Looking for a center speaker with "wide dispersion"

[Ruediger]

I am looking for a new center speaker for a home theater space in a new room. The listening crowd can be as much as 5 persons on a rather wide sofa in an even wider room.

So I wasn't only looking for an upgrade in sound quality of the current (old, small) MTM center, but even more in horizontal wide.

It's not easy to find measurements of centers that specifically show the horizontal behaviour.

So far I think the KEF R2 and R6 Meta show specific ability in that regard. I heard (can't find any graphs) the Dali Rubikore Cinema with it's rotating tweeter/band section is also very good due to being adjustable. But really would like to look at more choices.

Positioning is pretty near the back wall, maybe 15cm away. While I love the Dali and already have Rubikore's in the house, I am inclined to not chose a back ported center for that reason.

Any hints?

 

[Redacted]

What about two small speakers, horizontally separated but both connected to the same (mono) centre channel?

 

[staticV3]

So far I think the KEF R2 and R6 Meta show specific ability in that regard. I heard (can't find any grahps)

KEF publish directivity graphs on their website, they're part of KEF's whitepapers: https://international.kef.com/pages/product-support#hifi-speakers

But for horizontal coverage, you can't really beat ribbon tweeters.

Ascend Acoustics have a few models that would fit, all with measurements.

3-way center:

SIERRA HORIZON V2

Our Renowned Center Speaker! Combining the most advanced R&D lab equipment with sophisticated computer modeling, we have perfected a highly advanced crossover technology that we have been working on for over a decade. This new NFS optimized crossover better preserves dynamics and provides...

www.ascendacoustics.com

ELX HORIZON

Introducing our new ELX Horizon! In development for over a decade, our ELX Horizon represents the current State-Of-The-Art of loudspeaker design. Every performance category has been fully optimized – from shockingly deep bass extension and punch, to incredible spaciousness and ideal tonal...

www.ascendacoustics.com

Philharmonic Audio have a similar design as well:

The HT Center Channel (Price EACH)

philharmonicaudio.com

Bookshelf-style center:

LUNA V2 MINI-MONITOR SINGLE

Introducing Our No-Compromise High-Performance Mini-Monitor New Klippel NFS optimized version! Building on the ongoing success of our remarkable LX and Sierra-2EX speakers, we set out to deliver similar extraordinary performance in a beautifully designed, surprisingly compact cabinet. This...

www.ascendacoustics.com

SIERRA-2EX V2 CENTER

Our New Benchmark Bookshelf Ribbon Speaker New Klippel NFS optimized version! Using high resolution 360-degree measurements generated by our Klippel NFS, we developed a new method of integrating our Sierra-2 RAAL ribbon with our EX woofer, greatly improving directivity and providing a more...

www.ascendacoustics.com

The latter two haven even wider directivity thanks to their high aspect ratio tweeter, but they look at bit strange when used as center.

Ascend make a more traditional looking center with that tweeter too, but the MTM design means a strong midrange dip off-axis:

DUO V2 LCR CENTER

Our No-Compromise Ultra-High-Performance Compact LCR Speaker New Klippel NFS optimized version! Building on the success and enthusiastic feedback from our Luna mini-monitor, we expanded its winning formula to create a speaker that excels as both a main and center channel, while delivering...

www.ascendacoustics.com

Not recommended.

 

[Ultrasonic]

I'd suggest you watch this:

 

[staticV3]

Here's how an Ascend ribbon design compares to KEF:

Easily compare loudspeakers measurements

www.spinorama.org

 

[Ruediger]

KEF publish directivity graphs on their website, they're part of KEF's whitepapers: https://international.kef.com/pages/product-support#hifi-speakers

But for horizontal coverage, you can't really beat ribbon tweeters.

Ascend Acoustics have a few models that would fit, all with measurements.

Those are some very interesting choices!

I don't see these brands here in Germany (at all), maybe in Europe there are sources.

On the Dali Rubikore Cinema is a dual tweeter with a ribbon. But that is crossed in around 12khz and has a very different job than what Ascend is doing, as far as I can see.

The comparison with the KEF R2 is revealing.

I will take a bonus lap and learn more about these ribbon sections prior to making a choice.

 

[Redacted]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't centre speakers all about enhancing dialogue in films? If so, would this not suggest a fancy spec that suits bat ears is overkill? I can't see that over 5kHz is massively relevant and up to that point, dispersion should be ok, no?

 

[Ruediger]

There is this other category of LCR speakers, suitable for all 3 positions. Or at least designed to be.

 

[Flaesh]

MTM center, but even more in horizontal wide

Was there already a recommendation [to try] placing MTM vertically?))

 

[Ultrasonic]

Was there already a recommendation [to try] placing MTM vertically?))

Far better to buy a better designed centre speaker than doing something this generally impractical surely.

 

[Raj21p]

If wide seating coverage is your priority, the KEF R2 Meta and especially the R6 Meta are hard to beat thanks to the Uni-Q driver, which maintains excellent off-axis consistency. I’d also look at 3-way centers from Revel or Paradigm, as they generally avoid the horizontal lobing issues common with traditional MTM designs. With only 15cm from the rear wall, I’d definitely favor sealed or front-ported designs where possible.

 

[Ruediger]

Was there already a recommendation [to try] placing MTM vertically?))

Prior to deciding that it has to go I played around with it. Vertical layout included. Looks awful - it's a classic MTM bar - and tweeter is also off in height. Different placements left and right, a bit higher and lower, to check out it's directivity issues. It's pretty limited, just a bit off axis the sound starts to go away. Can't make this play for a wide setup. Then there is also the issue that it's an old, lower midrange center that doesn't match the other speakers in sound quality anymore.

I'm leaning towards the KEF R2 Meta as it ticks all my boxes so far. Incl. good looking and placement as a closed box. I don't have other KEF speakers, but think it won't be far away in character.

 

[Head_Unit]

I don't have other KEF speakers, but think it won't be far away in character.

KEF has a long history of engineering excellence. Whereas many coaxial response are crap, they've gotten the Uni-Q pretty good. And in a 3-way format where it doesn't cover the low bass, thus keeping excursion low, minimizing response variation from moving woofer cone loading. When I started studying loudspeaker design I wanted to go work at KEF in England!
And yes acoustically you need 3-way for wide dispersion. The sideways woofer-tweeter-woofer layout is acoustically bad, it came about just to fit furniture of the day.

 

[Ruediger]

The R2 meta is doing the job very good in every aspect.

The wide seating area is easily covered. Center channel sound clarity and quality is right there with the Rubikores it is paired with.

 

[Chrispy]

Traditional "center" speakers are compromised. A good 3-way horizontal center is usually as good as you can do without not just having another of the L/R speakers in same orientation....

 

[Ruediger]

Multichannel/media audio is so focused on the center channel. Of course it can be mixed to LR. But it's meant to be split into LCR and huge parts (dialogues) are mixed 100% to center in the material. Leaving the processor with the option to gather this and send that mono signal somewhat changed to LR.

In my experience it never turns out to be as good as with a center channel, no matter what quality and size of speakers one throws at that task.