[milford3]

Santa has brought me a new center channel for my 7.1 system.  Is it best to have the center below the TV or above the TV?

[FireGuy]

Good to hear.  Mine is located on a top shelf above the TV.  Could not find a plinth to accommodate the downward angle, using a couple of rubber door stops.  Works quite well.

[srb]

In either case it seems to help to angle the speaker up or down to the listener's ears.  Both should work the same, but for some reason I find that below the screen sounds more natural.  Maybe because the "above" position is closer to a hard ceiling boundary and the "below" position often involves a softer boundary due to rugs or carpet?
 
However, if the position below the screen necessitates recessing it into a cabinet or has other major diffraction problems, then I would choose the "above" location.
 
Steve

[ted_b]

In either case it seems to help to angle the speaker up or down to the listener's ears.  Both should work the same, but for some reason I find that below the screen sounds more natural.  Maybe because the "above" position is closer to a hard ceiling boundary and the "below" position often involves a softer boundary due to rugs or carpet?
 
However, if the position below the screen necessitates recessing it into a cabinet or has other major diffraction problems, then I would choose the "above" location.
 
Steve

+1

Congrats on the new center...  Merry Christmas!

[milford3]

The new center is the Aperion 5C.  Fit and finish is furniture grade.   

[Elizabeth]

Better to have the center channel at least near the height of the main fronts. if possible. So if the mains are not too tall, better to have the center below, just so the sound blends seamlessly.
If the center is above, and the main well below, then you WILL hear the height discrepancy.
My center (under screen) is just at the lower level of the main channel drivers
If it was above, it would be a foot over the top of the main speakers.

[ted_b]

You can see his setup in his system link.  I'm assuming the Aperion is close enough timbre-wise to the Axioms, but that's just an assumption.  The center needs to be closely matched IMO, more so than the surrounds.  In my setup (in my system link) I have identical for my 5.1, and dipole side/rears for my 7.1, but regardless the front three are identical (center sans transmission line).

[milford3]

For now the Aperion 5C will be below the TV.  After two weeks (break-in time) the off axis is just incredable.  I have the Aperion 8D sub and these two speakers have found each other.  Holy crap!
Time for my eggnog.  Merry Christmas everyone!

[FireGuy]

As you know I also have the 5C.  I have no issue regarding the timbre match with my Axioms.  Very cohesive IMO.

[ctviggen]

I have Salk HT3s and a Salk HTC and my HTC is about 1.5-2 feet below the middle drivers.  I thought this wouldn't be a good, seamless system, but I honestly can't tell the center is that low.

See the image:

[FireGuy]

Milford3:  Put the Axiom M22 V3's to a rigid session this afternoon.  Because of the same design characteristics as the M3ti's there are sonic similarities of course.  First impressions:  better dynamics; more subdued presentation (lack of the base hump) which translates to a better integration with my Outlaw LFM1+ sub; improved imaging and layering.  Overall the upgrade from the M3's is as advertised.  More to come.

[Early B.]

My DIY center channel is close to the floor and I can't tell the difference, either.



 

[Levi]

You would normally put it below the tv. 

[FireGuy]

[drjjpdc]

Here is an excellent center channel stand for not a lot of money. It is from Emotiva. What's really nice about it, is that the speaker stand can be used to allow an upward or downward direction, whether under the TV or above it respectively.

 http://emotiva.com/ss6.shtm

[FireGuy]

That's a style of plinth (for my Aperion 5C)  I've tried to find a while ago.  Did not know Emotiva had one.  I did look BTW at their ERM 6.2 bookshelves before settling on Axiom's M22V3.  If Emotiva reference speakers can match that of Axiom on price to performance then add another on-line speaker company to the cheap and cheerful, must-look-at audio vendor list.  I especially like the all-black look, very classy.

[milford3]

Hey fireguy,  How are the new 22's sounding now?  I did decide to keep my center below the TV.

[FireGuy]

Sounding great.  Draconian's "Death Come Near Me" from their Arcane Rain Fell CD knocked my socks off.  Here's something I placed in Axiom's forum the other day (re M22's V3):

Powered by external amp (AudioSource AMP110) there's a addicting sonic quality that's hard to ignore. They replaced a pair M3ti's (which my older son now has)and the difference is very apparent. Better dynamics, imaging and layering. And, there's no more bass hump (not that this design feature ever bothered me); sort of added a level of smoothness imo. Although both speakers share the same tweeter technology the M22's are a little more personal, more attached. Listening to Therion's " Birth of Venus Illegitima" from their Vovin CD was spectacular (combined with my Outlaw Sub). The guitar strings and vocals present themselves with such intimacy and forwardness...most enjoyable.