So, if the center channel isn’t really helping or if you mod and don’t like the sound, don’t the signal processors have apps to tailor the output?
Very few DSP’s have true center channel processing. A true center is for creating an image that is equal for both passengers. Meaning, whether you are sitting in the drivers or passenger seat, you will experience the same stage and imaging.
In the case of the B&O and Sony systems, the “center” is just a blend of left and right. It’s not a true center. The reason ford even puts a “center” there is to make up for the poor off-axis positioning of the tweeter and low power output of the Sony and b&o amps. The “center” in our trucks gives the illusion of a fuller sound stage but it’s an ambience effect. There is not center processing. It’s an illusion.
When you move to an aftermarket dsp, amp, and speakers, you can eliminate the reasoning behind ford’s fake “center” all together. At this stage, the only center you should be considering is a true center. And this level of tuning and implementation is a whole new ball game. It’s not just adding a center and extra channel. There’s an immense amount of tuning and processing involved and frankly, it’s not necessary unless you are dead set on creating two equal images. The average passenger listener won’t notice the difference and SQ competition winning cars aren’t judged from the passenger seat anyways. A true center really is t necessary.
Now if you are still thinking you need a center for a “full stage effect”, consider this. Adding a center that is a blend of left and right will create a diffuse area of vague left/right cues, a 'wall' of sound. This is not the way to create a stereo image, you need distinct psycho-acoustic cues to create the stereo image, and this wall of sound is going to muddy things up so much, you won't get the panoramic stage, you'll get boombox sound, or mixed mono.
As a result, you're getting 3 separate, distinct sound sources to key in on, and cancellation from lobing, especially in the midrange, will break up your mind's ability to create a stage.
Some people like this, they like sound coming from everywhere in the vehicle, sort of a distributed madness approach.
And that's fine, but anyone who is familiar with sound quality guidelines, will listen to your system and be subjectively less wowed by your install choices.
I have seen quite a few people, including myself, attempt this "design" and I now know, it's usually a sign that someone has yet to be exposed to a true sound quality oriented system, that they have no point of reference and just want to get really loud, because that's impressive to them.
As you advance in the hobby, you put away those early steps and gain confidence in your speaker choices, you learn why you want a distinct sound field and controlled, accurate reproduction of your stereo sources.
If you listen mostly to techno/trance and there is literally more going on than a stereo soundstage in the recording, then the ambient gush of sound coming from everywhere is an effect that can be okay. I would even say that on an SQ oriented system, the focus can be too congested, if what you're shooting for is a dance hall, night club presentation.
That could even be extended to certain hair metal compositions, and the wall of sound that leaves you with a non-distinct stereo image being "built-in" to the recording, can be appreciated with this approach, but that too, is such a small percentage of material, it's almost always better to approach your system design with a distinct stage in mind.
