Help with my center speaker

J

jdp1980

Enthusiast
I currently have a Polk Signature Series S30 in the top middle cubby of my entertainment center. I realize this isn't the best placement but I've adjusted it so it's facing upward, toward my ears in the listening position. I can keep it as is or try two more options.

1 buy a TV mount, mount my TV and place it on the top of the entertainment center. Cost $179 for mount.
or
2 buy the Polk S35 slim center speaker which would fit on the top of the entertainment center in front of my TV negating the need to mount. Cost $199.

Is my setup good as is (should I just save my money and call it a day) or would you choose one of the other options? I could mount the TV but then have to put big holes in my apartment wall plus spend $179, but since I already have the speaker it might make sense. Or I could spend $199 on S35, not have to drill holes but then I'd have two center speakers and one would be useless. I'm torn, any advice is appreciated.
 

Attachments

William Lemmerhirt

William Lemmerhirt

Audioholic Overlord
Well wall mounting would only introduce very small holes. Like 5/16” maybe. Very easy to patch. Even easier would be find something to place under the tv bad as a riser. Books, wood chunks etc. just about anything solid will do, and raise it to the appropriate height.
Edit: and yes imo it would be worth it.
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
I currently have a Polk Signature Series S30 in the top middle cubby of my entertainment center. I realize this isn't the best placement but I've adjusted it so it's facing upward, toward my ears in the listening position. I can keep it as is or try two more options.

1 buy a TV mount, mount my TV and place it on the top of the entertainment center. Cost $179 for mount.
or
2 buy the Polk S35 slim center speaker which would fit on the top of the entertainment center in front of my TV negating the need to mount. Cost $199.

Is my setup good as is (should I just save my money and call it a day) or would you choose one of the other options? I could mount the TV but then have to put big holes in my apartment wall plus spend $179, but since I already have the speaker it might make sense. Or I could spend $199 on S35, not have to drill holes but then I'd have two center speakers and one would be useless. I'm torn, any advice is appreciated.
You position is not terrible. You will get small gain from changing it. The real issue is we have to get away from these dreadful MTM centers.

I realize three ways can be a problem as they are taller. The real answer is for companies to invest in coaxial drivers. I guarantee, that properly designed, coaxial drivers will solve this center problem. The era of the MTM center should have been over before it started.
 
ryanosaur

ryanosaur

Audioholic Overlord
I like wall mounting the TV, getting the screen about 12" away from the front baffle of the Center...
And getting any Center out of the Cubby:
Sin!

I also agree with TLS, but will stop short of telling you to buy a new center.

However, I do always like a 3-way Speaker and center is no different.

(If you wall mount, you need to make certain you are going in to Studs. Don't buy a wall mount that does not allow for horizontal adjustment.)

Also, you can buy legs for the TV that screw into the VESA mount on the back of the TV... some of these may be tall enough to allow for your Center to be above the av cubby...
SIN!!!!

Sorry... I really... REALLY dislike placing Speakers in a cubby. :mad:

:cool:
 
everettT

everettT

Audioholic Spartan
I like wall mounting the TV, getting the screen about 12" away from the front baffle of the Center...
And getting any Center out of the Cubby:
Sin!

I also agree with TLS, but will stop short of telling you to buy a new center.

However, I do always like a 3-way Speaker and center is no different.

(If you wall mount, you need to make certain you are going in to Studs. Don't buy a wall mount that does not allow for horizontal adjustment.)

Also, you can buy legs for the TV that screw into the VESA mount on the back of the TV... some of these may be tall enough to allow for your Center to be above the av cubby...
SIN!!!!

Sorry... I really... REALLY dislike placing Speakers in a cubby. :mad:

:cool:
Yeah, I'd raise that display up and tilt to the correct angle, that opens up the TV being at a better height and solves the center, as he can do another bookshelf, if they sell just one. Or, he can do a VOG with the second :D
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
I like wall mounting the TV, getting the screen about 12" away from the front baffle of the Center...
And getting any Center out of the Cubby:
Sin!

I also agree with TLS, but will stop short of telling you to buy a new center.

However, I do always like a 3-way Speaker and center is no different.

(If you wall mount, you need to make certain you are going in to Studs. Don't buy a wall mount that does not allow for horizontal adjustment.)

Also, you can buy legs for the TV that screw into the VESA mount on the back of the TV... some of these may be tall enough to allow for your Center to be above the av cubby...
SIN!!!!

Sorry... I really... REALLY dislike placing Speakers in a cubby. :mad:

:cool:
I'm not telling him to buy another center, just pointing out the major problem with all MTM center designs. A three way speaker is not intrinsically better then a well designed two way. In fact many come up short, as too often there is not enough power in the mid bandwidth, and often you end up with two crossovers in the speech discrimination band.
 
Trell

Trell

Audioholic Spartan
You position is not terrible. You will get small gain from changing it. The real issue is we have to get away from these dreadful MTM centers.

I realize three ways can be a problem as they are taller. The real answer is for companies to invest in coaxial drivers. I guarantee, that properly designed, coaxial drivers will solve this center problem. The era of the MTM center should have been over before it started.
How about that minimum distance between mains that you harp about?
 
ryanosaur

ryanosaur

Audioholic Overlord
I'm not telling him to buy another center, just pointing out the major problem with all MTM center designs. A three way speaker is not intrinsically better then a well designed two way. In fact many come up short, as too often there is not enough power in the mid bandwidth, and often you end up with two crossovers in the speech discrimination band.
That was just clumsy in my statement. Didn't mean to make it sound like you were telling him to buy something different! I just don't think that other center will be any better... no need for OP to buy that.
 
J

jdp1980

Enthusiast
You position is not terrible. You will get small gain from changing it. The real issue is we have to get away from these dreadful MTM centers.

I realize three ways can be a problem as they are taller. The real answer is for companies to invest in coaxial drivers. I guarantee, that properly designed, coaxial drivers will solve this center problem. The era of the MTM center should have been over before it started.
Since the gain will be small, do you think I'm better off saving my money?
 
BoredSysAdmin

BoredSysAdmin

Audioholic Slumlord
I think the 3-way SVS Prime center is small enough to fit in that cubby without modifications.
They have risk free 45 days trial at home, including free return - you may want to try it.
 
J

jdp1980

Enthusiast
I like wall mounting the TV, getting the screen about 12" away from the front baffle of the Center...
And getting any Center out of the Cubby:
Sin!

I also agree with TLS, but will stop short of telling you to buy a new center.

However, I do always like a 3-way Speaker and center is no different.

(If you wall mount, you need to make certain you are going in to Studs. Don't buy a wall mount that does not allow for horizontal adjustment.)

Also, you can buy legs for the TV that screw into the VESA mount on the back of the TV... some of these may be tall enough to allow for your Center to be above the av cubby...
SIN!!!!

Sorry... I really... REALLY dislike placing Speakers in a cubby. :mad:

:cool:
So you think the center on top of the stand will make a significant difference. I've mounted TVs in the past just been a while and there's always the worry when it's all installed and done the TV might be slightly off centered lol
 
Trell

Trell

Audioholic Spartan
So you think the center on top of the stand will make a significant difference. I've mounted TVs in the past just been a while and there's always the worry when it's all installed and done the TV might be slightly off centered lol
Your center speaker placement is pretty bad as it is.

Lifting up the TV and place the center underneath it while angling at MLP is the best bet.
 
ryanosaur

ryanosaur

Audioholic Overlord
So you think the center on top of the stand will make a significant difference. I've mounted TVs in the past just been a while and there's always the worry when it's all installed and done the TV might be slightly off centered lol
Whether it may be a 1% or 5% or even larger difference? I can't say. Will it be audible? Maybe, maybe not.

Is it a matter of following best practices to get the most out of your gear? Yes.

:)
 
Trell

Trell

Audioholic Spartan
Whether it may be a 1% or 5% or even larger difference? I can't say. Will it be audible? Maybe, maybe not.

Is it a matter of following best practices to get the most out of your gear? Yes.

:)
A center speaker pointing at your crotch is for sure bad sounding, except perhaps for co-axial ones.
 
Eppie

Eppie

Audioholic Ninja
I would experiment first before spending the money. If the centre is deep enough, set it on the cabinet, cover it in some cloth to protect the finish, and set the TV on top. 3 pieces of wood (top and 2 sides) can also be enough to act as a riser for the TV. See for yourself if there is a noticeable improvement. If there is, you can consider a riser for the TV, like some stands that can bolt onto the VESA mounts on the back, as mentioned above. Having the centre close to the TV also adds to the illusion that the dialogue is coming from the TV but that is more easily achieved when removing the base and using a wall mount.

As to the centre itself, how does the dialogue from the centre compare to that of the main speakers? If the mains dialogue sounds noticeably better, then you can consider an upgrade. Dialogue should be seamless and consistent as it moves from left to right.
 
Trell

Trell

Audioholic Spartan
As to the centre itself, how does the dialogue from the centre compare to that of the main speakers? If the mains dialogue sounds noticeably better, then you can consider an upgrade. Dialogue should be seamless and consistent as it moves from left to right.
Unless you always sit in center the dialogue will be off, pun intended. For much content I like to slouch in the corner, just saying.

As an example, Netflix has many South-Korean dramas that is in stereo but encoded as DD 5.1, and that really sucks unless you sit in the MLP, as only left and right speaker will be used.
 
ryanosaur

ryanosaur

Audioholic Overlord
A center speaker pointing at your crotch is for sure bad sounding, except perhaps for co-axial ones.
fwiw, you can see it is tilted up...

I don't know what OP is experiencing, though. Hell, they may have an obscenely large coffee table blocking the sound and perhaps diffraction is the only thing making dialog audible! :p
For that matter, perhaps they have Crotch-Ears and having the center so low is necessary!
ROTFLMAO

You just don't know what you don't know! ;)
 
Trell

Trell

Audioholic Spartan
fwiw, you can see it is tilted up...

I don't know what OP is experiencing, though. Hell, they may have an obscenely large coffee table blocking the sound and perhaps diffraction is the only thing making dialog audible! :p
For that matter, perhaps they have Crotch-Ears and having the center so low is necessary!
ROTFLMAO

You just don't know what you don't know! ;)
I did not mention the size of the imaginary crotch, did I? You're so projecting!

:D

Sorry, OP, sometimes threads here gets a bit "off centered". o_O
 
Pandaman617

Pandaman617

Senior Audioholic
I'm not telling him to buy another center, just pointing out the major problem with all MTM center designs. A three way speaker is not intrinsically better then a well designed two way. In fact many come up short, as too often there is not enough power in the mid bandwidth, and often you end up with two crossovers in the speech discrimination band.
As usual I have to agree with the plethora of knowledge that is TLS Guy. After owning dozens of 2 way and 2.5 way MTM’s, once I started using a quality 3 way I’ve never gone back. But I understand you work with what you have. Off topic, but what about using a single bookshelf speaker from the same Polk series? Years ago when I first became enamored with Mirage speakers I picked up a pair of Omni 260 towers, Omni 60 bookshelfs and an Omni CCB-1. I wasn’t impressed with the CC by any means and swapped it for a single Omni 60 which worked beautifully. I’ve gotten great results using a single bookshelf from a Polk Audio LSi-9 with LSi15 mains to a single M&K LCR750 MKII and even with Martin Logan’s as their CCs from the Motion series are OK to my ears but replacing it with a single LX16 bookshelf was superior.
 
Eppie

Eppie

Audioholic Ninja
Unless you always sit in center the dialogue will be off, pun intended. For much content I like to slouch in the corner, just saying.

As an example, Netflix has many South-Korean dramas that is in stereo but encoded as DD 5.1, and that really sucks unless you sit in the MLP, as only left and right speaker will be used.
I meant that the dialogue should have the same timbre as it moves from the left speaker to centre speaker to right speaker, all from the MLP. Having the dialogue sound the same from all seating positions is also ideal but a different challenge. Nice to know there are others that like Asian dramas. :)
 
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