Custom Seas Loki Center Channel Possibilities? (TLS Guy, are you out there?)

[Team_Jacko]

Hello all DIY Audioholics out there!

Long time lurker and first time poster looking for some advice here, I am looking for a center channel solution for my home theater. I currently have Zaph's SR-71s for my fronts and surrounds and I was thinking about building the "Blackbird Center Channel" seen here:

Build Thread: SR71-inspired Center Channel

However, I am reconsidering because of the abundance of posts by TLS Guy and other recommendations on the net regarding lobbing issues and how well the Loki kit works as a center.

example:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/74211-center-channel-help-b-w-setup-but-htm61-auditioned-poorly-2.html

I was thinking about a center channel very similar to TLS Guy's but I would like to put it under my TV, in a horizontal configuration.

Questions:

Is the dual coax a wise choice (one tweeter disabled) in a TL cab?

Should I just stick with the Blackbird?

Should I just go for the stock Loki kit? Also, if I go with the stock Loki kit will I have to modify the corssover?




Thank you for any input!

 

[Swerd]

Welcome to AH!

If it were my choice, I'd go with the Blackbird over the Seas Loki kit. Zaph knows what he's doing.

I think it comes down to choosing which design produces better overall sound in practice: a 2-way designed and tested for placement on its side, or the coaxial design with a theoretical advantage in lobing.

I understand the Loki is not a single driver, it has a coaxially mounted tweeter, but please read Dennis Murphy's answer to a question about a single-driver speaker: http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/loudspeakers/84660-single-driver-speakers.html

 

[lsiberian]

Zaph knows what he is doing and so does TLS. I would build a Loki center channel if I were forced to go horizontal, but I think it's best to get a standard speaker for the center. You can mount TVs on the wall now and put the speakers underneath.

 

[Swerd]

I never meant to imply that TLS Guy does not know what he's doing .

What I really meant to say was:

Zaph knows what he is doing, and because he also designed your SR-71s, the Blackbird is likely to be a closer match.

 

[lsiberian]

I never meant to imply that TLS Guy does not know what he's doing .

Well we know he only likes to drink beer in Suffolk.

The Blackbird is certainly a closer match, but you can get a SR-71.