Center speaker choice, B&W CC3, CC6 or IFS600

[jackwalker]

Center speaker choice, B&W CC3, CC6 or IFS600.

These are the centers I'm looking at to match my B&W DM610i front speakers. In reviews they all come out good. The price difference (used) is not enormous in The Netherlands. What is the best choice and why…or should I invest more in a center speaker?
Thanks for any info,
Jack

[drseid]

Center speaker choice, B&W CC3, CC6 or IFS600.

These are the centers I'm looking at to match my B&W DM610i front speakers. In reviews they all come out good. The price difference (used) is not enormous in The Netherlands. What is the best choice and why…or should I invest more in a center speaker?
Thanks for any info,
Jack

I am not familiar with those 3 center channels, but you want to select the one that matches the sonic signature of your mains the best. Usually this means using the same tweeter, and possibly even the same mid/midbass driver(s). You could also just use a third DM610i as the center channel.

---Dave

[jackwalker]

Thanks Dave,

Does this mean there is no difference between a center speaker and a regular speaker except for the shape?

[drseid]

Thanks Dave,

Does this mean there is no difference between a center speaker and a regular speaker except for the shape?

Pretty much. Most center channels have magnetic shielding to eliminate interference with your TV screen, but otherwise the only difference is shape (and many use different drivers). I actually am a big fan of 3 identical fronts for the 3 main channels if you can swing it... many can't due to space limitations (or TV location).

---Dave

[pixelthis]

Center speaker choice, B&W CC3, CC6 or IFS600.

These are the centers I'm looking at to match my B&W DM610i front speakers. In reviews they all come out good. The price difference (used) is not enormous in The Netherlands. What is the best choice and why…or should I invest more in a center speaker?
Thanks for any info,
Jack
Thought I had a cc3, turns out its a CC6 (not that good at remembering model numbers)
I think a cc3 goes with the 302, 305 series, thats probably the one I had with my 305's
when I had those for mains.
If your 610i has kevlar cones(yellow) get the cc6, it will be a much better match,
being kevlar itself.
centers are different in that they usually have two mid/bass drivers, the better to spread the sound over a wider area, instead of giving you a localized spot under your tv.
Whatever you get, remember, the center is the most important speaker in a surround
system, most of the sound comes from that one speaker, the most important part (dialog)
comes almost completely from it:1:

[jackwalker]

Thanks for the info, I think I'm going with cc6.
Jack

[pixelthis]

Thanks for the info, I think I'm going with cc6.
Jack

Good move, you can pay more but you won't get much better.
There are several good reviews in the review section:1: