Center Channel -- Traditional vs. Single Bookshelf

Early B.

I know some of you guys have used a single bookshelf speaker as a center channel instead of a traditional center channel speaker. Generally, what is the difference in SQ?

I am contemplating a change in my center channel (currently using an Ed Frias modded BIC DV-62CLRS) and was wondering what the pros and cons were of using a single bookshelf speaker. Room size is 13 x 20 x 8.

Thanks.

wingnut4772

I used an LSI9 as a center compared to the dedicated LSIC center ONLY because I was really disappointed with the LSIC. Generally speaking I think a dedicated center is a good way to go. That's what I have now.

malikarshad

I had tried both Lsi9 and LsiC for my HT but eventually kept LsiC due to more wide sound dispersion than Lsi9.
Lsi9 was good if you are in sweet spot but if you are off axis then it doesn't sound as good compared to LsiC.
I would have choosen Lsi9 if i was the only one watching movie in the sweet spot but that wasn't the case with me.

Early B.

OK, thanks for the responses.

I can probably get away with a bookshelf speaker because 99% of the time it's just my wife and me watching a movie, and we sit directly in front of the TV/center channel.

honestaquarian

Early B. wrote:

OK, thanks for the responses.

I can probably get away with a bookshelf speaker because 99% of the time it's just my wife and me watching a movie, and we sit directly in front of the TV/center channel.

If that is normaly the case(you and your wife being the only ones watching)then it shouldn't be a problem.What happens with a lot of home theaters is some people are sitting off axis.What Polk does with their center speakers is use the cascade tapered array.Which rolls off the high end of one of the woofers BEFORE the crossover to the tweeter.This makes the off axis frequency response smoother and you don't have the problems that Malikarshad mentioned above.

Early B.

I was experimenting with the use of a bookshelf speaker today as a center channel and decided that a center channel is better. They both sound good, but the center channel speaker provides lots more soundstage, even when sitting on axis.

dkg999

I run two CSi40's above and below my Sony 34" TV, and really like the impact. I also experimented with using a pair of RTi38's below the TV, splitting the center channel pre-out into the right/left channels of a 2 ch power amp. If it had not been for the challenge of getting the RTi38's to fit I would of went with this setup. You can then angle the two bookshelves out slightly and you really fill a room with the center channel dialogue.

Early B.

I'm also loosely considering using a pair of bookshelf speakers (at least temporarily) in lieu of a center channel speaker. I don't have a separate amp, so the only way I can hook both of the bookshelf speakers up is by sharing the center channel binding post on the receiver (one speaker using spades and the other using bananas). Will this work?

tryrrthg

Early B. wrote:

I was experimenting with the use of a bookshelf speaker today as a center channel and decided that a center channel is better. They both sound good, but the center channel speaker provides lots more soundstage, even when sitting on axis.

When doing this did you have the bookshelf mounted vertically (like it should be) or horizontally. just curious...

Early B.

tryrrthg wrote:

When doing this did you have the bookshelf mounted vertically (like it should be) or horizontally. just curious...

Good point. Had it vertical for the demo. I'm sure I could play around with placement and the receiver's settings to make the bookshelf sound better, but eventually I'd probably end up with another center channel.

wingnut4772

I am going to try another center also but I am limited to putting them above the TV because it is a pedestal style DLP. I am just going to have 1 big row and see how it sounds.

Early B.

wingnut4772 wrote:

I am just going to have 1 big row and see how it sounds.

Ooohhhh. That's sounds interesting. Please let us know how it works!!

Add pics, too.

jldude

Are there certain bookshelfs that functions well singly as a center? It was suggested to me that I use my RT55i single speaker (I only have one which I bought off of ebay) as a center. If I were to do that which mains will match up well?

honestaquarian

jldude wrote:

Are there certain bookshelfs that functions well singly as a center? It was suggested to me that I use my RT55i single speaker (I only have one which I bought off of ebay) as a center. If I were to do that which mains will match up well?

If you look at my response above about the cascade,tapered array that Polk uses for their center channels.You might find that the RT-55i is IDEAL since it uses the same type of thing.I believe the bottom woofer is rolled off before the crossover to the tweeter.Only the top woofer is crossed over to the tweeter.So it might just work great.Let me know how it turns out.