Need speaker solution for TV over mantle

[daintree_parks]

I will be purchasing a 70 inch TV that I am putting over the mantle. I will be using a mantlemount.com to lower the TV for viewing. (Save the 'don't put the TV over the mantle' comments as it is the only viable option). I am trying to decide the best way to approach the speakers. My budget is flexible up to a few thousand, but first I need to decide on the configuration. The room is 17x19 with high ceilings and an open balcony above to the 2nd story. It is also open to kitchen on the rear left of the room.

OPTION 1: Soundbar
Place a soundbar beneath or over the TV (likely beneath as over will be too high). This will be mounted to the mantlemount and can swing down with the TV. Add a sub and potentially surrounds as well.

OPTION 2: Find a low height center speaker solution (mount it to the mantlemount) and go 5.1
The problem is that any height I add with a center speaker will put the TV higher up. also I want it asthetically pleasing and mounting a center beneath the TV may not look great. I need to find a balance between the trade-off of low height and sound quality.

OPTION 3: Go 4.1
Go Phantom.

At this point I am leaning towards the soundbar solution. Any suggestions as to what you would do in this situation? Thanks.

 

[3db]

I will be purchasing a 70 inch TV that I am putting over the mantle. I will be using a mantlemount.com to lower the TV for viewing. (Save the 'don't put the TV over the mantle' comments as it is the only viable option). I am trying to decide the best way to approach the speakers. My budget is flexible up to a few thousand, but first I need to decide on the configuration. The room is 17x19 with high ceilings and an open balcony above to the 2nd story. It is also open to kitchen on the rear left of the room.

OPTION 1: Soundbar
Place a soundbar beneath or over the TV (likely beneath as over will be too high). This will be mounted to the mantlemount and can swing down with the TV. Add a sub and potentially surrounds as well.

OPTION 2: Find a low height center speaker solution (mount it to the mantlemount) and go 5.1
The problem is that any height I add with a center speaker will put the TV higher up. also I want it asthetically pleasing and mounting a center beneath the TV may not look great. I need to find a balance between the trade-off of low height and sound quality.

OPTION 3: Go 4.1
Go Phantom.

At this point I am leaning towards the soundbar solution. Any suggestions as to what you would do in this situation? Thanks.

Option 3 is very viable if the seating positions don't exceed 20 degree's off center and your fronts are very good at imaging.

 

[XEagleDriver]

D-P,
I also recommend Option 3, because if you compromise very much on the center channel speaker (either with a SB or smallish speaker to keep down the height), sound wise you would probably be better off sending the center signal to more capable L/R speakers.

FWIW: In my family room, I run a phantom center for reasons similar to yours and have not missed the absence of a center channel speaker in that application. In my main HT, I run a center speaker in a more typical configuration (L/C/R are same speakers) and would not consider removing it, because it provides noticeable value in that application. In a previous HT iteration I had a smallish center and it never worked out very well (difficult dialogue, etc.)

Cheers,
XEagleDriver

 

[tyhjaarpa]

5.1 and put the center top of tv? If not, then I would go for 4.1 like suggested.

 

[macddmac]

Try these guys for option 1.
http://www.leonspeakers.com/products/