Is a centre channel a good idea?
black magic
Posts: 669
Hey guys,
I've been MIA for a while because school was in the way :mad:
Anyways, I'm contemplating getting a centre channel when I buy a processor (hopefully in the summer). I was thinking about using the sr5250 diver and tweeter and mounting them in the dash.
I haven't seen many SQ setups with a centre channel, thats why I'm wondering.
I've been MIA for a while because school was in the way :mad:
Anyways, I'm contemplating getting a centre channel when I buy a processor (hopefully in the summer). I was thinking about using the sr5250 diver and tweeter and mounting them in the dash.
I haven't seen many SQ setups with a centre channel, thats why I'm wondering.
Post edited by black magic on
Comments
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Ive never seen a SQ system with a center channel personally. Mostly the guys that use those are the ones with 5.1 systems setup for movies and such. Unless youre putting together one of those, stick with good ole 2 channel.polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st
polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D -
Thanks for the feedback!
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I've seen a couple SQ cars with em that sounded pretty good. Sometimes, it can help raise your sound stage and localize instrumentation, but then again, none of the big dawgs do it, so that should tell you something right there.
-CodyMusic is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it -
I think the JBL processor is supposed to have something that will drive a true center channel (i.e. not a speaker running mono off a stereo amp) with left only and right only sounds filtered out. Thats the only way to do a center channel effectively and have it actually enhance the soundstage as opposed to skewing it.
Cody - Let me guess, all the SQ cars youve seen with center channels have been USACi cars right? That must be the first thing they teach the judges in USACi. The 3 shows I went to, the only "pointer" that the judge gave me was, "you should get a center channel".polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st
polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D -
2 usaci, 1 iasca. In all fairness, I hardly ever go to anything besides usaci events though, because around here, all the big shows are usaci.
-CodyMusic is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it -
That what I was thinking - that it'd raise your sound stage... because my speakers are close to the ground.
If its a centre channel, I thought that it wouldn't be skewed either left or right, since it has its own output? -
wouldnt it depend on how u connect it though? like mac said that processor has its own chan for a center chan... it seems if u used for example a splitter, u would cross signals and not get the correct stage... i could be way off.2013 Toyota Prius
Audible Physics 3 Way: H6MB, AR3-A, AR2.0
Image Dynamics iDMax 12" D2v4
(2) Alpine PDX-V9 Bridged, Alpine PDX-M12 (500w Mid-Bass, 200w Mid, 200w Tweet, 1200w Sub)
Mosconi 6to8 v8 -
Well, for wiring I was thinking it'd look something like this:
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A center channel playing a mono signal from a combined left and right source will screw up your stage and possibly cause some cancellation.
Im not sure how the Alpine feeds a center channel from 2 channel sources. I dont think it puts out a signal - left only and - right only. If it doesnt it will skew your stage.
If youre looking to raise your soundstage, a good set of tweeters in the A pillars will do that just fine.
If youre wanting the proper stage with center image where it should be, you can either get the perfect stage for the drivers seat with time alignment or for both seats by speaker placement and getting the pathlength difference to as close to equal as possible.....which is VERY hard to do.polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st
polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D -
Interesting. Thanks a lot for the info.
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With the Alpine 701 you can run stereo sources as Pro Logic II, and adjust how "hot" the center channel is. We've tried it in a few cars over the years and it's interesting but most of the time I prefer stereo. If you leave it in stereo mode, but have a digital DVD source (like maybe the unit you mentioned above), the Alpine will switch automatically to Dolby Digital or DTS when you put a movie in. But stereo sources will still play in stereo.
I'm anxiously awaiting that JBL processor- it sounds very cool. If it ever comes out.
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Music is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it
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I know there are some prototypes out there. Biggs was competing with it last season in his/JBL's BMW.polkaudio sound quality competitor since 2005
MECA SQ Rookie of the Year 06 ~ MECA State Champ 06,07,08,11 ~ MECA World Finals 2nd place 06,07,08,09
08 Car Audio Nationals 1st ~ 07 N Georgia Nationals 1st ~ 06 Carl Casper Nationals 1st ~ USACi 05 Southeast AutumnFest 1st
polkaudio SR6500 --- polkaudio MM1040 x2 -- Pioneer P99 -- Rockford Fosgate P1000X5D -
With the Alpine 701 you can run stereo sources as Pro Logic II, and adjust how "hot" the center channel is. We've tried it in a few cars over the years and it's interesting but most of the time I prefer stereo. If you leave it in stereo mode, but have a digital DVD source (like maybe the unit you mentioned above), the Alpine will switch automatically to Dolby Digital or DTS when you put a movie in. But stereo sources will still play in stereo.
I'm anxiously awaiting that JBL processor- it sounds very cool. If it ever comes out.
Thats cool, thanks for the info. I don't think I'll be getting one anymore. Maybe in the future though, just for fun
