Using Defintive Bipolars As Center Speakers

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I tried an experiment today using a Defintive BP7001SC as the Center Speaker.

Contents:
1) Underworld Evolution BD
2) Dire Straights Brothers In Arms SACD
3) Sheryl Crow SACD
4) Crowded House DVD-A
5) Eagles Hell Freezes Over DTS-CD
6) My favorite 21 songs compilation CD

Concerns:
1) Not focused enough soundfield for dialogues since it is a bipolar speaker, instead of direct-radiating.
2) Placement issues adversely affecting sound quality since it will be placed between two large 53" Bipolar towers.

I'm happy to report that both concerns were laid to rest.

First, it sounded very focused just like the CLR3000. So dialogues sounded extremely natural and real. Furthermore, when the Center channel demanded more bass (explosions in movies, bass in 5.1 music, etc.), the BP7001SC provided abundant amount of powerful bass. In this respect, the 7001SC sounded even BETTER than the CLR3000 as the Center speaker.

Dire Straights SACD was a great example. Just about every song had awesome bass coming from not only the LFE/Subwoofer, but also the Front Left, Center, & Front Right speakers. When I placed my hand over the subwoofer drivers of the Trinity, 2 BP7000, and BP7001 Center, I felt tremendous actions from these woofers.

Second, the huge BP7001 Center did not affect the sound of the two BP7000s. The BP7000s are prone to placement conditions. I mean certain positions and certain objects placed close within proximity can adversely affect the sound quality. But this large Center tower did not cause this problem in movies nor music. I also played my 2.0 compilation CD for measures. It sounded just as clear as it always does.

Now I will have to sell my CLR3000 & 7001s and buy 3 more BP7000SCs so that I can have 5 identical speakers.

This also proves 2 things to me (and not everyone else).

First, using Bipolar speakers as the Center speaker is great.

Second, using 5 identical speakers is ideal.

 

[vongerv]

Nice!!

I have always deep down inside wanted to use a 7000 as a center. 3 up front would be awesome. Looking at your pictures I assume you placed it horizontally, the ultimate would be behind an accoustic trans screen (obviously).

Again thanks for the experminent, just reminds me how much I want to try this, permanently. Good to hear you were very happy with the sound. Was always especially worried about the first issue you mentioned. Then again with proper placement the towers sound pretty darn natural, so it only makes sense..

Awesome pictures, looks like it must be an experience to be in that room

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Nice!!

I have always deep down inside wanted to use a 7000 as a center. 3 up front would be awesome. Looking at your pictures I assume you placed it horizontally, the ultimate would be behind an accoustic trans screen (obviously).

Again thanks for the experminent, just reminds me how much I want to try this, permanently. Good to hear you were very happy with the sound. Was always especially worried about the first issue you mentioned. Then again with proper placement the towers sound pretty darn natural, so it only makes sense..

Awesome pictures, looks like it must be an experience to be in that room

Thanks.

Actually, I placed the Center Tower VERTICALLY.

So picture 3 big front towers all standing vertically.

My plan is to use a Projector and 120" Screen, which will be installed above three BP7000SC speakers. Then I will move the 62" TV out of the room and into the family room.

Yes, BP7001SC covered up the TV. But I was just interested in the sound, not the picture.

Not too long ago I experimented with using 2 CLR3000 speakers, both standing vertically about 6 inches apart. It sounded terrible due to comb filtering. So I returned one CLR3000. So I was kind of nervous about trying a BP7001 as the vertical center speaker.

But it worked out perfectly. The sound was very focused and crystal clear. It was awesome for both movies and 5.1 music.

 

[itschris]

Does that put the screen too high? I thought ideally you'd want the center of the screen at about eye level when sitting. I've always shyed away from that kind of setup because I thought the only way to get it done would be to have a perffed screen.

I'm anxious to see what you do with this since it may change the way I've always thought about things.

Thanks.

Actually, I placed the Center Tower VERTICALLY.

So picture 3 big front towers all standing vertically.

My plan is to use a Projector and 120" Screen, which will be installed above three BP7000SC speakers. .

 

[Midcow2]

Very Nice System

Very Nice system and pictures AcuDefTechGuy. Wow a for guy that likes Def Tech, I could have died and gone to heaven and ended up at your place

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Does that put the screen too high? I thought ideally you'd want the center of the screen at about eye level when sitting. I've always shyed away from that kind of setup because I thought the only way to get it done would be to have a perffed screen.

I'm anxious to see what you do with this since it may change the way I've always thought about things.

See, when my wife and I watch movies, we always lie down on our comfy couch.

Picture some comfy sofas and comfy soft pillows to lay our heads on.

So when we lie down, a screen that is 55-60" above ground is no problem for us at all.

I think if we were sitting up, it might be a little too high.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Very Nice system and pictures AcuDefTechGuy. Wow a for guy that likes Def Tech, I could have died and gone to heaven and ended up at your place

**hee**hee** LOL.That's a good one.

I hope heaven is **** A LOT **** better, though.

 

[GlocksRock]

Thanks for doing that experiment, I was always wondering how using a bipolar tower as a center would work.

 

[jamie2112]

Yes I thank you for doing that as well. You have a heck of a system there Acudef I mean DenonDeftech guy , oops sorry

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yes I thank you for doing that as well. You have a heck of a system there Acudef I mean DenonDeftech guy , oops sorry

Yeah, I guess I should have picked a different call name. I mean as often as I change my gears, I should have picked a totally different and unrelated name.