Single center channel or twin bookshelves in the same position?

[Chopper Greg]

Which would be better, a single center channel, or twin bookshelf speakers in the same position.

In terms of drivers, they would have the same number of 5 1/4" woofers, but the number of 1" tweeters with the twin bookshelves, would increase by 1.

In terms of price, it's a $25 increase for the bookshelves.

In terms of Impedance, the center channel is a 6 ohms and the bookshelves are 8 ohms.

Am I wrong in thinking that the twin bookshelves would be better at spreading the sound across the center position?

 

[njedpx3]

Which would be better, a single center channel, or twin bookshelf speakers in the same position.

In terms of drivers, they would have the same number of 5 1/4" woofers, but the number of 1" tweeters with the twin bookshelves, would increase by 1.

In terms of price, it's a $25 increase for the bookshelves.

In terms of Impedance, the center channel is a 6 ohms and the bookshelves are 8 ohms.

Am I wrong in thinking that the twin bookshelves would be better at spreading the sound across the center position?

I would go with the center channel for the simple reason if you use two bookshelves connected to the center speaker output you in effect are putting two 8 ohm speakers in parallel making the effective impedance 4 ohms which requires double the power. The center speaker is mainly for movie and Tv dialog, making the 5 1/4" speakers more dominate than the 1" tweeters.

Forest Man

 

[fredk]

How are you going to align the speakers? If you put two bookshelves side by side, you may actually get worse horizontal sound dispersion/comb filtering.

If they are one on top of the other, it may improve horizontal dispersion.

I have my bookshelves set up with one above and one below the display. This works very well as it anchors the dialog on screen perfectly both vertically and horizontally, no matter where you sit.

 

[Chopper Greg]

That's actually part of the initial problem that leads me to consider 2 side by side bookshelves ( slightly toe out ) vs. 1 center on end.

The center in the vertical plane will deliver better than the the center in the horizontal plane, but then it starts to intrude on the TV - OTOH, the tweeter on the center will be on the same plane as the woofers, if it's horizontal - and I was thinking that the side by side bookshelves, would at least keep the tweeters out of the same horizontal plane as the woofers and be shorter that the center on end.

 

[jostenmeat]

That's actually part of the initial problem that leads me to consider 2 side by side bookshelves ( slightly toe out ) vs. 1 center on end.

The center in the vertical plane will deliver better than the the center in the horizontal plane, but then it starts to intrude on the TV - OTOH, the tweeter on the center will be on the same plane as the woofers, if it's horizontal - and I was thinking that the side by side bookshelves, would at least keep the tweeters out of the same horizontal plane as the woofers and be shorter that the center on end.

No.

Sure, not having the tweeter on the same horiz plane as the woofer would be ideal. But, this is not even close to the biggest issue here.

Firstly, on the typical horiz mtm center, it's that the TWO WOOFERS are playing the EXACT same stuff, WHILE in the same horiz plane. This is what creates significant lobing in the horiz plane.

Now, two bookshelves, vertically, side by side, playing the same stuff, not only gives you lobing between the woofers, but now you also have lobing between the tweeters!

The extent of lobing, at least to the extent that the human can easily detect, will depend on both the xover point between tweeter and woofers, as well as the distance between the woofers. The closer these woofers are, the less offensive lobing will be.

You've got it all wrong. My advice would be: instead of thinking of two speakers, think of one single better speaker. Yes, there are some bookshelves that are so bad out there, that a horiz mtm still sounds better, given the typical angle of listener to the center speaker. Concentrate on finding good speakers, first of all. That is my 2 cents.

 

[Chopper Greg]

No.


You've got it all wrong. My advice would be: instead of thinking of two speakers, think of one single better speaker. Yes, there are some bookshelves that are so bad out there, that a horiz mtm still sounds better, given the typical angle of listener to the center speaker. Concentrate on finding good speakers, first of all. That is my 2 cents.

That's fair enough, what I was considering was the E5Bi bookshelf speakers out of the EMP line up vs. their E5Ci center channel.

 

[MatthewB.]

jostenmeat is correct, you will have severe lobing (as well as cancellation) issues by using dual centers, just use one and keep the extra as a backup.

 

[Chopper Greg]

jostenmeat is correct, you will have severe lobing (as well as cancellation) issues by using dual centers, just use one and keep the extra as a backup.

You mean dual bookshelf in the center position, don't you?

That is what I was considering vs. a single center speaker.