[G E]

I currently have four floorstanding speakers - no center speaker and no subwoofer. Front speakers capable of 30hz and backs to 40hz.

Any thoughts on 4.0 versus 5.0?  Adding a matching center (vmps speaker line and bryston amp) is not an inexpensive undertaking.

The room is 12x15x9, speakers on short walls. Listening position is about two feet ahead of rears, levels adjusted accordingly. Acoustically treated with 8 panels OC703 and bass traps in corners.

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts.

[Mag]

I think it depends on whether or not you're getting good stereo imaging. With good imaging there should be a focused sound where a center speaker usually goes, in which case you probably don't need a center channel.

If you are not getting good imaging when playing music try moving speakers along the long wall about 10' apart. IMO the backwall is an important contributor to stereo imaging. I saw this demonstrated with different materials and how they reflect sound, which is important in making instruments such as guitars.

[G E]

Imaging is excellent, some stereo source material sounds like is multichannel. I can't experiment with long wall positioning because I have a wall mounted monitor between the front speakers