LSiM 703 and TL3 center

polk2014

Hi,

I'm looking for the center speaker to mix well for the HT with the LSiM 703 fronts. The room is on the smaller size (20x15) and there is no room for 704c under the TV. How would compact TL3 center mix, timbre matching and performance wise? I've got the sub and I don't listen loudly. I'd like sometimes to listen multichannel music.

Thanks,
Regards

ZLTFUL

Honestly, I see no problem going with the TL3.
The TL3 uses the same radial ring tweeter and would mostly be a timbre match.

The problem is going to be overall impact of the TL3 is going to be well below that of the 703s and the center channel is the superstar of the front 3 in that most of what is going on is going to be coming from that speaker.
As a compromise, I see little wrong with the TL3 as an option even though it isn't ideal.

falconcry72

polk2014 wrote: »

...there is no room for 704c under the TV...

make room.

Upstatemax

Having owned and returned the TL3's. I don't think you will like it at all.

To me the TL3's sounded every bit as small as they are. You might be better off looking at the Def Tech ProCenters. The ProCenter 1000 was a HUGE improvement over the TL3's. If you have room for the 2000 it can only get better.

polk2014

Yes, my main concern is that TL3 may be sounding thin comparing to 703, as a complete sound stage.
Is it better to stick with Polk or to mix in another compact center as Def Tech?

pyrocyborg

I would say that I wasn't impressed with the TL3, in particular when it comes to men's voice in the lower registry ( well... in the very low frequencies). Lacking in the lower frequencies is the word I might use, but here again, it has to do with the drivers and cabinet size. However, I didn't try them with a complete LSiM setup, so I can't comment.

Some men's voice can go down as much as 80 hz, and some might hit 60 or 40 hz. TL3 center won't reproduce any of these frequencies, while the LSim704c would, in a certain way.

As ZLTFUL said, when it comes to HT, the center channel must be your best speaker. I mean, it's used in every dialogue which is, most of the time, what makes a movie what it is. Right and left will be used for music and sound effects, and some voice here and there, but the center channel main's job is to carry the voice.

However, I think that if you cross your subwoofer in the 80hz range, it should be allright and you should get the most out of your system. Great compromise, as ZLTFUL said. Thus, Falcon is right: if you can make some room for a better speaker, it could be better. You could cross the speakers at a lower range, if it sounds any better.

tonyb

Upstatemax wrote: »

Having owned and returned the TL3's. I don't think you will like it at all.

To me the TL3's sounded every bit as small as they are. You might be better off looking at the Def Tech ProCenters. The ProCenter 1000 was a HUGE improvement over the TL3's. If you have room for the 2000 it can only get better.

This ^^^ agree that TL3 is going to be too small. Def Tech is about as close as you can get to the Polk sound so I wouldn't hesitate to mix and match between the 2 brands. Look at the Mythos center, slim although wide and can be found used for under 200.

polk2014

Unfortunately, I haven't heard any of them. Beauty is in the eye (ear) of the beholder. What's interesting about above Def Tech models, none of them can produce (measured) 79 dB at 80 Hz, as TL3 can do - measured by Brent in Sound & Vision. They may be louder but not deeper, is that the hard fact?

tonyb

Keiko wrote: »

Another option would be running a phantom center.

Agreed, myself and a few other do this and I don't miss that center one bit. Then again my movie watching on discs has gone down to maybe one a month because the music has taken priority and frankly, not a lot of good movies out there these days anyway.

Upstatemax

polk2014 wrote: »

Unfortunately, I haven't heard any of them. Beauty is in the eye (ear) of the beholder. What's interesting about above Def Tech models, none of them can produce (measured) 79 dB at 80 Hz, as TL3 can do - measured by Brent in Sound & Vision. They may be louder but not deeper, is that the hard fact?

IF the TL3 could produce anything in the 80hz range, it's muddy and distorted as all hell. My TL3's had trouble producing 120hz cleanly...

polk2014

I got TL3 center. I wanted to anchor the dialogue and improve clarity. It does all that and more. Look and timbre match my LSiM 703.
Crossover setting to 90 or 100 sounds the best due to being ported. The same numbers are offered by Audyssey setup and it's correct.
I like Neo6 music for casual listening, as it doesn't change mains output. In comparison to watching movies without the center, this is a vast improvement.

PSOVLSK

Glad it works for you and you are happy!