[James Romeyn]

I saw no multi-ch music circle so posted here.

For stereo source digitally processed into multi-channel via Meridian Ambisonic:

Suppose:

• Three identical front speakers/amps
• Overall balance is perfectly tuned for seamless stage/imaging across the front

With pink noise stereo input, measured with a mic IFO the speakers, would you be surprised to find the C ch +3 dB vs. L/R?  I expected equal levels.  Is it possibly related to pink noise vs. music?

If correct, and if all 3 front channels are identical in power, then at onset of clipping for the C ch amp the L/R amps still have 3 dB headroom.

Also, if the C ch amp power = L/R amp power x2 then all 3 front ch's clip simultaneously.

Am I missing something?
TIA!
 

[Russtafarian]

Overall balance is perfectly tuned for seamless stage/imaging across the front

I know what you're saying here but this can be elusive because of the way the CC is mixed from recording to recording.  Using pink noise I set the CC for the same output as L and R and mark the level as the reference point.  Once the music starts I know there's a good chance I'll be adjusting CC level up or down to balance the mix to my taste.

[James Romeyn]

Yes, I agree.  I sometimes alter the CC balance per music program (thanks for the new acronym BTW!...digg).  But  I adjust bass ch balance (my sub) an estimated 10x per each CC adjustment.  Are we on the same page there too?

Whether the CC generally runs +3 dB vs. L/R is more than academic.  I need more power and amp funds are limited. 

If the CC generally runs +3 dB vs. L/R it's obvious that if the 3 front ch are equal in power, 1/2 the L/R amp power is unusable because the CC will clip 3 dB earlier than the L/R.  In the above example 1/3rd of the sum total power for the front ch's is permanently unusable and inaccessible: 1/2 the power of 2/3rds of the channels = 1/3rd total power.           

It's anti-intuitive.  I'd expect all 3 chs generally are equal. 

I just talked with James Bongiorno about this and didn't get much if any further on the subject than before. 

[Mag]

I don't use the same amp on my center channel as L/R. But they are fairly close in power output, with the center set to large.

 The sp level is set the same as the L/R. Being that I sit fairly close to the center I have a slight time delay to compensate, the timing in which it hits your ears is important, too soon and it masks the L/R speakers or vice versa.

I think it's sounds better if the center channel sp is even or less forward than L/R speakers.

[Russtafarian]

Jim, you're right about needing power for the CC.  My L & R are RM30s (which you know well) and my CC is the Magnepan MMG-C.  The MMG-C is very neutral through the midrange and blends nicely with the RM30 planar mids.  While I have 100w of tube power on the RM30s, I need all 200w of the Hypex digital amp on the CC to keep up!