Where should I mount my center channel speaker?

In my condo, I have a 50" Plasma that is mounted on the wall above my fireplace (no where else). The mantle+fireplace is 44" high, 45" wide and protudes 15". The bottom of the plasma is 1" above the mantle surface. Seating distance is about 9 feet away. Plasma is tilted downwards 15 degrees.

My 5.1 speaker setup consists of Klipsch SLX. The left and right speakers will be on stands 2 ft away from the edge of the plasma. I decided against wall mounting as this would allow ear height placement, and wider placement, and since the plasma is tilted 15 degrees downward, it is not ideal since the center speaker would have been mounted above the plasma.

And I hear it's recommended that the center speaker shouldn't be more than 24" above the left/right tweeters. But then I saw with some particular speakers, they are designed with WIDE dispersion patterns (like the ORB speakers) so it's not as much an issue?

If I did raise the wall mount, I can't mount it below the plasma, since mantle surface is 15" deep woult cause sound refraction issues. Plus raising the plasma would make it too higher.

So where should I mount my center speaker, given that these are SLX series?

I thought of two choices.

1) Make some brackets and attach the speaker to the top of the plasma securing it to the back. But then this would put the center speaker absurdly high up. What would this do for sound positioning with this particular speaker? Would I notice that dialog/sound would appear to come from above me and not at me?

2) My fireplace mantle is 44" high, 15" deep, and 45" wide, but the actual electric fireplace opening is much smaller, so I can mount the speaker on the drywall surface above the electric fireplace and below the mantle top. Only problem with this is that this surface already protudes out 15" so it might look a bit weird. It is below the plasma, but it's about ~4" below the plasma and it won't be in line with the left and right speakers, as the center speaker will be that much closer to the seating area. Would this cause any problems? How would sound positioning be with this location? The speaker is at ideal ear height without any tilt and sound/dialog would appear to come at me, but since the screen is 5" higher up, would this cause a problem with the audio visual immersion where I'll notice that sound is coming below the screen?


What do you think? I need all your expert opinions. :confused:

Right now I'm tempted to go with choice (2).

2) My fireplace mantle is 44" high, 15" deep, and 45" wide, but the actual electric fireplace opening is much smaller, so I can mount the speaker on the drywall surface above the electric fireplace and below the mantle top. Only problem with this is that this surface already protudes out 15" so it might look a bit weird. It is below the plasma, but it's about ~4" below the plasma and it won't be in line with the left and right speakers, as the center speaker will be that much closer to the seating area. Would this cause any problems? How would sound positioning be with this location? The speaker is at ideal ear height without any tilt and sound/dialog would appear to come at me, but since the screen is 5" higher up, would this cause a problem with the audio visual immersion where I'll notice that sound is coming below the screen?
I would be concerned about the heat's effect on your speaker. Is there a way where you can "replace" your mantle? Maybe make your speaker "into" the mantle? This may provide a heat shield, a mantle, and "better" placement of the speaker.

Good luck.

Got pics?

I would be concerned about the heat's effect on your speaker. Is there a way where you can "replace" your mantle? Maybe make your speaker "into" the mantle? This may provide a heat shield, a mantle, and "better" placement of the speaker.

Good luck.

I am not too concerned about the heat. The electric fake fireplace is basically just an electric heater, hot air is vented out forward and not upwards.

The speaker is well away from the path of the heat anyways.

And I don't think I want to cut a big hole to put the speaker into the "mantle", though it would be cool, but then I can't take the speaker with me when I move! But then again I could always replace it with an in wall speaker later when I take my klipsch with me..


I'll post some pics..

I'll post some pics..

I have posted some pics, not the most ideal room.

As you can see my plasma will be mounted above the fireplace.

So where should my center speaker go? Centered above the fireplace opening?

I think either or will be fine. You could do it below and it would be ok. I also think above would be nice to. It may make you mantle look less cluttered. I would go above...

I think either or will be fine. You could do it below and it would be ok. I also think above would be nice to. It may make you mantle look less cluttered. I would go above...

My mantle right now has the speaker and a lot of junk sitting on top, but once everything's done it would be clean. BUt you think a speaker in front of the fireplace would make it cluttered?

Mount it to the top of the plasma?

Has anyone had setup a center speaker that high up from ear level, and that high up away from the left/right speakers? How do you tune for that?

Would sound placement be alright? Would it cause any gaps in the sound field?

I've a similar question. We are remodeling and installing a new plasma tv over a new electric fireplace. Should we mount the center channel speakers between the fireplace and the plasma for better sound and forego a mantel, or should we mount the center channel speaker above the plasma in order to get the tv as close as possible to eye level?

We haven't begun the remodeling process, so all options are available. BTW, all of the other speakers will be ceiling mounted.

I've a similar question. We are remodeling and installing a new plasma tv over a new electric fireplace. Should we mount the center channel speakers between the fireplace and the plasma for better sound and forego a mantel, or should we mount the center channel speaker above the plasma in order to get the tv as close as possible to eye level?

We haven't begun the remodeling process, so all options are available. BTW, all of the other speakers will be ceiling mounted.

If you are ceiling mounting the rest of your speakers, I'd just mount the center to the top of the plasma and put the plasma ontop of the mantle..

But for me I am putting my plasma as close to the mantle as it is already high enough.

Should I put my center below or above if the rest of my speakers will be on the floor at ear level on speaker stands?

The fact that it protrudes out due to the depth of the fireplace makes it a bit awkward..

I'm certainly no expert, but the spot you've identified makes sense to me.

I'm certainly no expert, but the spot you've identified makes sense to me.


The fact that it protrudes out due to the depth of the fireplace makes it a bit awkward.. thus why I even posted this question in the first place.

If I put it high above there will be a big height difference between the front speakers, but it's more aesthetically pleaseing, but will this give good sound imagery? I have no clue.....

The fact that it protrudes out due to the depth of the fireplace makes it a bit awkward.. thus why I even posted this question in the first place.

If I put it high above there will be a big height difference between the front speakers, but it's more aesthetically pleaseing, but will this give good sound imagery? I have no clue.....


anyone?

anyone?

Your spot is good, I'd place it a bit higher just below the mantle and above the elect fireplace. That would put the CC close to the right height.

I just would hate to take up the mantle with the center channel. Custom interior designers would try and find aqway to go below the mantle or above the plasma. Either way would be good but if you don't mind then just put it on the mantle...

center channel picture on mantle
just an idea as to what it would look like, the bottom of the plasma is 58 inches from the ground, this left just enough room for my ccs to fit, it works great for me.

I just would hate to take up the mantle with the center channel. Custom interior designers would try and find aqway to go below the mantle or above the plasma. Either way would be good but if you don't mind then just put it on the mantle...

It can't go on the mantle, the plasma sits very close to the surface of the mantle.

So that's why I asked if it look weird if I mount it under the mantle (and have it protrude out). I can't cut out a hole as I'd have to dig out the support beams for the fireplace and mantle top.

center channel picture on mantle
just an idea as to what it would look like, the bottom of the plasma is 58 inches from the ground, this left just enough room for my ccs to fit, it works great for me.

Do you find your plasma a bit too high?

And your mantle isn't as deep as mine..

I may be facing a very similar problem, so I'll chime in.

I agree that having it protrude out below the mantle would look awkward. Your fireplace does seem a bit shorter than the typical ones I've seen, but you've already stated that you don't want your plasma going any higher. So it seems to me that your ideal solution is to go high, although you're concerned about it having a negative impact on the sound quality. Unfortunately, I'm not audio expert so I can't give you an answer on this. All I can say is that I've seen countless setups with the centre speakers mounted above the television (heck, I may be forced to put all my fronts up on the ceiling). I know it's not the best solution, but since you mentioned that you will be moving, perhaps you should consider just settling on "good enough." Worry about getting that perfect home theater once you've found your permanent home. :)

Just for an additional option, my 7.1 receiver has a "virtual center channel" setting. It does quite a good job at recreating the center channel. Just a thought. I've tried it, and, in some cases, sounds even better :). Don't know why, but, it really works for me!