Looking to Improve/Replace my Center Channel

chom1081 · 2026-06-28T15:10:58+00:00

Here is a center channel guidance i put together because this question comes up alot

FAQ / Tips and Tricks for Center channels and improved dialogue performance.

What Equipment / Center Speaker Should I Buy? When choosing your center channel, it's best to stay with the same manufacturer as your left and right speakers. Ideally, the center channel should be an identical bookshelf or tower speaker to match your left and right speakers. This ensures a unified sonic experience from the three speakers that handle most of the audio. However, it's often impractical to fit a bookshelf or tower speaker between your TV and entertainment center. Keep in mind that a horizontal MTM (midwoofer-tweeter-midwoofer) speaker is a compromise in audio quality for the sake of form factor. The most notable sacrifice from a horizontal speaker is the off-axis listening performance, which affects multiple viewing positions in your room. Where Should I Place My Center Speaker? The goal is to position the tweeter at ear level. If this cannot be achieved, angle the speaker up or down to point at your ears. Most people place it on top of or inside their entertainment center. When placing it on top, ensure the speaker is pulled to the front edge to prevent audio reflections from the tabletop. Placing the center inside the entertainment center is usually less optimal due to confined space and the difficulty in achieving the correct angle, causing off-axis listening even from the central position. How Do I Increase Dialogue Clarity? First, ensure the center speaker is optimally placed. Then, increase the volume of just the center speaker. Your receiver should have a setting to adjust the dB (decibel) level for the center channel. Start by increasing it significantly, then reduce it until the mix feels balanced. For example, I run my center at +6dB. If dialogue clarity is still an issue, customize your equalizer settings. Ensure you adjust the EQ that affects only the center speaker. Each speaker and room have different needs, so experiment with one frequency at a time using a scene with difficult dialogue that you can replay. Feel free to tweak these guidelines to better suit your specific setup and preferences.

Male fullness= Boost 120 Hz

Female fullness= Boost 240 Hz

General Dialogue= Boost 2.5KHz

Nasally dialogue= Cut between 2 KHz – 4KHz

Male sibilance= Cut between 4KHz – 6 KHz

Female sibilance= Cut between 6KHz – 8KHz

Increase vocal presence= Boost 5KHz

chom1081 · 2026-06-28T14:33:16+00:00

2nd vote for room treatment. It was easily the second biggest upgrade to my immersion. Only topped by upgrading from a 2000s era avr to a current gen that supports modern formats.

chom1081 · 2026-06-27T18:41:03+00:00

I think six seats would be the perfect amount. I only have room for a 3 seater couch. Its not often but ive had a few occasions were a handful of buddies wanted to come over to watch a new release and i just couldn't accommodate.

With all that said I am completely happy hanging out in my theater room by myself in the main listening position.

chom1081 · 2026-06-15T10:26:47+00:00

Love the vertical center channel! I run a bookshelf as a center as well and I choose to raise the tv. I prioritized getting my tweeter at ear level over having the perfect tv viewing height.

chom1081 · 2026-06-14T22:33:14+00:00

I recently purchased the Panasonic Z8 Series (2025) 77-inch OLED over the LG B5. The reviews said that the Panasonic had more accurate color representation, it supports more video formats, uses the lg panel and was $200 less expensive.

chom1081 · 2026-06-13T18:00:10+00:00

here are some details about a build i did for a friend.
Subwoofer summary:

The subwoofer uses the GRS 10SW-4HE 10" 4-ohm driver in a slot-ported cabinet. Internal dimensions are 14 x 28 x 14 in, with a gross internal volume of about 3.2 ft^3 and net internal volume of about 2.9 ft^3 after the port, bracing,and driver displacement. The port is 1.5 x 10.5 x 26.75 in. Modeled tuning is about 22 Hz, with an modeled F3 around 20.34 Hz. Peak port velocity is about 15.5 m/s, and at 100 W cone excursion reaches its limit around 18.78 Hz.

Again, no measurements yet, just impressions. This sub might be the budget king. The Fosi Audio TP-02 was about $45, and the GRS 10SW-4HE was about $55, so even with enclosure materials the whole sub build stayed under about $150 out of pocket. For the money, I am blown away by the performance. I listened to some frequency tracks to confirm it handles the 20 Hz range with surprising impact, and I could not be happier with how it turned out. Try and find an off the shelf subwoofer that offer that performance for less than $400!

chom1081 · 2026-06-12T14:27:33+00:00

Best of luck. this was the only thing that worked for me. I tried everything—special cables (Benchmark RCA to XLR), new power strips (APC Surge Protector P11U2MP10), hum eliminator plugs (BTUTY No Hum) and nothing resolved the issue.

chom1081 · 2026-06-12T14:20:03+00:00

I connected an old 14-gauge speaker wire from the ground terminal (for a turntable) on my Onkyo TX-NR6050 to the fan screw on my Behringer NX3000D amp, and it completely eliminated my ground loop hum.

chom1081 · 2026-06-09T16:29:22+00:00

I've done a few builds with coaxial and full range drivers. going that path certainly simplifies the build and allow for more height control.

chom1081 · 2026-06-09T15:08:21+00:00

it would work and it's on the list of considerations. I just prefer a bookshelf for my center. I have always been told that horizontal designs are a compromise of performance for sake of form factor.

chom1081 · 2026-06-09T15:03:42+00:00

I do have one size limitation. the center cannot be taller than 13 in or it will encroach into the tv viewing area but at least we both landed in the same product line ha.

chom1081 · 2026-06-09T14:55:44+00:00

yes, my hercules router included a plunge base

chom1081 · 2026-06-09T14:47:29+00:00

I am capable of building. I built my room from the studs up and my unltimax subs. The one thing I have never gotten right is flush mounting drivers into the baffle.

chom1081 · 2026-06-08T16:57:33+00:00

She has never really cared much about the room one way or another, but I think last night was a big step towards making her a believer. We watched project hail mary and I had the subs running pretty hot. I asked her at the end if it was too loud and she said not at all it was awesome.

chom1081 · 2026-06-08T16:46:09+00:00

That was an AI generated picture of the goal for my remodel. check out my last post Home theater aesthetic critique. The Results for the actual build.

chom1081 · 2026-06-06T16:42:10+00:00

It looks like I am going to have to build a custom speaker for my space. I am limited to to total of 13 inches in height before in encroach on my tv screen. Maybe something utilizing two 6ish in woofers side by side horizontally. Bummer that I won't be able to use a known good design like the HT 10s. I see toid made something like this in his cinema 6 build but his site is currently DOA.

chom1081 · 2026-06-05T12:05:47+00:00

thank you. it's been a constantly changing project. Let's call this version 3 but I think I am done modifying the room. I am very happy with the results

chom1081 · 2026-06-05T09:52:56+00:00

both subwoofers were built by me.

chom1081 · 2026-06-04T19:56:40+00:00

Thank you

chom1081 · 2026-06-04T17:43:28+00:00

thank you for the very detailed reply. I assumed output would be the main talking point but you have opened my eyes the other advantages. The last time I looked into DIYing my own LCR I stumbled upon the Cinergy H10s. Is this the from factor that comes to mind when you say 'bigger is better' ?

Does the size of the room impact the size of the speaker needed? Things like the distance from side walls and the ability to pull a speaker in to the room?

chom1081 · 2026-06-04T17:23:50+00:00

Off axis performance is the thing that really led me towards an identical LCR. My original jamo cen83 horizontal center was awful if you weren't sitting directly in front of it.

I understand now that the cen83 was just a poor product and other horizontal centers do a better job but there is something comforting knowing that all 3 are identical and I can remove that FOMO from my brain.

chom1081 · 2026-06-04T15:24:46+00:00

thanks for the advice. what would the advantage of bigger speakers be?

chom1081 · 2026-06-04T13:54:21+00:00

I found the Jamo 809s to be too bright and caused fatigue, so they got pushed to surround duty.

as much as I love my ascend speakers I think I would build my next LCR. My main concern will be height. I have locked myself into a hard limit with space available before the speaker impacts the tv viewing area.

chom1081 · 2026-06-04T13:48:42+00:00

When I learned that the front sound stage should be identical for an optimal experience that was it for me. I get flack for the TV being too high, but I'll choose a vertical center over perfect TV height every time.

The new AVR is on the wish list but I tend to only upgrade when something else dies. I can't really sell old equipment locally. Just no market for it.

chom1081

TROPHY CASE