Sure a center channel "anchors dialogue" in a way a phantom center might not, but if you use a signal that needs a center channel, hopefully your best, most massive speaker is your center channel. Since this isn't the case/feasable/reasonable, I think the left and rights are most important, then 2+ subwoofers, then rear surrounds. 4.4 should be more common than 5.1... and I can't believe they have receivers that are 11.1.8 or whatever... As if bass which is an issue in 90%+ of the room over 90% of the time is less important than having a myriad of ceiling speakers.
Just need stuff with Dirac Live Bass Control to come out under $16,000 or so, since maybe those receivers will not get withering reviews here like the $2,000-6,000 ones.
Clear dialogue wise, the stereo mix of a movie should provide that. Be sure you aren't sending the R and L signals from a surround sound mix to your speakers, as the dialogue will be very difficult to hear because it will just be the ambience/low level stuff that sounds like it's recorded further away, because it's expecting to put most of it in the center channel.
Just need stuff with Dirac Live Bass Control to come out under $16,000 or so, since maybe those receivers will not get withering reviews here like the $2,000-6,000 ones.
Clear dialogue wise, the stereo mix of a movie should provide that. Be sure you aren't sending the R and L signals from a surround sound mix to your speakers, as the dialogue will be very difficult to hear because it will just be the ambience/low level stuff that sounds like it's recorded further away, because it's expecting to put most of it in the center channel.