Home theater question with Mono Extremes

kmcdonou4eq5 · « **on:** 21 Apr 2006, 07:29 pm »

I will be setting up a home theater/2-channel system within the next year and am leaning towards Odyssey equipment because of great sound and great value.

I am not interested in a true home theater experience. I simply want to hear my tv better. So, I was thinking about having two front speakers and a center channel, which would allow me to hear voices better. I don't care for surround sound (rear speakers) or extreme bass (subwoofer).

I also want to use the front speakers for 2-channel listening too. I am thinking about getting three Mono extremes, or maybe two Mono extremes and one Mono.

How would I set this system up for both HT and 2-channel? I was thinking I would get Klaus' new tubed preamp for the 2 channel, but that will not work for HT will it? Do I need a HT processor too? How does the preamp and processor connect.

If so, I don't know anything about HT processors. How much would I have to spend on one of these and which brands/models are recommended?

Sorry about some of these basic questions, but I'd appreciate any help you can provide.

zybar · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 Apr 2006, 07:37 pm »

If you aren't going to use surrounds and a sub, why not just stick with simple two channel system for your tv viewing?

This would allow you to save money or put it into your 2 channel setup.

A couple of questions to help give more specific advice:

How big is your tv and room?

How many people will watch/listen to the tv?

Where will they sit?

George

Radiator · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 Apr 2006, 08:18 pm »

I was wondering also why you would need the center speaker. I use two mono extremes with a couple VMPS speakers, and I am plenty happy with it. If I didn't get such great bass response this way I would consider a sub-woofer. I can do without the rear channel stuff, but the enhanced bass for explosions and such really make the viewing experience cool....

As a disclaimer, I am NOT a serious audiophile, but I dabble a bit, and utilize the knowledge of those around here as much as is practical. My sound quality has certainly improved since then....

kmcdonou4eq5 · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 Apr 2006, 08:30 pm »

The room is quite big, but the TV is in a corner. I'd say the overall tv watching area is 10 x 12 or maybe 12 x 12. We only have 4 people in our family and do not have many movie or sports parties.

I could actually go for only 2 channel, but I thought the center channel reproduces voices. I sometimes have a hard time hearing the voices without cranking up the volume, which then overwhelms me when music plays or commercials come on. If tv/movie voices are well produced with the two front speakers, I don't have a problem eliminating the center channel too.

I just want to ensure I can hear dialogue well.

kmcdonou4eq5 · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Apr 2006, 09:01 pm »

Any more comments? Is a center channel really that helpful in reproducing voices? If not, then I won't bother with it and simpy go with a two front speakers.

rosconey · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Apr 2006, 09:11 pm »

for me
2 front with a sub works fine-subs come in handy for movies

John151 · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 Apr 2006, 04:25 am »

I use an Odyssey Tempest pre-amp with HT Bypass, and an Outlaw 970 PrePro. No center. L/R are Odyssey Lorelies, powered by an Odyssey Stratos Extreme. The rears are Magnepan MMG-Ws, powered by a leftover A/V receiver.

The tempest sits between the Outlaw and the Amps (for L/R only). For HT use, I simply select Aux on the Tempest, and the signal from the Outlaw pass thru the Tempest, bypassing any electronics (i.e. no volume control). For 2 channel, the sources, such as a CD, connect directly into the Tempest, and the Outlaw is out of the loop completely. This all works very well, but just don't expect your wife to be abel to work it .

I have a center channel in place, but it is not even hooked up. People don't believe me when I tell them it is not playing.