Huh??? I'm pretty confident in my abilities, and as you can see above, others agree....

How do you think Pro-logic worked all those years (And still) it took common information in the Right and Left channel and routed it to the center channel. all the receivers do when you select "Phantom" center is the reverse. They take the Center channel information and split it to the Right and left. ANy resonable pair of speakers can produce a center image. Have you never heard a quaity 2 channel setup and sworn there was a center channel? If not I suggest you open you ears and think a bit before you insult someone with no leg to stand on.

I didnt attack you personally. I simply stated that i disagreed with your opinion and stated why.

I have certainly run 3 speakers around a Plasma in tight situations. It works fine, but when a Center channel cant fit, I dont start compromising system timbre.... I'd rather sell a slightly better pair of speakers......


True... But Mismatching those 3 discrete channels can definatly create something worse.

Answer me this....... Three others agreed with me...... Why the hostility to only me???

Oh well.....

Impaqt

4 others!

I agree as well!

My current layout provides no reasonable location for a center channel, and it sounds just fine without.

I will, I will, but only after I've made the client fully aware of the benifits of buying a discrete processor and trashing the prologic he drug to his new house.

This dilema centers around the fact that there is no correct solution for this client and his 5.1 system. I don't like the idea of reverting back to a matrixed sound stage which would actually be worse than a prologic system. At least with prologic we had a center channel. I don't think one could hope for a decent sound stage with this method. Well imaged stereo tracks are properly mixed.

And still...

I am thoroughly unimpressed with Bose products, but the little center they make fits nicely on the upper lip of a plasma. It would definately be a timber problem when the effect passes left to right through the center, or visa-versa. I don't see any serious dialog trouble though.

I might be inclined to at least try the Bose but only if a)The client is worth the extra trouble and also worth the expense if you have to eat the speaker. And b)the distance from center to the left and right speakers is at least 40 inches. If those two criteria aren't met, then I'd wire it up with the phantom center, and get on down the road. I would be inclined to test the timber with 2Fast 2Furious - opening segment.

If you can get the left/right speakers far enough out, then I like the dual center option. Watch your impedance though.

Hope this helps

HD

Your insult about Pro Logic and how it was implied

Dont know how you could of taken that....

I simply meant I havent spec'd/sold mismatched speakers since the days of Pro-Logic where it didnt matter as much. I can Honestly say I've never spec'd a Mismatched DD/DTS system.

You need to play around more and see what you can and cannot get away with. I am not saying you install a hi-end system up with mixmacth speakers.

But when you have a system your putting togather for a customer in let say the masterbed room and they say "I pay to have it installed... but use what I have and Don't buy anything more". I install a lot of older DD,DTS systems in master bedrooms. If they have a Pro Logic system I'll install that for them to.

You can come across things that you never knew would work... And work well.

I take pride of my training. I will go out of my way to take a class on new technology and or equipment. Your Pro Logic statement just got my goat. But I'm a professional. Maybe you can see were I'm coming from.

See if you can find whats missing?



This message was edited by Theatreinstaller on 05/08/04 01:46.

Well, Your comments were NOT very professional. Take a look at my profile and my companies website. I'd put my professional experience up against anyones.

Do u have room to spread the left/right out further, and then use 2 center speakers just outside the tv? This would solve all problems w/matching, digital, etc., that is, assuming the receiver/amp can handle dual centers...

The one thing that wasn't stated anywhere was how critical the client is. There are hundreds of plasma installs out there, that may have sound being run from some new av receiver, yet due to restrictions of placement only have right/left and surround speakers (and a sub?). In most of my clients homes the
plasma(s) are secondary sets, there is a main theater room that has been set up for optimum sound and picture. Thus for the plasma, the client isn't looking for the ultimate sound, just good sound and a design that fits the decor. In these cases, if I found I couldn't place a center speaker, I most likely wouldn't compromise by "sticking" some small useless speaker to the plasma. A. it wouldn't make enough of a difference to the sound (except making it worse) B. I don't want the stupid service call after the cleaning staff knocked it off while dusting C. I probably can't sell that little speaker for enough money to make it worth my time opening the box it came in. Before anyone gets upset, hey, if your clients like what you do, good for you. I'm not saying there is anything wrong (although a real theater expert would cringe at the thought of mixing a little Bose speaker with a nice pair of in walls) Just not something I would ever do, based on alot of years experience.

Now thats funny

Haven't heard from Steve in a few days. Wonder if he's done this job already? I still like eastonaltreee's idea best (dual centers.) All other options stink, except maybe the perforated plasma. :)

Most people here seem to agree that timber matching is more important than loosing the discrete center. I'm not as convinced. I'll admit I'm not as astute as some of the folks on this site, but I may buy one of these little Bose thingies and play around with it.

Guys,

We've done the dual center thing several times with great results, as I stated before. I know it is a compromise, but to sound cliche, don't knock it until you have ACTUALLY TRIED IT. The key, as stated by others is to get the left and right at least 5 feet or so away. Since the centers get exactly the same signal, the person sitting in the sweet spot (and likely the only person in the room who cares) will still get great imaging, while those off axis will get an actual center image that is anchored to the video (which they wouldn't have gotten at all with a matrixed setup).

best,

Easton Altree

Actually, by sending the same siganal through two seperated speakers you will get unpredictable results due to the creation of additional standing waves in the room. It may come out ok sometimes but not others. If the primary viewing area is between the left and right speakers the need for a center speaker becomes less critical. Timbre matching is needed whenever a center channel is used.

I am appauled that a professional would ever consider using any Bose product. That is like the chef in a 5-star resturaunt running up to McDondalds and buying a hamburger to serve, at the same time trying to justify serving meals costing $80 a plate.

There is little that could more damage to a great system than using a mismatched center speaker, let alone a Bose cube. We have done a few systems where the customer wouldn't give up their cabinet for their TV and so we didn't have an acceptable place for the center speaker. Using no center actually works well if the audience is seated between the front speakers.

My vote is for no center and better left & right in-walls. Good luck!!