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.

overdrive00 · 03-08-2008, 04:08 AM

I made a shelf that has mine sitting perfectly alined with the top of my 40". So the bottom of the speaker is even with the top of the TV. I used to have it below but it was hard to here (dang coffee table), but now it sounds great. But, the speaker is still maybe 4' above the floor where it sits now, so it isn't too high.

musicman1999 · 03-08-2008, 04:13 AM

Mine is large and sits on a custom built stand under the screen, sounds much better than above. You should keep the tweeters as close to level with the tweeters in your l and r speakers.

bill

BStecke · 03-08-2008, 04:48 AM

I noticed a huge different from moving the center from on top to below the screen.

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

Razzy · 03-08-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-Ninja

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.

I also built a shelf just above the TV for my center channel and I have the speaker pointed downward slightly straight at me. Sounds perfect imo.

Brian Cash · 03-08-2008, 11:27 AM

i have mine is mounted above on a tilt towards the couch and chairs

Rustmonsteru · 03-08-2008, 01:01 PM

Mine weighs in at nearly 50lbs. (Rocket RSC200), so that would be below.

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...

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, 04:08 AM	#10
overdrive00 Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Dallas, Texas	I made a shelf that has mine sitting perfectly alined with the top of my 40". So the bottom of the speaker is even with the top of the TV. I used to have it below but it was hard to here (dang coffee table), but now it sounds great. But, the speaker is still maybe 4' above the floor where it sits now, so it isn't too high.

03-08-2008, 04:13 AM	#11
musicman1999 Active Member Member since:Nov 2007	Mine is large and sits on a custom built stand under the screen, sounds much better than above. You should keep the tweeters as close to level with the tweeters in your l and r speakers. bill

03-08-2008, 04:48 AM	#12
BStecke Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jun 2007 4K collection:182 Blu-ray collection:567 DVD collection:1 Digital collection:1 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 1 Trading Score:6	I noticed a huge different from moving the center from on top to below the screen.

03-08-2008, 05:21 AM	#14
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, 11:27 AM	#17
Brian Cash Special Member Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Chicago Blu-ray collection:13 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:3	i have mine is mounted above on a tilt towards the couch and chairs

03-08-2008, 01:01 PM	#18
Rustmonsteru Expert Member Member since:Mar 2007	Mine weighs in at nearly 50lbs. (Rocket RSC200), so that would be below.

03-08-2008, 01:25 PM	#20
adrianoupike Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Texas Blu-ray collection:158	great post.. I was thinking about this very topic...

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