Center Channel Speaker

[fblittle]

I am setting up a new Home Theatre. I bought 3 sets of JBL in wall speakers (HTI-8) and a set of off brand 8" in wall speakers on e-bay. I want to know what to do about the center channel? My plan is to take one or two of the JBLs and use them for a center channel. If I use only one I will have an odd one left, what a waste of a JBL, so I really want to use both without overpowering the L and R channels. I have heard that the center channel should be similar to the L and R channels, so that they have the same timbre. Therefore, doesn't that mean that I need to use a JBL for the Center Channel? The off brand set I have planned for the rear sperkers. I also have a subwoofer planned for one of the front corners. I bought a Yamaha RX-V661 receiver to drive the bunch.

[Fred Sanford]

I am setting up a new Home Theatre. I bought 3 sets of JBL in wall speakers (HTI-8) and a set of off brand 8" in wall speakers on e-bay. I want to know what to do about the center channel? My plan is to take one or two of the JBLs and use them for a center channel. If I use only one I will have an odd one left, what a waste of a JBL, so I really want to use both without overpowering the L and R channels. I have heard that the center channel should be similar to the L and R channels, so that they have the same timbre. Therefore, doesn't that mean that I need to use a JBL for the Center Channel? The off brand set I have planned for the rear sperkers. I also have a subwoofer planned for one of the front corners. I bought a Yamaha RX-V661 receiver to drive the bunch.

So, you have 6 JBLs total, plus a pair of another brand? You're looking for 5.1 ultimately? I'd use 5 of the JBLs and keep one as a spare, myself- that's what I've done with JBL L46s in my basement theater. Keeps me from stressing if something goes south, and keeps the sound consistent.

Get another amp, and run the no-name in-walls as a Zone B in another room!

Two center speakers can add some issues, if I went that way I'd disconnect one of the tweeters and try to get the working tweeter as close to center (over or under the screen) as possible. There's also an adjustment in the RX-V series to lower the volume of the center channel to make up for the lower impedance of two center channels in parallel.

Experiment with sub placement, a corner location will likely be very efficient at certain frequencies, sometimes that's an un-natural sound.

je

[mmartin0007]

You don't really need anything special for a center channel with exception if the speaker placement will be close the the TV, it (center speaker) must be shielded. Use the JBL and keep a spare like mentioned above. You will like the Yamaha, we have a RXV2600 that is outstanding for the surround!

[fblittle]

I really intended to make a 7.1 system. I know that there in almost nothing out there encoded in 7.1, but the system is 7.1 and for the future I expect that there will be more 7.1 material. I had planned to use the off brand speakers as the 2 rear channels, with side left, side right, front left, front right, and center as the JBLs.

My Home Theater is out in my Shop. I have taken the rear corner of my 30 X 50 building and built an office in it that is 24 X 16 X 10 on the outside, so a little less on the inside. It is seperate from the house so I really don't have to worry about the noise, or any WAFs. I also have 5 acres and it is in the middle so I don't have to worry about the neighbors either. It's called "The Dog House".

Does the Center channel need shielding if I use a LCD TV? Shielding is for the CRT isn't it?

[gyusher]

Does the Center channel need shielding if I use a LCD TV? Shielding is for the CRT isn't it?

not at all. . .

CRT/s yes, LCD no

Don't kid yourself the center gets around 80% of the program material so use one you like. I would pay more attention to how it sounds to your ears. Also wise to match effeciency levels. Makes it easier to setup.

You might get lucky as I did and find a speaker that might be meant for somewhere else that knocks your socks off at center.

[Face]

If your mains image well from the listening position, a center isn't needed. I've been running a phantom center for about 2 months now with no regrets.

[fblittle]

If your mains image well from the listening position, a center isn't needed. I've been running a phantom center for about 2 months now with no regrets.
:scratch2:
Forgive the ignorance. I am kind or a nubie. I have been reading a lot, but I have not heard of a Phantom center before.

How do you set up a Phantom center, and what exactly is it?

[Face]

Phantom Center=no center speaker.

The information is sent to the mains instead. If your mains image well, a phantom center can sound great.

[RadShak1251]

Need to clarify something for any other newbies out there :):

To produce a phantom center, you have to program the receiver to allow that to happen (go to speaker set-up menu). Just leaving off the center speaker itself will only result in all that information going unheard.

Phantom centers work great when the front main speakers are placed to either side of the monitor i.e. not far below and definitely not in the ceiling. Anyway, unless the speakers are real junk, when you're seated roughly in between them, center sounds will emanate from in between the speakers. Though with in-wall speakers this may not work quite as well as with free-standing speakers, but I have no personal experience with that, just others' experiences.

BTW: I am running a phantom center now for almost 7 years. To my ears most systems with center speakers sound too "pinpoint-ey" which sounds unnatural to me.

[Face]

It depends on the receiver or pre/pro.

With my HK and now my Mac, just disabling the center(center=none) turns the feature on.