[MikeDavis]

Happy New Year! 

I have a couple of questions regarding the Veracity HT center channel speaker and its placement.  Im considering purchasing one of these to round out my 3.1 HT system (mains are HT1-TLs).  The center channel would be placed in the top shelf of the media console.  The dimensions of that shelf are 23"x10"x23" (WxHxD), making for a pretty snug fit with the salk center (22x9x14).  The height of the tweeter on the center channel will sit 16" below the tweeter height of the mains. My listening position is approximately 11ft from the speakers.  Here are my concerns:

1)  Even though the center speaker is sealed, i will still have boomy/muffled sound coming from the center channel.

2)  The relatively low height of the center channel with respect to the mains will create a disjointed soundstage. 


Any input/advice or words of wisdom from previous experience would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks!

[Early B.]

This recent thread should be helpful:  http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=101799.0

[srb]

1)  Even though the center speaker is sealed, i will still have boomy/muffled sound coming from the center channel.

Keeping the baffle of the speaker just forward of the shelf by 1" will help.
 

2)  The relatively low height of the center channel with respect to the mains will create a disjointed soundstage.

My center channel's tweeter (Aurum Cantus G2 ribbon) is 19" below the tweeters of my mains.  Using the one extra inch of clearance height to angle the center channel upward will also help.  I use rubber door stops as angled spacers.
 
I have done both of these things, and I really don't notice any problem with the soundstage or left > < right panning.
 
Steve

[MikeDavis]

Thanks for the link and suggestions.  Is it beneficial to fill the remaining gap between the speaker and shelf with material, or is that unnecessary? 

[srb]

My rack furniture is an open design and my center channel only has posts on each side of it.  If yours is an enclosed compartment, filling the space might not be a bad idea and could possibly eliminate some cavity resonance.  I have filled spaces in the past with black foam tubular pipe insulation or a rolled up black towell.
 
Steve

[Big Red Machine]

HT folks with solid screens or set-ups like mine deal with this every day with zero issues.

[MikeDavis]

This makes me feel alot better.  I was probably making this out to be a lot more of an issue than it is.  My compartment is enclosed in the back and 4 sides, so i will probably look for some foam to fill the gaps (if needed). 

[Big Red Machine]

Get a front ported Song Center.  NO FOAM!!!  Let the cabinet breathe.