Tower speaker used as center channel?

[BrawlingBigJim]

I had someone in one of my other posts recommend buying a matching 3rd tower speaker and using it as my center channel. Well it just so happens that I have 4 matching towers. Is this recommended? As I mentioned in my other post, I have never seen this done before. I would have the space below my projector screen to make it work as the rack/bench that the center speaker is sitting on will be gone once I move my components ito an in-wall rack in the back wall. Any input would be great.

 

[j_garcia]

Identical speakers across the front is always a good thing. I run 5 identical speakers myself (not towers) and I couldn't see doing it any other way.

 

[mazersteven]

I agree with j_garcia with running identical speakers all the way around. I have said many times that using the same speaker as your main L/R is highly recommended.

 

[jvgillow]

I saw your photo post before it had any replies and I almost made the same suggestion about a center tower, because you mounted the screen high enough to clear the fronts. Typically you will see a much lower screen with a horizontal center underneath.

I run 3 identical speakers in the front (and 3 in back too).

 

[Spkr_Bldr]

Absolutely, if you can use 3 idential floorstanders up front and them not interfere with your screen, go for it.

If you listen to music in that room, get those speakers out from the wall! And get some wall treatments ... even cheap treatments like hanging curtains to each side of the screen would make a huge difference in soundstage depth.

 

[jostenmeat]

Hey again, Jim. My homies here are backing me up, yo.

Kidding aside, the main benefits will be two-fold. While the "true match" is great, the vertical orientation of the speaker is just as beneficial (and maybe more so in my personal opinion).

http://www.audioholics.com/education/loudspeaker-basics/vertical-vs-horizontal-speaker-designs/conclusion-rankings-and-evaluation.html

Another bonus will be greater power handling before compression.

 

[Midcow2]

A 3rd Front for center is a perfect match.

The main thing you want to do with a center is to match the fronts so you maintain timbre (seamless sound across the front).

The perfect match for two fronts would ideally be a third front( or fourth or fifth )

It is ABSOLUTELY an EXCELLENT idea to use a third front as a center speaker!

 

[BrawlingBigJim]

Thanks for all your input guys. I wasn't doubting your knowledge josten, I just wanted to be sure that it was a general recommendation and not just a personal preference. The wife has agreed to let me do it too(So it looks it is gonna cost me a few bucks after all) ,as long as I replace the one speaker with two other matching ones, leaving with one lonely tower out of the four I have not being used. Also, moving my speakers away from the walls and using the tower center will require me to move the screen up a few more inches so the tops of the speakes don't interfere with the viewing surface. The height from the ground will be around 45 inches. Is that getting to high? It is at 42" now and seems to be a good height (I have 10 ft. ceilings).

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks for all your input guys. I wasn't doubting your knowledge josten, I just wanted to be sure that it was a general recommendation and not just a personal preference. The wife has agreed to let me do it too(So it looks it is gonna cost me a few bucks after all) ,as long as I replace the one speaker with two other matching ones, leaving with one lonely tower out of the four I have not being used. Also, moving my speakers away from the walls and using the tower center will require me to move the screen up a few more inches so the tops of the speakes don't interfere with the viewing surface. The height from the ground will be around 45 inches. Is that getting to high? It is at 42" now and seems to be a good height (I have 10 ft. ceilings).

I don't think that is too high at all. My towers are 53" high, and I plan on installing my projector screen above that.

I would love to have 5 identical towers for my HT. Knowing myself, that might happen sooner than later.

 

[jostenmeat]

Thanks for all your input guys. I wasn't doubting your knowledge josten, I just wanted to be sure that it was a general recommendation and not just a personal preference. The wife has agreed to let me do it too(So it looks it is gonna cost me a few bucks after all) ,as long as I replace the one speaker with two other matching ones, leaving with one lonely tower out of the four I have not being used. Also, moving my speakers away from the walls and using the tower center will require me to move the screen up a few more inches so the tops of the speakes don't interfere with the viewing surface. The height from the ground will be around 45 inches. Is that getting to high? It is at 42" now and seems to be a good height (I have 10 ft. ceilings).

This gets a bit tough, but basically as long as it pleases YOU. I had to go back to your other thread to take a look at the seating. There is some modest, natural recline, which will make it easier to look up. But, 45" is pretty high indeed IMO depending on how far you are sitting from it. OTOH, its only 3" higher, and I figure if you had it set at 42" already then you must've been with happy with that.

Otherwise, there's nothing better than perfectly on-axis everything, pic, speakers, even projector. That's what makes AT screens so cool. I went PQ first, and audio second for the HT. We ALL deal with compromises of some sort. No such thing as perfection.

What's nice about removing the wide bench/stand is that at least your mains can easily be moved from the side walls. In the other thread, John makes a great point about curtains. Definitely. It will help deaden the HT acoustics as well (HT rooms are typically deader, even more so than music setups I believe).

Oh, and I never thought you were seriously questioning me (though you probably should be!), I was just playing around. Tell us how it goes!

btw, now that you are going thru with the idea, I will indeed hate you forever...