Choosing a center... need help!

[alphonze88]

Hi guys, lately I've been trying to really better my living room audio system but I'm married with kids and so very much on a budget. Please forgive my current rubbish setup, I bought my first 5.1 system 2 years ago in the form of an Onkyo HTS3400 bundle. I'm upgrading it piece by piece. I've replaced the two fronts with Primus 363's. I'm looking to do the Center next cause the dialogue is now lacking to say the least. I know it's best and easiest to try and match, but the Primus 351 is 200 and never on sale and I don't really wanna go the cheap route and use the P163 as a center. The 251 is also an option but I kinda want something bigger, though if I found it for a really good price I'd get it. I never really buy at normal prices so I hunt for deals or good used prices.

Currently on Craigslist in my area there is a Polk CSI A6 that I can get for $150 near me (20 miles) and a BIC PL-28 II for 110 (90 miles). Would one of these be more appropriate for my setup or would they both be terrible? I'll be looking to upgrade the rest (receiver/sub/surround) in the future as well and would be grateful in what route I should take with those. I'm not an audiophile by any means so if there was a small difference in timbre I probably wouldn't notice. My living room is of about medium size (whatever that is), mostly just long. I know theses centers can be big and that's not an issue with my setup. Any advice is appreciated and I'll answer what questions I can! I mainly would like to know to what extent my receiver might be holding me back...

 

[exar333]

I know you may not want to hear this, but the most critical speakers to timbre match are the FR/FL/C. Not that you couldn't get a different one, but if you want to build a nice-sounding system, you really do want the front three to match perfectly. Surrounds are a different story, but with your fronts already purchased, I would wait on a good deal (or just bite the bullet) on the 351.

Just my $0.02.

 

[Muadib]

I agree with exar333, and as you already have the Primus 363, getting anything other than the Primus 351 would not be good. If you can spend $150 on the Polk, start saving for the other $50, and do the right thing. Your ears will thank you.