Using "regular" speaker for center speaker (RTi8)

SDPolk
SDPolk Posts: 3
edited December 2008 in Speakers
Hi All,

I'm a newbie and although I tried to search for the answer to my question, I couldn't find one. My apologies in advance if this question has been answered before. And if so, please provide the link. Thanks.

So my question is "can I use a 'regular' speaker for my center speaker". A salesperson at Frys suggested this idea and his rationale sounded reasonable. As long as my receiver (Yamaha 861) could provide the power, there should be no reason why I can't use RTi8 as my center speaker....right????

BTW, the deal on RTi8s at Frys right now (including the free PSW10 or $200 towards a subwoofer) is an incredible deal! Yeah, you can find PSW10 for about $100 right now (plus shipping) but still, RTi8 for $149 at Fry's plus a free PSW10 if you spend more than $500 is an incredible deal. I looked at Polk Audio Direct (via eBay) and although they have awesome deals even with the extra shipping charges, the Frys deal is hard to beat.
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Comments

  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited December 2008
    The only issue with using a normal speaker for a center channel is shielding so it doesn't affect a CRT-screen TV. If you have Plasma/LCD it makes no difference.
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited December 2008
    RTi8's are shielded, so if yo have the space, I don't see a reason not to use it.

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  • nm4710
    nm4710 Posts: 97
    edited December 2008
    Using a center speaker that is identical to your fronts is actually the ideal setup. Center channels are merely a compromise to space and aesthetics. The Fry's RTi8 deal is unfathomably good...if I were you I'd jump on it. If I had space I'd be buying another pair too! ;-)
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  • maximillian
    maximillian Posts: 2,145
    edited December 2008
    Ideally shouldn't the tweeter be centered over the TV? If you use a large floor standing speaker the tweeter may be at one end of the TV (depending on the tweeter placement on the speaker). Depending on your seating distance, this may shift the sound to the side. I have not actually experienced this though.
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  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited December 2008
    maximillian wrote: »
    Ideally shouldn't the tweeter be centered over the TV? If you use a large floor standing speaker the tweeter may be at one end of the TV (depending on the tweeter placement on the speaker). Depending on your seating distance, this may shift the sound to the side. I have not actually experienced this though.

    Agreed....you would need it to be standing upright or it would sound like the VD is coming from the side.
    Living Room:....................[HTML] [/HTML] Zone 2 (Workout Room):
    AVR - Yamaha RX-V757......JBL 4312 Pro Monitors
    Pre - Nak CA-5
    AMP - Adcom 555 (Main)
    Main - Polk RTI8**/RTiA5
    AMP - Adcom 545II (Center)
    Center - Polk CSiA4**
    Sub - Snell Basis 300:p......Zone 3 (Outside)
    CD - Yamaha CDC-555.......Def Tech AW5500
    TV - Pani TH-42PZ80U
    BR - LG BD390
    Monster HTS1600 Power Center
    Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
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    **Dayton and Sonicap Caps with Mills Resistors**
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  • eloplayspolo
    eloplayspolo Posts: 1,117
    edited December 2008
    curved wrote: »
    Agreed....you would need it to be standing upright or it would sound like the VD is coming from the side.

    thats sounds bad! is VD some kind of Disease? :eek:
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  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited December 2008
    lol......voice/dialogue:D
    Living Room:....................[HTML] [/HTML] Zone 2 (Workout Room):
    AVR - Yamaha RX-V757......JBL 4312 Pro Monitors
    Pre - Nak CA-5
    AMP - Adcom 555 (Main)
    Main - Polk RTI8**/RTiA5
    AMP - Adcom 545II (Center)
    Center - Polk CSiA4**
    Sub - Snell Basis 300:p......Zone 3 (Outside)
    CD - Yamaha CDC-555.......Def Tech AW5500
    TV - Pani TH-42PZ80U
    BR - LG BD390
    Monster HTS1600 Power Center
    Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
    Ben's IC, Canare 4S11
    **Dayton and Sonicap Caps with Mills Resistors**
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  • eloplayspolo
    eloplayspolo Posts: 1,117
    edited December 2008
    gotcha
    but if u watch ur tv laying down... is this fixed?
    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
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  • curved
    curved Posts: 664
    edited December 2008
    eloplayspolo wrote: »
    gotcha
    but if u watch ur tv laying down... is this fixed?

    Yes, but you gotta turn the TV 90 degrees :D
    Living Room:....................[HTML] [/HTML] Zone 2 (Workout Room):
    AVR - Yamaha RX-V757......JBL 4312 Pro Monitors
    Pre - Nak CA-5
    AMP - Adcom 555 (Main)
    Main - Polk RTI8**/RTiA5
    AMP - Adcom 545II (Center)
    Center - Polk CSiA4**
    Sub - Snell Basis 300:p......Zone 3 (Outside)
    CD - Yamaha CDC-555.......Def Tech AW5500
    TV - Pani TH-42PZ80U
    BR - LG BD390
    Monster HTS1600 Power Center
    Dedicated Circuit - (2) 20amp, (1) 15amp
    Ben's IC, Canare 4S11
    **Dayton and Sonicap Caps with Mills Resistors**
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  • SDPolk
    SDPolk Posts: 3
    edited December 2008
    Thanks for the responses!

    It sounds odd but I'm able to place my speaker right underneath my plasma tv.

    I just finished hooking up my system and I'm AMAZED! It's a drastic improvement from my $50 polk audio T15s from BestBuy. I still need to hook-up the rears.

    I'm on a major budget (newly divorced) so I bought the following:
    RTi8 (x5) for fronts, center, and rears for $149 each (got an extra $100 off total purchase - long story)
    PSW10 (FREE!)
    Yamaha 861 ($314, free shipping, no tax and 6% off via ebates.com)

    This system is perfect for me...for now.

    Thanks again!
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  • manman
    manman Posts: 256
    edited December 2008
    wow, that is an impressive set-up. Considering all I've spent on speakers recently- I might as well have just done that! Actually, I was looking for some rti8's, but for some reason I live by the only fry's that stopped the 149 deal and went back to selling these for 349 each, even though the fry's website still shows 149...

    I ended up going with the rti a5's since the only way I could get the rti8's shipped came pretty close to the same price i found the a5's for. I have an xsrd rear proj. tv (sony kds-60a3000), so I can't fit one under my tv :(
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