Best For Center Channel?

[Wonderboy]

I am not sure which driver or diaphragm to use for a HT center channel speaker. I have a 2445 that needs diaphragm replacement or a 2482 with a phenolic diaphragm?

Kevin.

[robertbartsch]

What size is your room?
I suppose you could use the large 2 inch 2445 HF driver and a large 15 or 18 inch woofer for a center channel.


I'm currently building a center channel that has 2225 and 2206 drivers in a small bookcase speaker cab.

[Wonderboy]

Wow! That's a big center channel! My room is about 15X25 ft. but do not have room for big woofers like that. I was going to use one of the drivers with a 2397 horn and a couple of 8" mid-bass units, most likely 2118's. I was just not sure if I should spend the money on a new diaphragm for the 2445 or use a 2482 that already has a phenolic diaphragm in it that is supposed to be good for mid-range freq?

Kevin.

[Allanvh5150]

Remember that the 2482 will only go out to about 6Khz. Although it will go low you will need a large horn on it to acheive the specs. The 2445 would be the better choice for a center. What sort of horn to you plan on using?

[Wonderboy]

I was planning on using a 2397 horn along with a couple 2118 mids with a 2405 tweeter.

Kevin.

[Mr. Widget]

I am surprised that no one has asked the most important question. What will your left and right speakers be... the center needs to be voiced to match.


Widget

[Wonderboy]

Oh,oh, Mr. Widget now you are opening another can of worms (good question though). If you have seen the other posting from me on "Which Components Should I Use?" (first can of worms,lol!) you will see what I am attempting to construct there for my main front and left channels and will most likely not match the center channel I described. They will probably consist of a 2226, 2012, 2425/2370a and a 2405, the only unit that will match that in the center is the 2405. My current center channel uses a 2425/2370a and sounds good but what can I say, I have this nice 2397 horn and a 2445 just sit'n here, calling my name! lol That 2397 horn looks just to cool not to use it, or at least give it a try. I know that a properly set up HT system has to have matching timbre all around, if the 2397 it to much of a mismatch then I will have to reconsider.

Kevin.

[Mr. Widget]

That 2397 horn looks just to cool not to use it, or at least give it a try.

Based on this info, I would go with the 2445 over a phenolic mid. Keeping the same tweeter is probably the least important driver to match, but if you are hell bent on using what you have instead of changing things around, then I guess you should just go for it. Though even Bush did eventually dump Rummy.

I guess that was striking a bit low, but I hope you can see where I am coming from.


Widget

[Wonderboy]

Yes, I hear you. If I find there is to much of a mismatch, I can switch back to the 2370a.

Thanks for the advice on the 2445, it needs a diaphragm, which material would you suggest, aluminum?

Kevin.

[Mr. Widget]

Thanks for the advice on the 2445, it needs a diaphragm, which material would you suggest, aluminum?

It is meant to have a Ti diaphragm... and the 2425s also have Ti, so I'd go with the stock 2445 diaphragm. If on the other hand you were trying to go for optimum performance, I'd be using three 2445s with 2441 AL diaphragms on 2397 horns with plenty of room treatment to control early horizontal reflections.


Widget

[SEAWOLF97]

I am surprised that no one has asked the most important question. What will your left and right speakers be... the center needs to be voiced to match.
Widget

My HT mains are unmatchable (Walsh F's) and so I didnt worry about it ....just tossed a B&W ZMF on top of the TV and all works very well.

ZMF's

[Wonderboy]

Three 2445's? ching,ching don't have the bucks for them, but who knows maybe one day when I'm rich and famous I'll take you up on your advice and go for it.

So, the Ti diaphragm is the stock unit for the 2445, what is the 2441 AL diaphragm?

Thanks for the support SEAWOLF97, it makes me feel a bit better! By the way, where is "Trance"? (or is that a state of mind?)

Kevin.

[Mr. Widget]

Three 2445's? ching,ching don't have the bucks for them, but who knows maybe one day when I'm rich and famous I'll take you up on your advice and go for it.

With patience this stuff can be found at surprisingly low prices... when you get rich and famous drop me a line and I'll help you put together a really good system.

So, the Ti diaphragm is the stock unit for the 2445, what is the 2441 AL diaphragm?

The 2441 is an older driver that used an aluminum diaphragm... aluminum is better sounding but it can fail in PA sound system use...


Widget

[Wonderboy]

OK, sounds like a plan.

Thanks for the info and advice, very much appreciated!

This is a great forum, so much input and knowledge being passed around and backed up by people who know their stuff, you administrators and others, watching over and always ready to help. To bad I did not know about this forum about tens years ago, my DIY projects might be sounding a little better today. Keep up the good work.

Kevin.