Center speaker above or below?

[Tryon]

This might have been brought up in other threads, but for I couldn't easily find an answer.

I am in the process of rebuilding my HT system. Here is what I have so far or am in the process of getting.
Sony KDE50XBR950 50-in plasma
Sony AV Rec...(To be replaced next month with the Yam RX-V2600)
Sony DVD payer
Klipsch Synergy SLX Speakers (3) left, right and center
OLD Sony HT system in a box Satellite Speakers for Rear (to be replaced with Klipsch Synergy S-1,S-2, or S-3 in 11/05)
CADENCE XSUB-12 350 WATT ACTIVE POWERED SUBWOOFER (UPS tracking says it will arrive today)
Custome Media Center PC
etc...

Now for my question. The center of my TV is mounted about 4 1/2 to 5 feet off the floor. I have heard different options about where to mount the center speaker. Should I mount it above the TV and angle it down or should I mount it under it and leave the speaker off to have a direct "line of sight" to the couch.

Thanks for any help.

 

[hopjohn]

My advice would be to use whichever position will most closely align the tweeter of the center channel to that of the left and right channels. This should provide the smoothest transition of the high frequencies between channels.

 

[bpape]

There are a couple different theories on this.

One says put it above since your ear does a poorer job of pinpointing sources above you than below you.

The other says put it where it is closest to the same distance from your ear.

Both of those would point to putting it above. That said, putting it closer in a horizontal line with the L and R speaker also has merit for smoother panning. If your main left and right are floorstanders (normal height) I'd put it below. If they're wall mounted or mounted at screen center height (or close), I'd put it above.

 

[Francious70]

Listen to the speaker in both positions and permanently put it in the place that you thing it sounds best in.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

All of that is great advice. The less of an angle to your listening position, the better IMO.

 

[majorloser]

Another thing to remember is whether you have more than one row of seating. Sometimes a lower installation will be blocked by the front rows of seats. If you mount the speaker above, you can always flip the speaker so the tweater is on the bottom. In a perfect world (I don't live there) the center channel should be in the center of the screen. Put the speaker in a position where the tweater is closest to the center.

Whatever you decide, it still has to look good and make the wife happy

 

[Tryon]

Thanks for the advice, I went ahead and mounted it below the TV. Take a look and let me know what you think.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14261

 

[majorloser]

LOOKS SWEET!

The speakers and the plasma look great. Don't sweat the component stuff now. Let us know when you get the rears installed and post pictures.

 

[QED]

Which is better?

I was planning on putting my center below, but I'm having second thoughts after sketching this up...

Any comments?

 

[AVRat]

My speaker positions and alignments are similar to #1 and work very nice. The sound image is fixed on the screen.

 

[Buckle-meister]

Controversial comment

My own centre is below the projected image as opposed to above it. I reckon your picture on the right just looks more natural.

Regards

 

[tonester]

I put my center below my 50" RPTV on a DIY stand. It's angled up towards the sweet spot. I can post an image for you if you like.

tony

 

[Paulvader]

I have to go above...but I think it'll look pretty cool...here's an old pic, I still haven't done too much to the attic since we moved in...(I'd like to think that the dining room can wait, hunny) ohhhhhh I'd love to say that to her!!!
My idea is to suspend my centre from the ceiling (which is about 6 1/2' high in the attic) using 4 steel cables (not thick) and having the centre speaker sit on a piece of melamine just above the television. There is a window directly behind the t.v. and my wife is planning a black velvet curtain along the wall so the speaker may not even show too much...the centre is on the floor for now...should I worry about the speaker and any vibrations or such from having it suspended? It just hit me...

 

[QED]

LOL...I used to have those exact same chairs!