Center speaker placement recommendations (1 Viewer)

[birderdoc]

For my new HT setup I have the choice of putting the center speaker either above or below the flat screen display. If it goes above then the placement will allow the front edge of the speaker to be even with the front of the screen below, but the mounting will be cumbersome due to the presence of a 45-degree sloped section of "ceiling" (or "wall" depending on your orientation, I suppose) directly above the console. The alternative is to place the center speaker on the base of the flat screen, but then the front edge of the speaker will be about 6 inches in front of the plane of the screen. Is there any generally-accepted advice about which of these arrangements is best in terms of sound quality and "realism"? The primary viewing location will be about 10-12 feet from the screen. Thanks in advance.

 

[Robert_J]

I put mine below the screen. The baffle of the speaker is about 18" so your 6" difference should not matter. I chose the bottom because it kept the from three speakers more in line and closer to ear level. That and proper calibration are the two biggest steps to a great sounding system.

-Robert

 

[JohnRice]

To me, it depends largely on the height of the screen. If you are looking up to the screen, below may be OK. You just don't want the speaker to ever be obscured for any viewer.

 

[Kevin Stewart]

Generally, it's better to have it above the screen and angled down, but as John mentioned, it depends upon your screen placement. If your screen is properly placed (middle at "eye height"), putting the center below the screen could cause sound problems if you have anything in between it and your ears (coffee table, ottoman, etc.).

 

[birderdoc]

Thank you all for your input. There should be no problem with obstructions in the below screen configuration, and given the difficulties of mounting the speaker above, I think I'll first try it below and see how things work. John and Kevin, do you agree that keeping the three front speakers in line at roughly ear level is a good idea?

 

[JohnRice]

Roughly ear level is good in the front if the screen is at that height, but it's not always feasible, particularly with the center. My fronts are all roughly ear level.