Very crisp sound and voice. It makes you think the movie is happening in your room.

It is very long and bulky.

Well this has been my second center channel ive had. I first started off with a yamaha (crap)one. Which wasn't that good at all. Now that ive upgraded to the center channel plus my sound has become incredible. It really helps the voice for those good dvds. It also works fabolous with my kenwood reciever. In conclusion, this is one of the best afordable center channels. And it is well worth the money.

Similar Products Used:

yamaha center channel

Low profile, looks great on top of a 27" TV

overall sound reproduction...lack of bass, mediocre voice reporduction

I bought the New Ensemble II (subwoofer/satellite system) primarily to play music in my bedroom. On a whim a decided to add the Center Channel plus center speaker for TV use in the bedroom. I thought having a center channel would enhance TV viewing experience in the bedroom. It was only $150 additional so I successfully convinced my wife to add it to our purchase...we were still in the Christmas spirit I suppose.

Anyway, we are still remodeling our bedroom so I decided to put the speakers in the family room and use it as part of a home theatre system. I am using it with a Harmon Kardon AVR25 II receiver which supplies 65 watts per channel. The results have been disapointing. The center channel is hardest working part of a home theatre system...90% of the vocals come through the center channel...therefore the center channel speaker really should be able to reproduce the full range of sounds...from high to low...well the CSW Center Channel Plus...performs terribly on lower range of sound...most conversation sound only a little better than the speakers coming out of my TV. I'd say this center channel performance is disapointing to me. I can't recommend at any price!

Low price, low profile, fit's over a 27 inch TV perfectly.

Sounds "congested" and boxy.

My system consists of Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble II for the mains, The Surround II for the rears, a very recently purchased BassCube 8, and the Center Channel Plus. Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed the speakers as they offer tremendous value, performing well beyond their price tag, and I strongly reccomend them. However, the Center Channel Plus has been the one component I have been a little frustrated with. I find that it sounds congested, boxy, restrained, and lacks bass. I am in a constant battle with adjusting it's volume level. Dialog often sounds nasal, sometimes unintelligable. I have had to rewind on more than one occasion just to understand what was said, and at 27 years of age, I don't think it's my ears yet. I just retired my Kenwood KR-V8050 Dolby Pro-Logic receiver and upgraded to a Pioneer Elite VSX-35TX Dolby Digital/DTS/THX/EX, and clarity has improved (at least in 5.1 and DTS modes). Additionally, I find that it does not tonally match my Ensemble IIs as it was advertised to do. My brother has the Center Channel Plus as well, and he and I seem to feel the same way about it. I normally swear by Cambridge Soundworks products, just not in the case of the Center Channel Plus. It was a relatively new product at the time I purchased it in the early 90's, so it is a better value now being $100 less in price. The only other problem I had with it was that the grill didn't like to stay on. A small amount of electrical tape wrapped around the gril pegs for a tighter fit was an easy and invisible fix. I would be interested in hearing anyone's experience with the larger Center Stage, with the smaller Center Channel II, or even with just using another Enesemble Satellite as a center speaker in comparison to the Center Channel Plus. Feel free to email me.

Similar Products Used:

none

Price, Size, Construction, Sound

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For those who have not tried Cambridge Soundworks products, they are really missing out. I bought this speaker about three months ago and matched it with the New Ensemble package. It is really evident the time CSW has spent doing research and development, because they have just killed Bose in soundtests. Don't let the price fool you, this speaker sounds great.

The design was perfect for me. With it's wide low profile it fits perfectly on top of my tv in my entertainment center. Everything I could hope for in a center channel. Very nice, clean sound. Vocals sound the way they are supposed to. Also, very well made(Solid feel). Nice premium connectors on the back.

I would recommend this speaker to anyone interested in the CSW New Ensemble speaker package(works well together, tonally matched). Don't make the mistake of mis-matching several different brands. I've done it and learned from it.

I give 5 stars for both value and overall.

Very nice design, fits nicely in my custom built entertainment center. Clear dialogue, nice full range sound

I purchased this speaker due to the great price on-line, $90.55 off of EBAY. I tried the Center Channel Centerstage speaker and thought that was great, but way to big in my room. SO, I went with the smaller design which gives me some room for upgrades. The speaker I think brings the dialogue in movies alot clearer for me, I am hard of hearing and always had a hard time understanding what people where saying in the movies. This really helped out alot, no need to crank it up high or leave subtitles on. Next is to upgrade my left and right front speakers to match.

Brad

Similar Products Used:

Ensemble IV