boxy sound, which did the job pretty well. But now as I listen to it for a bit, there's a slight raspiness to it, so I checked the distortion in REW and sure enough, the distortion is a bit high. So I think it is not something I'd feel comfortable in giving away even if I paid the shipping. I just don't think it's worth your time to consider. At least it was a fun exercise for me as I've been wondering about this speaker for quite some time but never took the time to go through the motions.

Here's the REW plot. The red is with open bass ports, and the green is plugged ports. The specs say it ranges from 50Hz, which it doesn't do in-room, to well over 20,000Hz but it takes a nose dive well before that.


Well, on to other adventures.

[novisnick]

Jul 31, 2021 16:30:12 GMT -5 ttocs said:

Nick, I ran the Polk CSi5 through REW, and have been listening to it for a short while. Unfortunately, I don't think it's quite up to the task of what we are used to these days.

When I used it in my last apartment up to 9 years ago, it was with the rear bass ports plugged to tame the boxy sound, which did the job pretty well. But now as I listen to it for a bit, there's a slight raspiness to it, so I checked the distortion in REW and sure enough, the distortion is a bit high. So I think it is not something I'd feel comfortable in giving away even if I paid the shipping. I just don't think it's worth your time to consider. At least it was a fun exercise for me as I've been wondering about this speaker for quite some time but never took the time to go through the motions.

Here's the REW plot. The red is with open bass ports, and the green is plugged ports. The specs say it ranges from 50Hz, which it doesn't do in-room, to well over 20,000Hz but it takes a nose dive well before that.
View Attachment

Well, on to other adventures.

Thanks so much for your offer time and research! I agree with your findings and have done a manual setup of my speakers today. Everything sounds better now but I’ve come to the conclusion, at least for me, that once you go with a good large center channel it’s extremely hard to go back. I did a bit of EQ and boosted just a hair and I think its as good as it will get. Wonderful sound for a smaller room but it will just have to do for now for a room this size. 18’ X 21’ X 9’.  I’m thinking something like a Klipsch RP 404C. Nothing too expensive but still bringing more to the room.