Centre speaker matching

quote:

lso, are there timing issues with driving L/R fronts from a Naim amp and a center (and later possibly) a sub an surrounds from another receiver?

Nope.

quote:

I understand, the center is mostly for dialogue so as long as it is clear and open, how close to the main speakers should it be sonically?

As close as possible really - otherwise you'll spend more time noticing the disparity between voicing rather than watching the movie.

If you are only doing centre + fronts then i'd be tempted just to stick with 2 and downmix to stereo.

James

Sorry, I know this is off topic, but what would be a minimum when using SL2s

Regards

Mark

Mark,

I've tried the n-Cent with SL2s. It's OK but not ideal. I found it best when set to small. The Axess or Axent are really the ones to go for with SLs. You seem them around S/H from time to time.

Richard

Thanks for the advice.

Regards,

Mark

Mark,

I have the MFC (with MF5's). It is a superb centre speaker. It will not be overkill and will sonically match the MFS. There is so much imformation fed to the centre speaker, 75% in some cases. Mine is fed with a 145.

Nick.

quote:

Originally posted by Richard Dane:
The Axess or Axent are really the ones to go for with SLs. You seem them around S/H from time to time.

So in light of the fact that Axess, Axent and now SL2 are no more by quite some time, what would the serious advise be for a centre speaker for the current Ovator line....??!

Steve.

Steve, I know your being mischievious here. I have no idea. It's something that a dealer will no doubt discover given the time and inclination to find out. Guesswork would help nobody.

Mischievous..?!...Noooooo.....It's a valid question, seriously !

If I, or anyone, were to go out and buy the S-600s tomorrow, or more likely the 400s later in the year, I and other AV folk would be stuck for a centre......With the BMR being such a unique feature of the new speaker, I'm guessing finding suitable centre speaker from a 3rd party is going to be even more difficult than normal.....

Here's to hoping - and presuming - one of the models to follow the 600 has a C after it's numbers.....

Lo Merto.

As Richard pointed out in a similar thread a centre speaker is not especially necessary. With good stereo speakers all the dialogue is centrally well placed in any case . Should you choose to go with rear speakers and an additional amp/processor then still, unless your centre is to be a perfect match with the stereo pair (and the stereo amp to a slightly lesser degree) you are better off with a phantom centre projected by the MFS.

Good luck. Paul.

A phantom speaker's a very poor substitute for a properly matched centre. Or even a not-so-well matched one!

As has been pointed out many times on this Forum the centre speaker is at least as important as the stereo pair in a surround sound system and it's a real pity Naim stopped making the Axess. The Axent, good though it was, is a bit of a monster.

Tony is correct. However, I'd much rather go "phantom" than live with an ill-matched centre speaker.

As for the Axess and Axent, if people had kept buying enough of them then they would have still been made...

Please don't take this as a jibe at you, Tony, but whenever people lament the passing of a piece of kit (IBLs are a good example), it begs the question "so why didn't you buy one?". If enough demand isn't there then it makes no sense to keep something in production.

(P.s. for all I know you bought an Axess or Axent, and if so, good for you! As you say, they were very good. The Axent was amazing - but too big for most)

Look at my profile Richard...

Silly me...

It looks like I bought the other Axess!

But seriously Mark, I can confirm that the Axess integrates wonderfully with the SL2's, if you can find a pair.

Gerry

Steve, with regard to a matching centre speaker for the Ovators, the problem I foresee is that these are not 'close to wall' speakers and I think this will preclude them from AV duties in most domestic situations.

Yeah, I guess that's a point....Visually too, standing way in front of screen will/does look daft....Any centre will have to be pulled forward from the screen line, or left back behind and out of position to FL & FR....

I have a feeling it's of little concern to Naim and where they want to go with the new speakers...

I can show you some pics of a building site..?!

Still in progress mate !!!...It's coming, it's coming....if it doesn't kill me first ! I got sidetracked downstairs with the decision to put a new kitchen in whilst we were at it with the rest of the place....I'll start a thread once I have something to show....

I'm also in 'dilemma land' deciding what floor to put down in the room and also how to exactly handle the mains feed, so the extra time cogitating isn't so bad....

I also need to rob a bank as I seem to to be spending money on anything & everything BUT what I thought I would be spending on...!

Steve.

Blimey Steve, don't tell me you haven't finished the place yet!!

Oi !

I'm just getting used to English & countryside pace of life (after living in capital cities for 20 years).....i.e. Sloooooooooowwwwwww

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It looks like I bought the other Axess!

But seriously Mark, I can confirm that the Axess integrates wonderfully with the SL2's, if you can find a pair.

Gerry

Gerry,

I already have a pair of SL2. I don't have a Axess and it would seem almost impossible to home dem. I will stick for the time being with the KEF series Q (IQ60C) centre. If the possibility to try out the Axess comes up I will give it a go.

Regards

Mark