Question about 5.1 HT mixing JBL L20Ts and Hsu HC-1 MK2

[gortman]

Hi everyone,

I've had 4 JBL L20Ts sitting in their boxes for several years because we had no room for a home theater. We're buying my mother-in-law's house to increase our living space so I'll be able to set up our HT in the basement family room. Does anyone have an opinion on whether adding an HC-1 MK2 to the L20Ts for a 5.1 system makes sense, or would that be a bad match? I know that the nominal impedance is different (6 Ohms for the L20Ts and 12 Ohms for the HC-1), but I'm too much of a greenhorn to know if that's a problem.

I think eventually I would consider buying the HB-1 MK2s to replace my L20Ts, but I'm looking to use what I have for now if possible.

Thanks for your help!

[skool]

If you are not not worrying about tonal balance or timbre matching, then it doesn't really matter which center you get. However, if you're considering adding the HB-1 in the future, then it would make sense to buy the HC-1 now. For HT, it is best that the front three speakers match in terms of timbre and tonality.

However, I would suggest that it would be best for you to buy the the front HB-1 right now using a phantom center mode, then later add the HC-1. The HC-1 will probably overpowering your older JBL L20T especially when you start cranking it up for movies. Also, don't worry about the impedance too much. The HB/HC-1 is quite sensitive and easy to drive so any modern AVR should have no problem driving it.

[cacihome]

+1

[spyboy]

Hi everyone,

I've had 4 JBL L20Ts sitting in their boxes for several years because we had no room for a home theater. We're buying my mother-in-law's house to increase our living space so I'll be able to set up our HT in the basement family room. Does anyone have an opinion on whether adding an HC-1 MK2 to the L20Ts for a 5.1 system makes sense, or would that be a bad match? I know that the nominal impedance is different (6 Ohms for the L20Ts and 12 Ohms for the HC-1), but I'm too much of a greenhorn to know if that's a problem.

I think eventually I would consider buying the HB-1 MK2s to replace my L20Ts, but I'm looking to use what I have for now if possible.

Thanks for your help!

I have had a pair of JBL L60T's for about 20 years. They are a great speaker. Nothing shabby about the L20T's either. Real walnut veneers. The first titanium tweeter.

I can also say that I have tried a goodly number of different speakers for my center channel. I have used Boston, Klipsch, Infinity, M&K, and others.

What I have found is that dialouge intelligibility is of great importance, at least to me. Most center channel speakers have an emphasis at about 125 Hz which reduces dialouge intelligibility on male voices. The fact that the center channel is often placed directly on top of a TV screen which acts as a large baffle and further degrades the sound, is something else to keep in mind.

I also know that the MTM design used horizontally impacts off-axis response with a large dip, I believe, near the crossover frequency. If you can use the MFM design vertically (usually not visually practical), the lobing is less of an issue.

In my experience, a simple 2 driver mini-monitor sounds better, for center channel use, than the other designs I have had extensive experience with.

Some have acknowledged that the MTM design used horizontally is simply a matter of esthetics. I stronly agree.

Based on my experience, an HB1 MK2 would be MY choice for an HSU center.

[skool]

While I do agree that a MTM center does have some impact regarding off-axis performance, the issue is not that dramatic as people make it out to be. A well-designed MTM should able to reduce such off-axis response. Regarding using a regular bookshelf (HB-1) as center, it is just not practical. Unless one sits so far off-axis of the center, the HC-1 should be more than enough.

[spyboy]

While I do agree that a MTM center does have some impact regarding off-axis performance, the issue is not that dramatic as people make it out to be. A well-designed MTM should able to reduce such off-axis response. Regarding using a regular bookshelf (HB-1) as center, it is just not practical. Unless one sits so far off-axis of the center, the HC-1 should be more than enough.

I don't know who you are speaking for when you say that using an HB-1 as a center just is just not practical.

I would guess that you are talking about esthetics. Please correct me if I am wrong.

You might also want to bear in mind that many people desire 3 identical speakers across the front. I have seen some pretty sophisticated systems using identical speakers acrosss the front.

The best one I ever heard used B&W 802's at all 5 positions!

Just wanted to share my experience with center channel speakers.

[skool]

I don't know who you are speaking for when you say that using an HB-1 as a center just is just not practical.

I would guess that you are talking about esthetics. Please correct me if I am wrong.

You might also want to bear in mind that many people desire 3 identical speakers across the front. I have seen some pretty sophisticated systems using identical speakers acrosss the front.

The best one I ever heard used B&W 802's at all 5 positions!

Just wanted to share my experience with center channel speakers.

Yeah, I was referring to your post. Regarding practicality of using a bookshelf as center, aesthetic is not really a major issue. Most people who are using a entertainment desk will find it hard to place the bookshelf vertically. Some may not even have space to put a center vertically.

I completely agree with you about using three identical speakers across the front. If possible, I would recommend such setup as well. I would like using such setup myself, but unfortunately having no space to place my center vertically.

Those who are using projectors with screen can easily hide that vertical center behind the screen. That would definitely be an ideal setup.