Zing's New (Mismatched) Center Channel
- Thread starter Zing
- Start date
Zing said:I may have neglected to mention that my mismatched front stage is not because of the Dynaudio center channel and Swan mains but because of the Focus 210C center and the brand spankin' new Contour S 3.4 LE mains.
:happy-smileygiantred:
I could see that one coming a mile away.....................anyway, enjoy your new toys!
and you do remarkably suck!
I may recycle the Swans for surround duty. Really. I mean that. I did not buy new surround speakers. Really. I mean that too.heeman said:You forgot to mention the surrounds???????????????bscene-birdiedoublered:
The LE's are connected to a Parasound A23. The 210 is currently connected to an Emotiva XPA-100.AndySTL said:
I used to power all speakers with three A23's but a couple of years ago, the one connected to my center died (out of warranty, of course). At the time, the XPA was less expensive than shipping and repair charges for the Halo, plus I had it in two days as opposed to waiting two weeks or two months. As it turns out, it's a very capable and impressive amp.
D
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Exactly what I was thinking as well.Towen7 said:
Jeff
ps. Zing: huge congrats!
ps. All you need now is a huge SVS sub for the back corner and you're all set.
I spent a few blissful hours with them Tuesday evening (which is the day they arrived) but I had zero time with them yesterday. I had work to contend with during the day and I had dinner plans with a friend last night. My friend came back to the house for a cocktail and left at 11:00. I had to be up at 4:00 this morning to meet my cousin to do my first bit of trout fishing in 8 years. So I'm really looking forward to this evening, tomorrow and the weekend in the theater to put them through their paces.
The imaging on these things is RIDICULOUSLY SICK! I was always impressed with the imaging of the Swans and I wasn't alone. I've had a few (non forum) analytical listeners who've made unsolicited comments about their imaging. Sure, the room, speaker placement and acoustic treatments play their roles in the matter but still the Swans held their own. These Contours have completely schooled the Swans. For the first time in years, I had to look at the display of my Pre/Pro to verify it was in Stereo mode and not some multichannel soundfield. And despite seeing the word "stereo" displayed, I still had to put an ear up to the center channel to make sure nothing was coming out of it.
I simply placed the Contours right where the Swans were - which is to say as wide as the room will allow - and that makes just over 9 feet between them and 9 feet away from my listening position. It took Steely Dan's "Cousin Dupree" to convince me I hadn't made a mistake in connecting the speaker cables and didn't have one out of phase. Anita Baker's "Fairy Tales" clearly showed 5 distinct areas where an instrument was emanating from and I don't recall ever noticing that before on that track. Admittedly, the placebo effect may be coming into play because I know I'm listening to new speakers and trying to hear the differences. Still...I am not unimpressed with any aspect of the speakers.
I played around a bit with them in full range mode and I can confidently say "NO SUB REQUIRED". They played a note in Spyro Gyra's "Monsoon" that the Swans couldn't dream about on their best day. If that's not enough, I didn't hear a difference in that note even when crossed to the subs.
In KEM's "Beautiful World" - which is a very, VERY clean recording by the way - the finger snaps were crisp and prominent sounding with the Swans but now I'm noticing an almost 3D sound to them with the Contours.
If you can't tell, I'm digging these speakers and not just a little bit.
I simply placed the Contours right where the Swans were - which is to say as wide as the room will allow - and that makes just over 9 feet between them and 9 feet away from my listening position. It took Steely Dan's "Cousin Dupree" to convince me I hadn't made a mistake in connecting the speaker cables and didn't have one out of phase. Anita Baker's "Fairy Tales" clearly showed 5 distinct areas where an instrument was emanating from and I don't recall ever noticing that before on that track. Admittedly, the placebo effect may be coming into play because I know I'm listening to new speakers and trying to hear the differences. Still...I am not unimpressed with any aspect of the speakers.
I played around a bit with them in full range mode and I can confidently say "NO SUB REQUIRED". They played a note in Spyro Gyra's "Monsoon" that the Swans couldn't dream about on their best day. If that's not enough, I didn't hear a difference in that note even when crossed to the subs.
In KEM's "Beautiful World" - which is a very, VERY clean recording by the way - the finger snaps were crisp and prominent sounding with the Swans but now I'm noticing an almost 3D sound to them with the Contours.
If you can't tell, I'm digging these speakers and not just a little bit.