Center Channel Recommendation for Duettes

[surf123]

I recently received a pair of Duettes and am looking for a suitable center channel. Is a third Duette the correct choice or would the Watch Center Channel be a better choice?

I don't watch a lot of movies, but I do listen to some multi-channel SACD's. My other surround and back speakers are in-wall B&W's, so a B&W center could possibly work, though I think that the voicing would be different. I was all B&W for a while and don't plan to replace these speakers anytime soon.

Any and all opinions are welcome.

[Lildebs888]

Originally Posted by surf123

I recently received a pair of Duettes and am looking for a suitable center channel. Is a third Duette the correct choice or would the Watch Center Channel be a better choice?

I don't watch a lot of movies, but I do listen to some multi-channel SACD's. My other surround and back speakers are in-wall B&W's, so a B&W center could possibly work, though I think that the voicing would be different. I was all B&W for a while and don't plan to replace these speakers anytime soon.

Any and all opinions are welcome.

Jerron actually received an email today from a dealer regarding this very question. Here is part of Jerron’s response to the dealer:

“The Duette as a center is exceptional tonally, specifically when paired with L + R Duette’s.

The Duette was also designed to be placed horizontally and the spikes can be used underneath it to angle it upwards.

In fact, we can (at a little extra cost) make a symmetrical rectangular grill so the Duette looks like a normal center channel speaker when placed on its side.

Also, a 5 channel Duette system with the Watch Dog is absolutely incredible.”

Also, just a reminder - Center Series 3 is officially released, and is currently being built and shipped. However, I think a Duette as a center channel would work really well for you. Daryl (my brother who is Wilson Audio's R&D Product Manager) say's that "a 3rd Duette would 'blend seamlessly'".

If you have any other questions, feel free to email myself (debby@wilsonaudio.com) or Jerron (jerron@wilsonaudio.com), and we would be happy to help you out!

-Debby

[Lildebs888]

Here is a photo of a Duette as a center channel

-Debby

[BlueChiaro]

If I were using Duettes as the L & R, then I'd go Duette in the center before anything else as it's a perfect match. Absolutely do not go the B&W center as the speakers simply won't match...that would be a mistake. Envision someone talking and walking across the front of your room...with the Duettes, the voice will transition, seemlessly...with the B&W, it will change, tonally, due to the difference in the speaker technology, enclosure, drivers, etc. Full disclosure, I have B&W theater stuff, so I'm not bashing B&W.