B&W HTM4S matches 803D?

[fikszo]

I am into looking for a new center channel. Problem is that in my furniture there is no room for a HTM3S or HTM2D.

Main speakers are 803D, on Classe Delta amps.

Would it work to buy a HTM4S?

The speaker is a lot smaller then the mains.
There is no "D" in it..

I know it is not a perfect match, but what I am really afraid of is the fact that the speaker is such a way smaller in size than the main speakers, that it will be 'overruled' by the mains..

Anyone a suggestion?

[ShadowZA]

If I were in your shoes I'd choose one of the following two options:

Either change your furniture so that you CAN accommodate the HTM2D, which is the match for the 803D's, or live without a centre altogether (the 2 803D's creating a 'phantom' centre).

I would not be keen to use an HTM4S or even an HTM3S for that matter. The reason is that there would be a significant timbre mismatch and the aluminium "S" tweeter would draw attention to itself and bother me.

[garak]

IMO, the HTM4S is only a good match with 805S. I used to have the HTM4S with a pair of 804S, and there were already mismatch problems. It seemed like there was this hole in the mid-bass with the HTM4S when paired with the 804S.

So I agree with Shadow: either change the furniture to accommodate an HTM2D, or live without a center.

[kmcheng]

I have a pair of 805S and have been living without a center for quite a while now, also because of furniture problems. I have tried the CMC, XTC, etc. and none of them did a good job of matching the 805S, so I basically ditched the center channel and let my L and R handle all of the front stage.

I have been very happy with my setup. Are there times that I miss the center channel? Certainly yes, but I would much rather have no center than have a mismatched center. At least that would have to be the case before I can change my furniture.

[dan87951]

No questions you will need the HTM2D or no center at all. I have a Natural Cherry HTM2D for sale if you are interested. Just PM

[style]

@fikszo,

wehn I have buyed the 803D and the Htm2d at first I have recieved the 803D and a week later the center (Htm2D)....

the "old" Htm4s was at home and I have utilised as center with the 803D.

Dont macht.

Go with the Htm2D. you will be happy.

omar

[Gump]

Looks like it's unanimous, although probably not what you wanted to hear.

The HTM4S would draw attention to itself based on it's inadequecies and irritate the heck out of you.

It's all or nothing.

[beden1]

I have the 803Ds and an HTM2D. For the past month, I have only been able to listen to two channel stereo as my surround amp was in for service. I spent a lot of time listening and positioning my 803Ds for perfect imaging. At this point, I can't determine whether there is a center speaker playing or not, as the imaging is that good, and is smack in the center

I think you will not notice when sitting in the center listening position that there is not a center channel speaker. The ones who may notice will be sitting off center and more to the sides.

I was using an HTM1 as my center before getting my HTM2D. I did notice a difference enough for me to get an HTM2D, primariliy because of the diamond tweeter.

[wettou]

I have the 803Ds and an HTM2D. For the past month, I have only been able to listen to two channel stereo. I spent a lot of time listening and positioning my 803Ds for perfect imaging. At this point, I can't determine whether there is a center speaker playing or not, as the imaging is that good, and is smack in the center.

I love doing that as well first get perfect imaging from stereo and then put in the center. It becomes outstanding :B

[videophile]

If your furniture doesn't fit HTM2D, how about getting a center speaker stand and mount HTM2D on it and place in front?

[fikszo]

Thanks for all the reply's

Indeed perhaps not what I wanted to hear, but better this way then after buying the (wrong) center..

So will probably start saving for the 2D center and a new piece of furniture...

The stand won't work, if it was that simple, I would have figured it out..

[c22600]

I am currently running the 803D / HTM4S configuration and quite frankly, sounds very good. Dialogue is crisp and clear (e.g. Daniel Craig in Casino Royal), music scores nice and smooth and anything below 60Hz is handled by the Velodyne SW. The HTM4S is being driven by an Arcam P1 from a Denon 3808.

I have sent a lot of time positioning the mains to get near perferct imaging and the overall sound in movie mode is great. I also spend a lot of time listening to 2ch and I am not a big fan of 5.1 music.

Granted the HTM2D would be a better match and would no doubt sound better, but I don't have any complaints at the moment. This is not to say that I wouldn't like the HTM2D but simply that the combo sounds very good.

The reason for this combo is that I originally purchased 683's and the matching HTM61. The HTM61 was bloody awful and I upgraded to the HTM4S. I have since upgraded the 683's to 803D's and man, what a difference.

Along with the 803D's & HTM4S, I am running 4 x DS3's for surrounds and rears and the entire combo sounds great.

I would love to upgrade the centre to a HTM2D but the prices in Australia are ridiculous, which translates to: I will have to wait a while to save up for it.

Going back to fikszo's question, I really don't think you would be disappointed with the HTM4S in your setup if that is what physically works. If possible, try to get a loaner and audition at home.

[Gump]

.... The HTM61 was bloody awful and I upgraded to the HTM4S. I have since upgraded the 683's to 803D's and man, what a difference.

If you upgraded the HTM4S to the HTM2D which MATCHES the 803D's I suspect you would be saying the same thing-----"...man, what a difference."

[c22600]

If you upgraded the HTM4S to the HTM2D which MATCHES the 803D's I suspect you would be saying the same thing-----"...man, what a difference."

I'm sure I would ......... but in answer to the original question, I ( peresonal opinion) don't find the HTM4S disappointing when partnered with the 803D's & fortunately does not "irritate the heck out of me", well not yet anyway.

I totally agree however that the HTM2D is a better match.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to upgrade to the HTM2D but $$$$$$ are my issue at the moment. If there are no constraints, the HTM2D is the way to go.

[fikszo]

There are definetely constrains, certainly price, but even more important for now, space..

Perhaps it is a temporary solution, but the thing I wanted to know is if it would be useless or not to buy the htm4s..

Although I most definetely understand the 2D would be a hack of an upgrade, the HTM4S would be an (perhaps just for a while) acceptable alternative, in your mind..

thanks for your input.

[ninja12]

There are definetely constrains, certainly price, but even more important for now, space..

Perhaps it is a temporary solution, but the thing I wanted to know is if it would be useless or not to buy the htm4s..

Although I most definetely understand the 2D would be a hack of an upgrade, the HTM4S would be an (perhaps just for a while) acceptable alternative, in your mind..

thanks for your input.

Personally, I would wait until you have the money and the space for the HTM2D. When I first got my 803S, I had the HTM4S for my center channel. Within a week, I returned the HTM4S for the HTM3S. I could really tell that the HTM4S was the weakest link when sound would span across the front three speakers. It was really noticeable that the HTM4S timbre did not match the 803S, and it really annoyed me. It annoyed me to the point that I returned it within a week. The center channel is very critical in a HT set up. So, I think you should wait until you can afford the HTM2D to match your 803D. However, if you have the option of getting the HTM4S and have the ability to trade it in to upgrade to the HTM2D, then you can try out the HTM4S. Good luck.

[c22600]

There are definetely constrains, certainly price, but even more important for now, space..

Perhaps it is a temporary solution, but the thing I wanted to know is if it would be useless or not to buy the htm4s..

Although I most definetely understand the 2D would be a hack of an upgrade, the HTM4S would be an (perhaps just for a while) acceptable alternative, in your mind..

thanks for your input.

In my mind, I think the HTMS4 is an "acceptable alternative" if the matching HTM2D is not practical at the moment.

I totally agree with what others are saying in that the HTM2D is the preferred matching speaker and I am sure it would sound better.

To be honest, I deliberately haven't listened to the HTM2D in my system yet ($$$ constraint) so I guess I don't know what I am missing but, in saying that, I am not disappointed with the sound I have now and I am sure it can only sound better when I can upgrade the centre.

If you spend some time setting up your system and gettting the room acoustics right, it can still sound very good.

Have a listen to the system at your local dealer with both the HTM4S and HTM2D and decide if you think it is an acceptable compromise until constraints are lifted. Listen to the HTM4S first to determine if you like what you hear because you already can guess that the HTM2D will sound better.

I am not advocating that the HTM4S is the correct centre speaker for your system, I am just simply stating that in my case, it is an acceptable alternative for a period of time.

Due to the upgrade path I have chosen, I know I will take a hit when I can afford to trade up to the HTM2D, but this will be an acceptable hit when the time comes.

Cheers...

[beden1]

There are definetely constrains, certainly price, but even more important for now, space..

Perhaps it is a temporary solution, but the thing I wanted to know is if it would be useless or not to buy the htm4s..

Although I most definetely understand the 2D would be a hack of an upgrade, the HTM4S would be an (perhaps just for a while) acceptable alternative, in your mind..

thanks for your input.

If your mind is made up to get an interim center channel speaker until you can afford an HTM2D, then the second best center with the 803Ds for affordability right now would be a used Nautilus HTM1.

[fikszo]

If your mind is made up to get an interim center channel speaker until you can afford an HTM2D, then the second best center with the 803Ds for affordability right now would be a used Nautilus HTM1.

Pleaese read the opening topic.
Price could be a constrain, but space is the biggest constrain at the moment.
That won't be solved by buying the HTM1 instead of the HTM2D.

I decided to wait and stick with the front speakers. I will focus on a new Pioneer plasma screen for now, and will wait untill I ever get some new furniture and the 2D center.

thanks to all of you for your input