center channel dilemma

basementartie

I recently installed front and rear in-ceiling speakers for a surround system, all four being Polk rc80i. For a number of reasons I cannot place an in-ceiling center channel speaker, so I called Polk customer service for a free standing(or wall-mounted) center channel or in-wall center channel speaker recommendation. I was told by the rep that I would never get good sound no matter what I chose because they all need to fire in the same direction. I then called Crutchfield and was told by one of their reps that a front firing center channel is EXACTLY what I do want with my existing set-up, and that the center channel speaker should not point downward but should fire frontward at ear level(she was very friendly and helpul). So, does anyone with some expertise in this area have a recommendation for an admitted novice like myself. I'm really only looking for the best sound and home theater experience I can get with the restrictions already in place. By the way, the room is 20' x 20' with an 8' ceiling. Thank you.

Basement Artie

wirebill

Hello Artie,
I am in agreement with the woman from Crutchfield. It is hard enough to hear dialogue in some of the movies I have watched and can not see why anybody would tell you to face the center channel speaker in any other direction then at the listener. If it was my room I would buy a center channel speaker that best matches the other speakers in the system and be happy. According to Polk’s website any center channel speaker from the "monitor series" will match up well with your speakers.
Good Luck,
Bill