Horizontal Center Channel Speakers and Why They Should Be Avoided

[Saril]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Tests at Audioholics have shown that a bookshelf speaker can perform better than a horizontal center speaker.

Ideally, three vertically placed identical front speakers is the best option.

I would to see a review with some specifics and actual comparisons.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Saril

I would to see a review with some specifics and actual comparisons.

Audioholics performed an actual review, and test.

[BigAl87]

Ok guys, I have said it before and i will say it again, i agree with this MTM concept where some compromised has to be done into this design but some companies actually do take the time to design great MTM centers. Just for the sake of argument I have played my center as my Right speaker placed horizontaly in stereo with my Left Forest to see how the imaging would be well, it turns out I get pin point accuracy, now could there be any frequency cancellation issues, for sure but it's is almost inaudible and when it comes down to use instruments to detect wheter or not there is such cancellation I think it becoming quite fussy about the thing.

I truly feel i don't need a Forest as my center to achieve seemless transition across the front sound stage and my little test just proved it. I would dare anyone to try to tell me with their eyes closed what speaker I am running as my right channel. Now of course this Model One center comes at a steep price but just shows their are exceptions to the rule. I clearly remmeber my Energy C-C100 not blending as well with my C-500 L/R.

I an Ideal world yes 3 identical speakers is the way to go but working with limitations it is always possible to get great performance from an horizontal center speaker if properly designed.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Ok guys, I have said it before and i will say it again, i agree with this MTM concept where some compromised has to be done into this design but some companies actually do take the time to design great MTM centers. Just for the sake of argument I have played my center as my Right speaker placed horizontaly in stereo with my Left Forest to see how the imaging would be well, it turns out I get pin point accuracy, now could there be any frequency cancellation issues, for sure but it's is almost inaudible and when it comes down to use instruments to detect wheter or not there is such cancellation I think it becoming quite fussy about the thing.

I truly feel i don't need a Forest as my center to achieve seemless transition across the front sound stage and my little test just proved it. I would dare anyone to try to tell me with their eyes closed what speaker I am running as my right channel. Now of course this Model One center comes at a steep price but just shows their are exceptions to the rule. I clearly remmeber my Energy C-C100 not blending as well with my C-500 L/R.

I an Ideal world yes 3 identical speakers is the way to go but working with limitations it is always possible to get great performance from an horizontal center speaker if properly designed.

We never said that there were no exceptions It's just a general rule. The Model 1 Sig is a great center channel ....and many people buy three of them and orient them vertically .

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by prerich

We never said that there were no exceptions It's just a general rule. The Model 1 Sig is a great center channel ....and many people buy three of them and orient them vertically .

Rich i know they even sell them in pairs as the Model One Twin but one fact remain is I can't place mine vertically right now in my living room. Regardless the imaging is still amazing with the Forests.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Rich i know they even sell them in pairs as the Model One Twin but one fact remain is I can't place mine vertically right now in my living room. Regardless the imaging is still amazing with the Forests.

Oh that's cool, remember - there are exceptions out there.

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by prerich

Oh that's cool, remember - there are exceptions out there.

Yes indeed and as i said my C-C100 was not close to being that good with my C-500, you could hear the difference and off axis performance was so so.

I know Vince did his homework and we have the right to expect nothing less considering the price.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Saril

I would to see a review with some specifics and actual comparisons.

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Ok guys, I have said it before and i will say it again, i agree with this MTM concept where some compromised has to be done into this design but some companies actually do take the time to design great MTM centers. Just for the sake of argument I have played my center as my Right speaker placed horizontaly in stereo with my Left Forest to see how the imaging would be well, it turns out I get pin point accuracy, now could there be any frequency cancellation issues, for sure but it's is almost inaudible and when it comes down to use instruments to detect wheter or not there is such cancellation I think it becoming quite fussy about the thing.

I truly feel i don't need a Forest as my center to achieve seemless transition across the front sound stage and my little test just proved it. I would dare anyone to try to tell me with their eyes closed what speaker I am running as my right channel. Now of course this Model One center comes at a steep price but just shows their are exceptions to the rule. I clearly remmeber my Energy C-C100 not blending as well with my C-500 L/R.

I an Ideal world yes 3 identical speakers is the way to go but working with limitations it is always possible to get great performance from an horizontal center speaker if properly designed.

You need to go back and read post #1. In the bottom half of the post, I have included a discussion of how you can make a horizontal center channel better.

In post #2, you can find a reference to the Audioholic article where they performed all the tests.

[Sancho Panza]

Thanks to this thread & others, soon I'll have 3 x Klipsch Heresy II as Centers.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Sancho Panza

Thanks to this thread & others, soon I'll have 3 x Klipsch Heresy II as Centers.

Let us know how they perform.

[Sancho Panza]

Oh yes Vertically, one either side & one on top. Eventually, may have all 3 underneath.

[Sancho Panza]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Let us know how they perform.

Will do, 2 are in place now, t'other due in from uMay Tuesday.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Sancho Panza

Will do, 2 are in place now, t'other due in from uMay Tuesday.

I still retain the rights of the first one to do that on this sight !!!!

[Sancho Panza]

Originally Posted by prerich

I still retain the rights of the first one to do that on this sight !!!!

true, dat;

I've 4 Heresy II in front now...if I can just find a set of Cornwalls or Chorus...

think I'll end up with 11 Heresy & 2 Cornwalls or Chorus...plus, I got my wife's set up that gets upgrades, too...

the Klipshorns, Belles, &/or La Scalas will end up there...more musical room...

[Korrigan]

I didn't read the full thread (only the OP and a couple of last pages), but to make it short...

So if you have an horizontal central channel speaker, you could fix it by simply elevating your display a bit and turning your central speaker 90° so it's vertical? What I mean is don't ditch your central speaker, just change it's orientation, right?

I'm sure some of the audiophiles will tell me what could go wrong here, but it sounds like a decent solution for us lesser people

[Sancho Panza]

Heresy II came in & set-up today. Has a serial number and is marked 8 Ohm, unlike my other Heresy IIs, 1986 & circa 1986, marked 4 Ohm, 94dB Sensitivity.

This one HAS a SERIAL NUMBER, will call Klipsch tomorrow to see if they can help with production date, efficiency et Cetera.

[Sancho Panza]

production date May 4, 1996; couldn't say on efficiency, but 1990 cut sheet says 96dB, last SPEC says 97dB...I also inquired via e-mail, let's see what they say...