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Using bookshelf speakers for centers?

490 Views 12 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Trebor Pyn, Feb 23, 2005

WERA689

Discussion Starter · Feb 20, 2005

Currently, I am using 4 "vintage" A/D/S speakers for my mains and surrounds, but, since they are no longer the same company, I've been using a Cambridge Newton 500 center.

Now I've come across a pair of smaller A/D/S bookshelf speakers, and I'm wondering how they'd work as a center channel "team". I mean, splitting the center channel signal to 2 mono amps, and placing both bookshelfs vertically on top of the RPTV as a sort of "stereo center channel".

Any ideas about how well (or poorly) this might work? (aside from the possibility of magnetic interference from an unshielded speaker, that is)

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WERA689

Discussion Starter · #2 · Feb 21, 2005

Really? Nobody has any idea? I've read of dispersion issues, etc......

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Kid Red

· #3 · Feb 21, 2005

Interesting idea. Why not just use one? I assume if you set them to small, it doesn't matter if you use one or if you use two. You'd wire them parallel or series I guess. I think the timber matching would definitely be worthy. Also, you can try it with just one, and use the second as a surround back for 6.1

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WERA689

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 21, 2005

Timbre matching is the main reason I'm thinking of doing this. I'm just not sure whether the timbre match would be offset by the dispersion "issues"....and *that* is why I'm thinking that two--toed out--might take care of all that. I'm just wondering if anyone else has tried this sort of thing and what kind of results they got.

Also, I don't have 6.1 processing in my B&K Ref20.

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Kal Rubinson

· #5 · Feb 21, 2005

Using 2, toed-out or separated will create imaging/phase problems. Use one.

Kal

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WERA689

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 21, 2005

Vertically, as designed, or horizontally? And thanks for the advice...

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rynberg

· #7 · Feb 22, 2005

As Kal said, do not run two center channels. Also, you are most likely going to have a rough time avoiding magnetic interference issues.

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Kid Red

· #8 · Feb 22, 2005

Not if he has a LCD or DLP. The shielding would only be needed on a CRT display.

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Kal Rubinson

· #9 · Feb 22, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by WERA689
Vertically, as designed, or horizontally? And thanks for the advice...

One, vertically, as designed.

Kal

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Trebor Pyn

· #10 · Feb 22, 2005

What possible"horrors" am i setting myself up for if i use 2 Polk R15's,horizontal,tweeter to tweeter,as a center sitting atop my display?

Mains are Polk vintage Monitor 5's

I am using one of the R15's as a center at the moment and thought i would "gain" in using the other i already have.

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Kal Rubinson

· #11 · Feb 22, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by Trebor Pyn
What possible"horrors" am i setting myself up for if i use 2 Polk R15's,horizontal,tweeter to tweeter,as a center sitting atop my display?

1. Some cancellations due to interaction between the drivers reproducing the same signals and separated in space.

2. Poor dispersion in both planes.

Kal

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WERA689

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 22, 2005

Thanks, Kal. Good info, as I've come to expect from this forum. Glad you're here!

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Trebor Pyn

· #13 · Feb 23, 2005

{1. Some cancellations due to interaction between the drivers reproducing the same signals and separated in space.

2. Poor dispersion in both planes.}

And right you are.

It was horrible.If i sat in the now very narrow sweet spot it sounded just like the one speaker i had been using.Very good.

If i tilted my head either direction i would get this effect of center sound coming from the opposite side i was leaning too.

I am much happier with the single center speaker with the Tweeter set off center.The dialog is anchored to the screen regardless of where i sit.

I guess i just have an extra speaker for parts(or the ever elusive "overhead center channel"matrix)

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