DIY center channel

[FNG212]

I was watching Battlestar: Galactica last night on DVD and started to wonder about my speakers, for the first time.

My favorite scenes from a sonic standpoint are the viper fighter scenes. Usually the background music is timmpany and bass drum scores for drama. Also they model the fighter's main gun sound as if you're hearing it through the machine itself so its a very deep "wump wump wump" as the guns fire. Anyone who has seen the show knows what I'm talking about, anyone who hasn't should watch it. I don't know if I had the volume too low or if my speakers are weak but the drums just felt thin and transparent. I am going to retest the scene tonight but it got me started thinking about DIY mains/center.

I have yet to complete the Kappa build but feel confident about it. While doing some reading about DIY mains it's obvious there is a lot more that goes into it than a sub.

My goal is more authority out of the main channel. My crossover is set to 90Hz so the center was probably handling the timmpany drums but maybe not the bass drums. I have not felt that dialogue was thin or lacking but those freqs on the boarder need more depth I think.

My initial idea (for the center) was a 2-way (?) MTM with 5"/1" drivers (no clue which drivers though) and a 3-way 5-driver array (is that right?) with 6"/3"/1" drivers.

From what I gather the 3-way will be much more complicated, but I am confident in my circuitry skills to attempt it.

Am I even on the right track? I would build floor standing towers to go with it since the front three should match but I am most concerned about the center since something like 70% comes from it.

Thanks again.

 

[FNG212]

Not letting me edit

Update: I wanted to mention the standard listening volume is about -35dB to -25dB on my receiver, not sure what actual SPL is though. At that level either the speakers or the TV starts rattling/vibrating during explosions.

I replayed the scene a couple more times turning up the volume and changing listening modes on the receiver to see if that helped. It didnt do much. Maybe its the source, but I doubt it.

Maybe I'm wrong but I figured those drums and gun ships should have some power behind them. Maybe I need an amp, who knows, but I won't be listening at much louder volume. Is it even possible to get what I want at the volumes I'm accustomed to?

Thanks.

 

[lsiberian]

I suggest the loki coaxial kit for any center channel build. Designing a good center with standard drivers is not my idea of simple and is not a good starting DIY project.

Try the LR channels first. For these take a look at the recession buster kit at madisound, or the recession destroyer at parts-express.

I suggest a 2-way with a small sub bottom. You would power and crossover the small sub bottom separately. This is much simpler and will give you a bunch of options.

I am using 8" jl audio subs to complete my 3-way

 

[DD66000]

A horizontal mtm center is not a good idea. Going with vertical aligned 3-way or a horizontal 3-way that has the tm vertically aligned is best.

You want to go with dual 6" in a hor. 3-way, or a single 8" for a vertical center.

Of coarse those drivers need to be matched to the L/R mains.

 

[Guiria]

Do some searches here for diy center channels, there are some healthy discussions. if you are looking for more impact I would also recommend using atleast 6 inch drivers in your center and staying away from horizontally placed mtm's. If you don't have a woofer tester and crossover building software I would recommend building a well documented design online. There are several.