I just set up my Z5300e system. Very simple set-up. I went through the nForce control panel to test each speaker. I went through the speaker set-up wizard, etc.

My question:

Everything works great, the satellites sound great, bass is very ample, but the center speaker does not work unless I use Logitech'* "Matrix Surround" feature. Is this supposed to be the norm? Should my center speaker work all the time?

Another interesting point: When I went through the nForce control panel to test, and the voice went through each speaker... "left, center, right, left surround, right surround," the center speaker did not work. Rather, it came from the sub instead of the center speaker. I know that the center and sub are the same orange input, but I don't understand why the center speaker did not work during the test.

The center channel should only be on when you playing something thats in 3.1 or 5.1 sound

If your playing a MP3 or something like that then it should only be the front two and the sub.

It also depends on how your sound card send the sound to the speakers...

Just have to play around with them. put a DVD movie in and see if it works

Ok. I was just curious, and it doesn't really bother me since there is PLENTY of sound coming from the other 4 speakers! They almost overpowered the sub. But that'* only because I haven't really taken the sub and volume to near full capacity yet. I read reviews that these particular model speakers are not good for music. Well, these speakers so far KICK ***. Extremely good highs and mids. The bass is great. It didn't blow me away yet, but I haven't tested the limits yet. And I have to position the sub in a better place too.

EDIT: I can't try a DVD yet since I don't have a DVD drive for my PC. I need to get one (just don't know what to get).

Or try going to:

Control Panel>Sounds & Audio Devices>Volume Tab>Advanced (under speaker settings> and then change speaker setup to 5.1.

Then just make sure that center channel is turned up.

I prefer no matrixing of sound, or any heavy signal processors like dolby pro logic. It puts too much in the center channel, and weird distorted noise on the outside.

And good speakers positioned right, and good room setup, will create a good soundstage with properly centered parts of the music.

I don't completely care for the Matrix feature either. It does seem to create some weird noises. As far as the center speaker, I am able to turn the level down separately.

Right now my soundstage is not ideal as the room I am in is pretty small and my desk is in a corner. So the speakers are at different heights and distances from me. But I will be moving into a different room in the house soon where I'll be able to mount the speakers on the wall in the correct way.