Smaller Center Channel to Pair with A9's

klennop

Hey everyone,

I currently have a pair of RTiA9's with the CSiA6 center channel. I have plenty of power between Denon receiver, some Emotiva amps, etc. However, my problem is that I recently moved into a new house and I don't really have the room for mounting the A6 center channel where it will look good. The thing is just too big to hang under or over a TV on the wall. I know you always want matching speakers but I am really at wits end on what I can do that would be pleasing both funcitional and visually pleasing.

I ended up buying a Sanus TV mount like this thinking it would work with the A6 due to the size and weight.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Sanus+TV+mount+Polk+CsiA6&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAmoVChMImo3fg-WEyAIVyJINCh28Jw-5&biw=1537&bih=842#imgrc=hV0IeG_Pmnd5nM:

However, my TV is being mounted above my fireplace and after getting this mount, it will stick out way too much! The tv would be way out from the wall and it would look awkward. I know the draw back about mounting the TV above a fireplace(neck strain) but my room is large enough that it will be fine.

What I am looking for is a smaller center channel that would work well with my towers. I would rather not sell everything and start over. The other option I have is to not run a center channel and send everything through the towers but this seems to have mixed results. Plus I think I would have a hard time selling the A6 without the towers.

I am open to suggestions on something that is quite a bit smaller. My mantle is about 7.5" deep but I have plenty of width. I was looking into the Definitive Technology 2000 center and Yamaha has a NS-C310. I am not sure how either would compare to the A6. I know not as good but how much worse? I can't listen to either so I have no way of comparing anything locally.

I am open for discussion, ideas, etc. Thanks!

klennop

I agree with everything you are saying. I have looked at the Polk alternative that is why I am wondering if anyone has used a different center. I really don't think I have the room for a 65" TV and that mount for the A6 on top of the TV facing down. It would end up going into the screen or I would have to pull the TV way out from the wall. In the past I had it on a shelf above the TV and it worked great but with the TV on the wall it just looks way out of place.

tonyb

Any center worth it's salt to keep up with those fronts is going to be too big and look out of place.

My advice....don't run one at all. Let the fronts handle the center duty by telling the receiver you have none or run in phantom mode.

deronb1

A CS2 would save you about 3" of depth. 11" deep compared to 14" for the a6.

Inspector 24

I've often wondered why wouldn't the A4 pair well with the A9? They use the same tweet and 5.25" drivers right? Wouldn't that actually match the timbre of the a9's better than the 6.5" in the A6?

klennop

I was thinking about it more, I think I am going to mess around with having the center on the floor. I am not sure how out of place it will look. Maybe I will post some pics to see what you guys think.

Inspector 24

Never mind how it will look, it will sound terrible.

klennop

Why do you think that? People mount their centers on a stand on the floor all the time?

Inspector 24

You didn't say you were putting it on a stand. That would be fine. Get it as close to ear level as you can and it will be great.

klennop

Sorry, I should have clarified that. I may have to angle it a bit or who knows...just brain storming right now. Anyone have any good floor stand companies off the top of their head. I am not near set on this idea but I was thinking about it today and possibly sold my wife on the idea also.

polk500

Hello,
I think having it on a stand is the perfect solution as they made the adjustable leg on the A6 just for that reason..

I use the A6 on both rigs and the one upstairs is lower so I have it angle up a little and it sounds great no difference from the downstairs HT rig.
Cheers
Roger

mikeyb128

I'm trying to picture your setup in my head. And if you have a mantle maybe just put the smaller A4 on the ledge. If not sounds like the best option is phantom center as others have mentioned. I've done this before. It works a lot better than one might think.

klennop

My mantle is only 7 or 8 inches deep.

mikeyb128

klennop wrote: »

My mantle is only 7 or 8 inches deep.

Perfect. The A4 is 8 3/4" and won't look terrible sitting there.

rooftop59

But doesn't it have dual rear firing ports? Don't you want some space behind it?

mikeyb128

This one does not have rear firing ports like it's bigger brother.

Inspector 24

rooftop59 wrote: »

But doesn't it have dual rear firing ports? Don't you want some space behind it?

Something something flared power ports so it doesn't matter as much?

rooftop59

Inspector 24 wrote: »

rooftop59 wrote: »

But doesn't it have dual rear firing ports? Don't you want some space behind it?

Something something flared power ports so it doesn't matter as much?

Oh yes so goes the claim. I guess its worth a shot! Though its hard to imagine the vocals not sounding chesty and boomy...but you never know until you try!

Inspector 24

Definitely worth a try, and hopefully Audessy/auto calibration would correct for most of it. Though in pure direct mode I found improvements moving my A9's from ~6" to 15" from the wall and they have the special flared power ports too. Never tried comparing with Audessy.

jeremymarcinko

The smaller a4 center will sound almost identical to the larger a6. If it fits I would go that route. Better yet don't put the tv above the fireplace, it will be way to high and looking up to watch movies gets old fast.

tonyb

jeremymarcinko wrote: »

The smaller a4 center will sound almost identical to the larger a6. If it fits I would go that route. Better yet don't put the tv above the fireplace, it will be way to high and looking up to watch movies gets old fast.

I second this....having the tv so high up will make your neck very uncomfortable. Won't do wonders for the TV either if it's a wood burning fireplace. Having a center on the mantle means the TV has to be even higher.

Ideally, the tv should be at eye level in your sitting position. I use a stand next to my fireplace mainly to avoid looking up at it if placed over my mantle. Sure, the aesthetics looks nice, but viewing comfort is sacrificed when placed over a fireplace.

trj

Try CSiA4 or a CSi3 (older generation). I agree with the size of CSiA6/CSi5. I recently upgraded from CSi3 to CSi5 and that beast almost takes my whole TV stand. Sticks out a lot. But I am keeping it because it matches my RTi8's better and is the same color.
Selling my CSi3 before I get an itch to buy another set of RTi4s and make a bedroom set out of it.