Ok, my front soundstage is now complete. i received the correct VP180v3 speaker with dual pair of speaker binding post to match up to my existing Calabrine cables bi-wire cable (the towers are also bi-wired with the same type & brand) keep in mind that the speakers are identical in size and weight. it took a couple of measurments, try's but i finally got it right. i even have it set with about a 12 degree pitch up towards the listening area which made all the difference since i had it lower than the previous polk CSi5 center.
i created a bracket out of a shelf bracket system vertical support section with a couple of small L, some self tapping screws and some 8/32 machine screws. I also used the isolating rubber feet that came with the speaker. i mounted them to the support bar so as to not damage the finish of the speaker in any way.
i mounted them with 1 1/4" 8/32 machined screws with nuts on the underside. on the back of the stand i used two 3" brackets and mounted on of the footers on each of those for support. i also mounted the 3" brackets about an inch lower than the bar in order to get the pitch i mentioned towards the listeners head (more like the upper chest to head) it worked out great. once in place everything fit perfectly and on either side of the speaker to the inside wall of the stand i was left with a total of 1/4". as i have said before, i was meant to have this speaker! i did a test to make sure the speaker works and that i didn't blow anything up (old nervious electrician! ;)) i turned everything on, and no faults in my XPA-5, so, i put on John Mayer: SACD/DSD "Heavier Things" and it sounded incredible, that center made it's presence known! the soundstage became one really big, really wide speaker, seamless in it's transitions across the soundstage; yet, seperation when it was meant to be seperate! i also gave a listen to Tom Petty blu-ray "Mojo" in 5.1 and again, it was incredible. very well done, very powerfull at times from the front stage.
my family was very happy to see the speaker. my girlfriend who usually doesn't have anything much to say about the HT came to me and said "you know you were right about it being meant for you to have that speaker, it just made it in there" and she was right.
ok, here are some pictures. we are going to watch "Percy Jackson & the Olympains" on blu to celebrate the front 3. I'll give you my views on the impact of the front soundstage later tonight. and Friday, i am expecting to have my QS8 surrounds arrive and you know what that means, "box porn" and reviews.
later this weekend, or early next week, i'll update the gallery to reflect the new additions. i've waited until they are all in place and tested before i update the gallery. i'll also let you know how the amp is handling the new 4 ohm fronts and the 6 ohm surrounds (when they arrive) since all it's ever know is 8 ohm loads.
here is a broad shot of the stand and the metal bracket i mentioned earlier with the isolation supports installed. as well as the back brackets.
here is a closeup of the main support bar. good steel, glossy black supported by the end "L" brackets and see those rubber things, yes those would be the feet that would be used on the bottom of the speakers if you placed them on a wood floor.
here is the closeup of the L brackets in the rear with their isolation supports on. all the isolation feet are installed in the same direction (manner) as if they were being bolted to the bottom of the speaker as they were meant to be.
and the center is now in it's final resting place. resting comfortably on 6 isolation footers and loving life. look at the sides of the stand next to the ends of the center, about 1/8" on each side! the beauty is that you can't even see the steel bracket supporting the speaker, you'd have to lay down on the floor to see it; this worked out better than i thought, the center just appears to float! well, we are going to have some McDonalds and watch the movie, i'll give a review on how it holds up to the movie. i will say that the bass is out of the center is incredible. all 3 fronts are at 50hz @75db SPL from the trusty iPhone.
later...;)
