Can someone elaborate on the center channel speaker?

[alphaiii]

More specifically, could someone give some details on the pro's and con's of the type and orientation of the center channel?

MTM horizontal (most common)
MTM vertical
horizontal bookshelf
vertical bookshelf

The following article talks alot about the downfalls of the horizontal MTM speaker, with regard to wave interference, "double-slit" effect, lobing effect and phase shifting.

http://www.audioholics.com/education/loudspeaker-basics/vertical-vs-horizontal-speaker-designs

If this driver arrangement and orientation has so many pitfalls, why is the horizontal MTM basically the expected type of center?

[billnchristy]

Truthfully I think it is more than a visual symmetry thing than anything else.

When folks start getting their 5 WAF-1s people will be singing the praise of matching speakers. :smoke1:

[Cujobob]

Wider dispersion, I assume?

There are a few obstacles...centers normally must be fairly small (except in hardcore theaters, for those just with normal living rooms, this is necessary). I assume that a two-way bookshelf would not work as well over a wide seating area, though I could be wrong. Center channels need to be able to go low enough, MTM designs help with this.

[rumonkey2]

All I know is having 3 matching (across the front at least) & on the same plane did make a discernable difference in my set-up. So, for my main system I plan to never "go back". I even had to build a "custom" TV stand to make this work...
And I'm just your Avg Joe/A-V Freak/Budget Audiophile Wannabe.
Didn't know if I was hearing lobing issues, etc...or not. Until I A/Bd & LISTENED.
How many folks are gonna take the time, hear the difference, understand the difference, and/or really care??? :scratchchin: Practical placement issues aside...
In a nut-shell, this is why horizontal MTM is still ruling center choice IMO.
I'm just glad places like TCA & AV123 will split a pair to let this happen!:goodvibes:




Of course, if someone wants to give me their 850/BF or X-Static/X-Voce set-up, I will gladly go back to horizontal center :idea::raspberry::crazy:

[kyle]

I assume that a two-way bookshelf would not work as well over a wide seating area, though I could be wrong. Center channels need to be able to go low enough, MTM designs help with this.

That's an assumption that I'm starting to think may be incorrect, and the linked article seems to confirm that. I think it may be better to have three matching bookshelfs for L/C/R even if the center has to be placed horizontally (with the tweeters rotated 90 degrees) than to have two bookshelfs for the L&R and a MTM for the center even if it uses the same drivers.

[m-fine]

The main reason for MTM is to make it fit above or below the TV. The vertical off axis resposnse is not smooth for many speakers so some book shelf units will work well on their sides some will not.

[ggunnell]

I'll let Dave F. of Ascend save me some typing :) :

http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showpost.php?p=1367&postcount=10

The +/- 20 degree listening window for a horizontal MTM is key -- if you are outside that with primary seating you really do need to look at other options.