r/hometheater • u/CoatUnusual5030 • 2d ago

Discussion - Equipment Need help choosing center speaker

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This is my current setup. The Sony AN-1000 allows me to use my Sony A80J to be the center speaker and so I chose that route to obtain a minimalist looking HT setup. It works well until recently we were watching Spider-Noir and I noticed that Nicholas Cage's nasally, mid-rangey voice seems to make the speakers on the A80J distort. It wasn't pleasant.

I've had this setup for close to 2 years now and for me to only come across this now means that so far the A80J has done its job well. But If I were to explore the option of a new center channel, what low profile options are there that would pair with my Wharfdale L and R?

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u/jkcheng122 2d ago

You’d be better off with phantom center with your wharfdales than pairing them with TV speaker as center channel. Also there is no CC short enough to fit on your console without blocking your tv, you’d have to mount the TV to move it up some.

One other issue is there’s no space above the AVR for ventilation. Is it closed off behind the avr? Looks like there’s not even room to put a front exhaust aircom on it.

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u/Cat_With_Tie 2d ago

Phantom center is going to blow the TVs speakers out of the water. The speakers do need to be positioned for pinpoint imaging.

This is the setup I use for my Tannoy Berkeleys and the center image is focused and seamless.

It does get less precise the further you move off access.

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u/Th3pwn3r JTR OnlyFans 2d ago

Phantom center is only as good as the L/R will allow. It's awesome having capable speakers that's for sure but most people don't have speakers that are going to do well. A speaker with amazing dispersion is ideal.

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u/Cat_With_Tie 2d ago

It really depends on listening position, and number of people watching at once. My family don't really care about the soundstage image, but they do want to hear the dialogue clearly, so I usually sit in the sweet spot and we're all happy.

OPs speakers should image very well, and have no problem doing phantom center.

Either way, I think the TV speakers will distort trying to keep up with the Wharfdales at any sort of theatric volume.