I am in the process of installing some in-wall speakers and have a question about the center channel. I want to mount it in the wall just below the tv but the problem is there is a stud in the way. Would it be ok you think to cut this stud out to fit the center channel in? I may be able to squeeze it in horizontally but I am not sure if this will effect the sound???

You will want to find out first if that wall is a "load" bearing wall. Otherwise, I don't think it will be an issue. A person with more experience in construction may have better advice. But where I stand, I'm afraid of touching load bearing walls. Also, if the tv mount is bolted on that stud in question, I would not bother it.

I meant squeeze it in vertically. Will this effect the center channel sound if it is mounted vertically instead of horizontal?

You do not want to cut any stud unless you know what you’re doing! Especially if there’s a floor above it or you have a heavy roof. If you do cut it, you may NEED to put in a new header at the top of the opening to redirect the load around the breach. (Like with windows and doors.) Depending on the specifics, you may even need to brace the wall while you’re doing the header work.

Personally, I think you should first consult a local pro, carpenter, handyman etc.

I dont plan on cutting it in half,if I can turn the center channel vertically I can prob get away with just notching it out slighty.

As for the center channel, if its designed as an LCR, you should be fine. If it is specifically made for center duty only, you may run into issues where you will lose wide angle horizontal high frequency dispersion if you mount that vertically. Consult the manufacturer or dealer to verify.

Do you know what the C/C framing layout is? It should be either 16" o.c. or 24" o.c.
And what is the actual size of the center speaker, and is it a horizontal center or vertical center?

I meant squeeze it in vertically. Will this effect the center channel sound if it is mounted vertically instead of horizontal?Many horizontally oriented center channel speakers have poor dispersion in the horizontal plane. Some incorporate design features such as directional tweeter baffles in order to enhance the speaker's horizontal dispersion (and likewise limit its vertical dispersion). If you rotate such a speaker 90°, then you will actually diminish its horizontal dispersion and enhance its vertical dispersion characteristics, both of which are very undesirable things to do in your center channel speaker spot. But, as long as it has no feature that is designed to enhance its horizontal dispersion when used horizontally, as intended, it will actually probably perform better if mounted vertically. What speaker is it?

But, if you are considering mounting your center speaker vertically, I would strongly recommend you consider simply using a 3rd speaker that identically matches your L/R speakers. This would provide the most ideal front soundstage.


I can't really speak to the stud issue except to say that I would avoid futzing with it.

It is a Polk LCI-C Center and I belive the c/c is 16'' on center. Prob is 58inch is already mounted and it's not movin:p. I was thinking of just buying the stand alone version of the LCI and just set it on the entertainment center beneath it and continue on with the rest of the in walls so I dont have to mess with the stud.

It is a Polk LCI-C Center and I belive the c/c is 16'' on center. Prob is 58inch is already mounted and it's not movin:p. I was thinking of just buying the stand alone version of the LCI and just set it on the entertainment center beneath it and continue on with the rest of the in walls so I dont have to mess with the stud.

That's what I'd do, its certainly easier.

It is a Polk LCI-C Center........That speaker should work fine if you decide to mount it vertically but what are you using for the L/R speakers? Any chance you could buy a single one of them?

Haven't decided which fronts to go with yet, but yes I could buy another one for a center channel but would it sound as good?

Haven't decided which fronts to go with yet, but yes I could buy another one for a center channel but would it sound as good?

Identical LCRs is the best way to go. Almost all horizontal centers will be a compromise. Although the better ones (centers) will be WMTMW, that's having the tweeter and midrange vertically stacked.

Haven't decided which fronts to go with yet, but yes I could buy another one for a center channel but would it sound as good?The center channel speaker you cited is actually not a bad design as far as horizontal center speakers go. In fact, it is quite good. The tweeter is offset, the midwoofers are closer together, and, most importantly, only one of the midwoofers operates through the critical midrange frequencies.

What you get with identical speakers across the front is exactly that. An identical front soundstage. A problem with implementing that, though, is the ability (or inability) to buy a single speaker for the center.

Have you already purchased the LCi-C center? What front speakers were you considering?