Multiple Center Channel Speakers (1 Viewer)

[McNasty79]

I currently have a 7.1.4 system with Bowers and Wilkins CWM7.3 s2 bed layer and CCM 7.5 S2 Ceiling speakers.

Due to the limitations of the front wall where the TV is mounted my Left and Right channel don't have adequate separation. I have a significant amount of money invested in tile work and the placement of the current LCR speakers, but would like to entertain the idea of combining the current LCR as on center channel that is time aligned with a dsp such as mini dsp. Once combined I'd add Bowers and Wilkins 703 S3 for Left and Right Channels with proper 45 degrees separation off of center.

Has anyone had any luck with this type of configuration and are there any anticipated pitfalls that you guys can think of?

 

[JohnRice]

would like to entertain the idea of combining the current LCR as on center channel that is time aligned with a dsp such as mini dsp.

I don't understand what the sentence above is saying. Is there a typo?

If you are considering using multiple, horizontally arranged center channel speakers, there is an inherent problem with that. There will be a phase cancellation as the sound from the various, duplicate speakers reach your individual ears. The cancellation is the length of a sound wave between the ears, which happens to hit around 2KHz, and is right where voices mainly are. That can NOT be corrected with time alignment. What that means is, it will tend to make dialog difficult to hear and understand. Again, that is a physical problem created by multiple, horizontally aligned center speakers, and can not be corrected electronically.

If I'm understanding your question, why not just have a single center channel speaker, in the center, and add the wider L&R ones?

 

[JohnRice]

OK, I see now that the three speakers are built in. Unfortunately, that is an inherent problem with building in speakers.

I would NOT use all three as a center speaker. I'd just use the middle one, add the wider L&R ones, and go with it. Leaving the other two speakers unused. Or, stick with what you have now.

 

[willyTass]

i use 2 centre chanel speakers, one on each side of the screen

my Bryston processor allows me to duplicate the centre channel

i don’t hear any artifacts. sounds like dialog is coming from the screen

 

[McNasty79]

i use 2 centre chanel speakers, one on each side of the screen

my Bryston processor allows me to duplicate the centre channel

i don’t hear any artifacts. sounds like dialog is coming from the screen

That sounds promising. I'm running a marantz 7706 Preamp. Which uses audessey. Perhaps the mini dscp could handle timing of the 3 x Centers with Dirac while the Marantz integrates the center channel into Audessey?