Hi,

I happen to have an extra center speaker and channel of power. Does it make any different if I add another center speaker?

Room size 11' x 18'
Speaker Triad Gold LCR 5.1

Both center speakers are horizontal. If yes, should I stack or place it side by side.

Thanks
Marcus

It would definitely not be an improvement, and might actually sound worse.

My setup at the moment has two center channel speakers. I did this to get to avoid using the center channel speaker that matches my Monitor Audio setup... most center channel speakers, IMO, are inferior to the corresponding mains, or simply don't match properly. I have four identical speakers across the front of my setup. The center channel pre-out from my pre-pro goes to two channels of amplification on my Primare 5-channel amp via a custom-made interconnect. Overall, I like the effect and find it preferable to the inadequate center channel speaker. It does result in some off-axis pull if you're not sitting dead center (which I don't). Basically... try it. If you don't like it, don't do it. I'd love to hear anyone else's comments on this idea.

I have four identical speakers across the front of my setup.Which speakers?


I'd love to hear anyone else's comments on this idea.If you have matching speakers across the front, why use 2 for the center channel? You have 1 speaker for each of your L and R channels, why should you have more than 1 for your center channel? Two centers is a bad idea. And with identical speakers, I can see no justification AT ALL for having 2 center speakers. The ideal front soundstage is 3 identical speakers, not 4.

Which speakers?


If you have matching speakers across the front, why use 2 for the center channel? You have 1 speaker for each of your L and R channels, why should you have more than 1 for your center channel? Two centers is a bad idea. And with identical speakers, I can see no justification AT ALL for having 2 center speakers. The ideal front soundstage is 3 identical speakers, not 4.

It's really more an issue of necessity. They're all Monitor Audio RS6 speakers - floor standers. The problem with using one center is that I'd have to put it in front of the TV, blocking my view. By having two centers, I can put one on each side of the television.

Bad idea.

Use the search function. Has been addressed several times before.

Hi,

I happen to have an extra center speaker and channel of power. Does it make any different if I add another center speaker?

Room size 11' x 18'
Speaker Triad Gold LCR 5.1

Both center speakers are horizontal. If yes, should I stack or place it side by side.

Thanks
Marcus

Hi Marcus,

I have a dual center arrangement, but I don't think that dual centers are necessary or advisable in all situations. Nevertheless, whereas there is a downside to the arrangement, the potential for comb filtering distortion, there are other offsetting benefits. Therefore, I don't think its as black and white as others who haven't actually used this configuration would have you believe.

Here's a thread that may be of interest to you. It discusses the pros and cons of the arrangement.

Can you have two Center Channel speakers (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1023586)

If after reading it and the other threads referenced, and you still want to pursue dual centers, then I definitely think stacking is superior to a horizontal orientation for the reasons I discuss in the thread.

Good luck.

Larry

It's really more an issue of necessity. They're all Monitor Audio RS6 speakers - floor standers. The problem with using one center is that I'd have to put it in front of the TV, blocking my view. By having two centers, I can put one on each side of the television.

Having two centers defeats the reason for having a center speaker at all, which is to lock the voice to the screen. If you're sitting dead center of the screen, then there is no problem. But if someone is sitting off to the left or right, then they will hear more of the center speaker closest to them, thus "pulling" the sound to that side.
That is the same result as if you used just a stereo pair for the front (phantom center).

Having two centers defeats the reason for having a center speaker at all, which is to lock the voice to the screen. If you're sitting dead center of the screen, then there is no problem. But if someone is sitting off to the left or right, then they will hear more of the center speaker closest to them, thus "pulling" the sound to that side.
That is the same result as if you used just a stereo pair for the front (phantom center).

Hi,

I agree for horizontally oriented dual centers as win200 is forced to impliment.

However, for Marcus, who is not constrained to that orientation, vertically stacked centers do lock the dialog (or center on-screen action) on the center of the screen both horizontally and vertically.

Larry

Hi,

I agree for horizontally oriented dual centers as win200 is forced to impliment.

However, for Marcus, who is not constrained to that orientation, vertically stacked centers do lock the dialog (or center on-screen action) on the center of the screen both horizontally and vertically.

Larry

No, having dual vertical centers to the sides of the screen, is exactlly the same as having a pair of stereo speakers to the sides.
With only L/R front the voices are common to both speakers, so if you are not seated at the center the voices will "pull" toward which speaker is closest to the seat. The dual centers would be no different.

No, having dual vertical centers to the sides of the screen, is exactlly the same as having a pair of stereo speakers to the sides.
With only L/R front the voices are common to both speakers, so if you are not seated at the center the voices will "pull" toward which speaker is closest to the seat. The dual centers would be no different.

Hi,

We are talking past each other. I am talking about center channel speakers that are stacked vertically above and below the display. Click on the link in my signature for an example of vertically stacked centers, or read the thread I referenced earlier.

As I mentioned in my previous posting, I agree with you regarding speakers placed to either side of the display. However, I am discussing the placement of the speakers, not whether their drivers are vertical versus horizontal.

Larry

Hi,

We are talking past each other. I am talking about center channel speakers that are stacked vertically above and below the display. Click on the link in my signature for an example of vertically stacked centers, or read the thread I referenced earlier.

As I mentioned in my previous posting, I agree with you regarding speakers placed to either side of the display. However, I am discussing the placement of the speakers, not whether their drivers are vertical versus horizontal.

Larry

OK, I see what you're saying, but there has been discussions as to that orienation working as good as a single center.

I think I'm going to try a different configuration. The room is pretty small (less than 6' between TV and viewer/listener) so the pull problem is pretty substantial even if one is sitting a tiny bit off-axis. Plus, I think I'm getting some comb filtering. If it were a much bigger space I think these problems would be significantly reduced.

To All,

Thanks for all the advice. Will try it out and let you guys know the result. If doesn't need the extra speaker just sell it off and let somebody have a nice center speaker.

Marcus