I wonder if svs would recommend using 3 centers up front or 3 book shelves up front for a matching LCR?
Any following of Acoustics 101 would recommend such. There is no escaping the physics of horizontally aligned, redundant drivers and the resulting comb filtering, lobing and reduction of intelligibility - which is a current plague on the mismarketed industry. While they push the lobing frequency down ruining their mid-bass, they will still have poorer horizontal frequency response than if all drivers were properly vertically aligned or were point sources (e.g. coaxial designs such as KEF, Technics, etc) Three identical LCR speakers, located across the same axis, ideally across the visual plane, away from floors cabinets and other obstructions will always outperform - and for less money - than this silly tower/"center" mess of Chinese speakers they market.I wonder if svs would recommend using 3 centers up front or 3 book shelves up front for a matching LCR?
Does this all imply that using, for space constraints, a Prime Satellite on it's side as a center is NOT recommended? I'm trying to "go small" for my wife's sake, so I'm planning on doing this after reading a couple reviews and hearing from SVS customer support, but now I read this. Should I put more effort into making room for a Prime Center? The problem is it raises the TV above what I think is currently a nice viewing height.Strictly from an academic standpoint, three identical speaker across the front stage is optimal. But in the real world, very few enthusiasts can accommodate the same speaker at the center channel location, due to physical space/size constraints.
So we did the next best thing, which is a 3-way center with a vertically aligned tweet/mid, which eliminate the problem with off-axis lobing and comb filtering in the critical dialogue bandwidth. And this vertical tweet/mid is a feature found on both the Ultra and Prime centers.
I did talk to SVS - and they said it would be fine. Of course, this was one guy on the end of a phone so I don't know the reliability of this information.Definitely call SVS and talk with them about this...
A true center will probably give more pleasing dialog, however, just due to the nature of its added umph capability (to be technical ;-).
Nothing against SVS but I wish companies would show more setups with a true bookshelf in the middle when the room allows for it. Too many people think that they "NEED" a center styled speaker in the middle and think this is the best setup. The first and third picture above would be better served with a height matched bookshelf in the middle. Just my 2 cents.The center channel and its unique horizontal design is an unmistakable centerpiece of most multi-channel set-ups. Designed to fit neatly above or below a screen, it’s tasked with carrying a tremendous amount of audio information including dialog, movie sound effects, and music, making it a key piece of equipment.
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The vertically aligned tweeter and midrange in both models are arranged as such explicitly to present midrange and upper frequency information without any lobing or distortion. We flank the tweeter and midrange with larger woofers to provide low frequency information and deep base, ensuring the speaker performs in a full-range manner when music or sound effects require it.
HTS: Besides form factor, what differentiates a dedicated center channel speaker from a conventional bookshelf speaker? What are the advantages of a purpose-designed center?
SF: Any well designed speaker should be able to perform the duties of a center speaker, but the form factor of a dedicated center speaker allows it have more flexibility with being positioned above or below a TV.
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HTS: Enthusiasts are routinely told to place main speakers so that tweeters are approximately ear height. With the exception of a front projection setup, the same is rarely achievable for a center speaker in an average home. What is optimal center speaker placement under real world conditions?
SF: As I mentioned, the optimal center speaker position would be at ear level, centered in the middle of the screen, and on the same plane as the other speakers. This emulates what is done for both movie theaters and recording studios where the master recording is mixed. Since this is rarely possible in most homes, we all have to find what makes the most sense for our living and family spaces.
Image Credits: SVS Sound
I wish I could get away with it. As it is my center ultra speaker sticks into my screen about 5" when viewing 16.9 material. I don't mind because I mainly stick to the 2.4 formats but more and more movies are releasing as 16.9Nothing against SVS but I wish companies would show more setups with a true bookshelf in the middle when the room allows for it. Too many people think that they "NEED" a center styled speaker in the middle and think this is the best setup. The first and third picture above would be better served with a height matched bookshelf in the middle. Just my 2 cents.
Thanks! I'll give it a shot and will reply back.
I moved in the "tower as a center channel" direction and the difference across the entire seating area was night and day... That being said, some centers have a better design than others and the ultimate difference of making a switch might not be as profound depending on what gear you're using.I wish I could get away with it. As it is my center ultra speaker sticks into my screen about 5" when viewing 16.9 material. I don't mind because I mainly stick to the 2.4 formats but more and more movies are releasing as 16.9
Nothing I can do I absolutely have to have my rack centered in the middle under the screen and I wanted the size of my screen for the 2.4 format. Eventually I'll get motorized sides to shrink the screen along w/ a projector that has motorized zoom/focus/memory so it won't be an issue then.