[Darrylp]

Never having heard a VPMS speaker of any type but based on a personal recommendation and reviews, in a quest for the very best possible HT dialogue clarity (needed at my age) I'm considering buying and importing a LRC for use in my theatre.

It'll be used in conjunction with my Meridian G68 and Plinius Odeon but only for HT and never for music.

Does this make sense and if so would you recommend the TRT option?

Thanks

Darryl

[woodsyi]

I haven't heard the LCR.  I only have a pair of RM40's for my two channel system.  I use Aperion bookself speakers along with my old Polk SDAII's for my 7.1 HT.  They are a surprisingly close tonal match.  I am perfectly satisfied with this modest set up for HT use and I hear dialogues just fine.  I am sure LCR will be fine for voices, but I also think it would be an overkill for just HT use.  IMHO, You would be wasting a very good speaker for just talks.

[lkosova]

The best dialogue speaker I have heard is the one I have which is the RM-30c with TRT. Yes, it is not cheap but the dialogue is first class. You hear everything. It still amazes me what I have been missing in movies that I have seen and heard several times prior. It is not muddy like most center speaker you will hear and I think it is a large improvement over the lrc. I use mine as a vertical center but can be made in the more popular horizontal version.

When I do play 5.1 and use it for music per se ,it just out performs most things on the market today.

I am sure many will have different opinions as well.

Larry
WWW.AudioandImage.com

[ctviggen]

I also use the RM30C (on its side) and feel it easily beats my former Linn 51XX (5150?) center channel speaker, which I thought was a great speaker.  Some have complained that the tweeter is too far over, but I honestly do not notice this at all.

[lkosova]

with the RM-30 vertical it just locks the vocals and speech right where it need to be....on the screen in my case. It is the first center that I have no complaints from my wife as being to nasal or muddy.....and that in it self is a huge compliment.

Larry

[Woodsea]

I have an lrc, perfect for movies and 5.1 audio

[meilankev]

Darryl,

Are you using a Center Speaker now?  If so, what brand is it, and why do you feel the need to upgrade.  If not, why do you feel the "phantom center" is lacking?  Do you have any equipment (audio rack, TV w/ stand, RPTV, etc) along the front wall between the main speakers?

The reason I ask is because of my "theory" on center speakers.  I've come to the conclusion that a center speaker is much more important for a Home Theater that has "something" standing between the front speakers.  Just as this "something" would adversely affect the imaging/soundstaging for 2-channel listening, it would cause similar problems with dialogue from DVDs.

Conversely, a Home Theater that has "nothing" between the front speakers (such as one based on a front projector or a "hang on the wall" TV) would not only have advantages for 2-channel reproduction, but would also present a seamless "front pan" for DVD movies as well (at least for someone sitting in the sweet spot).

In my opinion, if someone has "nothing" between the front speakers, the only reason to spend extra cash on a center speaker is if they routinely have "more than 3" people watching movies at the same time.  Otherwise, a phantom center is much preferable to almost any center speaker - regardless of quality.  This goes for DVD movies as well as multi-channel music.

Again, this is my "theory" only - I could be dead wrong.

Kevin

[Jay S]

Its great to hear that the VMPS ribbon speakers reproduce vocals very clearly -- perhaps it would be useful if you guys could comment on the tonality of voices.  

I have heard VMPS ribbon speakers once and I found vocals to be clear.  I personally prefer more fullness and richness than I heard that time.  To what extent can this be achieved by tuning the speakers controls?

[jimmyp58]

Precise, exact, defined, clear, lush, quick, clean, concise, and real.  That is how I'd describe the results I have with my LRC.  I had a Def Tech CLR 3000 prior to owning my LRC and I have been superbly impressed with the results.  I blends in magically with my entire front soundstage (RM-40's) and Larger Subwoofer.

Jim

[John Casler]

Never having heard a VPMS speaker of any type but based on a personal recommendation and reviews, in a quest for the very best possible HT dialogue clarity (needed at my age) I'm considering buying and importing a LRC for use in my theatre.

It'll be used in conjunction with my Meridian G68 and Plinius Odeon but only for HT and never for music.

Does this make sense and if so would you recommend the TRT option?

Thanks

Darryl

Hi Darryl,

The LRC stands for Large Ribbon Center.  

It is an incredible speaker but was primarily designed to be used as a CENTER channel speaker.

If your primary use is for HT then, depending on the size of the room, how far you sit from your center speaker, and how "LOUD" you listen, this could be a good match.

I have used the LRC in my system with both RM40s and 626Rs, and find it is a good match for just about any combination of VMPS speakers, until you get to really loud listening levels (too loud for me)

When it is used it requires (like the rest of the ribbons) that you tilt it a little towards the listener.  Dialogue is detailed, crisp and clear. Musical vocals are great with every nuance intended by the sound engineer.  

It has very good bass performance due to its dual 6.5" woofers, and is front ported.  I remember the first time I was hit in the face by the silent rush of air from the port.  I imagine if there was smoke in the air these little "turbulants" would look like smoke rings.  Strangely enough the first time I felt one was when a cannon shot in a Civil War Epic, and it felt like side stream concussion from the muzzle.

I have many clients who have used it as side and rear surrounds with exceptional results.  This is because it can be shelf mounted closer to ear level, tilted to exact precision, and is a stunning performer for both effects in Dolby Digital and DTS, as well as a detailed and accurate speaker for Multi-channel music duties.

While it is true that the RM30C can play louder, I have pretty well "blasted" several scenes from the DTS demo DVD that were so loud that I had to turn them down.  The "Haunted House" was so loud it was scary

Now the RM30 can also be used and is an exceptional performer "beyond" the LRC, due to the fact that it can play even louder, and the extra ribbon panel with is better for "larger group" movie entertaining (especially if you are closer to the screen)

So there you have it.  It was designed specifically for Center Duties, and will take good care of you until you decide you might need the RM30C

Oh, and the TRT cap upgrade makes sense if you want the absolute very best tone and detail from the speaker and if you have other TRT equipped VMPS speakers in your system, (or may get them)

[Darrylp]

My setup is as follows:

Definitive Technology 7000sc, C/L/R3000, 4 x BPXV speakers
Velodyne HGS 15, Velodyne DD 15
Meridian G68 pre-amp, 7 channel Plinius Odeon amp
Denon 5900 DVD
Marantz S3 projector
Crestron STX-1550C Controller
110” Daylite screen
Panasonic DMR-HS2 HD/DVD recorder, JVC HM-HDS1EU HDD & S-VHS Video Recorder
Topfield digital 2 x Tuner plus PVRs, Toshiba HD Tuner, DGTEC HD Tuner, LG DVI HD Tuner (lots of HD material broadcast in Australia).
Foxtel Digital Cable Tuner
Monster cables

The C/L/R 3000 sits on a shelf below and slightly ahead of the screen and is angled upwards so it is directly facing the prime viewing position.

The front and side walls are panelled with acoustic foam/heavy curtains, the ceiling slopes upwards from the screen at a 30 degree angle to the projector location.

There is nothing between the centre speaker and the viewer.

The setup is used 100% exclusively for HT.

I'm in my 60s and have a slight hearing problem on the left.

We tend to watch a lot of content with foreign accents and we occasionally have difficulty with the dialogue and in addition there is a slight sibilance problem.

In order to maximise dialogue clarity I've been considering a JMLabs Be setup or something of equal quality and I'm under the impression that the VMPS LRC may be the ideal answer?

Thanks for the interest.

Regards

Darryl

[Darrylp]

Thanks John

The room isn't that big (22’ x 18’) and nor do we play stuff unbearably loudly.

The Meridain will not however allow the center to be set as "Large" if one's using a subwoofer.

It sounds like it's the answer and I’ve been well advised by Jim Piscitello.

I'm going to proceed and will post the results although for various reasons (installer, cabinets etc) it won't be installed until the new year.

Thanks again.

Darryl

[jimmyp58]

Thanks for the compliment Darryl!

[rblnr]

Daryl,

I have a G68, and use an LRC w/TRT-FST as a center, w/40's on the sides.  It works extremely well and I can get any kind of volume I want w/my Llano 200wpc amps.   Are you sure about the G68 not allowing the large setting for the center w/a sub?  Not sure this is true.

[Darrylp]

Thanks for the input.

That's excellent news.

Yes, unfortunately I'm 100% sure and have been in constant touch with the manufacturer regarding this subject.

Darryl


This is an extract of one of many emails exchanged on the subject:


Re: "Does this mean that one cannot have in the Logic program a sub or subs and still have the centre set as large?"

Although the answer is clear-cut, the phrasing of the question means that a straight "yes" or "no" will be confusing! Here's an explanation...

Having a sub and the Centre both producing the same low frequencies is
likely to overblow the bass. There is only one criterion that has to be
examined. If the centre-channel speaker is full-range, it doesn't need to be supplemented with a sub. If it isn't full-range, it should be defined as
"Small" and a suitable crossover point selected. So in systems where the sub is intended to "top-up" the low frequencies from the Centre, the Centre should be set to "Small".

Unfortunately, some users have difficulty interpreting this point and get upset citing that they want to do something else more complicated.
They are inventing a complication that doesn't exists. The centre is Large or Small, it's as simple as that!

I hope this is useful.

Regards,  Des.

Desmond Ford
Technical Sales

Meridian Audio Ltd.

[Darrylp]

Ordered the LRC yesterday!

Darryl

[Darrylp]

I'm very excited as the LRC is on the way.

Hopefully it'll be here early next week and I'll post an early reaction ASAP.

Darryl    

[jimmyp58]

Darryl:

Certainly wishing you all the enjoyment in the world with your new LRC.  I am also so very glad to hear you are on the mend physically.

Take care and enjoy summer, it's freezing here!!!

Jim