how important is "timbre" match with speakers?

[poloman1211]

There is alot of talk of getting speakers that timbre match but if a recevier can calibre the speakers, so cant you get all the speakers to "timbre match" ? or am i completely off?

thanks

[comfortablycurt]

Timbre matching refers to the actual sound of the speakers. Different speakers have different sounds. The tweeters/mids/woofers in the RTi series are going to sound much different than the tweeters/mids/woofers in the LSi series.

Timbre matching isn't something that can be corrected through calibration in an AVR. You are much better off with a timbre matched setup though. Affects that go from front to back, or across your front soundstage sound much better with a timber matched setup.

[Knucklehead]

Yep, Curt is right on the money with this. However, occasionally you can get lucky like me, it seems my CerwinVega center matches up nicely with my R50's up front. (I do wonder what it would sound like with a CS10 though).;)

[xcapri79]

On this site and others, I've heard that the RTiA series isn't timbre matched with the LSi's. I've been using the CSiA6 along with LSi15 fronts and LSiFX surrounds and so far it is working well for HT and the music I play. (I play all music in seven channel mode, so this may be a factor) The CSiA6 is a very good center speaker. Not sure I have heard much of a timbre mismatch with what i've listened too thus far. Perhaps my ear isn't as critical as others. Have others tried this?

I'm using the LSiC on my living room system, but may try a spare CSiA6 there too, soon. I did do a short A/B test and had a very hard time telling the difference.

[cnh]

There is at least one of our Polk Gurus who's said timbre matching doesn't matter as long as it sounds good to 'you'. Can't remember who that was. But maybe he'll show up in this post.

As for me...I'd go with Curt, et.al, above.

On the reincarnation scale I'd say I'm an 'insect' and will never make it to Guru. Too much BAD karma and sins galore?

cnh

[Face]

I've mixed and matched a few centers and mains and having a timbre matched front stage will always sound more convincing. IMO, it's not as important with rears, but I would still recommend it.

[xcapri79]

There is at least one of our Polk Gurus who's said timbre matching doesn't matter as long as it sounds good to 'you'. Can't remember who that was. But maybe he'll show up in this post.

As for me...I'd go with Curt, et.al, above.

On the reincarnation scale I'd say I'm an 'insect' and will never make it to Guru. Too much BAD karma and sins galore?

cnh

To paraphrase an old saying, "Good sound" is in the ear of the listener, I guess. It's only worth being a guru if you can levitate, right? How many gurus can do that?

[Early B.]

There is at least one of our Polk Gurus who's said timbre matching doesn't matter as long as it sounds good to 'you'. Can't remember who that was. But maybe he'll show up in this post.

That would be me. Timbre matching is for wussies.