Goathorn Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 We have a HT system in our relatively large and very open great room. Although the room is challenging (concrete floors and 2 walls of glass doors), we're pretty happy with how the system sounds. The one area that's lacking is the center channel, and looking for suggestions. In short, the Episode passive soundbar we've been using as a center seems to get drowned out by the Cornwalls we use as LRs up front. In our previous home, we were able to use an Academy as a center, which was amazing. However, in our current home, we need a flatter center that we can mount on the wall between the fireplace and TV (about 6" high). Any recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 6 hours ago, Goathorn said: Any recommendations? Nope. Your Cornwalls need a matching speaker, not one that's restricted by a small space. If they're not toed in, give that a try. They'll present an amazing center image even off center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goathorn Posted June 1, 2020 Author Share Posted June 1, 2020 I realize a matching speaker would be ideal, but I need something that will fit into the space I have...so perhaps I should rephrase...Any recommendations for a center that would work better with my Cornwalls than the one I have given my space constraints? Is there such a thing as a dynamic sounding passive soundbar type of speaker I could use? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 The Klipsch Academy center channel speaker is the answer. Welcome to the forum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Just go phantom. Significantly better than going with a mismatched center. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 8 hours ago, Goathorn said: Is there such a thing as a dynamic sounding passive soundbar type of speaker I could use? I'd rethink the room and its furniture. The center channel is the most important loudspeaker in a surround array. I'd certainly treat it as such. Make room for another Cornwall and ditch whatever furniture and/or projection screen (if you're using one) that is giving you problems. You're pushing on the wrong part of the problem, IMO. Chris 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleJ Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 Hi, Not the best solution but works good enough for me with my CW fronts. KLF C7 Thanks JJ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 22 hours ago, billybob said: The Klipsch Academy center channel speaker is the answer. Welcome to the forum! 2 hours ago, DoubleJ said: Hi, Not the best solution but works good enough for me with my CW fronts. KLF C7 Thanks JJ Guys, in his post he said he needs something to fit in a 6" high space. There's no center that will fit that bill that will be remotely worth trying to match Cornwall mains. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billybob Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 1 minute ago, wuzzzer said: Guys, in his post he said he needs something to fit in a 6" high space. There's no center that will fit that bill that will be remotely worth trying to match Cornwall mains. Knew that space is limited. Just wanted to give him a vintage answer that, I believe is correct...thanks. BTW, there are smaller vintage centers, as you know. Using a more modern center may work. Maybe just a plain Jane sound bar I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goathorn Posted June 3, 2020 Author Share Posted June 3, 2020 Like I said, I used an Academy center with Cornwalls in my previous home...was very satisfied with that. If I would have know we’d use the system in our great room as much as we do, I would have designed it differently. We have the Cornwalls set up to switch to our 2 channel system for vinyl & CDs, and I thought that would be the primary use, so I didn’t put a lot of thought into the center (or rears for that matter). It’s not our primary system for viewing, but we use it enough to make it worthwhile to try to improve, even if marginally. What about Klipsch G-28? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 Have you tried going without a center? Try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goathorn Posted June 3, 2020 Author Share Posted June 3, 2020 Will give it a try. Thanks., Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyrc Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 On 6/1/2020 at 2:23 PM, wuzzzer said: Just go phantom. Significantly better than going with a mismatched center. We used a phantom center for about 10 years, back in the VHS era. The LF and RF were about 4.5 feet apart, but we were about 7 feet away. The stereo effect was minimal unless some dialog moved off-screen, but the sound was very good, full, and more spacious than mono. If the Cornwalls aren't too far apart, phantom should work pretty well. Right now, we are in a 4,300 cu.ft. room, with Klipschorn LF and RF and a modified Belle Klipsch center, plus surround. While it is much better (increased clarity, better tonality, dynamics, etc.) most films were almost as absorbing with the old, little system. With music, no comparison, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frzninvt Posted June 3, 2020 Share Posted June 3, 2020 A Cornwall is ideal, Heresy minimum, Academy works. The KLF-C7 is not a match not even close. Not a bad speaker but it has a totally different timbre as it was designed for the Legend line of speakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 On 6/2/2020 at 11:12 PM, Goathorn said: Will give it a try. Thanks., And...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goathorn Posted June 8, 2020 Author Share Posted June 8, 2020 I experimented with it some over the weekend. I think the Cornwalls may be too far apart for it to work well (about 20ft). At low volumes it was almost as if the dialog drifted around rather than being in the center. I’ll give it more time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bribassguy Posted June 10, 2020 Share Posted June 10, 2020 I am in the same boat... I was thinking about putting a Hersey (KP250) behind a transparent screen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted June 10, 2020 Share Posted June 10, 2020 Could you gain some space options with a Sawzall?? Not trying to be a (total) azz.... just probing for priorities..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuzzzer Posted June 10, 2020 Share Posted June 10, 2020 7 hours ago, bribassguy said: I am in the same boat... I was thinking about putting a Hersey (KP250) behind a transparent screen? That would be a much better match than any horizontal center that Klipsch has ever made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goathorn Posted June 11, 2020 Author Share Posted June 11, 2020 I borrowed a Definitive XTR 60 from the system in our kid’s playroom....it’s a more efficient on-wall speaker than the Episode, and has slightly bigger drivers, so I thought it would be a better match to the Cornwalls. My intuition was correct. Definitely a step in the right direction, so much so I could live with it. However, the RP-640D is even more efficient, so I’m going to give that one a try. At some point in the next year or so I’ll be upgrading the TV, and when I do I’ll consider how I might re-work things so can I can use a full-size center. Maybe a niche above the TV that can accommodate a Heresy (angled down)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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