Horizontal Center Channel Speakers and Why They Should Be Avoided

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Corpboy

I think I only understood maybe 10% of what all that said.

Let me ask this: if a horizontal center speaker is so bad, why oh why do I see so many of them specifically built to be oriented horizontally? It seem so self-defeating in nature.

One reason - looks - its pleasing to the eye. How many people would put another tower in the center of their room? (I did ) but that's not the norm.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Drew664

I know what you mean!

I would have to think the horizontal nature of these speakers are simply due to the placement - directly under your viewing source. A "vertically challenged" speaker works best for most viewing set ups.

Also, Big Daddy - great info. I had no idea. How audible is the difference though?

Very!!!! When I left horizontal center channels - I never looked back. Now my front array must be three of the same speakers. I wan't nothing less (unless it's that 200 pound B&W with some 802D's, then I would consider a horizontal - but it's not really horizontal - look at the design)

[drummerboy_2002]

Ok, I'm back to my original confusion. How would raising the tweeter out of the mid array plane help with lobing? The issue is with two drivers playing the same frequency at the same time (the mids). The only place this would happen with the tweeter is in the small range where the crossover slopes overlap. Otherwise only the tweeter or mids are playing, not both.

[Clark Kent]

Another great reference post, Big Daddy.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by drummerboy_2002

Ok, I'm back to my original confusion. How would raising the tweeter out of the mid array plane help with lobing? The issue is with two drivers playing the same frequency at the same time (the mids). The only place this would happen with the tweeter is in the small range where the crossover slopes overlap. Otherwise only the tweeter or mids are playing, not both.

Low frequency and high frequency sound waves have different radiation pattern. As a result low frequency drivers (midrange woofers) and high frequency drivers (tweeters) have intrinsically different radiation patterns. At the crossover point, the directivity of the drivers changes. Interference between the drivers at this point causes a dip in the level around the crossover frequency, with a peak above it. This will result in muddiness of the sound and movement of sound stage.

In reality, we have interference between three or more drivers, particularly at the crossover frequencies. Moreover, there is a significant interation between horizontal center speakers with the floor and the ceiling.

Remember that lower frequency sound waves have very long wavelengths and are omnidirectional and are not affected as much. The higher frequency sound waves have smaller wavelengths and tend to be more uni-directional with a much smaller soundfield. Interference in the upper mid-range frequencies up to and above the crossover frequency normally create most of the problems and damage sound clarity and imaging.

A vertical arrangement of the tweeter and midrange drivers will help imaging, clarity of the sound, and will increase vertical and horizontal dispersion. In addition, a lower crossover frequency point and a higher order crossovers network will help.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

Another great reference post, Big Daddy.

Thanks. It is a lot of hard work. I am gradually, adding more material to the original post.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by prerich

Circuit City just had one of your Bostons for sale - one only - for 179!!!! I didn't know you where in the market! You may have missed this deal !!!

Big Daddy - you know I have preached vertical center channels for the longest - thank you for putting into words my reasoning behind it !!!!

Today at work I was thinking about this (several times) & I remembered That prerich's set-up has the same 3 front's ! I went in the office at lunch Just to check & sure enough ~ 3 heresy's or 3 Snells All the same fronts!

So I know my next buy !!

[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 i feel 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/

[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.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Today at work I was thinking about this (several times) & I remembered That prerich's set-up has the same 3 front's ! I went in the office at lunch Just to check & sure enough ~ 3 heresy's or 3 Snells All the same fronts!

So I know my next buy !!

I knew that you have been itching to find an excuse to upgrade something. When I created the thread, I had a feeling that it will have a detrimental effect on people's bank account.

[mdabb]

I have only skimmed through it so far but as usual, great job Big D !!!

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I knew that you have been itching to find an excuse to upgrade something. When I created the thread, I had a feeling that it will have a detrimental effect on people's bank account.

I thought six towers was enough , Know I'm going to have seven ! That's what I like about upgrading ~ It just makes it that much better !!

[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?

[drummerboy_2002]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

A vertical arrangement of the tweeter and midrange drivers will help imaging, clarity of the sound, and will increase vertical and horizontal dispersion. In addition, a lower crossover frequency point and a higher order crossovers network will help.

Ah, gotcha. So even with a MTM array with a 2.5 way crossover, there may be some lobing and imaging problems at the crossover. Sadly I doubt there's anything I can do about it. I've got a flat-panel sitting on a low console and will need a long and low center due to WAF.

I've read on european forums where many prefer not to even use a center and let the front right/left play double duty. What are your thoughs on this arangement?

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by drummerboy_2002

Ah, gotcha. So even with a MTM array with a 2.5 way crossover, there may be some lobing and imaging problems at the crossover. Sadly I doubt there's anything I can do about it. I've got a flat-panel sitting on a low console and will need a long and low center due to WAF.

I've read on european forums where many prefer not to even use a center and let the front right/left play double duty. What are your thoughs on this arangement?

This is an example of German Designed speakers with 360 degree sound field. The manufacturer recommends no center speaker. I am sure your wife will love them.

The Duevel Planets omni dispersion speakers from Urban Fidelity are beautiful, exotic, sexy, and only $1,400 a pair.

[-DLS-]

Very interesting info!
I'm wondering how the Paradigm CC-390 being a 3 way center channel works out having the tweeter and 2 midrange drivers as a unit in the middle with the outer bass drivers. I have them slightly angled up since the stand for it is angled. I think it sounds good! I'm still kinda new to audio though. So is there a way to get better sound from this type of speaker?

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by DLS_222

Very interesting info!
I'm wondering how the Paradigm CC-390 being a 3 way center channel works out having the tweeter and 2 midrange drivers as a unit in the middle with the outer bass drivers. I have them slightly angled up since the stand for it is angled. I think it sounds good! I'm still kinda new to audio though. So is there a way to get better sound from this type of speaker?

It looks like Paradigm has already accounted for some of the problems of horizontal center speaker. You should be ok. Try it vertically and see if you can hear any difference.

[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.