Do You REALLY Need a Center Channel??!

Most everyone says the center channel speaker is the most important speaker in a home theater and that you should spend the most money on that speaker. Is it true or is it just snake oil 🐍

[@zvsmith2008]

Watching first movie after hooking up a little 2.2 in my bedroom , realized immediately I needed a center channel.. Get a notification come from you on the very subject 😂😂😂.. amazing..

[@GSP-76]

Ive had this conversation with many people...the short answer is no, you don't need a center channel *if you're running just two speakers or a 2.1 system that has high quality speakers. The long answer is absolutely yes, you need a center channel. The center channel is whst makes the entire home theater experience what it is. If you're sitting just 2-3ft away, you wouldn't need a center channel but for a proper audio setup for movie watching, the center channel is what makes the experience.

[@keepingupwiththejones2933]

That intro was comedic gold 🤣😅♥️♥️♥️

[@Kpaceguy]

You know this is the silliest audio channel on KZbin lol !!

[@HomeTheatre101]

I prefer having a phantom center. A good pair of speakers should be able to have pinpoint center imaging. 🍿

[@Kpaceguy]

Correct

[@MrMichaelEsser]

Only If you sit in the perfect mid

[@Boxkerp]

I have a center in my theater, a svs ultra bookshef behind an at screen, identical to my left and right speakers. But I also have a 2 channel music room where I mostly listen to music but I also have my PS5 and series X and the phantom center is very convincing. By the way I finally made a choice on my new speakers for my 2-channel setup and went with the R3 Mettas in Indigo blue color. I was close to going with white but new I would regret no going with the blue.

[@Kpaceguy]

Yes I WISH I had blue. I'd even swap my silver driver for blue if I can find a pair.

[@capnsnaxx]

I'm currently running a Jamo C9 II for my center channel with the C97 II towers for left and right. I couldn't imagine not having a center because I need the dialogue to be crystal clear. That's the first thing people notice besides the bass.

[@slyfoxx8540]

Been using a 4.1 for years but now I've just got my arendal monitors i think its time for a centre, and it'll be exactly the same as my l/r. Just hope i prefer it.

[@Patrick35312]

Im having a "4.1" system for years now. Good BIG Left & Right Speakers, Smaller Rears, Sub, but NO Center (routing Center to L&R equaly) and i have absolutly NO complains at all. Voices are perfactly clear. My sound is absolutly perfect for Me :) Sorry but in my opinion, a Center is not really Neccessary, if you have good, well placed L&Rs. At least in smaller rooms like mine. Of cause it can be nice to have. Also very depending on Room Size/Furnishing, Speaker Placement/Seperation..... But my personal experiance is: It is not "Needed", Sorry😅 But of course I know. As always, everyone has their own opinion, there is no right or wrong :)

[@markhampton7559]

Kyle, I have several sound systems in my house. The two main systems are: (1) Full surround sound system 7.2.4 (2) Stereo system with Omni-directional DUEVEL Jupiter Horn Speakers. Since the 2-channel is an Omni-directional speaker in all frequencies, it also gives a center imaging from anywhere in the room.

[@Kpaceguy]

Not bad, not bad.

[@MusicMovies67]

Centre channel is most important speaker to hear dialogue clearly, l find most of the sound comes from the Centre speaker on movies & TV shows

[@Boxkerp]

Dude you should went with it, maybe upload the rest of the video the next day. That would have been hilarious.

[@Kpaceguy]

HAHA I've thought about it but don't know how you guys would take it !

[@sammy10001]

If you sit in the middle, a phantom center is the better option. Your left and right can image much better than a center channel speaker. It can position the sound of noises to the people talking lips.

[@starg47]

technically all that's needed is a screen and sound but if you are looking for the best home theater experience a center channel would be excellent, if you watch movies by yourself 2 speakers is fine depending on the quality of your speakers and where your sitting, but don't let the lack of a center channel stop you from watching movies, just enjoy the show.

[@yogabyaakaash]

Would love to use same towers for LCR.... but only if possible! 🤔

[@Kpaceguy]

Agreed. Maybe one day

[@davidross7255]

Would a bigger center channel give me better sound performance such as the SVS ultra center channel? I have the space and currently have a smaller one.

[@Kpaceguy]

USUALLY bigger means more drivers, which usually means better clarity and volume.

[@johncoscia5258]

Yes but I don't want to watch my center speaker in the movies, does it improve 2 channel stereo by phantom or whatever is my issue. Denon avr 2000 pro logic with active 12 inch 300w

[@johncoscia5258]

This phantom MC's no sucker , but he's a phantom . Could not find that mystery channel on my amp, maybe it on television ? Out, comments turned off due to technical issues !

[@jlang13]

Someone drank their coffee.

[@jamesianv]

center channel is all about dialogue, be careful you can spend 500 bucks and be very disappointed like me with a triangle. women voices and high tones great. male voices just awful distortion or crackling .

[@taivo5753]

We don’t need no stinkin’ center channel !!! JUST KIDDING.😁

[@brooklynknightss]

I have klipsch RP-280FA towers for my left and right, im using klipsch RP-280FA for my center channel, am i crazy?? I have it horizontal

[@Kpaceguy]

Nope.

[@brooklynknightss]

​@Kpaceguy to me it sounds great!!! Thank you for your fast response!!!!

[@BhavikPatelhr]

Looking for for tutorial videos on manual calibration if you are ok to share your knowledge and methods 🙏

[@Kpaceguy]

I have a few. Check my "How to" playlist

[@ld32486]

zeos or zreviews has a great take on this topic. hes saying when it comes to home theater the center and the sub are the most important pieces of the room. everything else is bullshit. i agree with that 100%.

[@Kpaceguy]

Basically. Everything else is just there for sound effects unless you use your theater for music

[@Slammy555]

I have a center but mostly listen in 2.1. I just don't watch enough movies and I only have toslink out from my PC.

[@fedurrrass4226]

Toslink can give you 5.1 DTS or Dolby Digital. Even AAC 5.1 works. I use it when have ps4 pro or watching moves about 15years. In 2024 I bought yamaha rx-v6a and front polk audio signature elite es55 speakers. Yesterday I buy polk audio signature elite es35. Tomorrow I will put it under TV. My old small center speaker was good but whant better. I have small room 20 m2. No change surround. It's for 3d effect only. But I think maybe in future buy es 10 15 or 20 for full setup. Atmos can be decode dawn to 5.1 only on that avr. Fronts goes on bi-amp mode plus 5.1 mode. Great for stereo music and very good for moves in that size of room. I don't know what subwoofer to chose for now but need small. Maybe svs or rel or polk ht12. Maybe heco. It's my daily room so don't have much space to put.

[@Slammy555]

@@fedurrrass4226 I upgraded my receiver since that post though I still mostly listen in 2.1. There are some interesting mixes in 5.1, like My Sweet Lord where the chorus picks up on the rears but they always sound better to me in 4.1.

[@nathaneldogo]

For me no center channel sound best

[@squared80]

Nobody NEEDS a center channel. But the only reason to ever decide not to have one is because you can't yet afford it. Don't think for a second that you're not missing out on a better HT experience by using a phantom center instead of an actual center.