Center Channel Placement Delima

[LittleKing]

My wife and I are slowing getting our home theater system together. We bought our reciever and HDTV, and we are now saving to upgrade or speakers. After getting the TV a question came to mind, how to we place the center channel. The Front L/R speakers will be towers so they are on the floor, the surrounds will probably be on stands, but the center channel I'm not sure what to do with it.

The TV we bought is the JVC D-ILA 52". Of course the exact TV doesn't make a difference, but the type does (not D-ILA, but shallow depth). Since it doesn't have a top to it, how do you guys place your center channel. I suppose I could place it on the top shelf of the TV stand, but that would make it pretty low. I'm just wondering what others are doing for their center channel placement in this case?

If you need further explaination, let me know. I'll try to remember to post a picture when I get off work this evening, but no promises.

LK

 

[Lincoln]

You really want the center to be no more the 24" higher or lower then the main speakers. Does either above or below the the screen get you near or below a 24" differential???

 

[LittleKing]

Without being at home to measure, I'd say below is about 18 inches to 20 inches. I have plenty of room above (which is where I'd prefer to put it), but the problem is the TV doesn't have a "shelf" on top. Since it is not a CRT-RPTV, the top is about 1 to 2 inches deep which obviously wouldn't hold a speakers (or anything).

One main reason I wouldn't want to put the speaker below the TV (on the top shelf of the stand) is because it would take up precious component space. Right now we'd be okay, but once we add a CD/DVD changer a Cable/DirecTV box there wouldn't be room for all of it.

I suppose we'll figure out something when we buy our speakers, but just wanted some insite from others on what they do. I guess we could build a shelf over the TV, but my wife probably wouldn't go for that.

 

[Lincoln]

I assume that your TV is about 16" deep??? Does it drop straight off in the back or does taper like most non-flat panel sets??? Could you have a shelf built that rests on top of the TV??? Something where the front of the shelf rests on the front/top edge of the TV with longer legs at the back to rest on the structure of the back of set (I think this would look better then attaching a shelf to wall behind the TV)??? My center channel has a leg that attaches to the back that is adjustable for lower back panels on many sets but you would need more then just this b/c of the small shelf area on the top of the set.

 

[Leprkon]

check out this thread... about halfway down, Ray from RLA has a great suggestion to handle the problem.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7980

 

[WoodieB]

center channel shelf

Also, Omnimount has a center channel shelf that will fit almost any tv. I have it mounted on a Sony 55" LCD RPTV which also slopes off very steeply. The Omnimount shelf has adjustable legs that will conform to most any profile, and will hold up to 30 lb. Works great with my Axiom VP150 center channel speaker, and it only cost around 30 bucks.