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Posted (edited)

Hey gang,  I'm having a big dilemma choosing a centre channel.

 

I've been getting back into my system since I moved into this apartment, piece by piece putting things together and tweaking the gear I already own:

 

Hisense 65" OLED  refurb + Denon X3600H + Lenehan MLT3 Floorstanders + T10 Temblor Sub + Focal On Wall 301 (recent acquisition)

 

The floorstanders are running through the AUDIOPHONICS MPA-S250NC XLR Class D Stereo Amplifier Ncore 2x250W 4 Ohm - so the X3600H would only be running the centre, the Focal on walls side surrounds, and future heights.

 

I really felt when watching content, that I was missing a centre channel, even with phantom centre being sent to the fronts, I was reaching for the subtitles.  At the moment, I've got a KEF LS50 on it's side, sitting on top of the sub.

 

I found a nice electric TV stand so I will mount my current and/or future 83" OLED TV on this to make room for the centre: https://www.screenmounts.com.au/mobile-tv-stand-tw85-electric-height-adjustment-68~281

 

So I did quite a bit of research, asking Claude + ChatGPT to assist me collate a list of "heavy" centres on the theory that heavy is better.     They do hallucinate quite a bit, ChatGPT more than Claude, for example the HTM81 D3 specs.

 

My budget is max $1500-$3000 - most prices here are USD..... so many options over 11kg are out of my price range.

 

image.thumb.png.3fff1200257ef862e1c3976fe0ba0088.png

 

Maybe this will be helpful to someone else.  

 

Anyway, so on top of this, here are specifics about models:

  • There was a Paradigm 45C on sale in the classifieds here for $300 and I wasn't really on the site enough back then and I missed it.  Kicking myself!  I don't see any current models in the classifieds that appeal to me.  I'm avoiding Klipsch and AMT tweeters.
  • Multiple US reviewers say the Monoprice Monolith 365C is the best US$500 centre around.  However the aussie distributor for Monoprice didn't reply to my email and doesn't list it on the website.  What a shame!
  • The Revel C426Be is $9000 down under, but on Crutchfield it works out to only $4500 on a "sale" model, white one I think.  Plus a crazy amount of shipping costs and customs duties, but still cheaper than buying it locally.  That one really looks nice.
  • There is an Usher Compass X616 on gumtree in Melbourne, it's old though, semi-vintage and whilst nice and heavy, I dunno if it's the way to go.
  • There is an Osborn C2 in Tasmania, but it is pickup only, only $500!  Almost considered going to get it, and have a holiday, but it doesn't look like the modern Osborn centres, so not sure and logistics are very hard.
  • Revel Ultimate Voice 1 - West Coast hifi is advertising this on here as part of the whole home theatre package, but individually the centre on Gumtree.  But when I messaged, he doesn't want to split it up...... so I don't know why bother advertising it separately in the first place.

 

So even though it's pretty expensive, I am leaning towards a brand new Osborn C3.  Because I know Mike Lenehan and how he uses great quality parts, which is how I ended up with the floorstanders.  And I've been researching Osborn brand, and the owner mentions how he barely makes any margin, so it's chock full of good components and materials: https://www.osbornloudspeakers.com.au/c3-centre-speaker

 

I enjoy watching GR-Research on YouTube rip apart fancy high-end speakers to find shitty components and how Mike Lenehan explains that most of the price is for margin for downchannel and marketing.

 

This is going to be my first and last centre channel, so hard to make up my mind.

 

20241227_045747.thumb.jpg.8377953a9d6b06f8ce74af0f94b515b0.jpg

Edited by Zanny

Posted

buying from o/s is crazy, no warranty, import duties, risk of damage if inspected, no Aust Consumer protection.

what does it cost to get over to Tassie? $200? $300 i have no idea but you are in melbourne so just get the C2 under $500.

  • Like 2
Posted

Have a look at the Krix centre speakers. I have the Epicentrix, it’s an awesome centre speaker.

 

Krix also have a couple of smaller models.

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
On 27/12/2024 at 3:55 AM, Zanny said:

Paradigm 45C

I have an early model Paradigm, and it’s awesome.  I read many years ago that the vertically aligned mid / tweeter makes a huge difference. I cannot remember why

Posted

Given the $3k budget have you touched base with Mike lenehan to see if he has a centre design that could match? I remember seeing a centre speaker from him for sale secondhand here at one stage.

  • Like 1

Posted
10 hours ago, JkSpinner said:

I have an early model Paradigm, and it’s awesome.  I read many years ago that the vertically aligned mid / tweeter makes a huge difference. I cannot remember why

I agree, the Krix are designed this way.

 

Might be on their website as to why.

Posted
3 hours ago, Whites said:

I agree, the Krix are designed this way.

 

Might be on their website as to why.

As far as I'm aware it's to mirror the L+R speakers so they do their best to all sound the same even though the centre is typically horizontal and the L+R vertical.

  • Like 1
Posted

Have a look at ProAc Response D Monitors if you can find one second hand. I am currently it with my system and for a center channel it ticks all the boxes. There is a ribbon tweeter version also. I am currently on a hunt for a ribbon version.  Your current floor standers have dome tweeters so a center channel with a dome tweeter would be a better match.

 

 

Posted

The tonality of the centre channel should match the main left and right channels as the priority.

You want sounds panning left and right to sound the same across mains and centre speakers.

 

On 06/01/2025 at 7:43 PM, Hi-Fi Whipped said:

As far as I'm aware it's to mirror the L+R speakers so they do their best to all sound the same even though the centre is typically horizontal and the L+R vertical.

^this

 

Better centre channels mount the tweeter and mid driver vertically, with mid bass drivers either side.

This arrangement keeps the tonality of the upper frequencies in the centre channel closely matching the main left and right speakers.

 

On 06/01/2025 at 10:08 AM, Hi-Fi Whipped said:

have you touched base with Mike lenehan to see if he has a centre design that could match?

I agree.

 

Mike

  • Like 2
Posted (edited)

I'd seriously consider this one, local pick up in Melbourne:

 

image.png.386e9b3e94ea0a51af240fa3f674c8db.png

 

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/196893443531?_skw=aaron+C240+centre+speaker

 

Aaron CC240, Australian made hard to beat centre, I have one, movie dialogue is superb and it packs a punch (plus it has a dome tweeter). They weigh 14kg's. Dimensions are 205 x 695 x 410mm (H x W x D), price $300.

 

Here's the sellers description:

"This is a monster Center channel. 

Perfect realistic vocals. 

Sounds amazing even without a sub. 

Best loudspeaker I have heard as a centre. In excellent working order."

 

I concur with his sentiments. Worth a look.👍

Edited by stevoz

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...
Posted (edited)
On 06/01/2025 at 11:08 AM, Hi-Fi Whipped said:

Given the $3k budget have you touched base with Mike lenehan to see if he has a centre design that could match? I remember seeing a centre speaker from him for sale secondhand here at one stage.

 

I read that Mike is semi-retired and his son has taken over.  Anyway, upgrade-itis means the Lenehans will be moved to take over from the Kef LS50s in the PC setup eventually (2 years from now?) so I want to audition other options for floorstanders at the next Melbourne audio show.  There are some used Osborn in NSW but the 100kg weight and 10k price tag, for now makes them aspirational.  

 

On 24/01/2025 at 10:41 PM, stevoz said:

The Aaron above, now $250.....seriously hard to beat. Have you even seen my first post @Zanny ? Or have you already purchased something?

 

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/196893443531?_skw=aaron+C240+centre+speaker

 

So to update the thread, yes I did purchase something,  and I didn't update the thread because it arrived with a dead tweeter.   Then it got damaged to the wood in the corner, from the courier, even with excellent packaging by the seller.   Took it to a woodworking mate to try to fix that, then damaging it myself in the car, pushing in the woofer dust cap.

 

So it was with the speaker doctor (open ear audio) for nearly a month to fix 2 of the 3 damaged (they don't fix cabinets).  I just got it back, now with a silk dome tweeter instead of metallic.  So I have no idea how to subjectively review it.  I am interested in the Aaron for the price just to compare, but at this stage I need to setup the TV stand to mount the TV on legs with electric up/down I bought, so I can fit the centre on the entertainment unit.

 

I'll just enjoy this unit for a while because I don't think it holds much resale value with a different tweeter and wood damage from shipping.....

 

It's not even facing me properly, sitting at an angle with the tweeter more towards the floor, but it sounds better than a phantom centre, and an LS50 as a centre, that much I can already tell.  I'll not mention the make and model right now, but it was about $900 delivered and another $240 to fix the tweeter and dust cap.

Edited by Zanny
  • Like 1
Posted
On 06/01/2025 at 5:35 AM, JkSpinner said:

I have an early model Paradigm, and it’s awesome.  I read many years ago that the vertically aligned mid / tweeter makes a huge difference. I cannot remember why

 

Horizontally aligned mids and tweeter tends to cause lobing which is uneven sound response around the room. If you are sitting directly on axis (sweet spot) then this is less of an issue if at all. I really hate the idea of mixing and matching different brands and even models of speakers for the centre because they will have a different frequency response, on and off axis.

  • Like 1
Posted
On 06/01/2025 at 6:05 AM, JkSpinner said:

I read many years ago that the vertically aligned mid / tweeter makes a huge difference. I cannot remember why

 

11 hours ago, Satanica said:

 

Horizontally aligned mids and tweeter tends to cause lobing which is uneven sound response around the room. If you are sitting directly on axis (sweet spot) then this is less of an issue if at all. I really hate the idea of mixing and matching different brands and even models of speakers for the centre because they will have a different frequency response, on and off axis.

^this

and as I said further up

On 07/01/2025 at 8:44 PM, almikel said:

Better centre channels mount the tweeter and mid driver vertically, with mid bass drivers either side.

This arrangement keeps the tonality of the upper frequencies in the centre channel closely matching the main left and right speakers.

Centre channels should sound the same as your left and right main speakers - both on and off axis.

 

Mike

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