[kingdeezie]

So my center channel is significantly behind my mains in terms of sound quality; and I would like to perhaps ditch it.

The only problem is, on movies that use dolby of any variety dynamic compression is automatically activated, and its very noticable.

Anyone know any way to circumvent this problem? Life would be easier without the center channel at this point in time, but if it can't be done the right way, I'll have to keep it.

[ctviggen]

Do you mean that if you set up the system so that there's no center channel (playing), then dynamic compression is enabled? 

[kingdeezie]

Only with Dolby tracks. I think its written into the coding.

I was just wondering if someone knew how to work around it.

It is very apparent.

Check something like The Dark Knight bluray; I noticed it horribly there. The dynamics seemed significantly decreased.

[ted_b]

Where are you doing the speaker settings (i.e what box is doing this compression in your system)?  The BD player (with analog outs) or the surround processor (via coax/toslink or HDMI) ?  Model and make please

[ajzepp]

I was a phantom guy for many years, but then I heard the very same thing you did and I gave in to getting a center. I really don't like centers, but thankfully the Magnepan CC3 blends well enough with my 3.6s that it didn't break the bank to add it. I'm a big fan of phantom mode, though...I think it sounds great

[Speedskater]

Linkwitz write that he prefers the stereo allusion of a phantom center channel. I think that it depends on the recording technique for each recording.  Spaced microphone recording may do better with a phantom center channel, while pan-pot recording might be better with a center channel speaker.

[DougSmith]

I use a phantom center with no problems.  As long as you get good stereo imaging from your mains I would think you could get away with it.  You might be able to turn off dynamic compression depending on the capabilities of your receiver.

[srb]

One of the possible minuses of a phantom center channel is even if your setup produces clear quality sound without dynamic compression, only viewers sitting in the center will hear dialogue coming from the actors on the screen.  Those who are sitting off to the sides will often experience a distracting disconnection between the actors and their dialogue.
 
Just one person's real world experience.  Obviously if you only have tight center seating, this won't be a problem.
 
Steve

[DougSmith]

One of the possible minuses of a phantom center channel is even if your setup produces clear quality sound without dynamic compression, only viewers sitting in the center will hear dialogue coming from the actors on the screen.  Those who are sitting off to the sides will often experience a distracting disconnection between the actors and their dialogue.
 
Just one person's real world experience.  Obviously if you only have tight center seating, this won't be a problem.

Yes, that may be more or less true depending on your speakers and setup.  The speakers I have, with constant directivity waveguides set up so they cross in front of the listening area, provide a very wide sweet spot.  Dialog appears to come from dead center even if you are sitting six feet off axis.

Doug

[kingdeezie]

I do have a problem with centering of the image from anywhere but the sweet spot. This is probably largely based on the fact that my room is so small.

Unless anyone knows a way to make it work better.

Outside of working without a center, I guess I can only hope to find something that will be suitable as a center channel, which has proven difficult.

[JRace]

You could choose the DTS track...

If that is not an option, then what are your main speakers?

[kingdeezie]

There isn't always a DTS track to be chosen though. I mostly watch Bluray, and while a lot of them do have DTSMA, some of them come with TrueHD as the only option for HD codec.

I use custom Line Sources from GR Research.

[JRace]

Nice speakers, and I agree tough to mate with a Center.

I know of no work-around to defeat the DD/Night/no center issue....