Placement of Center channel speaker - Def Tech CLR3000

[arunvb]

I just purchased a CLR3000 Center channel speaker and am undecided about its placement. My TV stand is a wooden TV Stand (Make : Salamander Designs). My stand is the same as the one in the following link, except that the middle shelves are wider : http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/arunvb/detail?.dir=/849b&.dnm=bf0d.jpg&.src=ph

I have a few of questions :

1. Which is the best position - above the the TV or in the top open shelf (40" wide x 20" depth x height ajustable from 9" to a max of 18") of my wooden TV Stand, with a insulating base under the speaker.

2. I prefer to keep it inside the TV stand, but I am concerned about the reflections from the wooden interiors of the stand. The shelf is open in the front. Does the reflection, if any, change / reduce the sound stage and is it noticeable ?

3. By default, the shelf is open in the front, but I would like close it with doors. Does this affect the sound quality of the speaker ? The material choices, for the door, are wooden frame with a perforated steel panel or wooden frame with frosted glass panel. If perforated steel or frosted glass is not good, are there any other materials you suggest ?

3. If it is OK to keep inside the stand, since the CLR 3000 has a sub-woofer on its top, how much of clearance do I need from the top of the speaker and the ceiling of the shelf ?

I would really appreciate, if you could help me on this.

Thanks
Arun

 

[jaxvon]

I would place that above the TV, on either a shelf or some kind of de-coupling device if possible. The vibration from that subwoofer would be bad for your electronics. Additionally, putting a door in front of your center will change the sound (even if it's mesh). Make sure that when you install the center, you angle it towards the listening position, so from above the TV, pointing down.