[freerider]

I need to build a center channel for my future LS6s, that will fit in my entertainment cabinet, and is roughly 7-3/4" H x 24" W x 15" D.  It will have to be sealed, since there isn't any breathing room in the back for ports.

You can see how small the space is in this old picture.  That's a Polk CSi5 in there right now.  I might be able to convince wifey to get rid of the shelf, and free up twice as much height for a customized franken-center channel, or just more breathing room.

There's no way I can use the current LS Center channel that has been developed (unfortunately  ). 

Just hoping there is something Danny has designed that will come a lot closer to the LS6s in sound and quality, than that Polk will.

[mcallister]

I use a pair of N3S as side surrounds and they match my LS9's very well. I believe a forum member or two uses a single N3S as a center channel with their LS's.

[corndog71]

Did your wife build that entertainment stand? Is there some special emotional attachment to it?

Surely that ugly thing could be chucked in favor of something more fitting...

like a cabinet or structure that will allow a proper center channel.

No offense intended.  I really dislike those huge wall cabinets that scrifice audio harmony for old fashioned aesthetics.

[freerider]

Sorry, the entertainment center stays.  It was required in order to keep the TV.  I'm grateful to have what she's letting me have now.

[Jerrin]

I currently use a N3-S as a center with my 9's.  It matches very well.  Sounds significantly better than my old bigfoot.

[freerider]

I don't see that on Danny's website.  Where can I get more info on that?

[jeffh]

A lot of N3S builds in this thread

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=92302.0

[Cheeseboy]

I would put her on a pedistal right now too.  Anything she wants!

She will see the need for a better use of space on her own in the future.  Get the LS 6 home and let her hear them.  She will want to opt for the right center just as much as you do once she has lived with them. 

[SlushPuppy]

Looking at your set-up, I'd skip a center channel speaker and go phantom. Give it a try. It's free.

[Jonathon Janusz]

Maybe put the new LS-center beast up on top of the stand, angled down?

[mono-tubeleosis]

Honestly, get rid of the electronics garage.  I went through the same thing you're going through.  Those entertainment centers are the anti-christ of sound systems.  Sell it....Kill it.... and live life to its fullest.

[freerider]

Guys, I appreciate your comments and opinions, but that wall of wood isn't going anywhere, unless I sell the house.  I've got to work with what I have right now.  Maybe in 10 years or so, I can buy a house with an room that can be audio centric, but I'm not there.

[Zracer]

 No matter what speaker you put in that little cubby, it wont sound good. I wouldnt bother upgrading your polk until you can give the speaker proper placement. Im curious as to where the ls6 are gonna go. It looks like a tight fit from your E center to the side walls.

[freerider]

Yes, they are going into the little nook. I know, it's like pouring A1 sauce over a perfect filet, but it's what I have to work with. I plan on putting bass traps in the corner, and along the wall behind the speakers to help out a little.

[freerider]

No matter what speaker you put in that little cubby, it wont sound good. I wouldnt bother upgrading your polk until you can give the speaker proper placement.

Really?!    What if it is a sealed center channel?  Then it shouldn't matter, right?

[Danny Richie]

Hey freerider,

I think you can make it work. To start with, the tweeters go on the outside.

Next, build you a tube trap filled with isolation and let it take up about half of the depth of that cubby hole. And let the speakers poke out about half way out of that cubby hole.

Also, treat your first reflection point on that right side almost all the way to the speaker. Some type of wall panel with high absorption will really help.

[freerider]

I think you can make it work. To start with, the tweeters go on the outside.

Next, build you a tube trap filled with isolation and let it take up about half of the depth of that cubby hole. And let the speakers poke out about half way out of that cubby hole.

Also, treat your first reflection point on that right side almost all the way to the speaker. Some type of wall panel with high absorption will really help.

How high up should the trap go; just to the top of the speaker?  Is there another material besides fiberglass insulation that I could use for the trap?

[mojave]

You can also use cotton batting, but the fiberglass is easier to cut and buy and it is also cheaper. I would just stuff it in a black pillow case and then stuff the filled pillow into the back of your center speaker cubby hole.

I agree with SlushPuppy that you should just use a phantom center. Your dialog is going to be much more clear and dynamic using the LS6's than any center you could put in the cubby hole. Start with a phantom center and then ask yourself, "What problem am I trying to solve that requires me to add a center speaker?"

There are some receivers that enable Dynamic Compression when using a phantom center, but I don't think it is very many.

[Cheeseboy]

I agree with Mojave on using the system in Phantom Center Mode. 
When you hear the center staging that the LS6's will produce you most likely will find that you are very happy

It might be best to concentrate on building our the LS6's first.  Then you will know what to do next.

[edoggrc51]

I currently use a N3-S as a center with my 9's.  It matches very well.  Sounds significantly better than my old bigfoot.

Same here. The N3s was a big improvement over the old Bigfoot and X-voce I had before.