Bumping this thread since I am in the exact same situation: Happy with my L+R F206’s but looking to upgrade center from C205.
The C426be makes me salivate but I don’t want to spend that kind of money (about 5600 euro) if it’s not substantially better than what I have, or, for example, a used C208.
I am also concerned about how well the C426be would match my F206’s for timbre/sound character. In a couple of years I might also upgrade the 206’s to 228be’s, but it is unfortunately impossible right now. So any center upgrade right now must be an upgrade in conjunction with my 206’s.
Where I live, I have to drive about 8 hours for the roundtrip, to the closest dealer who has the C426be set up for a proper audition. So I want to make sure it’s not wasted time and gas money...
BTW I’m also considering a used Ultima Voice 2 as an option, which can be had for about 2500 euro. Or said used C208.
My gf can accept a white C426be on top of the media bench, but if I go for a black C208 or Voice2 then I would probably have to custom build some kind of wireframe covered with speaker fabric, to conceal the speaker. And custom build a new media bench around it, so it looks ok.
Room is a big, open plan living room with high ceiling. I have my setup ”across” the room, so that the distance to side walls is very far. Have 2 Rythmik 15 inch closed subs and want to cross over at 80 hz.
Any/all thoughts are welcome.
