Mostly because it looks as if the OP is trying to cheapen up on his center channel selection and made the mistake of opting for a 2 way configuration and then complain about horizontal directivity, lobing, comb filtering, or whatever it is that a 2 way cannot do properly as a center channel.
I could have just as easily suggested an Infinity R263 ($200)or the Axiom VP160 or the AC-1 mini at 4 times the price. The point is he needs a 3 way or that coax point source, no lobing type to solve his problem.
Having a defective AC-1 micro seems highly unlikely.
If someone recommends Kimber Kable in this forum instead of Bryston's cables is that a problem.
I think you misunderstood my posts when another member posted a picture of the AC1 micro. I have the full fat AC1, if you would have read my posts you would have understood that, 6 driver 3 way center channel.
I'm not trying to cheapen out and replace my center. In the end I transplanted a set of tweeters from my one A2 tower into the AC1, it was a night and day difference. According to my ARC room EQ graphs my tweeters were pretty much dead after 12khz. This is very odd because usually when tweeters blow they blow open, resulting in a completely dead driver.
I did dismantle both tweeters and there appeared to be lopsided and uneven dispersion of ferrofluid, did not see any signs of breaks or overheating on the diaphragms voice coil but it was cause for concern. I also tested the resistance of both faulty tweeters and they were reading a lower resistance than my control tweeters from my A2 tower.
I have never heard my center sound as good as they did with the working tweeters in them. My use case for my system is about 70% music 30% movies/games so it's not as if I use my center that much to begin with. I've never had a movie playing over 90-95 db so I don't think this was fault on my part overpowering the center, most likely, in my opinion, just a lemon from the factory, mike at service agreed.
I really appreciate James reaching out to me personally, it's such a unique experience to get direct help from a company owner for a product and he is a stand up guy. As James said I am currently waiting for new tweeters in the mail. One thing I did change with my AC1 center however is added more acoustic foam to the cabinet. Besides two small pieces on either side near the bass woofers the entire middle cavity of the cabinet was empty, probably won't make a huge difference but I have extra lying around from a previous project so I thought why not.
Overall I'm very pleased to finally get to the bottom of this. Thanks everyone for your input and advice
