MTM center channel project

[Deagle50ae]

Hello all.
I am building a center channel speaker with two Dayton 5" RS's ( Part Number 295-360) and a dayton 1-1/8" dome tweeter (PE Part Number 275-070 ) I am purchasing also a Dayton 2,500hz two way x-over. I haven't purchased yet so these are not final. I was also considering two 4-ohm Dayton classics but i love the ref's looks.

does anybody have experience with this combination? I haven't decided on the box design yet except that I want an MTM configuration. It would be cool if I could front-port it but i am afraid that I'll get muddy bass response. Doe aybody know of any design scematics I could look at? I need something pretty simple as my woodworking skills are satisfactory at best. My budget is $120. that covers everything from x-over to drivers, to hardware, to wood, to vinal laminate.

if anybody has any advice or alternate driver selection for this project, please voice it as I can't afford mistakes.
Thanks!

-Josh

[454Casull]

You do realize the MTM should be set up so that the drivers are aligned vertically, right?

[shusha]

It is true 454, but you often see consumer and high end products where MTM is aligned horizontally. Otherwise nobody has enough room for center speaker.

[Deagle50ae]

I am using it for a center chanel so I need it to sit flat attop my entertainment center
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This alignment will not work?

vertical alignment will not work in my instance.

Should I just go with a single midbass driver then?

Help me out here, i'm pretty new to this, I dont know the physics yet.

my budget is $120 for everything.
I want a good sounding center channel (to replace my Boston 424V wich is a 2-way |M T PR| (pr = passive radiator))

I really am open to anything at this point. I'd like to get all parts from PE is I can.

Suggestions? please... with a cherry on top

-Josh

[noodle_snacks]

One thing i am wondering about, if there is no option other than a horizontal MTM, what sort of crossover frequency should be aimed for to minimize off axis problems (high or low?)

The other is, what is the effect of offsetting the tweeter towards the top of the box as much as possible? this picture below:

[noodle_snacks]

Vs this one

[Deagle50ae]

yes... what he said.
man I am doomed.

Would a simple TM configuration be better?

I realise that the Dayton RS 5" neets to be crossed pretty low to avoid breakup. Would it be safe to do a 12bd cross at 2,500hz?


I'm not really picky. I just want a good sounding center chanel.

[Bill Fitzpatrick]

How about a Fostex or a co-ax?

[chrish]

I know it is not what you probably want to hear, but what about no centre channel at all? Your processor probably has a setting for "ghost" centre or no centre, sending the centre channel to both front speakers. Others have commented on this forum that this setup is superior to a poor centre channel.

For the experts out there - why is it that with a well recorded stereo music recording I can place the instruments anywhere in the sound stage with just two speakers, yet for home theatre a centre channel is "required"?

[dooper]

I don't consider myself an expert by any means, but here's what Siegfried Linkwitz has to say on the subject:

http://www.linkwitzlab.com/hi-rez-cmt.htm

Cheers,

dooper