The center channel’s job is a tough one. The consensus is that around 75 percent of a movie’s content is routed to the center channel loudspeaker. Yet, the design criteria for center channels traditionally require that it fit as stealthily as possible around that big-box television, or that huge sheet of projection screen. The sound can’t go through your glass TV screen and projection screens are usually not acoustically transparent. Ideally, the sound should come from behind the image, through the screen as it does in the movie theaters. But while there are new options with acoustically transparent projection screens, this article will focus on the more traditional problem of what compromises result from the different approaches to center channel design.
Discuss "Vertical vs Horizontal Center Speaker Designs" here. Read the article.
Wow. I thought I was the only one concerned about this. First of all, not all vertically aligned MTM speakers sound good. And as much as the manufacturers claim (and most consumers seem not to care), good-sounding vertically-positioned MTMs don't sound as good horizontally positioned.
Hint.
Design a MTM speaker with a 'switch' to select it's desired positioning.
Last edited by placebo473 : 07-20-2007 at 07:17 PM.
I run my Paradigm Studio CC-590 vertically just because I cant find a entertainment system that I like that my center will fit in. It looks like it should work fine this way; thanks for the review.
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A bunch of Paradigm stuff, a big sub and a few amps.
My MTMs work fine either way, by design Only 8" in width with 5 1/4 drivers and they have no problems going well below 80Hz. They aren't exactly what most would call cheap though...
__________________ HT: Marantz SR-8300, 2X Audiosource Amp300, 5X GR Research A/V-2s, Adire Audio Tempest sub, Oppo BDP-83, RC2000MkII, Panamax 5100, Panamax Max2 sub, PS3 60G (dead) (250G) + 320G USB
Bedroom: Marantz PM-7200 Integrated, GR Research A/V-1s, Sony 222ES SACD, Denon 2900, RC3200 remote
Because you think so or becuse the manufacturer says so? They don't sound exactly the same (horizontal vs. vertical) that's for sure. By the way, are you refering to the GR Researchs?
Thank you Chris for that amazing article explaining the Issues with the compromising situation of having to use a horizontal center channel speaker.
I have always wanted to have an article to point people towards the problems that are inherent with a horizontal MTM layout, or a horizontal center channel speaker.
It was a extremely well written, and informative... I would really like to see how my Paradigm CC-690 would perform under these same testing conditions...
I find my sound stage to be pretty good and acceptable to me despite my buggered layout.... Best I could do with this scenario...
Because you think so or becuse the manufacturer says so? They don't sound exactly the same (horizontal vs. vertical) that's for sure. By the way, are you refering to the GR Researchs?
Yes, the GRs. The A/V-2s are good to about 30 degrees off axis both horizontally and vertically. Rather good compared to the average MTM. With my 4 degree tilt for the center thanks to the Auralex MoPads, you are pretty much sitting on axis for the center too.
__________________ HT: Marantz SR-8300, 2X Audiosource Amp300, 5X GR Research A/V-2s, Adire Audio Tempest sub, Oppo BDP-83, RC2000MkII, Panamax 5100, Panamax Max2 sub, PS3 60G (dead) (250G) + 320G USB
Bedroom: Marantz PM-7200 Integrated, GR Research A/V-1s, Sony 222ES SACD, Denon 2900, RC3200 remote
Fantastic article Chris. I am glad there are at least a few of us out there that aren't blind to this fundamental center-channel flaw.
I would love to see this test procedure get brought up during all your standard speaker reviews. Maybe if manufactures saw that people actually do care about the quality of the sound of their center channels off-axis, they would start making a better effort to come up with better designs. Actually, I know of one speaker designer that designed around this problem... Richard Vandersteen... and I am amazed that Audioholics has not done any reviews of his speakers!
It seems to me, that for a site that emphasizes performance and real-world value, that you guys would be big fans of his designs! Getting back to the topic at hand, his center-channel designs are all co-axial, avoiding any kind of lobing and other distortions common in horizontal center channels. Look them up. And no, I am not affiliated, just a big fan. Oh, and ignore the terribly bad, and outdated website, I promise, it does not reflect on the quality of their speakers!
Last edited by Clint DeBoer : 07-23-2007 at 10:12 AM.
Reason: Edited author name
I have just one comment, and let's please assume that I'm referring to mid- to large-sized, 2-way bookshelf speakers. Many of us who are also interested in reducing the problems associated with horizontal center channels, unfortunately can't place our speakers vertically due to space and/or rack constraints. However, a potential workaround would be to get a third "main" speaker, as proposed, and place it horizontally.
From what I've learned, my intuition is that such a horizontal TM configuration would be better than most MTM alternatives because of the absence of redundant horizontal drivers (except for the crossover region), as well as the fact that the 3 front speakers would be identical. Does this seem reasonable ?
Any comments on the above considerations would be highly appreciated !
Vertical vs Horizontal Center Speaker Designs
Only 8" in width with 5 1/4 drivers and they have no problems going well below 80Hz. They aren't exactly what most would call cheap though...
Linear Mode
