Phantom Center

[TechToys2]

Is there a rule of thumb for when a phantom center is better than using a center channel (e.g., if the L&R are less than a certain distance apart)? I've been looking at a new, larger TV to replace the one in this pic, and if used on its stand the center channel will block the screen. The wall that everything is on is only 7 feet long so the speakers are only maybe 6 feet from each other.

There are potential issues with mounting the TV, so I'm trying to decide if I should just go with a. phantom center.

 

[Pogre]

You could paint a block of wood black and set your tv on it. Looks like you only need to raise it a little bit. Otherwise phantom should work just fine too. That one is easy to test. Just turn your center off in the speaker settings and see how it sounds. If you play with your speaker toe-in that can help bring the center image into focus too.

But yeah, I'd just find something to put under the monitor and raise it up a couple of inches.

*Edit: It might not hurt to tilt your center up a little bit too. Try to aim the tweeter up so it points at your head at ear height.

 

[TechToys2]

You could paint a block of wood black and set your tv on it. Looks like you only need to raise it a little bit. Otherwise phantom should work just fine too. That one is easy to test. Just turn your center off in the speaker settings and see how it sounds. If you play with your speaker toe-in that can help bring the center image into focus too.

But yeah, I'd just find something to put under the monitor and raise it up a couple of inches.

Thanks. The pic is my current set and the screen is only blocked a fraction, so not a big deal. A newer set would be much lower on a stand and wouldn't have bezels so much more of it would be covered. I would have to build a stand to raise it about 6 inches.

 

[Hetfield]

You could paint a block of wood black and set your tv on it. Looks like you only need to raise it a little bit. Otherwise phantom should work just fine too. That one is easy to test. Just turn your center off in the speaker settings and see how it sounds. If you play with your speaker toe-in that can help bring the center image into focus too.

But yeah, I'd just find something to put under the monitor and raise it up a couple of inches.

*Edit: It might not hurt to tilt your center up a little bit too. Try to aim the tweeter up so it points at your head at ear height.

I used door stops to do this very thing, tilt my center up just a tad to my ears.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[TechToys2]

*Edit: It might not hurt to tilt your center up a little bit too. Try to aim the tweeter up so it points at your head at ear height.

Will give this a shot too. Thanks.

 

[shadyJ]

To make a phantom center work, you MUST be listening at a location equidistant from the speakers, so you have to be in the sweet spot right between them. Off too much to one side, and the imaging collapses to the speaker that you are closest to.

 

[ryanosaur]

I agree with Pogre in that getting the TV raised up a bit would be the path I would choose. If the Mains were more dynamic like towers can be, I would say you could probably rock the Phantom. May work with your standmounts, too.
Some blue museum putty and some peices of 4x6 spray painted satin black is all it would take, from the sound of it.

One note... make certain you know where the Remote sensor is... my Center interferes with it... have to hold my remote at nose level to get any traction.

 

[Pogre]

Thanks. The pic is my current set and the screen is only blocked a fraction, so not a big deal. A newer set would be much lower on a stand and wouldn't have bezels so much more of it would be covered. I would have to build a stand to raise it about 6 inches.

I don't know if this would work with your new tv, it depends on the feet, but here's what I did with an older setup I had.

I had a spare chunk of 4" x 6" lumber leftover from a project. I cut 2 lengths and stained them black. I don't think it looked too shabby and it was a cheap solution.

 

[ryanosaur]

I had a spare chunk of 4" x 6" lumber leftover from a project. I cut 2 lengths and stained them black. I don't think it looked too shabby and it was a cheap solution.

Great minds, Baby!

 

[Pogre]

I used door stops to do this very thing, tilt my center up just a tad to my ears.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

I've used doorstop when I had a regular center channel too. It's like they were made for it!

*Edit- You can see them in that pic!

 

[Hetfield]

I've used doorstop when I had a regular center channel too. It's like they were made for it!

I saw it suggests somewhere, maybe here on Audioholics. Cheap and worked out perfectly.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[TechToys2]

I don't know if this would work with your new tv, it depends on the feet, but here's what I did with an older setup I had.

View attachment 44881

I had a spare chunk of 4" x 6" lumber leftover from a project. I cut 2 lengths and stained them black. I don't think it looked too shabby and it was a cheap solution.

Yeah, looks good. Unfortunately I'm looking at an LG OLED and the stand is long and horizontal.

BTW, where did you get the AV stand and how wide is it (assuming you still have it)?

 

[Hetfield]

I use Echogear TV feet to lift my 75R635 up so my center would fit underneath. Worked out excellent, is very sturdy and was inexpensive.

Universal TV Legs For TVs Up to 77" - EGAV-RTVF1

ECHOGEAR TV mounts and accessories are top rated on Amazon, and ready to upgrade your gear. From full motion TV mounts to sound bar mounts, we’ve got your back.

www.echogear.com

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[TechToys2]

To make a phantom center work, you MUST be listening at a location equidistant from the speakers, so you have to be in the sweet spot right between them. Off too much to one side, and the imaging collapses to the speaker that you are closest to.

Would work for one person then, but an issue when watching with my wife.

 

[Pogre]

Yeah, looks good. Unfortunately I'm looking at an LG OLED and the stand is long and horizontal.

BTW, where did you get the AV stand and how wide is it (assuming you still have it)?

I can't remember where I got that... and no, I don't have it anymore. I wanna say it was 52" wide, give or take. If I were looking for one today I'd probably head over American Furniture Warehouse out here in the Phoenix area. Best Buy might have some choices too iirc.

 

[Pogre]

I use Echogear TV feet to lift my 75R635 up so my center would fit underneath. Worked out excellent, is very sturdy and was inexpensive.

Universal TV Legs For TVs Up to 77" - EGAV-RTVF1

ECHOGEAR TV mounts and accessories are top rated on Amazon, and ready to upgrade your gear. From full motion TV mounts to sound bar mounts, we’ve got your back.

www.echogear.com

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

That's not a bad idea either.

 

[Hetfield]

That's not a bad idea either.

Its excellent to be honest. Even a spas like me installed it. Just the perfect height for my RSL CG23 center.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[lovinthehd]

I use Echogear TV feet to lift my 75R635 up so my center would fit underneath. Worked out excellent, is very sturdy and was inexpensive.

Universal TV Legs For TVs Up to 77" - EGAV-RTVF1

ECHOGEAR TV mounts and accessories are top rated on Amazon, and ready to upgrade your gear. From full motion TV mounts to sound bar mounts, we’ve got your back.

www.echogear.com

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

Never saw those before! That is perfect for one of my situations where the stock stand just isn't the right dimensions....

 

[TechToys2]

I use Echogear TV feet to lift my 75R635 up so my center would fit underneath. Worked out excellent, is very sturdy and was inexpensive.

Universal TV Legs For TVs Up to 77" - EGAV-RTVF1

ECHOGEAR TV mounts and accessories are top rated on Amazon, and ready to upgrade your gear. From full motion TV mounts to sound bar mounts, we’ve got your back.

www.echogear.com

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

This looks like it could be perfect if it's stable for a 65 inch TV (and it seems to be).

 

[lovinthehd]

Of course now that I know what to search for I see a few similar solutions.....but thanks in any case!