HELP: Using SBS-01 as a center channel

[WallisH]

Because of WAF issues, I'm having to go with a small center channel speaker for my 5.1 system. I am getting SBS-01s for my bookshelves, and am also planning to use an SBS-01 for my center (the space I have for a center channel is not big enough for a larger speaker). Unfortunately, the center channel will be about 8 feet up; I will angle it downward towards the listening area. I have a Denon AVR-1910 receiver. I use my system primarily for home theater.

The guy we're using to install the system just told me that using a bookshelf for the center channel is a terrible idea and that it will sound awful. He's trying to sell me a center channel from a company called Proficient Audio. I've looked around Audioholics and other forums and have seen virtually no reviews of Proficient Audio. I'd much rather stick with my SBS-01s, and certainly don't want to switch to an unknown speaker like Proficient (if I do switch, I'll go with something that has a good reputation here). But my threshold question is pretty basic:

Will the SBS-01 work as a center channel?

Thanks in advance for any insight you all have.

 

[j_garcia]

Your thinking is correct. The guy that told you that has no clue what he is talking about and it will work fine.

On a side note, physically, the SCS-01 is not taller, just wider than the SBS-01, so theoretically it would fit in the same space as long as width wasn't an issue.

 

[dalessandro12]

Your thinking is correct. The guy that told you that has no clue what he is talking about and it will work fine.

I second this.

 

[j_garcia]

I took a look at the Proficient Audio site and I don't see anything special about them (and their specs seem quite exaggerated). Not to mention the simple fact that their speakers would not be timbre matched to the SBS-01s. He is just trying to sell you something that he has a vested interest in.

 

[avliner]

Go with the SBS's for your front array, don't look back and... be happy

 

[markw]

I can't find the info on their site*, but if the height of the SCS-01 is the same as the width of the SBS-01, I would second the suggestion you use the SCS for the center channel. The center gets leaned on a lot and having that second driver will make a difference.

Heck, if you can swing it, use the SCS for each of the front three.

*I didn't really look that hard, though.

 

[avliner]

You're right markw,

they're just about the same width indeed and my suggestion - by far - is to go with the SCS's for the front array, but the OP seems to have space constraint issues though; therefore...

 

[WallisH]

Your thinking is correct. The guy that told you that has no clue what he is talking about and it will work fine.

On a side note, physically, the SCS-01 is not taller, just wider than the SBS-01, so theoretically it would fit in the same space as long as width wasn't an issue.

Thanks. Unfortunately, I don't have enough width to go with the SCS-01. I've only got a space of about 8x12 (HxW), and so I am going to have to turn the bookshelf sideways. I know that may create some minor balance issues, as the center woofer and tweeter will be off axis, but that's one of the constraints that I have to deal with.

 

[WallisH]

Your thinking is correct. The guy that told you that has no clue what he is talking about and it will work fine.

On a side note, physically, the SCS-01 is not taller, just wider than the SBS-01, so theoretically it would fit in the same space as long as width wasn't an issue.

I took a look at the Proficient Audio site and I don't see anything special about them (and their specs seem quite exaggerated). Not to mention the simple fact that their speakers would not be timbre matched to the SBS-01s. He is just trying to sell you something that he has a vested interest in.

Thanks. Totally agree with you. There's not a lot of information on that Proficient site. I didn't want to get the Proficient because then I'd also be locked into Proficient bookshelves.

I get the feeling this guy gets a decent cut from Proficient for each speaker he sells.

 

[j_garcia]

Thanks. Unfortunately, I don't have enough width to go with the SCS-01. I've only got a space of about 8x12 (HxW), and so I am going to have to turn the bookshelf sideways. I know that may create some minor balance issues, as the center woofer and tweeter will be off axis, but that's one of the constraints that I have to deal with.

I think it will work better than expected as there are plenty of people who have this type of setup. If you had someone sitting way off axis they might notice it, but setting the levels correctly and proper positioning should having sounding just fine. I set up one of my former systems like that with three Polk LSi7s up front and it wasn't an issue.