Center Channel Setup Options

[Mr Raider]

Hi Guys....

I am fairly new user of a HT system, and I am bit confused regarding some setting options for the Center Channel Speaker.

The setup includes Polk Audio speakers:

LS50 - Front Speakers; RC65i Rear effect;
CSi3 Center Channel and PSW202 Sub. The system is powered
with 75W per channel Yamaha Amp. The room is approx 20 x 20 w/cathedral ceiling and the center channel speaker is mounted above a Sony 60 inch LCD rear-projection TV.

My question is in relation to the setting options on the amp for the Center Speaker. I notice that when I set the center speaker setting to "NONE" (vs small/large) that the amp continues to send the center channel program to the center speaker as well as now to the front speakers too. The result is a very rich, full sound that is most enjoyable. However, this selection also seems to result in a less focused dialog/vocal effect.

My question is - with this configuration and center channel setting am I somehow not taking full advantage of the 5.1 program? Is this an innacurate method to configure the HT system....or is it all personal taste? I notice that this output is consistent regardless if the audio is DD or just PCM.

I would appreciate any input or suggestions you may have.

Thank you

[John K.]

Raider, welcome. Unless your receiver has a very unusual defect, what you've described isn't actually what's happening. When you set the center speaker to "None", the result is that the signals which should go to the center speaker from a 5.1 source are instead sent equally to the left and right front speakers. This creates a "phantom" center speaker because equal sounds in the left and right speakers sound as if they're coming from the middle. However, if you're not almost directly midway between the speakers that center image will shift to the right or left with you and, for example, dialog won't appear to come from the TV screen. You should re-check to see if this isn't actually what's going on. Some listeners prefer the phantom center and don't use a center speaker at all. Others turn it on or off, depending on the program material; but yes, the usual idea is to have the center speaker on and set "small" if you're using a sub to carry the lowest bass.

[Mr Raider]

John K., Thanx for the welcome and the response. Believe it or not the problem I described IS actually occuring. The center channel continues to output regardles of the amp setting!? Wire connections and amp settings are accurate...and that is why I wrote the question in this forum, to see if this is normal, or my amp has a problem, or was I just plain nuts ! Anyway, I can somewhat minimize the noticable difference in sound output by adjusting the output of the CSi3 up about 7 decibles. I can also tell you that the LS50s are just wonderful in this environment.