My dumb 5.1 question

[lil.fred]

Why do our home theater setups use a "center" channel speaker? I mean, since two speakers (R and L) are sufficient to place a sound at the center of the spectrum?

I'm just saying, is all. Except that I am really perplexed.

[Sckott]

Check the setup manual that came with the receiver. No, you don't ABSOLUTELY have to have a C channel, but it's best. In fact, you can choose NOT to use that state of mind:

In most receiver setups, you can choose to turn the center channel OFF, in which anything purely coming from Dolby Digital is mixed though your left and right channels.

If you own a DVD player with the decoder built in there (ie: NOT your receiver) you can choose the same thing there, or merely just use the analog jacks out as L&R analogy to the receiver or Pre (whatver you use).

In the menu, mostly ON SCREEN it will be something like:

Center Channel ON/OFF (or YES/NO)

Also, you don't have to use a specially made center channel speaker for center channel. I'm using a Model 100 EPI single speaker, and since it's well away from the TV, I don't have to worry about magnetic shieliding.

They've seperated dialog in almost every case, and sent it to the center channel ONLY IF you use the setup as such, and yes, it matters. The music is discreet to the shouting and action, and to also add, it's nice that you can mix the center louder or softer in some cases.

I don't mind the mixdown to the L&R but I do not prefer it.

[Steve Hoffman]

No such thing as a dumb question here, ok?

The center channel tries to duplicate the theater experience. If you sit too far left or right the dialogue MUST still sound like it is coming from the center of the screen.

Same thing at home. You don't have to sit exactly in the middle (impossible in many "family" home situations).

Ya see?

[Sckott]

Fred, if you get the chance, try it at your local Hi-Fi retailer. I bet you will totally understand the big "perspective" difference, much like Steve's said. Betcha.

I too said "Center channel? Mmm?"... then I tried it. It's just like in the theatre, and yes, in most every case, the dialog is at the screen's top or bottom level, so the dialog seems to come from the mouths of the actors, and the action and music from elsewhere. :) Tis good.

[Gary]

Oh, is *that* it?!? Well, I learn something new here every day! I thought they were trying to ruin stereo imaging! ;)

So, why do we have a *rear* center channel?

[Jeffrey]

Originally posted by Gary
So, why do we have a *rear* center channel?

Hi Gary,

I think these are designed for us guys so we can still hear when our women send us to the dog house! :)

-Jeffrey

[Sckott]

Speaking of which, surround can ruin the preception you might need when the cat/dog might wanna come in.

"Is someone at the door?"
"No, no honey - It's the MOVIE doing that!"

[Ed Bishop]

Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
No such thing as a dumb question here, ok?


Do you win some kind of prize if you can think of one?:winkgrin:

Didn't think so....:( . No, you don't need a center channel, but....it makes a big difference sometimes. A recent example that would have made a big difference had it not been there was the 5.1 SACD of Miles' IN A SILENT WAY. As you can guess, Miles is full in the center speaker, and can be heard in the other four, but it's a smaller sound with echo and other ambience added. In other words, he's all around the listening area but REALLY in the center channel. And while, depending on your equipment and setup, you can mixdown to L/R front sound and get some center 'imaging'(sometimes)you lose a key component of the mix. Not true for every multi-channel disc you'll ever play, but typical of enough of them to want that center channel. I don't think it's as big a deal with most DVD movies as it is with music discs. The new Diana Krall LIVE IN PARIS has a great DTS mix, and while it's discrete, Krall tends to surround you though they do put her front and center foremost, a bit in the back for ambience. Without that center speaker she would sound diminished, part of the action instead of being the literal center of it--as she should be.

Beyond that, DVD film soundtracks are often mixed to isolate dialogue in the center and leave directional effects for the fronts; a better, more discrete sound. It just works so much better and adds to the fun.
Finally, if your receiver does have the center on/off option, that helps, but while it may work for Dolby Pro Logic and DD 5.1, with truly discrete formats, you lose one very important channel of sound. Besides, what's one more speaker? Do you have a space situation that makes having a center speaker inconvenient or nearly impossible? Whatever you choose, best of luck and enjoy yourself!

ED :cool:

[Gary]

Gotcha, Jeffrey! I know that all too well..... uhhh - no, I mean that my friend knows that all too well. Yea - my friend. That's it!

Ed, is there a prize for a dumb answer?

[Sckott]

The second Jurrasic Park movie, which I believe comes with the authentic DTS sound transfer in just the standard edition is the best way to really feel WHY 5.1 is so important to the experience. Even the center channel.

[lil.fred]

Thanks folks! It all makes sense. In my living room, I always get to sit front row center, so it never occurred to me.

[lsupro]

Originally posted by Gary
So, why do we have a *rear* center channel?

This is the evolution from Dolby Surround to Pro logic and DTS to 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 9.1, and some say even a 10.2.

Each addition is a way of helping create more movement of sound in a three dimensional environment.

[Steve Hoffman]

Please, someone, have 'em stop already. How many cheap speakers do we need in the signal chain? :rolleyes:

[Ed Bishop]

Originally posted by Gary
Gotcha, Jeffrey! I know that all too well..... uhhh - no, I mean that my friend knows that all too well. Yea - my friend. That's it!

Ed, is there a prize for a dumb answer?

That's what I was asking! I'm still waiting for my SH decoder ring. He's here! let's ask! So, what's the scoop, Steve:p

ED:cool:

[Gary]

Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
Please, someone, have 'em stop already. How many cheap speakers do we need in the signal chain? :rolleyes:

Is the answer "enough for shock / entertainment" effect, to wow the consumer, having quality music reproduction..... die? Become completely out of style? :sigh:

Ed, did you pay your dues yet? We only send out the decoder rings when.... well, I can't say, really. You have to be a member.... ;)

[BradOlson]

Yes, For the home theater experience, all you need are 2 surround speakers and your 2 main speakers which is what my minisystem came with. The bass boost in my minisystem, the DJ mixer and the digital cable box combined make up for the speaker in the center channel and enhance the sound when I watch TV upstairs in my bedroom or a movie upstairs in my bedroom.