Looking for a bass kicking center channel speaker!

[Oyeve]

Since I have been playing rockband in DD 5.1 I notice many of the songs in the game have the drums coming through the center channel. My system is basically a Denon 3805 receiver, for the fronts I have Infinity Interludes 250, the rears are Infinity Ref 2001.3, the sub is a 250w JBL (kickass sub) and the center is an Infinity Entra Center. The whole speaker system basically kicks ass, but, in RB the drums com in through the center channel in a lot of tunes and the smallish Infinity Entra Center just doesnt give me the thump I am looking for but for everything else its great. I bought it years ago because of the quality and the fact that its not massive. I was thinking of using an extra set of Infinity ref. 2001.3 and bridge them together to make a center but I would rather buy a proper center that has kickass bass. Kinda hard to really test a center channel. So, if any of you guys and gals know of a good basskicking center please pass on the info. Needs to handle extreme power.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Oyeve
Since I have been playing rockband in DD 5.1 I notice many of the songs in the game have the drums coming through the center channel. My system is basically a Denon 3805 receiver, for the fronts I have Infinity Interludes 250, the rears are Infinity Ref 2001.3, the sub is a 250w JBL (kickass sub) and the center is an Infinity Entra Center. The whole speaker system basically kicks ass, but, in RB the drums com in through the center channel in a lot of tunes and the smallish Infinity Entra Center just doesnt give me the thump I am looking for but for everything else its great. I bought it years ago because of the quality and the fact that its not massive. I was thinking of using an extra set of Infinity ref. 2001.3 and bridge them together to make a center but I would rather buy a proper center that has kickass bass. Kinda hard to really test a center channel. So, if any of you guys and gals know of a good basskicking center please pass on the info. Needs to handle extreme power.

In general you're going to want to keep the front three speakers matched for brand and product line to keep everything timbre matched. I tried looking up the Interludes 250 but couldn't seem to find information on them and if there is a more robust center channel that you can get while still timbre matching them.

How do you have the crossovers set up for your speakers now?

I looked up your Entra center... is it this one?
http://www.amazon.com/Infinity...-Speaker/dp/B00008MWIM

Sounds like you're still trying to keep this a rather compact design?

I have a rather unusual idea... have you thought about keeping the center as is but getting a second smaller sub in the mix that you can locate centrally below your TV or something?
Maybe a little 8" sub or something that you can let handle some of the low end that your center can't do directly. Maybe set the crossover on the center to 40-60Hz and let this smaller sub handle the 40/60Hz to 100/120Hz range (or higher... experiment) while the existing center handles the upper frequencies. If the sub is located centrally below the screen and is just handling the center's bass track, you wont have problems with localization of sounds like would occur with a sub for the whole system getting above the 80-100Hz range and having all bass for the system localized to that area.

I'm mentioning this because I'm not really sure what infinity has in the current product line that will match up sonically to your main speakers.

 

[iRONic]

What crossover frequency is the center channel set to?

 

[iRONic]

Grrrrr, YOyo.

Heh heh...

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: iRONic
Grrrrr, YOyo.

Heh heh...

Hi

 

[iRONic]

Hey! Where's your 'moderator' title?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: iRONic
Hey! Where's your 'moderator' title?

The plan is for tonight or early Wednesday morning for the change afaik

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Oyeve
Since I have been playing rockband in DD 5.1 I notice many of the songs in the game have the drums coming through the center channel. My system is basically a Denon 3805 receiver, for the fronts I have Infinity Interludes 250, the rears are Infinity Ref 2001.3, the sub is a 250w JBL (kickass sub) and the center is an Infinity Entra Center. The whole speaker system basically kicks ass, but, in RB the drums com in through the center channel in a lot of tunes and the smallish Infinity Entra Center just doesnt give me the thump I am looking for but for everything else its great. I bought it years ago because of the quality and the fact that its not massive. I was thinking of using an extra set of Infinity ref. 2001.3 and bridge them together to make a center but I would rather buy a proper center that has kickass bass. Kinda hard to really test a center channel. So, if any of you guys and gals know of a good basskicking center please pass on the info. Needs to handle extreme power.

In general you're going to want to keep the front three speakers matched for brand and product line to keep everything timbre matched. I tried looking up the Interludes 250 but couldn't seem to find information on them and if there is a more robust center channel that you can get while still timbre matching them.

How do you have the crossovers set up for your speakers now?

I looked up your Entra center... is it this one?
http://www.amazon.com/Infinity...-Speaker/dp/B00008MWIM

Sounds like you're still trying to keep this a rather compact design?

I have a rather unusual idea... have you thought about keeping the center as is but getting a second smaller sub in the mix that you can locate centrally below your TV or something?
Maybe a little 8" sub or something that you can let handle some of the low end that your center can't do directly. Maybe set the crossover on the center to 40-60Hz and let this smaller sub handle the 40/60Hz to 100/120Hz range (or higher... experiment) while the existing center handles the upper frequencies. If the sub is located centrally below the screen and is just handling the center's bass track, you wont have problems with localization of sounds like would occur with a sub for the whole system getting above the 80-100Hz range and having all bass for the system localized to that area.

I'm mentioning this because I'm not really sure what infinity has in the current product line that will match up sonically to your main speakers.

Yes, that is the center I am using. Sorry abou the typo, its the interlude 50 (IL50) THESE Yes, I am trying to keep the center from being THERE, so to speak. I have tried different frequency set ups but the bass is just not there. I have a few extra pairs of the ref 2001.3 (or RS3) and thought I would lay them on their sides and wire them together. The sub wouldnt suit me as I would like the sounds from RB to continue to come from the center and playing my system as loud as I do I doubt I would even hear the smaller powered sub. I figured I could sorta bi-amp the RS3 or the old paradigm I have to get more bass and replace the current center channel.

 

[vi edit]

Can't you just do a phantom center and let your mains carry the signal?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Looks like the Infinity IL36C might be a match for your speakers then and have better bass output than your current center?

I think you would be able to hear a smaller sub since it would basically be taking over the range that seems to be lacking in your current speakers. If your center goes down to ~80Hz already, getting something that has more extension with larger drivers might get you down to 60Hz or so, but if you really want to feel impact coming from your center, I'm not sure if it's really going to do it.
I'm not sure what the IL36C goes for now (one was listed here in Madison on Craigslist for $215 recently and it looks like it sold on Audiogon).
That would allow you to set a lower crossover point for the center and with 6.5" drivers vs. 5.25" ones, it would be able to move more air and give you more impact.

Then you'd be able to change from
Subwoofer up to 80Hz and Speakers from 80Hz on up
to
Subwoofer up to 60Hz and Speakers from 60Hz on up

If you got a smaller sub in addition to your current center though you could do
Main subwoofer up to 40/60Hz Small sub from 40/60 to 100/120Hz and then Speakers from 100/120Hz on up

You'd have more control and adjustments about the volume of the bass then for the center in particular.

I've never really tried this so I'm not sure what kind of results you'd get for sure, but I think it would be cheaper and allow you more flexibility.
I'm just worried that if you're looking for more slam from the bass that spending a few hundred dollars on a new center still might not really get you where you want to be.

You can certainly go ahead and try the bookshelf speakers though. Pairs might not work all that well though as they might not play nicely together. If they have lower bass extension than your center though, that could certainly give you an indication of whether larger woofer sizes and cabinet volume would give you the bass impact you're looking for.

 

[montypythizzle]

I would go for the small sub setup too, GREAT idea, Jello.
I liked the "Soundman" title better, it wasn't as scary, now you can utilize the ban button

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: iRONic
Hey! Where's your 'moderator' title?

The plan is for tonight or early Wednesday morning for the change afaik

Looks good on you.

Congrats!

 

[SlickSnake]

As Yoyo said, you want the Interlude 36c . I have it and paired to the IL60s it is truely superb. I heard this center compared to the Intermezzio and Prelude series centers when it came out, and it had a much better overall sound, especially in the bass area. And it was a whole lot cheaper, too boot. It is a LARGE 3 way center, larger than the other 2 models I mentioned, and I have it placed on a small shelf above my LCD tv.

It was the combo sound of the Interlude 60 and the IL36c mixed with the Interlude 120s sub that completely sold me on the Interlude series, in the first place.

The Interlude 25c uses a 2 way array, and it has a smaller woofer. But it has a much smaller footprint, if size is an issue for you. I use the IL25c on my bedroom HT system.

If you can't find a IL36c new, used or refurbed you may want to try a Infinity Beta C360 series 3 way . It uses basically the same speakers as the Interlude series, and should be a perfect timber match for the IL50s. I use the Beta ES250 diapoles for my surrounds on my main HT system.

Here's a site with good prices, free shipping and no tax on the Betas. Vann's

You might be able to find a good deal on Harman Audio or on Harman Audio Ebay Store

 

[Oyeve]

Ok, heres what I did. I took my spare Denon DRA-545R receiver, I hooked up my Denon 3805's center preout to an rca split and connected it to the 545R and connected the 2 spare Infinity RS3s that I have. Now I can control the volume for the center with the 545 and everything else with the 3805. The center sound, while connected to a lower watt receiver, sounds much better in the lower frequencies. I was going to just connect the rs3 together but with the added receiver I can control the center much easier than messing with the 3805s setings. Plus I just incorporated the 545 in my rack, the added sub idea was good but having a sub on my wall unit next to the center would not look aestetically pleasing. Thanks for all the ideas though!

 

[SlickSnake]

If you can spare the change, a center upgrade is still a good idea. Just sell the old one. Your movies will thank you for it.

The Entra center is an anemic sounding center speaker. I really didn't care for the Entra line at all.

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: SlickSnake
If you can spare the change, a center upgrade is still a good idea. Just sell the old one. Your movies will thank you for it.

The Entra center is an anemic sounding center speaker. I really didn't care for the Entra line at all.

Soon. I chose the Entra Center years ago because of the smaller profile and being a fan of Infinity speakers it was a good choice. Movies sound fine as does most music. Its mostly 5.1 video gaming that the entra center has probs with. The RS3 setup and extra receiver sounds great, but eventually I probably will get a better center.