Center channel placed Vertically?

oleon621

Read/skimmed through An article that argues a center channel should be placed vertically instead of horizontally. Interesting to say the least. Has anyone ever tried this?

Here's the link
http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=89614

BlueFox

And they have a picture of an LSiC as a 'better' design model for a center. It's drivers are not laid out in a horizontal straight line.

oleon621

Yea I found it quite weird but to some extent the person who wrote the post does have some good points. I was just curious if anyone ever bothered putting there center channel vertically.

gmjungbluth

I use a Polk Monitor 5JR as my center channel. I have had it placed vertically, and not I have it horizontally. I do not recall any big differences in sound quality between the the two positions. I have noticed lately that sometimes the sound for dialog is a bit 'boxy' - I wonder if that if due to the lobing effect the author mentions that you may get from sitting off-axis. Or it could all be in my head, or the Monitor is due for a recap.

I was pretty proud of myself for using the Monitor 5JR as a center because I thought that the passive radiator plus two-way would allow for a wide frequency response. So far I haven't been disappointed. I am actually planning on putting new capacitors in the speaker soon and I hope that will liven things up a bit as well.

mdaudioguy

A traditional center channel is a compromise of function in favor of form. I don't think he's suggesting turning a traditional center channel speaker on its end as the ultimate solution. I suggest reading again, rather than skimming...

michael1947

That link is a LOT of information, thanks and I expect there will be a few making experiments. I have used 2 Klipsch center speakers which came in at about 40 inches wide for a while, now using rt5...can't remember exactly why I changed it out.?

Lietuvis91

I can see this being a good idea. You could even run 2 center channels, one on each side of the tv, if you don't have room under the tv.

I tried a similar concept, I ran 2x m60s as the center channel and really liked this setup. It's a bit challenging to get the volume level right with two speakers but it definitely made all the annoying issues like lack of clarity with most centers go away. The only downside is that when a pair of m60s are sitting next to a pair of m70s it looks a bit cluttered, so it's not for everyone.

2nd page of this thread has a picture of that setup.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?123520-post-any-picture-(AUDIO-ONLY)/page2

tonyb

A traditional center channel speaker is designed with a certain dispersion pattern, when turned on it's side it won't perform as intended. I think idealy, most would want 5 full range speakers, but lets get real, what woman would go for that first off and how many have the room for it.

oleon621

mdaudioguy wrote: »

A traditional center channel is a compromise of function in favor of form. I don't think he's suggesting turning a traditional center channel speaker on its end as the ultimate solution. I suggest reading again, rather than skimming...

Well after reading through the whole thing the post does acknowledge that there are solutions to this "problem" and I believe several center channels have taking into account the compromise of form over function. He doesn't directly suggest to turn the center on its end but he does encourage to place a bookshelf speaker within the same line as a center. Real interesting read to say the least.

Putting a vertical center channel is definitely not pleasing to the eye.

oleon621

tonyb wrote: »

A traditional center channel speaker is designed with a certain dispersion pattern, when turned on it's side it won't perform as intended. I think idealy, most would want 5 full range speakers, but lets get real, what woman would go for that first off and how many have the room for it.

Man Cave! Your right thought I don't think my future wife would like that.

oleon621

Lietuvis91 wrote: »

I can see this being a good idea. You could even run 2 center channels, one on each side of the tv, if you don't have room under the tv.

I tried a similar concept, I ran 2x m60s as the center channel and really liked this setup. It's a bit challenging to get the volume level right with two speakers but it definitely made all the annoying issues like lack of clarity with most centers go away. The only downside is that when a pair of m60s are sitting next to a pair of m70s it looks a bit cluttered, so it's not for everyone.

2nd page of this thread has a picture of that setup.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?123520-post-any-picture-(AUDIO-ONLY)/page2

That setup looks crazy. I kind of like it. Honestly though I have no clue how I could set that up. I guess I would need two RTI A3s.

oleon621

Well going off of looks alone I have to admit it looks very awkward in my setup but after a bit of listening in the vertical position I could not tell a discernible difference. I'm not an audiophile to be honest in fact I'm really a beginner, just look at my sig (measly receiver for great speakers). I think I'll keep it horizontal though.

Geoff4rfc

tonyb wrote: »

A traditional center channel speaker is designed with a certain dispersion pattern, when turned on it's side it won't perform as intended. I think idealy, most would want 5 full range speakers, but lets get real, what woman would go for that first off and how many have the room for it.

+1 A horizontal center channel has the XO arrayed to perform horizontally, stand it on it's end and you change the dynamics of the speaker, for better or for worse?? probably for worse.

As Tony mentioned, having three towers across the front would be ideal, instead of a "traditional" center speaker, using the same tower as your L and R would give you the "seamless" sound one could hope for. As far as my wife goes, I would say, "If you just close your eyes, you don't see it", and then she rips my sack.

zane77

LMAO Geoff

michael1947

That would hurt...don't do it:arrowl:

BlueFox

This is a situation where having a projector has its advantages. It is easy to have another tower behind the screen, but if I added a tower for my center I would block the middle of the TV picture. :eek:

PubFiction

I was going to post in the DIY section a build log, but I have been busy, I have a very space constricted living room. the layout is such that size and position of every thing is highly limited in options. After looking at every option I could find on the market I could not find anything to fit. So I decided to make my own entertainment center. And since I have read this as well I decided to go upright.

It is not finished yet but this is what it looks like. Most of the outside is done. Right now it is filled with an LSi9, which ironically is an upright speaker but has an off centered tweeter. I imagine something with a top tweeter like the new monitors would be the best layout. Also eventually I will build an adjustable shelf so the speaker can be raised to the top as well as a cloth insert.

It was really amazing but it is really difficult to find any entertainment centers that even meet the basics of having a center speaker in the center and at the top. You would think that would be how they design them all but really they have some pretty dumb people working in the furniture industry. And when I say that I am talking about a typical horizontal center not my vertical. I would have accepted horizontal if I could have found anything decent. Problem is almost everyone has no clue that your average HT speaker is 7+ inches tall and 18+ wide, I think they only make those for the cable box.

monepolk

Very nice wood working.

oleon621

Pubfiction you got some serious skills. Good job and good luck.

PubFiction

Thanks for the compliments although its not really as skilled as it might look but I will explain all that when I get the build log going. The beauty of this entertainment center is the ease of construction.