Center channel survey

turbopantera

Just wondering if anyone does the same little trick I have. Most people watching movies use 5 speakers including the center channel. But unless you can put the center speaker behind the screen, the sound really is not right. However, I solve this in a different way. Since the SDA array gives a better sound stage and imaging, I choose to turn the center channel off and let the SDA array give me the center image. I feel this gives a better centered mono signal than an actual center speaker does. So how about it, anyone else prefer to watch movies this way?

messiah

I'm trying to find out, but local SDA sales (that aren't complete **** like the one up now) are scarce. I'd like to try that tho!!

comfortablycurt

I've tried it...but I found it to be much better when I use a center speaker. The SDA's do a fantastic job of making up for it...but the center speaker just gives it an extra edge in my experience.

A lot of that can be dependent on placement and the room that the gear is in though.

Conradicles

In the sweet spot the SDA phantom center is perfect IMHO.
But if you are not sitting in the sweet spot...errrr, you need the center speaker.

packetjones

Personally i prefer the center channel sound. i think that it allows the dialogue to separate from the rest of the soundtrack/effects. Before i purchased my center i had a phantom center and was not really satisfied with the way it sounded.

dudeinaroom

A monitor 7 as a center with SDAs is where it's at ....I got two turn tables and a microphone.

shadowofnight

I use speakers above and below the screen...makes the point source dead center of the screen....right where I want it.

tx_polkhead

Right now I am using a Monitor 5JR+ as a center with my RTA 12C's as my mains. Soon that M5JR+ and it's pair will be rear surrounds and a re-worked Monitor 7C will be the center. I have to rebuild it shorter (to fit the space in the cabinet under the TV) but wider to keep the same internal volume. I like the true center, Phantom does not have the same punch with my gear.

turbopantera

Having a center above AND below the screen is a neat idea, never thought of that one. Might try that. Thanks

comfortablycurt

dudeinaroom wrote: »

A monitor 7 as a center with SDAs is where it's at ....I got two turn tables and a microphone.

I could imagine that would sound fantastic! Eventually I plan on upgrading my 2A's to a pair of 1C's, and I've thought about picking up a second pair of Monitor 7's...or possibly 10's, with SL-2000's. That way I could put RD0-194's into both the 1C's and the Monitor x's. I bet that'd make for a great soundstage up front. It could be even better with a pair of RTA-11T's or 8T's(with RD0-194's, of course) for surrounds.

Like they say...if you're gonna dream, dream big...lol

bsoko2

Center channel!

dbnh

dudeinaroom wrote: »

A monitor 7 as a center with SDAs is where it's at ....I got two turn tables and a microphone.

"Bottles and cans and just clap your hands and just clap your hands" :cool::D

Larry Chanin

turbopantera wrote: »

Having a center above AND below the screen is a neat idea, never thought of that one. Might try that. Thanks

Yes, I'm with shadow.





After spreading out your mains to clear a large non-acoustically transparent screen, it helps to have two capable centers to fill the sonic hole.

Larry

inspiredsports

Larry Chanin wrote: »

Yes, I'm with shadow.

After spreading out your mains to clear a large non-acoustically transparent screen, it helps to have two capable centers to fill the sonic hole.

Larry

You've got it exactly right.

Additionally, you have the SDA-1C's located properly, but didn't show the important HORIZONTAL centerline from the midpoint of voice source from left to right channel (with 1C's this is essentially the top tweeter as the bottom tweeter is more heavily rolled off by the crossover). This might help others understand the exact placement needed for the perfect movie listening experience.

Your image is "sticky" material .

Larry Chanin

inspiredsports wrote: »

You've got it exactly right.

Additionally, you have the SDA-1C's located properly, but didn't show the important HORIZONTAL centerline from the midpoint of voice source from left to right channel (with 1C's this is essentially the top tweeter as the bottom tweeter is more heavily rolled off by the crossover). This might help others understand the exact placement needed for the perfect movie listening experience.

Hi,

Thanks.

And thanks for the additional explanation in case others wondered why I elevated my main speakers on concrete blocks.

Larry

Face

The center's tweeter should be horizontal with your main's tweeters.

turbopantera

Nice setup, something to keep in mind as a remodel my HT area. Right now moving from 32" monitor to Projector. Thanks

rayslifecycle

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=44831&d=1260318315

On my setup - my center's tweeter is exactly the same height off the floor as the peerless tweeters in the monitor 10s.........the imaging across the front is quite seemless - and I often question why the sound seems to come from the person talking.

StantonZ

I use a pair of Monitor 4's in a "stereo" center speaker config. I think it's important to have a solid center channel present, especially when your mains are spread far apart (as they would be in a front projector home theater--no, I don't like acoustically transparent screens). The trick is finding a way (or an amp) to drive stereo center speakers; my Yamaha DSP-A1 has this capability, but they removed this feature from the amplifier line years ago.

JimMueller

How do you split the center channel into two speakers? I'm using an old Carver AV-634 to power my center and surrounds. It states:

---

65 watts, 3 channels driven into 8 ohms, 20-20kHz with no more than 0.5% · 90 watts x 3 into 4 ohms, 20-20kHz with no more than 0.5% THD · 3-ch. Operation: 180 watts ch. 1/2 bridged, 60 watts x 2 ch. 3 &4 output

---

Not sure if I can drive an 8ohm load on the surrounds while simultansously driving a 4ohm load on twin centers. But if it can safely handle it, how would I wire the twin centers to the amp?

shadowofnight

JimMueller wrote: »

How do you split the center channel into two speakers? I'm using an old Carver AV-634 to power my center and surrounds. It states:

---

65 watts, 3 channels driven into 8 ohms, 20-20kHz with no more than 0.5% · 90 watts x 3 into 4 ohms, 20-20kHz with no more than 0.5% THD · 3-ch. Operation: 180 watts ch. 1/2 bridged, 60 watts x 2 ch. 3 &4 output

---

Not sure if I can drive an 8ohm load on the surrounds while simultansously driving a 4ohm load on twin centers. But if it can safely handle it, how would I wire the twin centers to the amp?

You have a 4 ohm capable amp ( Good ) so it makes it easy for you....you can connect two 8 ohm speakers in parallel for your center channel and it will present a 4 ohm load to your amplifier.

Just connect the positive output binding post to both positive speaker binding posts...and the negative output binding post to both speaker negative binding posts.

You do not have to come all the way from the amp....you can simply take speaker cables and go from the first center speakers terminals and connect them to the second speakers terminals...keeping positive to positive and negative to negative.


This will be what your amp see's....just instead of a single driver like the pic...yours will simply be an 8 ohm center channel speaker.

Larry Chanin

JimMueller wrote: »

How do you split the center channel into two speakers? I'm using an old Carver AV-634 to power my center and surrounds. It states:

---

65 watts, 3 channels driven into 8 ohms, 20-20kHz with no more than 0.5% · 90 watts x 3 into 4 ohms, 20-20kHz with no more than 0.5% THD · 3-ch. Operation: 180 watts ch. 1/2 bridged, 60 watts x 2 ch. 3 &4 output

---

Not sure if I can drive an 8ohm load on the surrounds while simultansously driving a 4ohm load on twin centers. But if it can safely handle it, how would I wire the twin centers to the amp?

Hi Jim,

I don't worry about the possibility of overloading my amplifier by paralleling the centers because I simply use a Y-cable to split the line-level center channel output and feed the signals to the right and left inputs of a two-channel power amplifier. Each SDA CRS+ center channel speaker is supplied with its own channel of amplification, so at 6 ohms they each have about 300 watts RMS available from a Parasound HCA-2200II.

Larry

bigaudiofanatic

I wounder how that would work when you run the calibration.

Larry Chanin

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

I wounder how that would work when you run the calibration.

Hi,

It works fine with Audyssey calibration. Both center channel speakers are "pinged" at the same time so the levels are set such that both speakers yeild reference level at the primary listening location. The timing is likewise determined at the primary listening location with both speakers active. The same would be true of manually setting the levels and timing with an internal test signal and an SPL meter.


The primary listening location, which is located in the first row of seating, is virtually equidistant from both speakers. Refer to the elevation drawning below.




Likewise when Audyssey calculates equalization filters both center channel speakers are active while the test chirp is sounded for each measurement position. So the final set of filters is based on the combined response of both speakers.

Larry