Losing the centre speaker... is 4.1 a thing?

[StumblingTrout]

So...

I've got a Denon AVRX3200W and Q Acoustics Q3000i 5.1 Speakers just arrived ready for installation in my new living room when it's decorated. Will be connected to Sky + HD box and LG 55UF860V telly. New to this type of thing. Have only had a wireless sound bar in the past.

Mrs StumblingTrout doesn't want the centre speaker. She only wants a speaker in each corner and the sub.

Would this even work - will the sound that is meant to come from the centre speaker automatically be routed into the others?

Thanks!

ST.

 

[spiny norman]

Would this even work - will the sound that is meant to come from the centre speaker automatically be routed into the others?

Yes: you just set the receiver to 'Centre speaker: none' or equivalent, and it'll run in 'phantom centre' mode, using the left/right front speakers to create the illusion of sound coming from a midpoint between them. Just like a two-channel stereo set-up, in fact, but with surround speakers, too.

 

[StumblingTrout]

That's great, thanks for the help. Good to know. Will save a lot of arguments with the wife

The Denon I had delivered today is my first AV Rec. so apologies if it was a dumb question.

Cheers again.

 

[spiny norman]

apologies if it was a dumb question.

Not at all dumb, and happy to help.

 

[bigboss]

Although I suspect you may be able to convince her later for a centre speaker. Centre speaker and subwoofer bring the biggest difference to a surround sound system. The centre speaker helps place voice to the people on the screen.

 

[spiny norman]

The centre speaker helps place voice to the people on the screen.

Hmmm, depends on how well the main L/R speakers image.

If they're good, you'll hardly miss the centre, which was originally there for use in cinemas (where the left and right channels might be huge distances apart), to help the audience localise voices to the screen. In a home set-up, where the L/R speakers may only be a couple of yards apart. decent speakers set up properly shouldn't have any problem doing the trick.

 

[StumblingTrout]

So in my case, about 3.5 - 4 metres, the width of the room.

If I do manage to convince Mrs ST that the centre speaker can be used, where is the best place to have it - bearing in mind that the TV will (I appreciate not ideally) be mounted above the fireplace so is a little higher than I would like, but needs dictate it has to go there.

Would above the TV near the ceiling be OK, or would that make the sound appear as if it's coming from too high up?

 

[bigboss]

I've done that in my previous house. It was brilliant, no issues.

Check the pics.

 

[spiny norman]

So in my case, about 3.5 - 4 metres, the width of the room.

If I do manage to convince Mrs ST that the centre speaker can be used, where is the best place to have it - bearing in mind that the TV will (I appreciate not ideally) be mounted above the fireplace so is a little higher than I would like, but needs dictate it has to go there.

Would above the TV near the ceiling be OK, or would that make the sound appear as if it's coming from too high up?

I'd try things first with the L/R speakers toed-in to the listening position: ie angled so they point at the listening spot, not straight into the room. Experimenting with the degree of toe-in will help the centre image snap into focus.

If you do go with the centre, and have to use it above the screen, then angling it down toward the listening position would help, but having it below the screen would be even better. And good luck with the sore necks having the screen that high up ;-)

 

[bigboss]

I've had my TV above the fireplace for 5 years in my previous house, never suffered from sore neck. Choose the sofa wisely.

 

[VoodooDoctor]

I ran a 4.1 system for a while and really missed the centre speaker. Sure it works but as has been mentioned already it really helps with placing the voices into the image.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

I've had my TV above the fireplace for 5 years in my previous house, never suffered from sore neck.

Neck was fine, but unfortunately the TV melted. *smile*

 

[Leeps]

I've had set-ups with and without the centre speaker. Not having one still works, but apart from voices, I noticed that side to side pans of sound (such as the train in "Unstoppable") are somehow less dramatic without the centre speaker contributing.

So WAV notwithstanding, to my ears having the centre adds quite a lot to the whole experience.

 

[spiny norman]

Choose the sofa wisely.