Centre speaker positioning

[piquet]

I'm hoping to invest in a 5.1 setup soon. Trouble is my room is not that big so the positioning of the speakers is quite critical.

Are there centre speakers which are designed to sit on the floor in front of the TV ? I don't fancy putting a speaker on top of the TV, and I can't see how I can make room on the cabinet for a speaker.

What do you all do ?

Any recommendations will be most welcomed.

Cheers, Phil

[kcxdev]

Originally posted by piquet
I don't fancy putting a speaker on top of the TV,

why not? I'm sure a a lot of those with HC setups will have the centre speaker on top of the TV. It won't damage it, unless you're using a 14 inch TV with a massive speaker :rolleyes:

If its cos u have no room, then just ignore me :)

[clayts]

I'm wondering why you're not too keen putting the centre speaker on top of the telly ? That's certainly how I've got it.

However, I take your point about there not being enough space under the telly.

How big's the speaker and TV ? TV's are fairly sturdy and, as long as the centre speaker is magnetically shielded, you shouldn't have any problem sticking it on top.

[piquet]

Well it's just an aesthetic thing really. I only upgraded from a 14in portable to 21in 4:3 about 3 years back. Now I'm thinking about a 28in widescreen and they all look MASSIVE to me ! So I was thinking maybe I could chuck the centre speaker on the floor nice and dicretely. I guess that might be ok if the speaker was monitor-style and pointed upwards.

Bad idea ? I'd prefer to know now !

[Dr_Fruitbat]

I have my centre speaker on top of my telly, originally both me
& the missus thought it very odd looking, however we have
grown used to it & besides where better to put it for sound
purposes after all that's why you are getting one to improve
your sound experience and with the lights off are you gonna
really notice it when you are watching a film ?

HTH

[Robby]

According to my Digitheatre DTS handbook the centre speaker should be more or less level with the left and right speakers for full effect. I keep the centre speaker on top of my 21" TV and the L/R speakers are attached to the walls either side of my TV in line with the centre speaker.

If it was me i would want the dialogue to come from as close to the TV as poss.

Just my thoughts :D

[AdamBrunt]

Originally posted by piquet

Now I'm thinking about a 28in widescreen and they all look MASSIVE to me !


Blimey, is it just me who thinks 28" widescreen is tiny ?? At least compared to my current 28" 4:3 anyway :D

[ob1rob]

I sit the centre directly below the screen on the stand. It just fits and sounds right, its about 10" below the L/R speakers horizontal but that doesn't make a great difference.

I too don't like the view of a centre on top of the TV. Silly perhaps but thats just personal preference, I've never liked photos or anything else on top of a TV either. If you're thinking of upgrading then check out how the sets stand might fit a centre, or like you said maybe try the floor option.

[sweevo]

My center is too large to go on the top of my 28" WS so it sits on the shelf directly below it. I've stuck small rubber feet on the front two corners to give it a slight angle towards the viewing position too.

I've certainly not noticed any problems with this setup.

[pjweston]

My center speaker is mounted to the wall above and behind the TV using shelf brackets. The speaker is angled down to point at the viewing/ listening position. No chance of mounting it on top of the TV as the top of the RPTV is only 2" deep!