What movie(s) should I use to test out a center channel speaker?

[gimmepilotwings]

Hello all. I am contemplating purchasing a Polk Audio CSi5 center speaker channel to go with my Onkyo 805, RTi10's (with the CSi5 to match) and R50's for surround. I have a chance to audition the CSi5 today. What movie(s) I use to test out the setup?

I have a large DVD collection, some Blurays (PS3, haven't updated to latest firmware to get the DTS:MA yet, but I may today) and an HDDVD player D2 (no DTS:MA capability)

What do you recommend?

Thanks,

[Brian Shannon]

I would choose something drama based with alot of dialog

[SoSpacey]

The center is used mainly for dialog. You just want to test how clear the dialog sounds.

Pick a movie that you think sounds like shit with your current center and see how that one handles it. And pick another dialog heavy movie. Even pick something where some people are whispering.

Does the CSi5 technically match? I dont pay much attention to Polks but it would make sense to me to get a R series, no?

[RockyMtnBri]

Dramas that are dialog heavy work well. Even monophonic releases (older movies from the 30s and 40s come to mind) work great because ALL of the sound is being reproduced by one speaker.

[Spiky]

Also use the test sweeps found on Avia or similar. You should not hear any tonal difference as the sweeps circle around the room. And it should be totally smooth, like it is one speaker swinging around you.

[Drexl]

Also use the test sweeps found on Avia or similar. You should not hear any tonal difference as the sweeps circle around the room. And it should be totally smooth, like it is one speaker swinging around you.

This is what I was going to say. You're not so much auditioning the center directly, but rather how it integrates with your L & R front speakers.

Another possibility would be a Pixar movie without dialogue anchored in the center. I don't know if they're all like that, but I know the Toy Story movies are. Listen for the voices to be consistent in tone across the front soundstage. Some older movies like The Sound of Music are mixed this way as well.

If you want to try a mono movie, make sure it really is a 1.0 track. Some mono movies are encoded with a 2-channel track where the channels are identical, so those would come out of your L & R fronts. I believe Warner usually uses 1.0.

[gimmepilotwings]

Thanks for the advice guys. I ended up purchasing the CSi5 (it is the match) last night. I used my Avia disc and a couple of movies (Philadelphia Story, Double Indemnity) to test it out. I can tell that it is clearer.

After I got it setup, I ran through Audyssey. After it was complete, it suggested that I keep the L/R and -4dB while the Center Channel a -8dB. Does that seem right to you? The C is about around the same distance. If anything, you would think that you would want them to be closer to the same, no?

[Spiky]

All depends on the speakers. Maybe the center is slightly more efficient and needs less power to achieve the same volume. It's actually the opposite for my speakers.

I'd go back to the sweeps now that you are finished with Audyssey. Tone, volume, everything should be exactly the same in your main seating position when it sweeps around. So if you feel like adjusting something even 1db to make it perfect to your ears, do it.

[beebs]

Personally, I'd play an action flick with aggressive surround sound. This is the place where your center needs to shine & work along with the rest of your gear.

-beebs

[Nick Martin]

For my own clarity and bass purposes, I used the DTS version of the Titanic soundtrack for trying out a center channel, only because the mixing on that album features nothing but snare drums, tympani, and woodwinds depending on the track being played. Once I found those instruments to be sounding clear and natural, and not 'tinny' or dull, I knew I had the right settings.

[dumio]

Hello all. I am contemplating purchasing a Polk Audio CSi5 center speaker channel to go with my Onkyo 805, RTi10's (with the CSi5 to match) and R50's for surround. I have a chance to audition the CSi5 today. What movie(s) I use to test out the setup?

I have a large DVD collection, some Blurays (PS3, haven't updated to latest firmware to get the DTS:MA yet, but I may today) and an HDDVD player D2 (no DTS:MA capability)

What do you recommend?

Thanks,

Any movie with Mel Gibson's or Sean Connery's voice. If you like music, try Diana Krall's DVD Audio or SACD, listen to her sigh and hum.