Using TV's speakers for center channel with Surround Sound

stevekaden · Post by **stevekaden** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:36 am

I have purchased the top of the line Logitech Z-5500 for my daugther. They are not perfect, but incredibly cost efficient - like $250 on the street and THX rated, 500 real watts. I have a co worker who while drowning in money, is very tight - and he bought them for his main system and he and family are very happy.

I'm a Definitive Tech fan...and their ProCinema line is nice as well (but ranging from $600-$1600). And there are many others as well (too many for easy decisions!).

But, nothing I know of can compare to the Logi 5500 in price/quality. Heck, you don't even need a receiver, it has a controller with a Dolby Digital decoder, 6.1 inputs, etc. and a remote control. It really is amazing (and killer for a PC also).

sallyxi · Post by **sallyxi** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:22 am

I totally agree with that the most important speaker is the center channel because thats where probably the whole of the dialogue will come from.

Rodolfo · Post by **Rodolfo** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:37 am

I accidentally came across this thread, and although the advice was correct about not using the TV amp/speaker for permanent installations, there were certain factors that were not addressed, and the first part of this article highlights those factors:

http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/articles/20 ... part_4.php

In consideration to those that are strapped for money, I must say that for A) temporary applications in B) a small room at C) very low audio volumes, a RPTV (some with subs into them) could let you enjoy until you find the final multichannel audio system for your needs, and for some people that final never arrives.

Best Regards,

Rodolfo La Maestra

Tombanjo · Post by **Tombanjo** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 6:14 am

Perhaps it's just me, but unless money isn't an issue, why pay bust out retail for a speaker? Out of all the things in your HT, speakers have the least "moving parts" that can go bad with time and overuse. Buy used! Go to audiogon.com. I scored a perfectly good Revel Performa C50 center speaker, lists for $3000, for $1100. Close to three years and not one problem. I could see being wary about getting one of those complicated big time AV receivers used because of all the delicate computer stuff involved, but speakers? Come on, you get so much more for your money and speakers hardly depreciate in quality, unless they are really old.

rfowkes · Post by **rfowkes** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:26 am

Generally, good advice. However, speakers have a couple of caveats that might or might not be important. If they have been mistreated (overloaded) by the previous owner(s) then there might be some subtle damage that could become a problem later on. A small tear in a cone, for example, might not be very, if at all, noticeable when you get your bargain home. However, over time the distortion might become greater as the tear (or whatever) gets larger. Also, it's not true that speakers have the least "moving parts" in the literal sense. Speakers are all about moving air and how and when they do this is critical. I realize you were probably talking more about moving dials, switches, etc. in receivers and other components and it is true, of course, that you usually "set and forget" speaker parameters for the most part. However, let's not forget that there is a lot of movement going on at all times - but just not by the user but by the device itself.

Finally, while it's true that excellent speakers last a very long time (and many great "used" bargains can be had for those willing to do their homework) they don't necessarily last as long as, say, good amplifiers. The problem is that the materials or the adhesive, or the supports, etc. that hold it all together will age over time and if we get to a quarter century or so, some drying out, etc. is inevitable so deterioration of materials and sound will occur. Granted, more modern materials withstand the ravishes of time better than speakers from 50 years ago, but nothing is really forever as long as current speaker designs are around (with a few exceptions).

Like I said, I concur with your overall statement regarding the possibility of some great finds in used and discontinued speakers. However, it's not easy to determine whether these speakers were driven by that little old lady in Pasadena or the Acid Rock fan in Petaluma. <g>

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:35 am

The problem is that the materials or the adhesive, or the supports, etc. that hold it all together will age over time and if we get to a quarter century or so, some drying out, etc. is inevitable so deterioration of materials and sound will occur.

Same thing happens to electronics - especially electrolytic capacitors...

Oh! Scuze me, that's called classic or vintage sound...

rfowkes · Post by **rfowkes** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:48 am

Point taken, Richard. As I sit here looking at my old tube equipment I realized that someone would probably bring this up. Yes, nothing is forever (just tell my body that!) but it is true that longevity could be made a priority a bit more if the dreaded bottom line wasn't in corporate play. I think that we can all agree that good speakers and good amps have a better chance of staying in our systems longer than most other components because they do what they were designed to do and will not become obsolescent. (I'd probably put my Stewart Studiotek 130 screen into that same category.) Things like pre/pros, players and displays, on the other hand, are normally replaced because of lacking features rather than wearing out. I speak from expereicne. When I abandoned my HDMI-impaired Lexicon MC-8 for a Denon 3806 and then a Denon 3808ci it wasn't because the Lexicon suddenly stopped working. (Anyone want to buy a perfectly functioning MC-8?) It was because it couldn't handle HDMI and advanced audio codecs. My revolving door in this vein continues as I expect to take delivery on my Denon AVP-A1HDci pre/pro within a month or so.

Gotta love that bleeding edge.

Tombanjo · Post by **Tombanjo** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 1:16 pm

Tombanjo wrote:Perhaps it's just me, but unless money isn't an issue, why pay bust out retail for a speaker? Out of all the things in your HT, speakers have the least "moving parts" that can go bad with time and overuse. Buy used! Go to audiogon.com. I scored a perfectly good Revel Performa C50 center speaker, lists for $3000, for $1100. Close to three years and not one problem. I could see being wary about getting one of those complicated big time AV receivers used because of all the delicate computer stuff involved, but speakers? Come on, you get so much more for your money and speakers hardly depreciate in quality, unless they are really old.

Well Reg, you jinxed me

Not two weeks after I wrote that, the mid-range driver on the Revel failed. Figures! I took a chance that it wasn't a faulty crossover (the woofers still worked) and sent away for another driver. Cost me $187 and I even managed to solder the new one on without incident. That's at the outer limits of my technical ability. Figured I saved about $200+ in shipping and labor costs, plus the good feeling you get from doing it yourself.

HDTV Forum

Using TV's speakers for center channel with Surround Sound

Can I say the brand name?

Center Channel issue not only about dialogue and power