Horizontal Center Channel Speakers and Why They Should Be Avoided

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by ozzman

For some reason i knew this,but never dived in and look for facts like you did Dad.Awesome job.

I want to just say with the center i have the first thing i thought of was movie theaters have the speaker(s) behind the screen Because thats the effect iam feeling iam getting with my center.

I know that this can sounds ridulas but really thats how it sounds too me.

Now in the case of my center what are you opinions on it(vertical is not an option).Remember my fronts are timber matched to my center ,so right away it sounded Better then my PSB ,then i noticed the fullness of the center(giving me the effect that it was coming from the screen and above)Is this all in my head ,Iam i wishing this to be my truth,Have i gone a little nuts LOL

Give it to me straight Doc

http://www.miragespeakers.com/na-en/...pecifications/

Mirage speakers have the unique three dimensional sound field. You should be ok. The only thing missing is an invitation to us for an audition.

It would be great if we could put our center speaker behind our TV. A few companies are working on transparent screens. Maybe, in a few years we will have another excuse to upgrade. It never stops.

[ozzman]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Mirage speakers have the unique three dimensional sound field. You should be ok. The only thing missing is an invitation to us for an audition.

It would be great if we could put our center speaker behind our TV. A few companies are working on transparent screens. Maybe, in a few years we will have another excuse to upgrade. It never stops.

I will tell you i always look forward to your threads .
Its apparent you put alot of time in them and i find you leave no room for disagreement (on my part),
which is a testimony to yourself and your work.
If anything its a learning lesson for me.

Keep them coming

Great job

[fupduk2]

Very impressive Big Daddy. I wish I would have known this a few weeks ago but it may not have made a difference due to my set up.

Nice job.

[Driver_King]

What would you say to a Polk SDA CRS speaker for a center for my SDA II's? Or should I try to find another SDA II?

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

What would you say to a Polk SDA CRS speaker for a center for my SDA II's? Or should I try to find another SDA II?

The SDA CRS speakers have a very unusual design. Try them both horizontally and vertically and see if there is a major difference. Ideally, you should get another SDA II for perfect front sound stage.

[Texitura]

My "new" fronts are vintage KEF Reference bookshelves with a Uni-Q co-axial driver which has the tweeter in the middle of the woofer. There's no orientation: horizontal, vertical, upside down, it's all the same. For my center upgrade, I'll try to find a used Reference 100c, same principle.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Texitura

My "new" fronts are vintage KEF Reference bookshelves with a Uni-Q co-axial driver which has the tweeter in the middle of the woofer. There's no orientation: horizontal, vertical, upside down, it's all the same. For my center upgrade, I'll try to find a used Reference 100c, same principle.

The Uni-Q speakers are the acception to the rule as well as some Tannoys and Bag End - they also have coaxial mounted tweeters - as does the DCM CX-17.

[househead]

Quick question guys. There is a chance I might be changing over my speakers to all bookshelf, but there is no center channel in this line.

Due to space constraints would I be better off using a phantom center, or using a 5th bookshelf on its side (the only way it will fit in my stand)

I'm not using a center channel currently and amazed at the imaging I'm getting. With movies and a 2 speaker front stage it almost sounds like I do have a center channel. Very surprised!

How goofed up would the sound be with one of these on it's side? They have a traditional dome tweeter and mid/woofer.

Thanks!

[jomari]

Originally Posted by househead

Quick question guys. There is a chance I might be changing over my speakers to all bookshelf, but there is no center channel in this line.

Due to space constraints would I be better off using a phantom center, or using a 5th bookshelf on its side (the only way it will fit in my stand)

I'm not using a center channel currently and amazed at the imaging I'm getting. With movies and a 2 speaker front stage it almost sounds like I do have a center channel. Very surprised!

How goofed up would the sound be with one of these on it's side? They have a traditional dome tweeter and mid/woofer.

Thanks!

I hate your avatar. it freaks me out. sorry, had to say it.

anyways, the way i see it, if you have a phoenomenal set of fronts, you can get away without the center speaker, but would lose out on certain detail at one point or another (we had a small discussion about folding, i cant remember, but we posted it somewhere)...

id go for getting the same bookshelf speaker as your center tho. as you've mentioned, there isnt a dedicated center for that line am i correct? if so, have you checked the 'step up' models? what speakers where you intending on buying? or have?

about the speaker position, is the space that limited? personally, i wouldve placed the center speaker smack down in the middle, as i dont care much for entertainment stands to determine speaker positioning. i guess i prioritize the sound quality versus 'will it fit' in my tv stand ive seen numbers of people do.

a bookshelf speaker identical to its fronts, is a perfect match for the center.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

What would you say to a Polk SDA CRS speaker for a center for my SDA II's? Or should I try to find another SDA II?

Another different animal - remember one driver in the SDA is actual phase cancellation. When not connected with the cable - I'm told that the driver is nil, and the SDA CRS is a three-way design with a 10 inch woofer in the rear, a phase cancellation mid-range (and tweeter depending on the model) and a normal mid-range and tweeter. A vertical Monitor 7 or Monitor 10 would make a good standing center channel - but you would be ok with a CRS on a stand. I had this in mind at one time but CRS' are a rare find. A third SDA II (if you have the room) would be nice but I would more than likely go with a Monitor 7 or 10 (if you want a floor standing speaker).

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by prerich

Another different animal - remember one driver in the SDA is actual phase cancellation. When not connected with the cable - I'm told that the driver is nil, and the SDA CRS is a three-way design with a 10 inch woofer in the rear, a phase cancellation mid-range (and tweeter depending on the model) and a normal mid-range and tweeter. A vertical Monitor 7 or Monitor 10 would make a good standing center channel - but you would be ok with a CRS on a stand. I had this in mind at one time but CRS' are a rare find. A third SDA II (if you have the room) would be nice but I would more than likely go with a Monitor 7 or 10 (if you want a floor standing speaker).

I guess another SDA in the middle would be the route to go then. I do not want any issues with voices going from the middle speaker to the other two. Then I would need to find another place to put my A2-300 (it is currently in the middle of the SDA's on the front wall). If I can find another SDA II with the matching Silver Coil Dome tweeters (the SL1000's to be exact), I would buy it if the price was right.