Help me find a short, not deep, <$200 center

[greg_mitch]

Need a center to go under my TV mounted above my FP. I need something less than 8.5" deep and something shorter than 8.5".

I have the following on my short list:

HTD Level2 Center
HTD Middy
HTD Flat Panel Speaker
Orb Mod1
Orb Mod2
Klipsch Synergy C1
Def Tech ProCenter 1000
Energy RC Mini CC
Mirage Omnisat V2 Center
Mirage Nano Center
Polk RM8 Center
(Missing anything?)

I wanted to include speakers like the SCS from SVS and HSU's horn center but they are too deep. As you can see...I was just browsing Vanns and listing anything that met the requirements.

This will be rounding out a pretty budget living room setup that will be used for 90% TV viewing. The rest of the system:

42" 720p Vizio LCD
Monoprice 6.5" in-ceiling speakers
No sub (Yet)
Denon 1709 or Pioneer 819 receiver

Thanks for any advice...help...whatever you post.

[PhenomeNhan]

What about the HTD Level 2?

[greg_mitch]

Added it to the list. Do you have any comments on the HTD Level 2 Center or did you just know it would meet the requirements?

[PhenomeNhan]

Added it to the list. Do you have any comments on the HTD Level 2 Center or did you just know it would meet the requirements?

I saw that it would meet the requirements and I've had experience with it in the past (owned and have had friends who have owned it). The latest was setting up a dedicated HT room for a buddy of mine. It sounds fantastic for the price. Although the middies sound pretty good for its size, for better HT duties, I'd recommend the Level 2 over it.

I've not experience with other speakers on the list.

[rsa]

Put a WTB advert up on forum.av123.com for a original ELT-1 center? A very nice center (I had ELT-1's before moving to the Ref series)

ELT C - Center $299/each
System: 3-Way, 4-Driver, rear-ported enclosure.
Drivers: custom 5.25" long-throw aluminum cone woofers, custom 2.5” paper composite midrange, hybrid silk-suspended alloy dome tweeter.
Frequency Response: 60 Hz to 20 KHz (± 3 dB)
Impedance: 6 Ohms nominal.
Efficiency: 87 dB (@ 1 watt / 1 meter)
Power Rating: 25-150 Watts
Dimensions: 7.75" H x 6.75" D x 20” W
Weight: 20 lbs. each

Rear porting isn't ideal for your sit, but you could plug it. :)

[greg_mitch]

Put a WTB advert up on forum.av123.com for a original ELT-1 center? A very nice center (I had ELT-1's before moving to the Ref series)

Rear porting isn't ideal for your sit, but you could plug it. :)

Thanks...I was trying to stay away from rear-ports...althought I may have missed a few in the list.

[brother love]

Need a center to go under my TV mounted above my FP. I need something less than 8.5" deep and something shorter than 8.5".

When you say shorter, do you mean width or height?

Paradigm makes a Cinema series that has very small speakers, but they sound great. I used to own them before my av123 ELT 525 towers & center purchase. I still use 2 of them for my surrounds. Dims are like 4-5/8 x 4 x 17.

Keep in mind you will be losing quite a bit bass if you go too small. Usually these type of smaller speakers only go down to 110- 120 Hz range.

av123 ELT525 center is pretty small. Can you wall mount your center to accomodate a larger size?

If you shoot a pic & post it, you might be surprised what kind of good ideas folks here could come up with. :shiftyeyes:

[greg_mitch]

When you say shorter, do you mean width or height?

Paradigm makes a Cinema series that has very small speakers, but they sound great. I used to own them before my av123 ELT 525 towers & center purchase. I still use 2 of them for my surrounds. Dims are like 4-5/8 x 4 x 17.

Keep in mind you will be losing quite a bit bass if you go too small. Usually these type of smaller speakers only go down to 110- 120 Hz range.

av123 ELT525 center is pretty small. Can you wall mount your center to accomodate a larger size?

If you shoot a pic & post it, you might be surprised what kind of good ideas folks here could come up with. :shiftyeyes:

It wouldn't surprise me...I expect it! :thumbsup:

I can upload a picture later, but just picture a FP with a mantle and then a 42" LCD above it.

I don't really want to wall mount it, I don't think it will look right given this particular install. Most of the speakers are listing down to 80Hz but I realize I will suffer greatly the smaller I go more than likely.

Anyone heard the Orb offerings? I know they would probably win the WAF contest.

[brother love]

It wouldn't surprise me...I expect it! :thumbsup:

I can upload a picture later, but just picture a FP with a mantle and then a 42" LCD above it.

I don't really want to wall mount it, I don't think it will look right given this particular install. Most of the speakers are listing down to 80Hz but I realize I will suffer greatly the smaller I go more than likely.

Anyone heard the Orb offerings? I know they would probably win the WAF contest.

Here was solution for my fireplace mantle situation ...

[greg_mitch]

Thanks for the photo but that isn't really my situation as stated. :assshake:

That assymetry in the room would drive me nuts! :neener:

[brother love]

Thanks for the photo but that isn't really my situation as stated. :assshake::

Well, I did say it was a solution for MY fireplace mantle situation.

That assymetry in the room would drive me nuts! :neener:

I hope your room symmetry with seriously comprimised sound works out for you. :scratchchin:

[greg_mitch]

Well, I did say it was a solution for MY fireplace mantle situation.

I hope your room symmetry with seriously comprimised sound works out for you. :scratchchin:

The living room is FULL of compromises, don't get me started.

6ave responded back with $158 for the center channel and $180 for the Denon receiver.

What do you think?

[brother love]

The living room is FULL of compromises, don't get me started.

6ave responded back with $158 for the center channel and $180 for the Denon receiver.

What do you think?

I have the Denon avr-1909 & love it (purchased from 6th Ave. btw, without a hitch). Audyssey is awesome esp. for troublesome rooms (which I have in spades... live room w/ wood subfloors/ oak flooring over basement, wood paneling, many door openings, etc.).

[greg_mitch]

The lack of audio over HDMI continues to scare me. But the price is so cheap... :crying:

[PhenomeNhan]

The lack of audio over HDMI continues to scare me. But the price is so cheap... :crying:

Huh?