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Topic: Using 2 speakers as one center channel. (Read 6812 times) previous topic - next topic
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Using 2 speakers as one center channel.

Hi, I've found that my puny little center channel is not going low enough, and since the crossover of my receiver is set at 80 Hz, I have a hole around there. I got two Definitive Tech SM350's lying around that should be able to go low enough. I'd like to know if there are any potential problems about wiring them both for a center channel. They have one tweeter and one woofer both, and one side-firing (symmetrical for L and R) passive driver. Any issues I should be aware of? Impedance is not a problem, BTW. I'm wondering about possible interference and such things.

One more quick question. If it's OK, do you think there would be any trouble placing the speakers on their sides, with the passive driver pointing up? They're dome tweeters, BTW, not horn, if that's something important.

Using 2 speakers as one center channel.

Reply #1 –
Quote from: andy o on
Hi, I've found that my puny little center channel is not going low enough, and since the crossover of my receiver is set at 80 Hz, I have a hole around there. I got two Definitive Tech SM350's lying around that should be able to go low enough. I'd like to know if there are any potential problems about wiring them both for a center channel. They have one tweeter and one woofer both, and one side-firing (symmetrical for L and R) passive driver. Any issues I should be aware of? Impedance is not a problem, BTW. I'm wondering about possible interference and such things.

One more quick question. If it's OK, do you think there would be any trouble placing the speakers on their sides, with the passive driver pointing up? They're dome tweeters, BTW, not horn, if that's something important.


It is best to have the same kind of speaker (or at least similar speakers) for a surround set-up. It would be odd to have a sound in the left speaker sound quite different as it is panned to the centre speaker. The sensitivity of the speakers will probably be different as well, so you will need to adjust the level of the centre to match.

Using two speakers may causing phase problems at none central listening positions. Why not use just one?

It is not good to have a horizontal passive radiator, unless it has been design for it. The passive radiator may sag from its own weight and give you increased distortion as it now has less travel in the downward direction.

Using 2 speakers as one center channel.

Reply #2 –
So wiring a stereo bookshelf set as center by splitting to make dual mono?
How were you going to array them in the room and relative to one another? Relative to the typical listening position?
How big is the room and where are the other speakers positioned?

If you don't have a specific reason to desire two speakers at center I would just use one of them. Resting the speaker on it's side doesn't seem like an issue to me frankly given typical cone/surround materials, but I have little experience with passive radiators in bookshelf speakers.

edit: disambiguation

Using 2 speakers as one center channel.

Reply #3 –
Often using two speakers together at one location/channel results in the tweeters fighting each other with weird high frequency response. This weirdness will vary with listening position and frequency.
Kevin Graf :: aka Speedskater

Using 2 speakers as one center channel.

Reply #4 –
Thanks guys, phase problems and having the passive driver horizontally were indeed two of my concerns. A while ago, I swore I had seen speakers with multiple tweeters, but a close look revealed none (that wasn't bipolar). I figured there must be a reason. Multiple woofers/mids, yeah many.

I was wary to using only one though because these speakers are to be used in pairs, as their design is very asymmetrical. The woofer and tweeter are not on the same vertical axis (though it's probably not a problem) and the passive radiator is firing to one side, which might be the bigger problem.

For the moment, I have upped the 125 Hz band on the EQ of my receiver for the center, which room correction had set to -8.0 dB (!). That seems a bit better.

Finally, can you guys recommend a center channel in the $200-300 range, which can go as low as possible, but at the same time that's not very tall? I'm guessing it'd have to be deep, or wide (preferable). I'll have problems placing it if it's too tall. I liked Def Tech previously cause their older speakers were large enough, and the aesthetics were all right, but now they've gone all lean and "flat-panel TV" design and their low range is awful (and yes, I know even their specs are BS, even for the speakers I own now).

Aperion audio has an excellent policy for testing. It's free shipping both ways, the Intimus 5C is looking good (enough). I have also checked out the Kipsch RC-52, but that one I won't be able to audition. I have a pair of RB-61 bookshelfs though that I'm very happy with (not using them on the same system though).

The main problem with those two centers is the size, and a bit price. The receiver does a great job of matching the speakers individually, so that's not a big problem.

Oh, one more... the Intimus 4C is spec'd at just 80 Hz (+/- 3 dB) low frequency range, and as a bonus, it's pretty cheap. As I said, my receiver's crossover is set to 80 Hz. I'd like to have some headroom there cause manufacturer's specs aren't to be trusted in general... what do you guys think about that? I don't need a lot of power at all, only things that matter are size and good sound (with good low frequency).