Using a 3rd tower as center channel?

[gamebred]

I have been toying with the idea of setting up three Klipsch RF-62s floorstanders instead of the reccommended RC-62.

I have been doing some research and have a hard time finding setups that consist of three matching fronts.

Could this be beneficial in a small room (10 X 11)? My only concern would be having a narrow soundstage. Any thoughts?

[jomari]

with the assumption that you are currently using RF-62s for your fronts, it shouldnt be much of a problem with matching them with another RF-62.

you can find crazyblue who also has a similar setup, using three identical towers matched as his front stage.

there are no disadvantages to using yet another floorstander as you're center, but i'd consider getting a RB-62 instead of the RC-62 to avoid any horizontal speaker challenges. klipsch has addressed most of the issues (see this post regarding horizontal center speakers), but always prefer to have them matched as close as possible. i guess one disadvantage is how much the difference would be in terms of monetary value.

considering as well the size of the room, you should get the same 'strength' out of the bookshelf as you would with the tower, since most of the lower end frequencies would be reproduced by your subwoofer anyways, and that center channels rarely get super low signals. id also consider investing in a good center, and debunk the current room size. you may end up moving into a larger room some time in the future.

[Driver_King]

Ideally, you would have identical speakers all around the room. crazyBLUE and Prerich both have identical tower front soundstages and love it. It would be smart if you were able to do that.

[Fors*]

I agree, I would jump on the opportunity, if I could, to have 3 matching front speakers. Obviously, placement of my equipment is the biggest factor preventing me from doing so. But if I could, I would.

[gamebred]

Originally Posted by jomari

there are no disadvantages to using yet another floorstander as you're center, but i'd consider getting a RB-62 instead of the RC-62 to avoid any horizontal speaker challenges.

RB-62? Did you mean the RB 61 (bookshelf) to replace the RF62 or the RC-62? I'm not sure what you were suggesting.

Originally Posted by jomari

id also consider investing in a good center, and debunk the current room size. you may end up moving into a larger room some time in the future.

As far as the horizontal go, I like the RC-64 but I believe it would be overkill with the little 62's. I actually had the opportunity to hear that center with the RF 83's. That was a kick azz setup but way out of my price range not to mention, it would be ridiculous in my tiny den. I'm not sure about the RC 62 because I haven't had the chance to audition it yet. A few folks I've spoken with seemed a little dissappointed with the RC 62. I've heard the RF 62's and liked them very much when paired with a good sub. I'll be using a SVS 12" sub, most likely.

I plan to use a 3.1 system...for now. I will upgrade to a 5.1 in the near future. Ultimately, I will probably end up with a 7.1 system (after we move). I plan to pair them with either the Denon 2310 or 3808...haven't decided yet. Whichever I decide on, I don't plan to upgrade for at least 10 more years, so I'm trying to make the best decision possible.

Like I said, I'm just toying with the idea as I will be wallmounting my 500M soon enough and just wanted to work out the placement and such.

[browninggold]

I have 3 Aperion 6T towers, I switched from a 6C horizontal center (which sounded good)...but with a 3rd tower it is a seamless frontstage and sounds excellent for HT/music. I removed the plasma from the wall and moved to the other side of the room and ceiling mounted. Try it.

[crazyBLUE]

I just took this pic. today after I moved all my gear to A different location ! As far as A front sound stage , you cannot have better than having three identical speakers !

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by browninggold

I have 3 Aperion 6T towers, I switched from a 6C horizontal center (which sounded good)...but with a 3rd tower it is a seamless frontstage and sounds excellent for HT/music. I removed the plasma from the wall and moved to the other side of the room and ceiling mounted. Try it.

Big difference isn't it ! Things flow through from one side to the other much better sound wise .

[jomari]

Originally Posted by gamebred

RB-62? Did you mean the RB 61 (bookshelf) to replace the RF62 or the RC-62? I'm not sure what you were suggesting.

sorry, i meant the RB-61. if im not mistaken, they both have the same woofer size, almost the same specs, and possibly the same responses and sensitivity levels. again, its based on my current lack of ... im lazy tonight. didnt want to research on it.

As far as the horizontal go, I like the RC-64 but I believe it would be overkill with the little 62's. I actually had the opportunity to hear that center with the RF 83's. That was a kick azz setup but way out of my price range not to mention, it would be ridiculous in my tiny den. I'm not sure about the RC 62 because I haven't had the chance to audition it yet. A few folks I've spoken with seemed a little dissappointed with the RC 62. I've heard the RF 62's and liked them very much when paired with a good sub. I'll be using a SVS 12" sub, most likely.

personally, i think the RC-62 can shine in most ways that the RC-64 does. let alone the MTM quandries can be multiplied by adding two more drivers in the mix, but a personal experience and opinion tells me i seem to prefer the 62 more. see the spec sheet and somehow, this can tell you a tad more than what you 'hear'...

I plan to use a 3.1 system...for now. I will upgrade to a 5.1 in the near future. Ultimately, I will probably end up with a 7.1 system (after we move). I plan to pair them with either the Denon 2310 or 3808...haven't decided yet. Whichever I decide on, I don't plan to upgrade for at least 10 more years, so I'm trying to make the best decision possible.

Like I said, I'm just toying with the idea as I will be wallmounting my 500M soon enough and just wanted to work out the placement and such.

as mentioned, IDEALLY, three identical speakers are the best way to go, but i think that may be a tad overkill. again, its a matter of preference, placement, and calibration that can get you the best out of all your choices.

what good is a speaker if you just plomp it on the floor and consider it 'optimized' right?

[browninggold]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Big difference isn't it ! Things flow through from one side to the other much better sound wise .

+1 with that statement....no comparison.

[Erman_94]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Big difference isn't it ! Things flow through from one side to the other much better sound wise .

really?

i always heard people on this forum strongly against that...or was that for putting two bookshelves instead of a center?


anyway, can someone explain (with basic terminology/theory ) why having a tower for a center is better than a horizontal center?

[jomari]

Originally Posted by Erman_94

really?
i always heard people on this forum strongly against that...or was that for putting two bookshelves instead of a center?

if you read through our postings closely, you can see that we strongly advise that the front soundstage to be as closely identical to each other as possible, with bookshelves and towers as your LCR as a choice. we didnt consider having two bookshelves as something we can advise our members to do, due to a number of variables. we'd rather split the signal instead, and have it run through a separate amplifier instead if they'd want to.

anyway, can someone explain (with basic terminology/theory ) why having a tower for a center is better than a horizontal center?

plain english

with all due respect erman, it cant be any clearer than what BD's already posted about the MTM (midrange, tweeter, midrange) layout that most center speakers are created with.

a regular monitor speaker, or a tower is preferred to a horizontal speaker due to its layout, lobing concerns, and lack of imaging so to speak, with respect to its counterpart Left and Right speakers of course.

[Erman_94]

Originally Posted by jomari

if you read through our postings closely, you can see that we strongly advise that the front soundstage to be as closely identical to each other as possible, with bookshelves and towers as your LCR as a choice. we didnt consider having two bookshelves as something we can advise our members to do, due to a number of variables. we'd rather split the signal instead, and have it run through a separate amplifier instead if they'd want to.



plain english

with all due respect erman, it cant be any clearer than what BD's already posted about the MTM (midrange, tweeter, midrange) layout that most center speakers are created with.

a regular monitor speaker, or a tower is preferred to a horizontal speaker due to its layout, lobing concerns, and lack of imaging so to speak, with respect to its counterpart Left and Right speakers of course.

thanks jomari...didnt see that thread by BD


oh boy, the upgrades never end...

[Driver_King]

Rest assured Erman, you do not need to worry about those speaker issues. Your center channel was designed to not be affected by those issues (it's not a typical MTM design).

[jomari]

the upgrades do end, if you are building the proper HT system, do a lot of research, auditions et al, would pay off with a minimal need to upgrade components for at least 5 years or so.

there are numerous sticky threads we have posted on here, focusing on the audio section, the home theater builds et al, catering to most inquiries and concerns. to no offense, ive just indicated the postings because i know how much time and effort it takes to build one of these. please feel free to read most of them, and you will find either a pot of gold or a headache.

[talstarone]

One Drawback on having 3 identical speakers for the Front Soundstage,is finding a dealer or a speaker manufacturer who sells their speakers as singles instead of in a pair.

There are some Speaker Companies that do sell their speakers as singles.But with most you will have to buy 2 speakers and try to find something to do with the 4th Speaker.

[jomari]

very true talstarone. i rarely see any dealers capable of breaking up a pair to sell one so to speak. not impossible, but definitely would be an advantage to buy all three of them at the same time if needed.

[solarrdadd]

a lot of times you can tell by how it's price is listed, if the speaker is listed with an "each" price instead of a "per pair" price then you can buy just one from that dealer, most of the time.
at least that's how i've seen it.

[gamebred]

Originally Posted by talstarone

One Drawback on having 3 identical speakers for the Front Soundstage,is finding a dealer or a speaker manufacturer who sells their speakers as singles instead of in a pair.

There are some Speaker Companies that do sell their speakers as singles.But with most you will have to buy 2 speakers and try to find something to do with the 4th Speaker.

Klipsch is one of the few that does sell individual speakers. it's harder finding pairs ..unless you want the 5.1 system. I personally do not care for Klipsch's subs. There's better subs for less, IMO.

The wife is hating on my three tower idea. She doesn't like how high I would have to mount the plasma in order to make it work. Women! Looks like I'll be auditioning the RC 62 after all. The dealer where I'm getting the plasma has one on display along with the RF 62/82's.

I have alot working against me here. We live in an old house that still had a wood stove in the den area. After moving the stove out, I was left with a re-inforced tiled pad where it sat on the hardwood flooring. It takes up about a quarter of the den's floor. The sofa and loveseat take up most of the other room. Between all that and the (3) six foot tall windows, it's an acoustical nightmare. lol It will be interesting to say the least. I'll post some pics up after I get the plasma mounted so you guys can get an idea of the layout.

[sinister184]

i know the argument as to why this is better, but from an aesthetic standpoint i cant say i would ever do it. having a nice horizontal center completes the look better. (IMO of course)