Center Channel Speaker Wall Mount?

[audiofox]

Due to layout constraints (the center of my pull-down projector screen is in front of a door to my garage), I plan to mount my center channel above the projection screen, which will put it about 7 feet off the ground. I evaluated the possibility of a floor stand, but I will have to move it out of the way on a regular basis to get access to the door, which is obviously not a very desirable situation. I obviously need to angle the speaker toward the listening position, which is 14 feet away and will allow me to have a relatively shallow tilt angle (from horizontal). I plan to use a TV wall mount for the speaker since it is somewhat heavy and since nobody appears to make a suitable wall mount specifically designed for a center channel speaker. Has anyone else had this issue, and if so, what was your solution? BTW, am aware of the non-optimum position of the center speaker relative to the mains, but I want to at least try this option in hopes I can avoid the floor solution and its inherent problems. TIA

 

[Jack Hammer]

Due to layout constraints (the center of my pull-down projector screen is in front of a door to my garage), I plan to mount my center channel above the projection screen, which will put it about 7 feet off the ground. I evaluated the possibility of a floor stand, but I will have to move it out of the way on a regular basis to get access to the door, which is obviously not a very desirable situation. I obviously need to angle the speaker toward the listening position, which is 14 feet away and will allow me to have a relatively shallow tilt angle (from horizontal). I plan to use a TV wall mount for the speaker since it is somewhat heavy and since nobody appears to make a suitable wall mount specifically designed for a center channel speaker. Has anyone else had this issue, and if so, what was your solution? BTW, am aware of the non-optimum position of the center speaker relative to the mains, but I want to at least try this option in hopes I can avoid the floor solution and its inherent problems. TIA

Have you looked at Omnimounts? You should be able to find a 20lb adjustable wall mount for around $30 delivered. Or a 30lb for around $60. They also offer ceiling mounts, but depending on your ceiling height, those may not work well for you. I use the ceiling mounts for my center and rear surrounds (6'10" ceiling). My center is 16lbs and its rock solid. I also use the wall mounts for my 12lb surrounds with no problems. Just make sure to put the mount into a wall stud.

Or for a cheaper idea. buy a couple of shelf brackets and a small section of shelving and put the speaker on that. Then use some rubber doorstops to angle it. Should look nice and only run about $10 for everything.

Jack

 

[MDS]

I think the TV wall mount idea is perfect. If you can secure it to a stud it will be much stronger than any speaker mounts. Most of the ones I've seen also have a little lip at the front and that would keep the speaker from falling forward when you angle the mount toward the listening position.

Rubber door stops to angle the speaker downward will work of course but if it were me I would spend $30 and buy the Auralex MoPads. They are designed for just that purpose and also provide some vibration dampening.

 

[audiofox]

FYI-I decided to go with a Peerless ST630P LCD tilting wall mount for my center channel speaker-it has a shallow profile, tiltis up to 15 degrees, holds up to 80 lb and costs around $25. The CRT wall mounts would hold the speaker a bit farther away from the wall, but not enough to avoid use of the port plug on my Dynaudio C120 center channel speaker, so I went for a cleaner look. The Peerless bracket also has a separate plate that can be mounted to the speaker so the assembly can then easily be hooked onto the separate wall bracket. I will probably drill through holes into the speaker back rather than use threaded inserts, since a bolt through the speaker wall is much stronger. I'm now on the lookout for a similar bracket with pivot capability for my surround and rear channel speakers-LCD mounts can support much more weight than typical speaker wall mounts and have the same configurability at about the same cost.

 

[Johnd]

You didn't mention how heavy the center is. I have used standard swivel mounts in conjunction with coarse thread screws (short, of course) and a healthy dose of polyurethane glue (good stuff). The wood fibre will delaminate before polyurethane releases. It sounds like your Peerless will work just fine.

 

[audiofox]

The C120 weighs around 26 lb. Do you use the glue in the screw holes on between the bracket and the speaker? I suppose I could also use silicone sealant (between the bracket and the speaker) in conjunction with screws, which could be cleaned off a bit easier if I decide to sell the speaker in the future.

 

[Johnd]

Silicone really won't work as it doesn't have a fraction of the holding power of urethane, which will soak into the pores of the wood (but unfortunately, not the plastic or steel). I just spread it on the face of the bracket before fastening it to the back of the speaker.