Center channel: above or below the TV? - Blu-ray Forum

richteer · 03-08-2008, 03:23 AM

Hi all,

I've always assumed that center channel speakers would sound best under the TV, rather than above. Is this a valid assumption, or does it not make a difference?

Blu-Dog · 03-08-2008, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richteer

Hi all,

I've always assumed that center channel speakers would sound best under the TV, rather than above. Is this a valid assumption, or does it not make a difference?

Just try to be sure not to have any obstructions in between you and the speaker. Also, if you can tilt it so it's pointed towards the listening position, it helps.

Most center speakers have a pretty wide dispersion pattern, so for audio purposes, it's not really important.

Esthetics are different - that's up to you, and whether you have your rig in an enclosure or whatever.

bigpapy · 03-08-2008, 03:27 AM

I got mine under my tv

cartman781 · 03-08-2008, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigpapy

I got mine under my tv

Same here

MatrixS2000 · 03-08-2008, 03:30 AM

mine are also under the screen.

ManUtd · 03-08-2008, 03:32 AM

Mine is under the TV and is slightly tilted upwards which is aimed directly towards the sweet spot of the room where I sit.

Whytewash · 03-08-2008, 03:50 AM

I think most people keep theirs underneath the TV. (Im in the same boat... along with everyone that has posted thus far.) I have seen some people put it above. Maybe I have hearing issues but it seems the same to me

jomari · 03-08-2008, 03:56 AM

as mentioned here,

keep it faced towards the sweetspot,
avoid any obstructions as much as possible,
including anything that can cause reflections as well (including glass coffee tables)

this applies to both under and over the tv. it dont matter as long as it meets these 'conditions'.

X-Ninja · 03-08-2008, 03:58 AM

Mine is above. I just built a shelf for it above the TV specifically so i wouldnt have it on the floor.

Woops... I thought it was designed for ABOVE the TV.

Well. Crap.

Oh well. Ill deal with it.

Big Daddy · 03-08-2008, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richteer

Hi all,

I've always assumed that center channel speakers would sound best under the TV, rather than above. Is this a valid assumption, or does it not make a difference?

The best place for the center speaker is in the middle of the screen, either behind or in front of it. Unfortunately, we cannot do that with a TV. Professional theaters put the speakers behind the screen. Putting a speaker above or below a TV is a subjective matter. Most people prefer it under the TV. Make sure you do not put it on a carpet as carpets can absorb sound. Raise it slightly from the floor, if that is possible.

Petra_Kalbrain · 03-08-2008, 05:21 AM

Place the speaker wherever it is able to be closest to ear level. That's the general rule for all speakers... just barely above ear level is the most ideal.

un4gvn94538 · 03-08-2008, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Place the speaker wherever it is able to be closest to ear level. That's the general rule for all speakers... just barely above ear level is the most ideal.

thats where mine is. thats on top for me. tv suppose to have a stand but didnt spend the extra on it. tv is about a foot too low

rragland · 03-08-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richteer

Hi all,

I've always assumed that center channel speakers would sound best under the TV, rather than above. Is this a valid assumption, or does it not make a difference?

Mine is located underneath the TV, tilted and aimed at my listening position.

adrianoupike · 03-08-2008, 01:25 PM

great post.. I was thinking about this very topic...

gearyt · 03-08-2008, 02:14 PM

Having a projection, I have no below
I'm a top kinda guy

XSilentCobraX · 03-08-2008, 03:17 PM

Mine is below the tv, but it is right under the TV, so voices stil sound like they come from TV and not center speaker

reburn · 03-11-2008, 02:36 PM

Mine is about to mounted on ceiling facing down towards seats...

David Craig · 03-11-2008, 02:57 PM

I've had it "6 feet off the floor and 2 feet to the left" of the TV. This was on top of a bookshelf.

Currently I have it "6 inches from the floor, centered" below the TV.

Seems to sound EXACTLY the same in either position.

Go with whatever is easiest. Try to point it towards the listening position if possible, but even that is not too important.

Beta Man · 03-11-2008, 04:04 PM

[QUOTE=David Craig;700630]I've had it "6 feet off the floor and 2 feet to the left" of the TV. This was on top of a bookshelf.

Currently I have it "6 inches from the floor, centered" below the TV.

Seems to sound EXACTLY the same in either position.

[QUOTE]

You might want to consider seeing an Audiologist, and I'm not being facetious.... many people have varying levels of hearing loss in one or both ears, and rarely do the two ears hear identically well for all ranges of tone. I had a center speaker placed 4 feet to the left of center, for a few days while awaiting my order at the local Audio shop to arrive, and it was painfully obvious.

richteer · 03-11-2008, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Craig

Go with whatever is easiest. Try to point it towards the listening position if possible, but even that is not too important.

One doesn't spend a couple of grand on a speaker and settle for "whatever is easiest" when it comes to placement! :-) Whatever sounds best is my criterion; aesthetics and ease of installation come second.

03-08-2008, 03:23 AM	#1
richteer Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Kelowna, BC Trading Score:1	Center channel: above or below the TV? Hi all, I've always assumed that center channel speakers would sound best under the TV, rather than above. Is this a valid assumption, or does it not make a difference?

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03-08-2008, 03:27 AM	#3
bigpapy Special Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Houston,Tx Blu-ray collection:303 Trading Score:26	I got mine under my tv

03-08-2008, 03:30 AM	#5
MatrixS2000 Power Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Toronto, Canada 4K collection:48 Blu-ray collection:305 Trading Score:6	mine are also under the screen.

03-08-2008, 03:32 AM	#6
ManUtd Blu-ray Count Top contributor Member since:Feb 2008 Location:In my HT Home Theater Gallery:1 4K collection:15 Blu-ray collection:829 Blu-ray reviews: 5 Trading Score:5	Mine is under the TV and is slightly tilted upwards which is aimed directly towards the sweet spot of the room where I sit.

03-08-2008, 03:50 AM	#7
Whytewash Special Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:'Couve, WA Blu-ray collection:60 Blu-ray reviews:1	I think most people keep theirs underneath the TV. (Im in the same boat... along with everyone that has posted thus far.) I have seen some people put it above. Maybe I have hearing issues but it seems the same to me

03-08-2008, 03:56 AM	#8
jomari Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:2	as mentioned here, keep it faced towards the sweetspot, avoid any obstructions as much as possible, including anything that can cause reflections as well (including glass coffee tables) this applies to both under and over the tv. it dont matter as long as it meets these 'conditions'.

03-08-2008, 03:58 AM	#9
X-Ninja Special Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:North Bay, Ontario Posts: Over 1100.......... PSNetwork- Axecution Blu-ray collection:1 Blu-ray reviews:6	Mine is above. I just built a shelf for it above the TV specifically so i wouldnt have it on the floor. Woops... I thought it was designed for ABOVE the TV. Well. Crap. Oh well. Ill deal with it.

03-08-2008, 05:21 AM	#11
Petra_Kalbrain Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Vancouver, BC 4K collection:5 Blu-ray collection:561 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:20	Place the speaker wherever it is able to be closest to ear level. That's the general rule for all speakers... just barely above ear level is the most ideal.

03-08-2008, 01:25 PM	#14
adrianoupike Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Texas Blu-ray collection:158	great post.. I was thinking about this very topic...

03-08-2008, 02:14 PM	#15
gearyt Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Henderson, NV Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray collection:33	Having a projection, I have no below I'm a top kinda guy

03-08-2008, 03:17 PM	#16
XSilentCobraX Senior Member Member since:May 2007 Location:Denmark Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray collection:264 Blu-ray reviews:135	Mine is below the tv, but it is right under the TV, so voices stil sound like they come from TV and not center speaker

03-11-2008, 02:36 PM	#17
reburn New Member Member since:Mar 2008	Mine is about to mounted on ceiling facing down towards seats...

03-11-2008, 02:57 PM	#18
David Craig Active Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Canada Blu-ray reviews: 5	I've had it "6 feet off the floor and 2 feet to the left" of the TV. This was on top of a bookshelf. Currently I have it "6 inches from the floor, centered" below the TV. Seems to sound EXACTLY the same in either position. Go with whatever is easiest. Try to point it towards the listening position if possible, but even that is not too important.

03-11-2008, 04:04 PM	#19
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	[QUOTE=David Craig;700630]I've had it "6 feet off the floor and 2 feet to the left" of the TV. This was on top of a bookshelf. Currently I have it "6 inches from the floor, centered" below the TV. Seems to sound EXACTLY the same in either position. [QUOTE] You might want to consider seeing an Audiologist, and I'm not being facetious.... many people have varying levels of hearing loss in one or both ears, and rarely do the two ears hear identically well for all ranges of tone. I had a center speaker placed 4 feet to the left of center, for a few days while awaiting my order at the local Audio shop to arrive, and it was painfully obvious.

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