Phantom vs center in bedroom?

[Kingnoob]

I was wondering what the difference is in these two, I’m not sure what stand I’m going to use but I’d probably need something special to raise the tv for a center if I use one.
Which do you prefer??
Cheap ways to keep center,?

 

[fmw]

I don't use a center in my bedroom. I have a couple of small tower speakers that are only about 6 feet apart and a 12" sub. That and a 55" TV make watching almost as good as the home theater in the family room. Viewing distance is about 10 feet.

 

[highfigh]

My living room doesn't lend itself to a surround system, so I run it in stereo. There's no center channel and the sounds from the speakers allows seamless transition across the front. If you can't find a center channel speaker that satisfies you, try phantom- it's not the end of the world if you don't use a center channel and using phantom is far better than using a bad center channel speaker. Hearing people speaking without sounding realistic is terrible. I have heard radio interviews with people who I know and when my attention wasn't on the interview, I have been startled by the sound of their voices, on occasion- it sounded as if they were in the room. That tells me my speakers do a great job with vocals.

 

[paulpiker]

i use center in my bedroom

Tutuapp 9Apps Showbox​

 

[MaxInValrico]

I was wondering what the difference is in these two, I’m not sure what stand I’m going to use but I’d probably need something special to raise the tv for a center if I use one.
Which do you prefer??
Cheap ways to keep center,?

I prefer to not watch TV in the bedroom. At the same time the other three bedrooms and garage have TVs. I was thinking of putting one in the master bath.

 

[Teetertotter?]

I was wondering what the difference is in these two, I’m not sure what stand I’m going to use but I’d probably need something special to raise the tv for a center if I use one.
Which do you prefer??
Cheap ways to keep center,?

What is your current set-up with equipment? AVR? Subwoofer? What speakers? Have Dolby sound?

 

[Kingnoob]

What is your current set-up with equipment? AVR? Subwoofer? What speakers? Have Dolby sound?

It’s collecting dust my chair broke haven’t used it in a while. I’m not sure avr model I gotta check a low end 7.1 ch Yamaha avr. But not sure how many speakers I will run , but Andrew Jones Pioneer SP-FS52 fronts with Sony ss-cn550h center . Haven’t decided surrounds yet trying to get front 3 before i worry about that, and diy stereo integrity si ht 15” subwoofer . Planning on 4.1-5.1 not sure ? If I can fit Center which could be nice otherwise phantom.
I wanna use a tv that’s foot is too big to fit on the center despite it being a 42” Panasonic .

 

[Kingnoob]

I prefer to not watch TV in the bedroom. At the same time the other three bedrooms and garage have TVs. I was thinking of putting one in the master bath.

Yeah it won’t be my primary set up most likely, but I want it too sound good. The only thing is I don’t have any clue how much this plasma tv has been watched it was used, and I couldn’t sweep the dust build up on the fans w/Dyson.
so who knows how long til it bites the dust, or it could be mint I don’t know ???
its old for sure though..
no way to tell ??
Not sure I want to forgo a center , but I gotta put center on a small box or something or raise the tv?

 

[Teetertotter?]

@Kingnoob Here is some reading info to get better acquainted:
Best Home Theater Systems of 2023 (cnet.com)
How to Set Up a Home Theater System (lifewire.com)
home theatre set up - Search (bing.com)
Home Theater Setup and Calibration | Audioholics

 

[Eppie]

Depends also on how far apart the L+R speakers are. If the speakers are right next to the TV, then a centre channel really isn't needed and just run L+R for a phantom centre. If the speakers are well off to the sides, then it could be worth raising the TV up to use a centre speaker.

 

[Kingnoob]

Depends also on how far apart the L+R speakers are. If the speakers are right next to the TV, then a centre channel really isn't needed and just run L+R for a phantom centre. If the speakers are well off to the sides, then it could be worth raising the TV up to use a centre speaker.

I’m still trying to decide which tv stand I’m using my mom kinda wants me to get rid of my tv stand for next to nothing and use a dresser. But I’m not too excited about that and I already have a Center I was going to use. Left & right will either be right beside the tv or within 5-8feet of each other.
My tv stand has a Broken shelf and no spot for center so I gotta use an extra stand. So it’s terrible right now ..

 

[Kingnoob]

@Kingnoob Here is some reading info to get better acquainted:
Best Home Theater Systems of 2023 (cnet.com)
How to Set Up a Home Theater System (lifewire.com)
home theatre set up - Search (bing.com)
Home Theater Setup and Calibration | Audioholics

Thanks I will look at these links for information.
Could you help me figure out how to get bass levels right?? I’m trying with mixed/ bad results so far .

What to put Audyssey mic on until I get proper stand ? Lfe issues

No, that's got them a bit too hot. Your Subwoofer range is –15.0dB to 0.0dB to +12.0dB in 0.5 dB steps (see Page 52 in your manual). So the gain on your Sub is too high as Audyssey can't pull it down, as it's probably up against the limits at –15.0dB. Just rotate the gain on each Sub down 25°...

forums.audioholics.com

 

[Teetertotter?]

There is a Gain or Volume control on the subwoofer, which controls the amount of bass you want. If you have old equipment, it may not have. Or inexpensive equipment.

 

[Kingnoob]

There is a Gain or Volume control on the subwoofer, which controls the amount of bass you want. If you have old equipment, it may not have. Or inexpensive equipment.

Yea but mlp is in a corner 1.5-2.5 feet from a wall. so I gotta find the proper distance out of mlp to measure it With mic .
I turned gain down to 25% of max -11db is best tuning I’ve gotten from Odyssey.

 

[Kingnoob]

Depends also on how far apart the L+R speakers are. If the speakers are right next to the TV, then a centre channel really isn't needed and just run L+R for a phantom centre. If the speakers are well off to the sides, then it could be worth raising the TV up to use a centre speaker.

It may be that close I’m not certain yet my pioneer towers are short .

@Kingnoob Here is some reading info to get better acquainted:
Best Home Theater Systems of 2023 (cnet.com)
How to Set Up a Home Theater System (lifewire.com)
home theatre set up - Search (bing.com)
Home Theater Setup and Calibration | Audioholics

yeah I definitely can use all the calibration links possible!! My set up is a work in progress!
audyssey is so confusing!

 

[kmidst]

No TV in my bedroom! There is only bed and clothes and blackout curtains. I sleep soundly

That being said I think a center will always help balance the mix, especially dialogue. Do you already have a 3+ channel amp and can just toss a center in at your whim?

 

[Kingnoob]

No TV in my bedroom! There is only bed and clothes and blackout curtains. I sleep soundly

That being said I think a center will always help balance the mix, especially dialogue. Do you already have a 3+ channel amp and can just toss a center in at your whim?

Yes a 7ch , and I have a Sony center channel already I was using in my bedroom system but I gotta switch to the slightly larger room despite it having less space for my electronics.
I need it set up regardless for if he new flooring ever gets installed my better set up will be unplugged for a short while . And I can’t fit my bigger sub in the downstairs set up yet but I’ll try to persuade parents.
My little 10” sub is louder Then my 15” typically because of port tuning it doesn’t go as low. And no not close to as loud as the sealed 15” at max spl but I don’t listen that loud anymore.
So it’s like those boomy car subs you always hear.
I can’t sleep with tv on, if that’s why you avoid TVs up there.

 

[kmidst]

Oh great, well as long as you already have it then yeah for sure use it. A lot of content is coded for surround sound now days, so you can usually expect the center to be playing.

 

[Kingnoob]

I don't use a center in my bedroom. I have a couple of small tower speakers that are only about 6 feet apart and a 12" sub. That and a 55" TV make watching almost as good as the home theater in the family room. Viewing distance is about 10 feet.

Wow that’s the sized tv I’m trying to move to my main room but my tv stand had no room for a center, so I need another.
I’m between using a tv stand in bedroom or a dresser for more storage space. If I use plasma I gotra clean it, back full of dust and I can’t stack a center channel underneath it.

 

[Verdinut]

Bedroom is for sleeping or having sex. If you add a center speaker, you might not be able to fall asleep.