The best center for me!

[Boremc]

I'm looking for the best center for my center channel setup and the rest of the ceiling speakers ...

I am going to put the models that I have seen and can you tell me your opinions? Thank you

Monitor audio silver rx centre

Frecuency: 45hz to 35 khz
sensity: 90db
impedance: 6ohm
SPL: 114db
RMS: 125w
crossover: Lf 500hz MF hf: 3KHZ
6" bass driver
6" bass mid driver
1" tweeter
9,62kg
275 Euros

KEF 202c
Specification: Model 201
System type: Four-way, bookshelf/stand-mount
Enclosure type: Reflex
Dimensions (H x W x D): 557 x 248 x 402mm (21.9 x 9.8 x 15.5 inches)
Weight: 14.8kg (32.6 lbs)
Nominal impedance: 8 ohms (3.2 min.)
Amplifier requirements: 50-150W
Frequency response: 58Hz to 55kHz +/-3.0dB
Sensitivity: 88dB at 1m for 2.83V
Maximum output: 110dB
System: SP3352
Drive Units: B160 bass unit (SP1474), B160 Uni-Q (SP1447), NT19 Hypertweeter (SP1476)
Crossover: SP2360 (SP2410 US)
PRice: 380 euros

MArtin Logan Motion 30
Frequency Response 65–25,000 Hz ±3dB
Recommended Amplifier Power 20—200 watts per channel
Horizontal Dispersion 80°
Vertical Dispersion 80°
Sensitivity 91 dB/2.83 volts/meter
Impedance 4 Ohms Compatible with 4, 6, or 8 Ohm rated amplifiers.
Crossover Frequency 400 & 2,600 Hz
High Frequency Transducer 1" × 1.4" (2.6cm × 3.6cm) Folded Motion Transducer with 5.25" × 1.75" (13.3cm × 4.4cm) diaphragm
Low Frequency Transducer Two 5.5” (14cm) aluminum cone with cast polymer basket. Non-resonant asymmetrical chamber format. Rigid structured dust cap to reduce cone break-up modes.
Components Custom air core coil and low DCR steel laminate inductors. Polyester film capacitors in series and low DF electrolytic capacitors in parallel. Overall system thermal/current protection.
Inputs Custom 5-way tool-less binding posts
Weight
18 lbs. (8.2 kg)
Price: 400 euros

 

[Conrad]

What are the rest of your speakers? One of the most important points for a centre is timbre matching the front three speakers.

 

[Boremc]

What are the rest of your speakers? One of the most important points for a centre is timbre matching the front three speakers.

I have not bought them yet, I want to start from the center speaker considering that it is the most important

 

[Conrad]

Aha, I see. Are all the matching mains in your budget?

 

[Boremc]

Ajá, ya veo. ¿Están todas las cañerías coincidentes en su presupuesto?

Sí, pero también estoy buscando la mejor relación calidad-precio

 

[Conrad]

Choosing the ML is a very different proposition given that the matching mains are electrostatic vs the others. The MA will be easiest to drive so depending on room size and amp budget that could be a factor.

What's your room size, listening level preference, music/movie split, movie bias (action vs romcom) and budget for subs, avr, or processor and amps?

 

[Boremc]

Choosing the ML is a very different proposition given that the matching mains are electrostatic vs the others. The MA will be easiest to drive so depending on room size and amp budget that could be a factor.

What's your room size, listening level preference, music/movie split, movie bias (action vs romcom) and budget for subs, avr, or processor and amps?

The room will be about 25 square meters, but it is an open room with the kitchen, a total of 55 meters, but let's say that the listening area is approximately 30 meters. I listen to movies and series at 99 percent compared to music, and I like to hear it at a moderate level, but that the details of the dialogues are heard well.
For the rest he had calculated a budget of about 2000 euros

 

[Gasp3621]

Does it need to be used model? Those are old models you wrote in first post.

How much center channel can cost alone?

How many speakers the 2000€ includes? Also subwoofer and av-receiver?

 

[Boremc]

I think 5 speakers in ceiling, a subwoofer (normal), the center and avr

 

[Gasp3621]

I think 5 speakers in ceiling, a subwoofer (normal), the center and avr

That doesn´t sound ideal. Can you at least have front three (Left, Right, Center) at seated ear level not in-ceiling?! Surround channels can be ceiling mounted (5.1), but not if you go for Atmos.

 

[ShanePJ]

Even though there is nothing wrong with getting the best speakers you can afford from the second hand market, balancing them plus using an av receiver which has enough headroom to make them sing is another thing.

I would always recommend trying to balance three front three speakers, so if you went for the Kef 202c, then the 201 or 203 speakers would be the correct partners. Yes you can mix and match, but from that generation, you would be looking at the very old iQ range and there is much better available. Your AVR would also need to be an older flagship or maybe a pre/power system to get the best out of them as you may find that you never really hear what those speakers can deliver. The room is also an area which you may not have given any thoughts about and if its only a small room or if the furnishings are hard, then even using the best speakers you can, it could sound horrible

Another issue with just choosing the best (so called products from different manufacturers) things you've heard of is that they usually never come together in a way you expect them to. You will usually find that balancing the front three and having the correct avr to get the best out of them will give you far more than what it seems you are trying to do

The only component you should really be choosing in the way it seems you are looking is the subwoofer as this really makes such a difference, yes the centre is hugely important, but not at the expense of balancing the overall front end

My advice would be to let everyone know the size, style and layout of your room so they can really help you create a system which will deliver you the best you can achieve with the money you have available to you as it really seems you do need some assistance before you find out the hard way and waist all your money ending up with a system which just doesn't match or work with the room

 

[Boremc]

I understand you perfectly, but I'm just looking for you to tell me what those control units look like and which ones you would choose, regardless of the rest of the system

 

[ShanePJ]

Having only heard two of them and assuming you had the best of everything needed to bring the best out of the centre channel, I would choose the Kef, but logic would always place the Monitor Audio below the Kef whereas the Martian Logan (which I’ve never heard) should again be another step up. But as mentioned this would only be based upon all the other factors being able to work with each other. Without it, you may find that the Monitor Audio comes out on top because of other factors mentioned

sadly it’s just never that simple either as there is so much more than spec when choosing a product as to your own ear, all of these speakers may make you wince

I hope that helps

 

[supersonic 395]

I know it's not related to your list, but the MA Silver c350 center speaker is simply amazing and it's full 3-way design to boot!

 

[Boremc]

I know it's not related to your list, but the MA Silver c350 center speaker is simply amazing and it's full 3-way design to boot!

And soooo expensive!

 

[supersonic 395]

And soooo expensive!

It's worth it especially as the center does the bulk of the work in movie soundtracks

 

[rccarguy3]

Typically people choose the main speakers first, then either get the matching center or as close as possible. However very unusual looking at centers first, as you may dislike the matching L/R speakers.

Get the main speakers first.

If you buy main speakers, and for some reason you dislike the matching center speaker, or can't find one then look for a good quality center.

I'd rather have a higher end center non matching speaker (say that Kef 202C) Than a matching front three matching (Say Kef Cresta C) I own Kef center but not that 202C.

Also typically big centers are superior to tiny little centers.

Ceiling speakers for all is probably not a good idea, unless you get some Kef CI motorised forward ie CI 200. Flush mounted ceiling speakers for all would be a bad idea.