Matching centre channel for Cambridge Audio SX80

faheemrazzaq

faheemrazzaq

faheemrazzaq

Associate
Joined
22 Jul 2015
Posts
1,213
Location
Aberdeen
i have a pair of Cambridge Audio SX80. I am looking for a matching centre speaker. SX70 is the obvious choice. But before I buy one, I want to explore if any other center speaker will match and should be considered. Thanks.
 
Last edited:
Ideally another SX80. However standmount (or floorstander) as a center may not work for obvious reasons. So you want the matching center speaker from that range.

You can mix and match from other brands, but they have to be close in sound presentation and quality. For example the Kef Reference and Celestion A front three can be mixed and matched, as they seem to have similar (and great sound quality)

I would rather have a great sounding non matching center, than a crap sounding but matching center. For example the Kef Q95 was matching to my Kef Q L/R but boy was it a pos. Used a Kef Reference speaker and massive upgrade in sound quality, and any non matching issues were forgotten.

I prefer the four driver layout like this tbh over a two or three driver center.

http://product-images.highwire.com/7436595/2038-4.jpg

https://www.cnet.com/products/celestion-a-4c-center-channel-speaker/specs/
 
So what I gather from this is that any good quality center should do fine. I am not really an audiophile and may come across very blunt when discussing high fidelity audio :D
 
Just to add that I have Yamaha RX-V567 AVR. Its a 7.1 channel receiver. 90 watt per channel. According to the spec sheet can take speakers from 2-8 ohms. All my speakers are 8 ohm. Using front speakers for center channel at the moment.
 
Yamaha avrs aren't very powerful, it won't be 90w X 7. Actual power output will be far less. Probably closer to 40w.


Ideally go for the matching CA speaker but if you find a high end second hand you could go for that.
 
hornetstinger said:
Yamaha avrs aren't very powerful, it won't be 90w X 7. Actual power output will be far less. Probably closer to 40w.


Ideally go for the matching CA speaker but if you find a high end second hand you could go for that.
Click to expand...

According to the specs it is 90x7? Why would manufacturer quote something that is beyond the capability of hardware.
 
Because they inflate figures. I know, I have a Yamaha myself.

A while ago a top of the range Yamaha AVR was tested, and it's real output was a pitiful 35W per channel.

Do a google search for yamaha avr bench test for example this is 42W per channel, all channels driven. And it's several steps up from mine and your Yamaha

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/yamaha-aventage-rx-a2040-av-receiver-review-test-bench

If you want proper power output all channels driven you need, then I believe Denon and Pioneer fair very well with power output AVR's, other than that you're looking at power amplifiers. The ones I use now are 200W per channel, into 8ohm, or 300W into 4 ohm, all channels driven, with something like 0.05% THD
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom