Center Channel Dilemma: B&W Two Way Vs KLIPSCH Three Way...

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obonillaf O Hi. I've decided I'm going to keep for my small room (12'12" x 19'3) my B&W 706 S2 bookshelf speakers as LEFT and RIGHT front channels. For surround, I'm keeping the KEF surround speakers that came with KEF E305 kit. I've been using the KEF E305 small center channel but being that I've loved the upgrade I did to my front speakers, I would like to upgrade the center channel. The natural path upgrade would be B&W HTM72 S2 center channel being that the B&W HTM71 S2 is just way too big for my room. BUT, the Klipsch RP 404C is similarly sized to the B&W HTM72 S2 speaker (lower but larger) and it is a Quad 4" 3 way speaker vs the 2 way B&W HTM72 S2. I've read that for center channels, having 3 way speakers is desired vs 2 way speakers, so my two questions are: 1) Would the Klipsch RP 404C be that different from the rest of the speakers (specially the front B&W 706 S2) and that would create a sonic mess with different sounding speakers fighting each other? 2) Is it true that Klipsch center channel speakers are not as refined as other brands and that they produce an artificial-metallic-cheap sound vs more refined speakers like the B&W speakers? I know one thing is hearing music and the other hearing dialogues and movie effects but really don't know... Your suggestions/recommendations in this matter would be greatly appreciated! Thank you very much! Best regards, #1 · Jan 25, 2021 Hi. I've decided I'm going to keep for my small room (12'12" x 19'3) my B&W 706 S2 bookshelf speakers as LEFT and RIGHT front channels. For surround, I'm keeping the KEF surround speakers that came with KEF E305 kit. I've been using the KEF E305 small center channel but being that I've loved the upgrade I did to my front speakers, I would like to upgrade the center channel. The natural path upgrade would be B&W HTM72 S2 center channel being that the B&W HTM71 S2 is just way too big for my room. BUT, the Klipsch RP 404C is similarly sized to the B&W HTM72 S2 speaker (lower but larger) and it is a Quad 4" 3 way speaker vs the 2 way B&W HTM72 S2. I've read that for center channels, having 3 way speakers is desired vs 2 way speakers, so my two questions are: 1) Would the Klipsch RP 404C be that different from the rest of the speakers (specially the front B&W 706 S2) and that would create a sonic mess with different sounding speakers fighting each other? 2) Is it true that Klipsch center channel speakers are not as refined as other brands and that they produce an artificial-metallic-cheap sound vs more refined speakers like the B&W speakers? I know one thing is hearing music and the other hearing dialogues and movie effects but really don't know... Your suggestions/recommendations in this matter would be greatly appreciated! Thank you very much! Best regards, See less See more Sort by Oldest first Oldest first Newest first Most reactions #2 · Jan 25, 2021 (Edited) Ideally the HTM72 S2 would have 6.5" mid-bass drivers like the 706 S2 has. Nevertheless, I'd pick it over the Klipsch which, IMO, would have a noticeably (and perhaps distractingly) different sound from the B&W. As for 2-way vs. 3-way, I've had 2-way MTM CC speakers in the past (Paradigm Studio/CC v2, Paradigm CC-370 v3) and I didn't find them lacking. #3 · Jan 25, 2021 B&W HTM6 might be a better match. I'm not one who believes that the cc needs to match the L/R but a Klipsch with a B&W ? Just doesn't seem right. #4 · Jan 25, 2021 Pretty sure the 440c is not a 3-way design. Where did you see that? I don't mind mismatching centers in some cases, but I wouldn't use the Klipsch with your B&W's since they're a completely different design, being a horn. I also would expect HTM72 to be more refined and just better quality all around. I wouldn't call the 404c "artificial-metallic-cheap" but it will definitely have a different sound. I'm sure you could find a good sounding center that's a lot less than the $1000 HTM72, but I personally wouldn't go with the Klipsch. I prefer matching if possible, but $1000 is a lot of $ for a center! #5 · Jan 25, 2021

djp2k7 said: Pretty sure the 440c is not a 3-way design. Where did you see that? I don't mind mismatching centers in some cases, but I wouldn't use the Klipsch with your B&W's since they're a completely different design, being a horn. I also would expect HTM72 to be more refined and just better quality all around. I wouldn't call the 404c "artificial-metallic-cheap" but it will definitely have a different sound. I'm sure you could find a good sounding center that's a lot less than the $1000 HTM72, but I personally wouldn't go with the Klipsch. I prefer matching if possible, but $1000 is a lot of $ for a center! Click to expand...

yeah, I think that they refer to it as a 2.5 way 0 Reply #6 · Jan 25, 2021

obonillaf said: The natural path upgrade would be B&W HTM72 S2 center channel being that the B&W HTM71 S2 is just way too big for my room. BUT, the Klipsch RP 404C is similarly sized to the B&W HTM72 S2 speaker (lower but larger) and it is a Quad 4" 3 way speaker vs the 2 way B&W HTM72 S2. I've read that for center channels, having 3 way speakers is desired vs 2 way speakers, so Click to expand...

If you have the budget for the HTM71, then just get it and don't look back. There is no such thing as a center speaker being "too big" for any given room. The center does up to 80% of the HT output so it should be the biggest and best speaker in your whole system, if HT is your main usage. All you need to do is turn down the trim level in your receiver for the center speaker to "match" the SPL of the other speakers.. Alternatively, if you sit close to the screen and/or don't need super loud volumes, simply buy a 3rd 706 and use it as your center speaker...preferably standing up, vertically aligned with the L/R speakers if possible. THIS is the only way to get the much ballyhooed "timbre match" which would be worthwhile if you listen to a lot of multi-channel music. PS. As others have noted, the Klipsch 404 is a 2.5 way. Klipsch does not offer a 3 way center AFAIK. #7 · Jan 25, 2021

Zorba922 said: PS. As others have noted, the Klipsch 404 is a 2.5 way. Klipsch does not offer a 3 way center AFAIK. Click to expand...

Only if you use a tower or one of their "Heritage" speakers. IIRC, they had a 3-way centre in the ole Palladium-series. 2 Replies #8 · Jan 25, 2021 Thank you very much for the responses! I'm definitely not buying the KLIPSCHs. Insert Quotes Post Reply

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