Sierra-2 Center Questions & Impressions

Hello everyone, I've been a longtime lurker on these forums and have especially enjoyed reading the development threads about the Sierra Towers and later the Sierra-2. Great stuff! I particularly love all the knowledgable and agreeable discussions that take place here on a regular basis and how Dave takes the time share his design principals/goals, etc. :)


Anyhow, I have a question about the Sierra-2 Center. Does the grill cover the entire front of the speaker? I haven't really seen any Sierra-2 Center pictures on the site or the forums. On the Sierra-1 Center, the grill covers the full length of the speaker, so I'd assume the same is true for the Sierra-2 Center, but I thought I'd ask.


Also, I haven't seen a lot of feedback on the Sierra-2 Center in general, so I'd love to hear any impressions of Sierra-2 Center from people who own them. I'm well aware that ultimate center channel is typically 3 identical LCR speakers, but for my room constraints a center configuration is a necessary compromise. So I'm curious how the Sierra-2 Center is working out people in their rooms. Are there any measurable differences in frequency response or vertical/horizontal dispersion characteristics from the Sierra-2 Center as compared to the Sierra-2? I'd imagine there are some measurable differences, but how tangible would they be in most placement scenarios?


Thanks!

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Originally Posted by snarked

Hello everyone, I've been a longtime lurker on these forums and have especially enjoyed reading the development threads about the Sierra Towers and later the Sierra-2. Great stuff! I particularly love all the knowledgable and agreeable discussions that take place here on a regular basis and how Dave takes the time share his design principals/goals, etc. :)


Anyhow, I have a question about the Sierra-2 Center. Does the grill cover the entire front of the speaker? I haven't really seen any Sierra-2 Center pictures on the site or the forums. On the Sierra-1 Center, the grill covers the full length of the speaker, so I'd assume the same is true for the Sierra-2 Center, but I thought I'd ask.


Also, I haven't seen a lot of feedback on the Sierra-2 Center in general, so I'd love to hear any impressions of Sierra-2 Center from people who own them. I'm well aware that ultimate center channel is typically 3 identical LCR speakers, but for my room constraints a center configuration is a necessary compromise. So I'm curious how the Sierra-2 Center is working out people in their rooms. Are there any measurable differences in frequency response or vertical/horizontal dispersion characteristics from the Sierra-2 Center as compared to the Sierra-2? I'd imagine there are some measurable differences, but how tangible would they be in most placement scenarios?


Thanks!

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Welcome to the forum and thanks for your nice comments :)

To answer your first question, yes -- we include a full length grille with all Sierra-2 (and Sierra-1) centers. If it is your intention to use the Sierra-2 as a vertical center, we would include the 3/4 grille -- you just need to let us know.

Sierra-2 center and standard Sierra-2 are identical speakers. We rotate the ribbon 90 degrees if you plan on using the speaker positioned horizontally. In either configuration, it is a completely seamless blend with left/right Sierra-2.

Thanks again!

Just to confirm - if I wanted to use a regular Sierra-2 in a horizontal instead of vertical position, is the RAAL tweeter user-rotatable 90 degrees or would it have to be sent in for modification?

You can definitely do it yourself if you're handy with tools. It's not too difficult.

I had my Sierra 2 center set up vertically so not quite the same.

But it makes for a hell of a center. Very underrated in that capacity.

I have 3 S2's with one configured as a center w the tweeter rotated 90degrees. I leave the speaker grill on just because it gets dusty in the cabinet - it doesn't sound any diff with it off. And I have the speaker inside a salamander type cabinet that has a steel grill.

I like the whole setup. Perfect integration btween the Center and LR. I would have gotten a Horizon if I had the room. But it was just too large for my cabinet. That said there isn't really anything I feel I'm lacking but in general my hearing's kind of going and dialog clarity is a day to day struggle sometimes!

Probably I'll just improve my receiver just so I have a little better EQ options.

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Originally Posted by Mose Harper

I had my Sierra 2 center set up vertically so not quite the same.

But it makes for a hell of a center. Very underrated in that capacity.

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I completely agree with this. Most consumers expect to see a dual woofer configuration (MTM) so they rule out this speaker as a center. For most center channels, this configuration (MTM) actually compromises performance. The Sierra-2 is indeed a fantastic center channel - whether used vertically or horizontally...

Can the tweeter be on either side when using horizontally or does it make a difference?

I ask because In my setup there's a bar behind where my center sits and the rear port may be blocked depending on which side the tweeter is on.

doesn't seem to matter. I put the tweeter on my side because it's mine!

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Originally Posted by kingcrowing

Can the tweeter be on either side when using horizontally or does it make a difference?

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Makes no difference which side :)