If you know me, you know i always see the glass half empty

I’d like to add a Center speaker to my audio system.
Managed to grab 2 pairs of Ess AMT 12 speakers at an extraordinary price. Don’t ask, it’s been a 50 years old love story with the Ess speakers. Looking to fix my ‘77 busted AMT 1A landed on an exceptional deal, couldn’t resist.
Well aware it’s overkill for the rear speakers and my living room ain’t large either.

So, back on topic. Imports were shut down back in 2019 and the market is dry. Little or no audio equipment left. Little or no chance of listening to what remains in stock. No stores, only online purchases.
Managed to buy a Yamaha RX-A2A receiver, was looking for a better model but gave up after over a year of calling every dealership in town.

Have little or no room in front of my TV that rests on its base. No room above or below.
That made me look at slim central speakers, never seen or heard them. My picks are the Klipsch RP-404c and Polk Audio S35.
Not even sure they’re available since a couple of sellers publish equipment they no longer have. Brand reps are out of stock.

If any of you know these speakers, it would help me a lot to read your opinion.

What should i look for while listening to a center speaker? How balanced should they match my front ones?

Thanks for any advise provided.

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quote:

Originally posted by 0-0:
What should i look for while listening to a center speaker? How balanced should they match my front ones?

The frequency response, timbre, etc., all have to match the mains. Otherwise, as something moves across the sound stage in the front it will change characteristics as it moves across.

Ideally and maybe even critically the center speaker should be centrally as close to "ear listening height" as possible.
This can be problematic on occasion depending on mounting conditions but placement is critical.
Try to get the same or similar sound to the surrounds if possible.
Additionally, use the YPAO sound setup with mic in the Yamaha Receiver - this will make a huge difference in adjusting levels.
Note that the center channel is where most of the critical sound comes from (dialog etc) and sound will vary from movie to movie or show to show.
Some shows there are a lot of ambient sound and other not so much and of course older shows especially.
I would really try to properly locate it centrally if possible.

Good Luck

PS ESS speakers back when I was in the Audio Business was a fantastic speaker ~ the AMT 1A was amazing.
I am sure they are still great.
KUDOS

^^^^^^^ Have gone thru Hell and high water in my life but always dragged my AMT 1As with me, busted as they are. Thanks to a SF karma years ago, i managed to get, with joel9507’s help, a vintage crossover from the factory. Hope one day i will put the speakers together properly restored.

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Cerwin-Vega does (or used to) make a pretty nice center speaker.

O-O - I have a set of Infinty 5.1 speakers that you are welcome to if you want them. It is just the Center speaker and the 4 separates. The sub died years ago. So 5 speakers and no sub. They all work as new, or they did when I boxed them up and stuck them in my garage.

If you are interested email me and we can work out shipping to down south. They are nothing like those ESS speakers but they take up very little space and sound good.

"Ideally" your center channel speaker's (and your rear channel speakers') mid range driver and tweeter should match those in your main speakers. This is(/was) usually only possible if you purchased a 5 speaker package or series from one manufacturer. This ensures similar sound characteristics as effects move around you during the action you are viewing. That being said it may be impossible to do this (or at least very difficult) if the speakers you are trying to match are not current. ESS does have a center channel speaker. If its drivers (heil tweeter mid range drivers) are the same or similar, it would be, imho, your best bet.

rebut10 is correct as are ensigmatic and smschulz.

Matching characteristics and having the middle set at a proper height make a huge difference.

Nicky, wish I could help regarding the Klipsch and Polk but I have no experience with them.

I'm using Definitive Technology matching mains and center for all the reasons already cited in my 7+2 system.

I've tried using center speakers a couple of times. Also ended up removing them. For me, in my room, they just didn't add any value. Even when using decent brands like Paradigm or Monitor Audio.

Perhaps if I had a big, airy room like bald1, with a huge screen (75"?) it may be useful. But in my small living room and 55" TV, center speaker didn't really do much for me (along side my floor standing Paradigms). YMMV.

Yes, i have many limitations and keep finding more.
While my first choice between both, just found out i don’t have enough space for the Klipsch. Can’t put it in front of the TV, too much depth required. Can’t put it under the TV base, insufficient height.

That leaves me with the Polk Audio exclusively.

ESS does make a $1600 Center speaker, can’t imagine how much it would cost down here…. It’s a rara avis.
bald1 suggested the Martin Logan’s. Maybe i need more patience.

Will look into another TV i have, maybe switching sets will open new possibilities.

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Nicky,

Martin Logans? Don't recall that. Maybe you're thinking of Magneplanars.

And yea that LD-6C Center Channel is a bit much cost wise. Seems I recall DIY folks could buy a Heil driver. Ever thought about a DIY center speaker designed much like the LD-6C?

You told me the ML have similar design if i remember correctly.

A DIY is an excellent idea but getting the basic materials is a poace i’ve been stuck for decades trying to rebuild the AMT 1As.

There is one guy that does it in Argentina but his designs only cost a fortune. Nothing under 5k plus the work and parts. Will look for the link again.

quote:

Originally posted by 0-0:
You told me the ML have similar design if i remember correctly.

A DIY is an excellent idea but getting the basic materials is a poace i’ve been stuck for decades trying to rebuild the AMT 1As.

There is one guy that does it in Argentina but his designs only cost a fortune. Nothing under 5k plus the work and parts. Will look for the link again.

The ML are bipolar as are the Magneplanars if that is what we were discussing.

Yeah the Heil driver was priced at under $200 USD but everywhere I've looked they're on backorder.

Does Amazon deliver to Argentina?

I know its tough to get outside delivery of products.

Woot is Amazons division that has special deals.
They have an $800 dollar Klipsch center channel for $390.


Klipsch RP-440 Center Link

HRK's link is to Costco. Here's the link to Woot and the Klipsch:
https://electronics.woot.com/o...nt_lnd_cat_elec_4_39

But I don't know what the control center requirement is all about. I would surmise this would not be a good fit for Nicky

Key Features:

Requires HD Wireless Control Center
Four 4.5" Cerametallic cone woofers
One 1” titanium LTS tweeter
90° x 90° Tractrix Horn
Custom designed internal amplification system

Will need to rethink this.

The depth of the Klipsch is more than the room i have in front of the TV and the TV set is embedded in a larger piece of furniture… No room to wiggle.

Will look into another TV set i got to replace mine and see what changes. My current TV isn’t smart, neither is the owner. The other i got and don’t use is a few years younger and smart.

Thank guys, will get back to you as soon as i switch TVs. Likely the Polk Audio is the only possible solution.

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Paradigm Reference V1 Studio 60 fronts, and a V2 Center with V2 Di-polar surrounds. Same aluminum tweeters and kevlar mid-bass drivers in all of them. The front towers also have dedicated bass drivers, and the sub is a Seismic 12.

The fronts are 23 years old, the sub is 12 years old and the others are somewhere in between. But they sound fantastic and I have zero need to replace them. I also have a pair of V1 Studio 20's I can use for additional channels but haven't gotten around to experimenting with them.