JayDub said:
Okay, the Panasonic CQ-VD6503U headunit I have on layaway says it has a decoder for dolby digital 5.1 surround sound. Is all I need to add a center channel speaker?
I haven't researched that particular unit, but most likely you will still need a 5.1 processor. The DVD player itself has the decoder, which just means that it can read a 5.1 signal from a DVD and send it to a processor. From the processor, you can send the appropriate signals to the proper amp/speakers accordingly. The quickest way to find out is to see if that DVD player has outputs on the back for front right, front left, rear right, rear left, center, and sub. I'd bet it does not.
Also - with a decent setup, the center channel is a "take it or leave it" piece. Most good processors will allow for a phantom image between the front speakers. To most, this actually gives the front stage a coveted "wider" presence. Also, if you don't have the same center speaker setup as you do components, you could end up with a different sound from each. Even with the same exact speaker, it's nearly impossible to duplicate the same type of enclosure and on/off axis imaging between the door speaker and a center speaker. For example, if a train is moving from the left side of the shot to the right, with the sound following, you will hear the differences in the way each speaker reproduces that sound as it passes from right, through center, to left. Having just a front left and right blending together will actually sound more uniform, because the speakers and enclosures are identical.
Also, think of this - in a home, with an ideal setup, you sit directly in front of the center channel. In a car, the center will be on your right. So centered sounds will come from the right. You can use time correction, if equipped, to correct for left and right during stereo playback, but I don't see that working with a center channel. Those sounds are never going to hit your right ear like they do your left.
Besides - finding a good spot for a center channel on an Explorer is a huge challenge. Despite all of the reasons not to, I would try it if I could find a good place for the speaker in my '04.
Bottom line - No. You probably still need a processor to do 5.1. And to do it right, you'll need front amp(s), rear amp(s), and sub amp(s), but you can totally get away with not doing a center amp/speaker.
Good luck! I highly recommend the Alpine PXA-H701 if you decide to get serious about going 5.1. You can add this to your Panasonic, but you'll need the external controller. Make sure and use a digital optical cable (Toslink) between the head unit and processor.
: , no I meant as in crash protection, whats protecting you from those gizmos that may cause injury, or any safety components that were defeated, yes you did a wonderful job twisting everything that once was 
, but for everyday practicality its not there if you were refering to your "setup" as being better in that sense, most of the time when someone does this its for display purposes. I'm just trying to conceal what I have and using it as a daily driver, and I'm assuming the original poster was also
