I'm trying to create a home theater system that has a high "wife acceptance factor" but also sounds great.

To that end I think I've decided to build a system using HTR 7000s. The ultimate goal is to have something that is out of sight, but still sounds amazing for movies and TV, which is mostly what this system will be used for, and I think the 7000s fit the bill here.

I know Goldenear is going to tell me that I can use 5 HTR 7000s to create a nice 5.1 system, but what about using a SuperCenter XXL for the center channel instead. Will this provide a noticeable improvement with the clarity of dialog in movies over using 7000 as the center channel? Is it overkill? I'm guessing the XXL was not really designed to pair with the 7000s, so I'm worried about mismatch. But I like this idea because I make my wife happy by getting rid of all the towers that currently sit in our home theater, but I also get a top of the line (for my budget) center channel to make me feel better about losing my towers.

In my dream world I would build a system using 4 Triton 5s and a SC XXL, but I think this might be a nice compromise. If someone tells me this isn't a good match I'll just go with all HTR 7000s. But where's the fun in that.

thinkthis wrote: I'm trying to create a home theater system that has a high "wife acceptance factor" but also sounds great.

To that end I think I've decided to build a system using HTR 7000s. The ultimate goal is to have something that is out of sight, but still sounds amazing for movies and TV, which is mostly what this system will be used for, and I think the 7000s fit the bill here.

I know Goldenear is going to tell me that I can use 5 HTR 7000s to create a nice 5.1 system, but what about using a SuperCenter XXL for the center channel instead. Will this provide a noticeable improvement with the clarity of dialog in movies over using 7000 as the center channel? Is it overkill? I'm guessing the XXL was not really designed to pair with the 7000s, so I'm worried about mismatch. But I like this idea because I make my wife happy by getting rid of all the towers that currently sit in our home theater, but I also get a top of the line (for my budget) center channel to make me feel better about losing my towers.

In my dream world I would build a system using 4 Triton 5s and a SC XXL, but I think this might be a nice compromise. If someone tells me this isn't a good match I'll just go with all HTR 7000s. But where's the fun in that.

Hi, thinkthis

Welcome to the forum! I can't compare directly HTR 7000's and a SCXXL, but I do know that GEt speakers get along great together! I l have T1's, T2's and INVISA 525's all playing nicely together. No, more than nicely...perfectly seamlessly... you really can't tell where one speaker's contribution ends and another begins. I guess it's because GEt DESIGNED them to play together, with the same HVFR tweeters, similar drivers, etc.

I would guess that a SCXXL would be a great addition as a center to the speaker array you're planning. The reviews are uniformly complimentary, and it's contribution to the bass spectrum would be great.

Whatever GEt speakers you choose, the clarity, richness, pure easy listening is amazing.

Happy listening!

Rick

rjohn79395 wrote:

thinkthis wrote: I'm trying to create a home theater system that has a high "wife acceptance factor" but also sounds great.

To that end I think I've decided to build a system using HTR 7000s. The ultimate goal is to have something that is out of sight, but still sounds amazing for movies and TV, which is mostly what this system will be used for, and I think the 7000s fit the bill here.

I know Goldenear is going to tell me that I can use 5 HTR 7000s to create a nice 5.1 system, but what about using a SuperCenter XXL for the center channel instead. Will this provide a noticeable improvement with the clarity of dialog in movies over using 7000 as the center channel? Is it overkill? I'm guessing the XXL was not really designed to pair with the 7000s, so I'm worried about mismatch. But I like this idea because I make my wife happy by getting rid of all the towers that currently sit in our home theater, but I also get a top of the line (for my budget) center channel to make me feel better about losing my towers.

In my dream world I would build a system using 4 Triton 5s and a SC XXL, but I think this might be a nice compromise. If someone tells me this isn't a good match I'll just go with all HTR 7000s. But where's the fun in that.

Hi, thinkthis

Welcome to the forum! I can't compare directly HTR 7000's and a SCXXL, but I do know that GEt speakers get along great together! I l have T1's, T2's and INVISA 525's all playing nicely together. No, more than nicely...perfectly seamlessly... you really can't tell where one speaker's contribution ends and another begins. I guess it's because GEt DESIGNED them to play together, with the same HVFR tweeters, similar drivers, etc.

I would guess that a SCXXL would be a great addition as a center to the speaker array you're planning. The reviews are uniformly complimentary, and it's contribution to the bass spectrum would be great.

Whatever GEt speakers you choose, the clarity, richness, pure easy listening is amazing.

Happy listening!

Rick

I agree with you that sonically it would sound great since all GE speakers use similar drivers.

My real concern is with the setup where the front left and right channels are in the ceiling and the center channel being at ear level.

Just curious if the simulated ear level audio from the HTR 7000 would clash with the actual ear level audio from the SC XXL.

Also, thanks for the welcome!

Having just recently heard the HTRs, here's my $.02.

I think you'll notice a SIGNIFICANT change in orientation by mixing an in ceiling speaker and GET's biggest baddest center channel. Even though the HTRs disperse sound down really well, you will definitely notice the shift as the sound moves up and down during left right pans. Not to mention I'd imagine the XXL sounds noticeably better in the mid/lower frequencies. I know center channels are the most important speaker, but personally I think it would be disproportionately overpowering even if balanced to compensate + the shift in height.

Have you considered the MPX in-wall speakers? Bringing down the sound will help it play nicer with the center channel and still offer a clean look.

Truth be told, I think you'd be happy with all HTR 7000s and you won't know what you might be missing. If someone gave me a Lexus IS250, I wouldn't care that it's not the Lexus LFA. But don't let me drive the LFA part of the time and expect me not to notice the difference. I hope that analogy makes sense.

+1 here from the peanut gallery on what Rick and Dark have said. I agree with everything except the choice in Lexus model. I'm a big car guy and prefer the GS or LS.

Cheers,

T Cobe

I just picked up the scxxl to replace my scx. The difference is very noticeable in that dialog is crystal clear, however, I would not call it overbearing. Last night while watching MadMen, I could understand the actor's whispers without any problem (no "huh, what did she just say?"). This is a first after 13 years in the hobby and going through 5 different center channels along the way.

I would characterize the experience to be more full and not just louder. I'd say anchor your system with this speaker if you can afford it and have the space because it is that much better than the scx (I cannot vouch for the scxl).