I Hate Center Channels!!!
There are so many speaker combination choices that I can go with for my TV viewing. However, the most restrictive thing is the darn center channel!! They are big as heck. Plus many have rear facing ports. How do you mount this thing with a rear facing port?
I really can not see where they are designed to be placed. They cant be wall mounted (with that port). They are not floor standers. Most of them are over 10" deep!
Is it possible to use a soundbar of some sort as a center? The RTi centers are huge, the Monitor centers are huge, the TSi centers are huge.
The only reasonable centers are
LSiC - 8"D
VM20 - 4.5"D
Blackstone - 4"D
Am I really going to be crucified if I mix in a center that actually fits and looks good as opposed to the one labeled to match my Mains!?
I really can not see where they are designed to be placed. They cant be wall mounted (with that port). They are not floor standers. Most of them are over 10" deep!
Is it possible to use a soundbar of some sort as a center? The RTi centers are huge, the Monitor centers are huge, the TSi centers are huge.
The only reasonable centers are
LSiC - 8"D
VM20 - 4.5"D
Blackstone - 4"D
Am I really going to be crucified if I mix in a center that actually fits and looks good as opposed to the one labeled to match my Mains!?
Music
LR: Polk Monitor 70 (willing to sell if interested)
C: Cerwin Vega E-75C
Sub: HSU VTF-2 MK3
AVR: Sony STR-DE835
AMP:
HT
5.1: Paradigm CT110
AVR: Integra DTR-4.6
WTB: RTiA9 or RTi12
LR: Polk Monitor 70 (willing to sell if interested)
C: Cerwin Vega E-75C
Sub: HSU VTF-2 MK3
AVR: Sony STR-DE835
AMP:
HT
5.1: Paradigm CT110
AVR: Integra DTR-4.6
WTB: RTiA9 or RTi12
Post edited by dnoyeB on
Comments
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They make plenty of aftermarket shelves for center channels that fit on top of a flatscreen tv. Or you can use it as an excuse to get a new stand for all your componants.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Too Big??? I love a "BIG ****" center..Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎
SVS SB16 X2
Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
Cary DMS 800PV Network
OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
Jolida JD9 Fully Modified
VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM
MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s -
TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »Too Big??? I love a "BIG ****" center..
I heard you just like " big **** " period.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Polk Audio SDA 2.3tl Fully Hot Rodded. 😎
SVS SB16 X2
Cary SLP-05/Ultimate Upgrade.
Cary SA-500.1 ES Amps
Cary DMS 800PV Network
OPPO UDP 205/ModWright Modification
VPI Scout TT / Dynavector 20x2
Jolida JD9 Fully Modified
VPI MW-1 Cyclone RCM
MIT Shotgun 3 cables throughout / Except TT, and PC’s -
Remember, Larry has big **** speakers too.:biggrin:
Big **** record cleaning machine too.:biggrin:Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them. -
dnoye you're actually onto something. The very best center channel is using the same exact speaker as your mains in the same (assumed) vertical orientation. This doesn't help with your placement issues, and likely only compounds it, but it's something worth bringing up.
Larry's suggestions are good. If you're center is over 15# I'd be wary of the TV mount shelves for DLP's If you have LCD or plasma, wall or stand mount the TV and place the center ontop of the media stand/credenza. You could also use one of those wall mounts for CRT TV's that you se in hospitals, etc. Or you could use L bracket shelf mounts above the TV which can be had up to 24" depths and then you could just shim your center to aim it down into the listening position. There are sollutions, but I feel your pain, my CS1000p is a BEAST and took a lot of CL browsing to find a stand that could house her (and still only had 1/32" of clearance, less than ideal) Good Luck!design is where science and art break even. -
toolforlifefan wrote: »hell yeah!!!:biggrin:
+1!!!!!design is where science and art break even. -
My 2 cents....
In a HT setup the center is the hardest speaker of them all, a center which is designed to be used with the Left and Right speakers is best.
Speakers
Carver Amazing Fronts
CS400i Center
RT800i's Rears
Sub Paradigm Servo 15
Electronics
Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
Parasound Halo A23
Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
Pioneer 79Avi DVD
Sony CX400 CD changer
Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR -
Run it in phantom mode through your mains, and quit stressing about it. A little bit of toe-in might be in order to get it *just* right.Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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The centers are ugly as well. Sure the speakers are just a tall box, but for some reason that doesn't look bad. But put this simple square box in front of a sleek HDTV, and it looks like crap.
Blackstone looks nice, and VM as well though I am scared of VM because no one around here seems to talk much about em.
I really like the RTi line but 14"!?! Too Beaucoup!!Music
LR: Polk Monitor 70 (willing to sell if interested)
C: Cerwin Vega E-75C
Sub: HSU VTF-2 MK3
AVR: Sony STR-DE835
AMP:
HT
5.1: Paradigm CT110
AVR: Integra DTR-4.6
WTB: RTiA9 or RTi12 -
Run it in phantom mode through your mains, and quit stressing about it. A little bit of toe-in might be in order to get it *just* right.
Yep, I run without a center, doesn't bother me in the least. Just have to set it up that way in the receiver is all.HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
I have an Omnimount Center Channel Shelf above my plasma which holds the center (cs2). I also used some "monitor isolation wedges" from Foam Factory to angle it down properly (the $15 kit).
I had to re-think the rear supports to make it work. It's a hack job waiting until I get some time to mount it properly. -
dnoye you're actually onto something. The very best center channel is using the same exact speaker as your mains in the same (assumed) vertical orientation. QUOTE )
I have been strugling for years in the WAF (wife acceptance factor) plays a big role , at one time I was going to build a custom fix box to have 3 ls-70's up front but never got around to that beast , my best setup is the kef #100 center mounted on the tv (yes mounted) the kefs seam to sound very balanced and the off axis is great on them , I was going to try the omnimount center shelf but my tv has a 1.5" square edge so I built a clamping "U" bracket mounted that to a shelf strapped the center to it .
Only thing that would make me content is if/when I get that monster plasma or something good and flat is to wall mount it than have a inwall center or basically a big grill for one and put in what ever center I like in the wall .
But that all comes when I get a home theatre room , hopefully during my lifetime -
The centers are ugly as well. Sure the speakers are just a tall box, but for some reason that doesn't look bad. But put this simple square box in front of a sleek HDTV, and it looks like crap.
Blackstone looks nice, and VM as well though I am scared of VM because no one around here seems to talk much about em.
I really like the RTi line but 14"!?! Too Beaucoup!!
I'm running VM20's as surrounds in my HT and think they're great - for the equipment I have & the acoustics of the room.
Never tried using one as a center, but I can't imagine it would be horrible. Personally, I like a medium size center.
Klipsch, in my opinion, has some cool looking center speakers (Reference line), but I don't know what they sound like - too much $$$ for me.HT
Onkyo TX-NR1008 | Magnepan 1.7 | Polk LSiC | Polk VM20 | Polk DSW microPro 2000 | Parasound HCA-2205A | Oppo BDP-93
2-Ch
Cary SLP 30 Tube Preamp | Polk LSi7 | Carver M1.5t | Audio-gd Digital Interface | W4S DAC-2 | MAC Mini | Denon DP300f & Pro-Ject Debut III TT's -
Go with an in-wall center. Or perhaps there is a soundbar that can be run as a center only?
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I love my CSi-5 and when I got my flat screen I budgeted a nice stand that holds it all, see Standout Designs. Before that it sat on top of my 36" XBR but my wife doesn't care how all of the speakers/sub/electronics looks in the living room, I know she's a keeper.AVR: Elite VSX-21TXH
Amplifier: B&K 7250 Series ii
Misc: Velodyne SMS-1
Mains: RTi-10
Center: CSi-5
Rear: Boston DSi460
Sub: SVS PC-Ultra
TV: Panasonic TC-P58V10
DVD: Panasonic DMP-BD60K -
Either live with it, or as Russman said, go phantom. Or sell all you stuff and buy Bose....
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The center is the most important speaker for HT theater, don't skimp on it."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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In wall??- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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You wouldn't downmix your 2 channel system to 1 speaker would you? Why skimp on the center for HT...that's where it's at for the cohesive front soundstage."2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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Why not use a LSi7 vertical or something?
I think center channels are overpriced and over rated...
Thats why I run dual bookshelves - I can use them anywhere and for anything and not to mention nothing beats centers above and below a TV - unless you had a screen and could put them behind the screen!
Either way - if you run full size mains, dont get some VM or something speaker for your center.- Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit. -
CSi A4 would be fine for your Rti line... It is not 14" deep. It is about 8" deep. Get that.Polk Audio RTi A3 (mains)
Polk Audio CSi A4 (center)
Polk Audio RC60i (rears)
BIC Acoustech PL-200 (sub)
Denon AVR-590 (receiver)
Samsung LN46B550 (LCD)
Sharp BD HP22U (Blu-ray player) -
You forgot the Bose center it makes a great center channel speaker. Its small enough to put behind
your cable box. Size and looks will not be a factor. The most important thing
about a center speaker is its size and the way It looks, ask any wife for
confirmation.Equipment
Panasonic TC-P54S2 Plasma
Scientific Atlanta DVR
ONKYO TX-SR705 AVR Pre/Pro
Outlaw 7125 7 CH Power Amplifier
Toshiba A2 HD-DVd
Panasonic BD-30
Harmony 550 remote control
LSi9 ( Mains )
LSiC ( Center )
PSB Ambient 2 Dipoles
SVS 20-39 PCI Subwoofer