Speakers in entertainment center - OK?

Tom>WFL · 02-22-2004, 05:46 PM

Here's my situation folks... I've just built a custom home and thought I'd prepared fairly well for HT. The living room has a big built-in entertainment center about 9'H & 9'W. It's divided into 3 sections: a large center one for the video, with much narrower sections on each side, about 14" W and 5" tall - with moveable shelves. I was planning to put the speakers on the shelves, but now I'm reading this will degrade the sound. It's not possible to put the L-R speakers on either side of the built-in. I could put speakers on top, but at 9ft high they'd be way up there, and it wouldn't look as good. Does anyone have related experience I could learn from?

Tony Genovese · 02-22-2004, 06:33 PM

Most sealed box speakers should perform admirably in the cabinet (particularly if crossed over at 80hz). Think M&K (S150), NHT (M5), CSW (MC500 or MC300) among others. You can actually match left, center and right using the same satellites within each range.

Mike Mitrook · 02-22-2004, 08:30 PM

I've got to second Tom on this one. I was in a similar situation and tried a few (okay, many

) bookshelf type speakers to actually fit in a bookcase. Sealed box or front ported tend to work better in such a position. I ened up with some M&Ks and haven't looked back.

You can't always have the ideal setup but by using the right speakers you can make the best of what some might view as less than ideal.

Good luck,
Mike

BrianWoerndle · 02-23-2004, 08:29 AM

As long as they are not rear ported speakers you are fine.

Blaine P · 02-23-2004, 08:42 AM

Anyone know if the Paradigm Atoms and/or Titans are rear ported?

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Paul_Fisher · 02-23-2004, 11:00 AM

Mike, which M&K's do you have?

JeremyR · 02-23-2004, 01:17 PM

Both the Atoms and Titans are rear ported.

Blaine P · 02-23-2004, 01:47 PM

Should rear-ported speakers be much of a problem in a bookcase which has 2 feet of clearance behind the speaker (as opposed to flush)?

Paul_Fisher · 02-23-2004, 02:29 PM

2 feet is plenty of clearance. I have about 4 inches and they sorta sound weird.

BrianWoerndle · 02-24-2004, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Should rear-ported speakers be much of a problem in a bookcase which has 2 feet of clearance behind the speaker (as opposed to flush)?

In a bookcase it does not matter how much space is behind the speaker, it is still always a bad situation with a rear ported speaker. A bookcase is basically a larger enclosure, with its own acoustics. Since sound comes from the rear port it will echo and resonate in the bookcase. That will create all sorts of dips and bumps in the frequency response of the speaker. Usually it is most noticable with the bass, which becomes boomy.

If you have to place a rear ported speaker in an enclosure you can try adding sound deading material in the back of the bookcase to reduce the effects.

Blaine P · 02-24-2004, 09:23 AM

What type of materials would you suggest?