CC speaker necessary?

[tbyrne]

Or, in most movie DVDs (from chick flicks to LOTR to Die Hard), how much dialogue goes to CC versus L-R channels? If I do not use an AV receiver, and simply route the audio signal from the DVD to an integrated amp, will the dialogue that would otherwise go to the CC be re-routed to the amp or would it be "lost"?

With the logistics of our room and system, it would be would much easier for me to just run the DVD audio signal through my 2-channel stereo system. We are 95% audio, 5% video.

Thanks!

[Alloroc]

To answer your question, yes a cc speaker is essenitial - for a multi channel soundtrack. With multi channel, an awful lot is sent to the cc and that's why matching a cc with the rest of your speakers is important.

For 2 channel, it's not. Given your setup is 2c you will have to select the 2 channel track in the audio options (of the DVD) when playing a DVD.

There's a few around here who have this sort of setup.

[Chris D]

For movies, a center channel is CRITICAL. That is the speaker where 99% of all your spoken dialogue is going to be contained. The center channel is often overlooked by people in buying their equipment.

If you don't have one, most receivers/processors will do a "phantom" center, sending the signal to the left and right speakers. It works, but doesn't sound as clear.

[Denton]

Assuming your display is not too large and your front main speakers are of decent quality, the answer may be "no". A "phantom" center channel can work quite well and definitely is a better choice than spreading your speaker budget too thin. Besides, you can always add one later if/when you want. But don't take my opinion...

Didn't Krutke say something about this recently?

[littlesaint]

Assuming your display is not too large and your front main speakers are of decent quality, the answer may be "no". A "phantom" center channel can work quite well and definitely is a better choice than spreading your speaker budget too thin. Besides, you can always add one later if/when you want. But don't take my opinion...

Didn't Krutke say something about this recently?

This is true. If your display isn't huge (<50"), and the listening position is mostly on center, a phantom center can work quite well. However I believe the OP is not using a DSP, but only a stereo pre-amp that would be incapable of producing the phantom center, or decoding a matrixed center from DPL material.

[Denton]

Littlesaint is right, the question related to a 2 channel integrated amp. Connect the DVD player to the amp using the RCA connectors (stereo) on the back of the player. Hook up your stereo pair of speakers. Enjoy. (Many folks are happy with simple stereo for movies and teevee, including my brother.

[H.T.C]

I thought that there is a pair of tower speakers from a company that took the center channel idea and regulated it to the sides of each speaker both cabinets having their own cones dispersing the audio towards the center eliminating the center channel altogether.

Does not the mirage 360 tweeters (or similar ) do the same?