From old AV123 Rockets RS760s to Emotiva T1+, JBL 180s..or something else

[GabrielPhoto]

Hi all!
So I have been considering changing speakers mainly because my projector room is all black and my Rosewood Rockets stick out a lot.
Also because, my speakers are old of course so I have a sort of Frankenstein system right now.

LCR is fine as they are Rockets RS760s and the matching RSC200 (known in the past as bigfoot) center speaker.
But the rest is all a mix...
The sides are Ascend Acoustics 170s
The rears are AV123 ELT 525 bookshelves
The Atmos are Polk Audio OWM3
Of course I can always try to hunt down all rockets to fix the kit but I dont see much point on that at this time.


So looking around, these Emotiva speakers seems to be a great bang for buck plus there is a big center which is crucial for me. I always start looking for the center speaker first before picking a new setup.
I also started looking at the JBL 180s which are even more affordable and seem to get great reviews.

Anyways, the center is CRUCIAL for me since it will be an HT system only.

I will be driving these with a Denon x4400H and an old Kenwood KM-X1000 for the Left and Right
I already have 3 Subs (2 x HSUs and one MFW-15)

Thanks!

 

[Odorb]

When you say Emotiva has a big center, are you referring to the C2? If so, have you checked out the review? https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-center-channel-speaker-review-by-erin.28971/

I was thinking of upgradig my C1 to a C2+ but won't be after reading about the floors in the design.

As far as bang for buck goes I really like my T1 and C1 LCR.

No review for those yet but the T2+ measured pretty well: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...otiva-airmotiv-t2-tower-speaker-review.28360/

 

[GabrielPhoto]

Oh that is a bummer as because of my large projector screen I am surely not seating in line with the tweeter of my current Center.
I need to measure how off axis I am. Does it matter as much if I have it angled towards my ears though?

 

[sweetchaos]

Does it matter as much if I have it angled towards my ears though?

It won't matter. Since vertical directivity is good for most centers. So even if don't angle the center speaker's tweeter vertically towards your ears, you'll still likely be in it's window +-6db window of sound.

It's the horizontal directivity you have to worry about...which is why 2-way centers aren't recommended for anything wider than a single person's spot.

Emotiva C2+ is disappointing in design. I wouldn't purchase it.
The C1+ should perform a lot better, but of course, it's been out of stock for a while now.

Also SVS Prime center was a let down as well.
Where are all the good 3-way center channels?

Consider Kef Q150/350, laying on their side.
Of course, Kef R2C is a great choice...but pricy!

 

[GabrielPhoto]

It won't matter. Since vertical directivity is good for most centers. So even if don't angle the center speaker's tweeter vertically towards your ears, you'll still likely be in it's window +-6db window of sound.

It's the horizontal directivity you have to worry about...which is why 2-way centers aren't recommended for anything wider than a single person's spot.

Emotiva C2+ is disappointing in design. I wouldn't purchase it.
The C1+ should perform a lot better, but of course, it's been out of stock for a while now.

Also SVS Prime center was a let down as well.
Where are all the good 3-way center channels?

Consider Kef Q150/350, laying on their side.
Of course, Kef R2C is a great choice...but pricy!

Thanks for the reply.
I found this about my current Center.
How do you feel it compares?

 

[More Dynamics Please]

If looking for a big center without lobing issues the Hsu CCB-8 is worth considering as it's a concentric design with 8" woofer that has received good reviews such as the one on audioholics:

https://www.audioholics.com/bookshelf-speaker-reviews/ccb-8-bookshelf

 

[GabrielPhoto]

But those are that HSU is pretty small..will look like a midget in the center of my 12' screen lol
I am considering trying to find a way to change to an AT screen and placing the center at the proper height now as what I am seeing is not looking promising so far.

 

[sweetchaos]

Thanks for the reply.
I found this about my current Center.
How do you feel it compares?

View attachment 178763

Those dips around the crossover frequency look like 10db or higher.
That gives me some worry that the speaker had problems with design.
3-way centers shouldn't have such large dips.
My suggestion, look for something more modern...and of course, measuring better.

 

[GabrielPhoto]

Those dips around the crossover frequency look like 10db or higher.
That gives me some worry that the speaker had problems with design.
3-way centers shouldn't have such large dips.
My suggestion, look for something more modern...and of course, measuring better.

Thank you!

 

[GabrielPhoto]

How it the Axiom VP160 compared to this C2+ and my RSC200?