2. home-theater
  3. 1016573829

Using two speakers for the center channel

I has checking to see if anybody has ever used two speakers for the center channel in a HT setup. I have Phase Tech PC 3.1 as center with Phase Tech PC 9.1 as front mains. I would like to use a 9.1 as a center, it is just to big. I was thinking of using two(2) 3.1's as a center channel and either placing the speakers along the top of the tv or split the vertically and have one on top and one below the screen. Same amp on both speakers, using a y cable to split the center signal.

I have a Bryston 9b and a 2ch Denon POA-2400a 2x200 amp. I was thinking of using the Denon as a center channel amp and using the extra channel of the Bryston for a future 6.1 setup. And use a sound level meter to dial everything in.

Thanks
Marty
marty9876
ljgj
955 posts
 
I use two M&K speakers - one above and one below - sounds great - my yamaha integrated Ht amp DSP -1 has two center outputs so i didn't have to split.
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porschecab
336 posts
 
Here is another link to the same type of question:http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1016436431&openflup&2&4#2
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
The dispersion pattern of a given speaker can be very narrow.(Some) So, 2, side by side;in these cases makes all the difference.
hager_charles
51 posts
 
It's definately a case that my buddy and I have debated for a while now. We were using a pair of ATC Active 20's or Active 50's for the center channel. One on each side of the screen makes for an amazing image of the voices coming out of the direct center of the screen, which can only otherwise be achieved w/ a perforated screen for people w/ projectors. Futhermore, the stereo-mono signal also gives the speaker a sense of depth and imaging. Personally I love the effect and my buddy actually installed a few home theaters with the dual center as you described.

My buddy spoke to Billy Woodman, the president and chief designer of ATC about this. Billy completely agreed with the concept and did a lot of testing and measuring with it as well. In the end, the frequency cancelling as a result of the node intersection will degrade the sound quality too much to want to pursue.

This is a major reason why all center channel speakers, and speakers for that matter, only have 1 tweeter and 1 midrange. The new WEGG 3's from William Eggleston have 5 tweeters, but when you research more closely, there is 1 primary tweeter and the others are stepped futher away from the listener and play at lower decibles....

Cheers.
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