Hi...new to forum...recomendations on Center channel

[ssabripo]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading this forums for a while, but just registered ... First of all, I wanted to say that I really enjoy this forum, and you guys are definitely big audio-holics! I'm learning a lot....

I'm planning on building a Center Channel for my HT system, since I'm not 100% with the sound staging and acoustic image of the current Swan Diva 3C I have:

http://www.swanspeaker.com/product/htm/view.asp?id=196 (<--info)

I want to build a slightly bigger center channel with perhaps one or two more drivers, and with a better tweeter than the Hi-vi TM-1A tweeter that exists in my Center channel (http://www.swanspeaker.com/product/htm/view.asp?id=21)....

Thus, I am looking to make a Veneer Rosewood Center, with 3 drivers, a small midrange, and a tweeter...something like this (sorry for the crappy photoshop):


I would like to try another driver (other than Hi-vi), and tweeter of course, so I'm looking at these possibilities:

Tweeters
Millenium tweeter
ScanSpeak 9300
Vifa xt25

Midrange Drivers
Excel W18E001 mid/bass
Seas excel W12
audax am130z2 mid
MG18 woofer

Anyways, I hope to start building in the next few weeks, and would like as much input as possible.......I would like to build the center channel with around $300 or so, but with KILLER performance...

I look forward to hearing from all of you....much regards,

-Shervin

[morbo]

out of curiosity, have you tried pulling the center out a bit so that it sits flush with the silver bar in your stand? That bar is probably causing some terrible early reflections and cancellations, which could account for a lot of your problems. Also, have you tried it on top of the TV, tilted down? The picture does not look like it is pointing at you ear level at all, closer to pant leg level

Anyhow, to give any input we'd need to ask a few questions: What problem areas bother you about your current center? Is the location in the photo the only available one? What kind of amplification do you have for this speaker, and what XO frequency are you using to your subwoofer (I assume you set it to small, otherwise this will need to be one hell of a center channel)? Do you have access to measurement equipment and crossover modelling software?

[ssabripo]

well....you can see more pics in my sig.

as for sound, it is much better than the infinty il25C i had, but I was very impressed with the sound of the rockets rs200 (bigfoot), and thus, would like to give it a fuller and better imaging center...

[audioferret]

1. Move your Right and Left Speakers about 16" further away from the back wall. They look like they are too compressed, thus not blending well witht he center.

2. Get one of those TV wall-mount stands from Home Depot and mount the speaker on that above your screen. That anclosure does not look good and is probably messing with the back, top, and side acoustics of the speaker something aweful. Remember, speakers radiate sound in all directions. Restricting that has an impact on imaging.

3. If this does not satisfy, check out the Exodus Audio LCR speaker at DIYcable.com. I am currently drooling over that one. The drivers in that speaker should beat the speaker you have. It is $400, however. It should be worth the stretch.

4. Caveat! The new speaker will NOT be voice matched to your mains! This is why I am encouraging you to try to fix acoustics first. Acoustics is one the least addressed problems in home audio, but one of the most important. Try turning the center speaker off in your system and litening with a "phantom center" If it sounds better, the acoustics of the c-speaker platform are suspect.

[ssabripo]

Originally posted by audioferret
1. Move your Right and Left Speakers about 16" further away from the back wall. They look like they are too compressed, thus not blending well witht he center.

2. Get one of those TV wall-mount stands from Home Depot and mount the speaker on that above your screen. That anclosure does not look good and is probably messing with the back, top, and side acoustics of the speaker something aweful. Remember, speakers radiate sound in all directions. Restricting that has an impact on imaging.

3. If this does not satisfy, check out the Exodus Audio LCR speaker at DIYcable.com. I am currently drooling over that one. The drivers in that speaker should beat the speaker you have. It is $400, however. It should be worth the stretch.

4. Caveat! The new speaker will NOT be voice matched to your mains! This is why I am encouraging you to try to fix acoustics first. Acoustics is one the least addressed problems in home audio, but one of the most important. Try turning the center speaker off in your system and litening with a "phantom center" If it sounds better, the acoustics of the c-speaker platform are suspect.

Thanks ferret....I will try some more tweaking with the center, but I've already tried positioning it (above the Tv, moving it out and tilting it towards listening position, etc)...it's not that it sound terrible at all, but rather, I would like just more resolution (a la Rockets' "big foot"), and plus, I also need an excuse for a DIY this winter......need something to get away from the wife and kids

The LCR kit from exodus definitely looks ok, but for $400 I think I can do better finding parts....but I will sure keep it in mind.

Here are a few more I've been looking at:

Tweeters
Excel T25C003
Excel T25cf002

Midranges
Excel M15CH001
Hi-Vi W5