Purchasing the correct center channel

The Punisher

I'm about to purchase in wall and in ceiling speakers but am confused on the center channel speaker..

for the front left and right i got these --> http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/p.../inwall/rc65i/

For the back left and right i got these --> http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/p...ceiling/rc60i/

The center unfortunately has to be ceiling mounted as well, so it has to be round, on polks site they have -->http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/p...ncenter/lci-c/ which is a wall mount.

For a ceiling mounted center, should I be looking at getting a stereo round speaker like the --> http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/p...nceiling/rc6s/ ?? or will another rc60i do fine ?

Thanx for the input..

tcrossma

I'm not overly familiar with in-wall / in-ceiling setups, but to me the center channel dialog coming from the ceiling does not seem like it would work. Maybe I'm wrong though, and I'm sure others will reply.

VSchneider

fixed the links for you:
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/hidden/rc65i/ <<- rectangular in-wall
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/hidden/rc60i <<- round in-ceiling
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/hidden/rc6s/ <<- single speaker stereo

First off, center channel is mono, and a speaker like RC6s, which has takes stereo inputs, is not needed. You simply match center to the left/right front pair either in-wall or in-ceiling. Ideally your front 3 need to be the same speaker aimed all at the listening position, and built-in Polks have some features for compensating when speakers are not physically placed at ear level. However, mixing in-wall and in-ceiling speakers for the front stage, I think, may be a bit extreme.

Is there any way at all you can use another in-wall speaker for the center?

edit: Polk Audio in-wall/in-ceiling Guide, in case you have not yet seen it.

The Punisher

VSchneider wrote: »

fixed the links for you:
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/hidden/rc65i/ <<- rectangular in-wall
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/hidden/rc60i <<- round in-ceiling
http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/products/hidden/rc6s/ <<- single speaker stereo

First off, center channel is mono, and a speaker like RC6s, which has takes stereo inputs, is not needed. You simply match center to the left/right front pair either in-wall or in-ceiling. Ideally your front 3 need to be the same speaker aimed all at the listening position, and built-in Polks have some features for compensating when speakers are not physically placed at ear level. However, mixing in-wall and in-ceiling speakers for the front stage, I think, may be a bit extreme.

Is there any way at all you can use another in-wall speaker for the center?

edit: Polk Audio in-wall/in-ceiling Guide, in case you have not yet seen it.

Unfortunately I can't place the center channel on the wall..it has to be on the ceiling or no center channel at all..

Should I just not bother with the center channel then? I figure in the ceiling is better then no channel at all.

apphd

The Punisher wrote: »

Unfortunately I can't place the center channel on the wall..it has to be on the ceiling or no center channel at all..

Should I just not bother with the center channel then? I figure in the ceiling is better then no channel at all.

Tough call. Most AVRs have some type of "Phantom" setting for doing exactly that. The effectiveness and user satisfaction will vary depending on room set up/characteristics, front speakers, how well the AVR does this and personal preference. So you can't tell till you try it.

tcrossma

I've been very happy with using a phantom center, and I know others have as well. It can sometimes be a trade-off, depending on room setup and other factors, but in many cases it can be the equal of having a dedicated center.

If you must have the center in the ceiling, I'd say go without a center. Just turn off the center speaker in the AVR and it will take care of mixing that channel to the front L/R.

The Punisher

Thanx I think I will leave the center out for now and see how it does..