Need help placing 706 center speaker

Sptwriter

I just replaced older, smaller B&@ speakers with two LSIM 707 towers and a 706 center. I am handicapped by high ceilings, a large open family room/kitchen, a niche with an enclosed entertainment center (its back is about 18 inches from the wall) and wife acceptance factor.

I need advice on where to place the center.

1) In the current position, the center and left tower are on top of each other and the sound bleeds together. I've lived with this for a few weeks but think I need to do better. 2) If I put the center inside the cabinet, I distort the sound and could weaken the center because I'd have to cut out most of the support. 3) I could build a shelf between the cabinet and wall and put the center behind the TV but then sound signals are distorted by the TV and its stand. 4) I could move the center speaker to the middle and try to secure the TV on a shelf above it but it would be sitting back quite a ways. 5) I could mount the TV on the wall and pull it way out when watching but my wife hates the idea of long arms extending the TV a couple of feet forward. The entertainment center is too long to just shove all the way into the corner without messing with the sub and the left tower and it cost $2K so I'm not real eager to ditch it.

I posted one straight-on photo and a second with a side view to give you an idea of the niche. Advice is greatly appreciated.

tonyb

I don't think any of those options would work well. They make aftermarket stands that would go over the center and then the TV rests on top of that stand. Or they also make stuff that allows you to place the center over the tv on top....again, after market stands.

A third option is going with a smaller center that you can place inside the cabinet or in front of the tv on top of that entertainment center. The signature series has a low profile center, and for HT applications I doubt you'd be able to tell the difference in series.

rpf65

http://www.standsandmounts.com/peerlessparamountadjustablewallshelf-ps200.aspx

Could mount speaker above tv

Sptwriter

The Polk Audio customer service rep I spoke with really advised against placing speakers inside a closed cabinet. He said it would create a hollow sound. He didn't like the idea of creating a box to place the TV over the center for the same reason.

I like the idea of finding a more open after-market stand, which I had blanked on. So thank you both for that idea and the link. I'm going to play around with raising the TV about 10 inches and see what it does for the view and if others have ideas, I'm listening still. Thanks!

F1nut

You make or buy an open back shelf with end supports only to put the TV on and the center in.

vmaxer

Place it at my house??


I have one but 2 would be nice...

WLDock

I made one in an evening for a family member using MDF. Here is one that can be purchased.

https://www.amazon.com/Convenience-Concepts-Designs2Go-32-Inch-60-Pounds/dp/B00S845LMC?ie=UTF8&keywords=Convenience Concepts Designs2Go cherry&qid=1497056426&ref_=sr_1_14&s=home-garden&sr=1-14

Here is a smaller model in black:

txcoastal1

F1nut wrote: »

You make or buy an open back shelf with end supports only to put the TV on and the center in.

WLDock wrote: »

I made one in an evening for a family member using MDF. Here is one that can be purchased.

https://www.amazon.com/Convenience-Concepts-Designs2Go-32-Inch-60-Pounds/dp/B00S845LMC?ie=UTF8&keywords=Convenience Concepts Designs2Go cherry&qid=1497056426&ref_=sr_1_14&s=home-garden&sr=1-14

Here is a smaller model in black:

^^^^^Raise the TV on a stand, center channel is 80% of your dialog very important

Thorton

F1nut wrote: »

You make or buy an open back shelf with end supports only to put the TV on and the center in.

+1. Or build one. I don't see many other options from your pictures.

txcoastal1

Don't go smaller, you will regret the performance

ken brydson

txcoastal1 wrote: »

Don't go smaller, you will regret the performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD_xWrhZ8yI

WLDock

Yes the 706c is a beast of a center. Don't even think about moving away from that speaker. Overall, I enjoyed it more than the legendary CS1000p! Oh how I miss that speaker for movies. And the CS400i was no slouch either. All are large center units that few aftermarket risers will work with.

If you can't find a prefab one you like just make one. Even one with very little skills or tools can make a sturdy TV riser without too much effort. That is such a large speaker.

Some DIY examples:

http://wardsweb.org/audio/home_theater_images/den060109a.jpg
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t456/buggsy3/20161214_190629.jpg
http://www.ikeahackers.net/2011/01/diy-tv-riser.html
http://www.davidrodgers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/tt2_3x21.jpg?w=640
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z178/mnstanley69/Riser.jpg

msg

This isn't ideal either, but maybe a short, dual post speaker stand in front of your cabinet? You'd have move it back and forth to open your doors, or remove them or modify hinges for quick release. And maybe find a height/design that doesn't interfere with your component control. It wouldn't be as clean, imho, as the top placement under a TV riser/shelf, which would also be my first choice, as well, unless it puts your TV at an awkward viewing angle. I don't like looking up too much at a TV, personally. To me this is only good if you're laying around on a couch, not sitting upright. Prefer midline at or just a bit above eye level, but not craning.

WLDock

That's the other thing...will the TV be higher than you like? For me...the worst thing ever are far as height is TV's above high fireplaces.... I hate it! However, my TV stand is 22" high and the center sits on top. The TV is mounted on the wall so that a 9" tall center speaker is below the screen but slightly above the bottom of the TV frame. This works for me and keeps the TV as low as possible and the center as high as possible.

So, if the TV ends up too high for ones taste....the only other (Expensive) option is to find a lower stand.

Something like the Salamander Synergy 237 is 21" tall.
http://www.salamanderdesigns.com/products/details/6989b52b-5777-eb1f-e527-5125e38f8f81

or something like the BDI Ola 8137 is 19" tall
http://www.modernessentials.com/BDI-Ola-8137-Home-Theater-Cabinet

or something like the IKEA BESTÅ is 15" tall.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S99188480/#


Bottom line..... there are options to get the center speaker under the TV and the TV at the 'right' height!

Sptwriter

I took the advice of many here and built an open stand with an Ikea hack for $50 -- $10 each for four adjustable legs and $10 for a black shelf. I think it turned out well, and though the TV is now about 10 inches higher, the line of vision might actually be better because we tend to lean back and look up a little in recliners.

The sound is definitely better and yeah it's a beast and I'm loving it. Thanks all!

WLDock

Looks good!

One thing that many do included myself is move the center all the way to the front edge of the shelf to avoid some early reflections. Also, you probably can't do it now but I usually put larger feet in the front of the speaker to aim the speaker upwards towards the ears.

mdaudioguy

Hey, that works fine, but if you desire more stability and a cleaner look, I'd mount that TV to the wall with an articulating bracket.

mdaudioguy

WLDock wrote: »

Also, you probably can't do it now but I usually put larger feet in the front of the speaker to aim the speaker upwards towards the ears.

Based on his initial pics, that cabinet seems high enough as is, allowing the center to line up fairly well with the tweeters in his towers.