Should I use one of my 6 B&W 602's as a center channel, OR...

[twochordcool]

Should I use one of my 6 B&W 602's as a center channel, OR would I be better off with an actual center channel speaker?

I have 3 pairs (6 total) of B&W 602 S3's and if I go with a 5.1 configuration I can either use one of them as a center channel speaker and put money towards something else OR I can buy a specific center channel speaker.

But I would like to go with the option that would be BETTER, regardless of money.

My living room size is probably small to average - approximately 12' X 15'.

Thanks!

 

[j_garcia]

Tough to say. Since it has the same two drivers, it will be literally identical to your mains, which ultimately would probably yeild the best results, especially if they are all mounted vertically. The benefit of a MTM center would likely be a slight bump increase in midrange and sensitivity (sensitivity won't matter much once calibrated though). Whether or not the 600 center would sound "better" is hard to say without listening to both. Me personally, my speakers are all identical (but they are all MTMs too) and there's a lot to be said for a setup like that IMHO, so I'd try it first with one of the 602s and see how you like it.

 

[twochordcool]

Thanks!

The problem is that I am going to build a TV stand / speaker bookshelf / component shelf all-in-one entertainment center and how I go will depend on how I build this. I can either build it as a straight plane for the same speakers all the way across or have the middle one higher for a center channel at ear level.

Is this even a good idea?

 

[Pyrrho]

Thanks!

The problem is that I am going to build a TV stand / speaker bookshelf / component shelf all-in-one entertainment center and how I go will depend on how I build this. I can either build it as a straight plane for the same speakers all the way across or have the middle one higher for a center channel at ear level.

Is this even a good idea?

Having all of the front speakers at the same level, and generally, with the tweeters at or near ear level, is best. And I highly recommend using the same speaker for the center as the two front, whenever it is practically possible. That way, you will have perfect voice matching of the speakers, instead of something that only approximates it when dealing with a center channel speaker that is sold to go with the fronts. I personally use the same speaker for all positions in my system (excluding subwoofers, of course), and I will never go back to using different speakers in different positions.