Center Channel?

[Tikkenator]

I am currently running Wilson Audio Sophia Series 2 front speakers and Wilson Audio Watch Series 2 surround speakers and a JL Audio Fathom F113 subwoofer. I am debating the merits of continuing with a "phantom" center vs adding the Watch Series 2 Center speaker. I currently sit in the sweet spot and get a very focused center image and clear dialog when watching movies. Pans from left to right are seamless. I do not sit off axis, although my wife and kids do.

I am curious as to whether or not adding the center channel would be a significant upgrade (for me in the sweet spot). I expect it might provide an even more tightly focused center image with improved between speaker imaging (between left and center and center and right), improved dynamics, and clearer dialog.

Although the center channel uses the same midrange drivers as the Sophias, and I should be able to position it within 12 inches of the Sophia tweeter, I am concerned about preserving that seamless front soundstage I currently have in phantom mode.

Anybody care to comment on the pros and cons of adding the Watch center?

I am running a hybrid 2 channel/home theater system:

2channel: SME 10/Lyra Skala/BAT VK-P10SE Superpak/VK-D5SE Superpak CD player/VK-52SE preamp/VK-600SE/Cardas Golden Reference XLR interconnects and Transparent Ultra MM2 speaker cables/Wilson Audio Sophia Series 2 Speakers

Home Theater: Oppo BDP-83/Toshiba HD-XA2/Integra DHC-80.1 prepro/BAT VK-6200 5 channel amplifier/Wilson Audio WATCH surrounds, JL Audio Fathom F113 subwoofer/Sony Black Pearl Projector/Carada 106" screen

[-E-]

A "phantom" arrangement is not a seamless soundstage for multichannel audio tracks. Period.

Get the center channel - you will notice a huge improvement. There is a reason quadraphonic died decades ago!

Sorry, just noticed you asked for "pros and cons."

There are no cons to adding the center channel. The pro's follow the lines of the obvious.

[1KW]

I agree a center channel is important for multichannel listening. Why don't you perform a experiment using one of your rear surround speakers as the center channel ? I think you will be able to hear the improvement. In my home theater I have large Magnepans for the L/R and a much smaller center channel speaker and it sounds pretty seamless so don't get hung up on having a center channel speaker exactly the same as the L/R.

[Uberbrown]

Originally Posted by Tikkenator

I am currently running Wilson Audio Sophia Series 2 front speakers and Wilson Audio Watch Series 2 surround speakers and a JL Audio Fathom F113 subwoofer. I am debating the merits of continuing with a "phantom" center vs adding the Watch Series 2 Center speaker. I currently sit in the sweet spot and get a very focused center image and clear dialog when watching movies. Pans from left to right are seamless. I do not sit off axis, although my wife and kids do.

I am curious as to whether or not adding the center channel would be a significant upgrade (for me in the sweet spot). I expect it might provide an even more tightly focused center image with improved between speaker imaging (between left and center and center and right), improved dynamics, and clearer dialog.

Although the center channel uses the same midrange drivers as the Sophias, and I should be able to position it within 12 inches of the Sophia tweeter, I am concerned about preserving that seamless front soundstage I currently have in phantom mode.

Anybody care to comment on the pros and cons of adding the Watch center?

I am running a hybrid 2 channel/home theater system:

2channel: SME 10/Lyra Skala/BAT VK-P10SE Superpak/VK-D5SE Superpak CD player/VK-52SE preamp/VK-600SE/Cardas Golden Reference XLR interconnects and Transparent Ultra MM2 speaker cables/Wilson Audio Sophia Series 2 Speakers

Home Theater: Oppo BDP-83/Toshiba HD-XA2/Integra DHC-80.1 prepro/BAT VK-6200 5 channel amplifier/Wilson Audio WATCH surrounds, JL Audio Fathom F113 subwoofer/Sony Black Pearl Projector/Carada 106" screen

Yes,

A friend of mine's dealer told him that phantom center on the Sophia IIs was as good as a Watch. He purchased a Watch I on a lark, and it blew im away how much more focused the center image was. He then purchased a Watch II and it blew him away again, how seamless it was. Phantom is no replacement for 3 additional and identical drivers. Get the Watch.

[Face]

Phantom center setups can sound very nice. But, I would only use a phantom center for movies when a timbre matching center is not available or if there is no space for a true center.

[Sharp 1080]

I was forced to use the "phantom" setting for 2 weeks until my Watch center arrived. There's no comparison of having the Watch versus no center. It blends in perfect with my WP/7's. The dialogue is more focused and pans across the front three speakers are seamless. For me it improved the front soundstage.

[Tikkenator]

Thanks for all the input. Ordered an Obsidian Wilson Watch 2 Center Channel yesterday!

[-E-]

Woot woot!

You won't be disappointed.

[chessman]

Originally Posted by Tikkenator

Thanks for all the input. Ordered an Obsidian Wilson Watch 2 Center Channel yesterday!

I am sooooo jealous. Congrats!!

[Uberbrown]

Originally Posted by chessman

I am sooooo jealous. Congrats!!

I am happy for you. It was the right move!