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Can I use a soundbar as a center channel?
Posted on 1/13/15 at 10:42 pm
Posted on 1/13/15 at 10:42 pm
So I have a wire run to the mantle my current center chanel is located. The problem is it sticks over the edge slightly and when I have the fireplace going, the front has started to slowly warp. I've been looking around and nothing jumps out at me as being able to easily fit that isn't so deep except these sound bars I'm seeing everywhere. On one hand I like the idea of having something more powerful, but on the other I'm not sure if it's really intended for that or if it matters.
Thoughts/Suggestions?
Thoughts/Suggestions?
This post was edited on 1/13/15 at 10:43 pm
Posted on 1/13/15 at 10:46 pm to Brettesaurus Rex
Budget?
There are some pretty thin speakers out there.
I have a KEF T Series that is only about 1.5-2.0 inches deep.
There are some pretty thin speakers out there.
I have a KEF T Series that is only about 1.5-2.0 inches deep.
This post was edited on 1/13/15 at 10:47 pm
Posted on 1/13/15 at 10:50 pm to Brettesaurus Rex
How deep is the mantle space you are working with? I have the Polk TL1 center speaker and it's only 3.5" deep. I don't see how most soundbars could be less deep than that...
Posted on 1/13/15 at 10:50 pm to SG_Geaux
I mean I'm not afraid to spend a couple hundred to get a good speaker I'll have for awhile. I'm not in a huge rush, but I figured I'd start looking around and be ready in case this one craps out.
I'd like something with some pretty good power though. My front side channels are big stand ups that tend to drown it out for big action/music scenes.
I don't think it's more than 6"-7", but that's just me guessing.
I'd like something with some pretty good power though. My front side channels are big stand ups that tend to drown it out for big action/music scenes.
I don't think it's more than 6"-7", but that's just me guessing.
This post was edited on 1/13/15 at 10:54 pm
Posted on 1/13/15 at 11:00 pm to Brettesaurus Rex
quote:
I'd like something with some pretty good power though. My front side channels are big stand ups that tend to drown it out for big action/music scenes.
The center channel is really only used for voice/dialog, and won't even be used much at all for action/music scenes. There's little reason to spend so much money on a center speaker. "Power" really isn't something necessary at all.
Posted on 1/13/15 at 11:08 pm to efrad
quote:
The center channel is really only used for voice/dialog, and won't even be used much at all for action/music scenes. There's little reason to spend so much money on a center speaker. "Power" really isn't something necessary at all.
A whole lot of people think the center is the most important speaker.
Posted on 1/13/15 at 11:12 pm to efrad
Not saying it needs to be my most expensive speaker, just that it needs to be able to hold up.
Posted on 1/14/15 at 6:33 am to Brettesaurus Rex
I've always followed the rule that your 3 front speakers should be as close to each other in sound as possible for when scenes go from left to right etc.
Posted on 1/14/15 at 7:10 am to Brettesaurus Rex
You can for sure but you want to try to tonally match with the left and right speakers which can be difficult. You want speakers from the same manufacturer and across the same product range.
Posted on 1/14/15 at 7:22 am to VABuckeye
They're all close to each other, that's not an issue.
As far as matching, that'd probably be hard because my left and right are my dad's from the 80s that I'll never get rid of because they still blow the roof off my house
As far as matching, that'd probably be hard because my left and right are my dad's from the 80s that I'll never get rid of because they still blow the roof off my house
This post was edited on 1/14/15 at 7:23 am
Posted on 1/14/15 at 7:45 am to Brettesaurus Rex
Like efrad mentioned Polk TL1 is pretty slim. There's also the Yamaha NS-C310 and the Definitive Technology ProCenter 1000.
Posted on 1/14/15 at 7:52 am to Brettesaurus Rex
Maybe you just need to position your stereo speakers better? You can get a nice soundstage with just two speakers, it just takes a bit of trial and error. Further from the wall, a bit further apart...toe them in...just see what produces the best stage in your place.
Posted on 1/14/15 at 8:55 am to Brettesaurus Rex
Definitive Technology Mythos XTR-40 ultra slim speaker works pretty amazing as a center channel... LINK
Posted on 1/14/15 at 8:58 am to efrad
quote:
The center channel is really only used for voice/dialog, and won't even be used much at all for action/music scenes. There's little reason to spend so much money on a center speaker. "Power" really isn't something necessary at all.
I couldn't disagree more. I would always prefer a full band center with same capabilities as the L/R speakers.
Posted on 1/14/15 at 9:35 am to Brettesaurus Rex
When you get into really thin speakers, you run into the same problem as having speakers in a TV
IMHO, center needs to be a full-range speaker, and not just tweeters because you have voices talking at you. IIRC, frequency sounds for voice is 300-3000Hz. Most tweeters start at around 2500Hz, so you'd need an actual speaker to cover the rest. Get the deepest possible, aka biggest speakers that move the most.
Another solution is to put the bookshelf speakers directly next to the TV, or a little further apart and aimed at the center of the room. Still won't work as well as a dedicated center channel. If you do get a center, put the bookshelf speakers either halfway between the TV and the corner of the room facing out, or in the corners facing towards the listening area
Eta: almost all center channel speakers are more shallow than 7"
IMHO, center needs to be a full-range speaker, and not just tweeters because you have voices talking at you. IIRC, frequency sounds for voice is 300-3000Hz. Most tweeters start at around 2500Hz, so you'd need an actual speaker to cover the rest. Get the deepest possible, aka biggest speakers that move the most.
Another solution is to put the bookshelf speakers directly next to the TV, or a little further apart and aimed at the center of the room. Still won't work as well as a dedicated center channel. If you do get a center, put the bookshelf speakers either halfway between the TV and the corner of the room facing out, or in the corners facing towards the listening area
Eta: almost all center channel speakers are more shallow than 7"
This post was edited on 1/14/15 at 9:56 am
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