Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
M22 Dual Centers?
#366348 02/12/12 10:27 AM
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2
N
novakia Offline OP
newbie
OP Offline
newbie
N
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2
Hello All,

Has anyone tried running two M22s (one on each side of the television) as a center channel? Would this even be recommended?

We recently moved and the new room with the theater setup simply doesn't have anywhere to put the center channel below the tv (granite slab and cabinets I can't change). The TV is already up too high to raise it any further. It would probably be possible to (barely) get a VP150 above the TV with consderable shelving work (would love to try the 180, but a 50 lb speaker hanging over a plasma doesn't feel right). Asthetically the M22s on each side (with M22s for front left / right mains another 3-4 feet from each of the centers) would be best, but I'd rather not base this on asthetics alone.

How would this solution compare to, say, two M80s as the mains running a virtual center?

Thanks for the opinions...
-Michael

Re: M22 Dual Centers?
novakia #366351 02/12/12 01:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270
Hi Michael,

Unless you sit exactly in front of the TV, running a virtual center doesn't work well; even if you do sit in front, never to either side, you still don't have control of the center channel dialog volume, a major liability, especially with movies or TV shows where the dialog has been mixed at too low a level (quite common). With a virtual center, if you happen to sit to either side, then the center-imaged audio will collapse to the speaker nearest you, moving the music/dialog away from your video display to the M80 nearest you. Highly unsatisfactory.

Using two M22s to each side of your video display is a big improvement because at least it gives you independent control of dialog levels, but the center dialog will still shift to one side--to the M22 on the immediate left or right of the TV--if you are viewing off-angle. In my judgment, that would be an acceptable compromise if you absolutely can't put put a center channel above or below the flat screen.

Regards,
Alan


Alan Lofft,
Axiom Resident Expert (Retired)
Re: M22 Dual Centers?
novakia #366368 02/12/12 04:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
I would not use 4 M22's, as i think you are mentioning, two for the left/right, and 2 more closer to the tv for center. I would just allow the left/right m22's alone to create what is called a "phantom" center. Many have achieved fairly good results using this method when they can't accomodate a regular center. If you have ever listened to regular 2 channel stereo CD's, the singers voice usual appears to be coming from dead center, this is similar to when using "phantom" center for movies. Another option is to possibly mount an VP100 or similar above the screen angled down slightly, or possibly one of the "onwall" or "inwall" versions.


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: M22 Dual Centers?
novakia #366369 02/12/12 05:02 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
I disagree with Randy. While a phantom center works just fine for me for music, it is rather unsatisfactory for movies and TV. I would recommend an inwall or on wall center if you can accomodate that (at least there's no shelf that way!)


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: M22 Dual Centers?
novakia #366374 02/12/12 05:56 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444
Likes: 16
M
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
M
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444
Likes: 16
I ran two M22's for a couple years. They work quite well together as a center, but the distance apart that you have them makes a big difference. Two close together and you might as well have one, too far apart and there's noticeable separation. I found that 32" +/- a couple inches to be 'just right' for my room.

Re: M22 Dual Centers?
novakia #366377 02/12/12 06:45 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840
Likes: 13
Exactly my experience Michael, spaced out accordingly and a phantom center works very well for various applications. Recently, prior to getting my VP180 stand setup I was without a center for a week. My 80's spaced out about 10ft gave me an amazing center channel experience. I was even suprised when I moved from seat to seat, I really didn't experience it following me as much as some has noted.


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: M22 Dual Centers?
novakia #366380 02/12/12 06:54 PM
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,116
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,116
Originally Posted By: novakia
Hello All,

Has anyone tried running two M22s (one on each side of the television) as a center channel? Would this even be recommended?

We recently moved and the new room with the theater setup simply doesn't have anywhere to put the center channel below the tv (granite slab and cabinets I can't change). The TV is already up too high to raise it any further. It would probably be possible to (barely) get a VP150 above the TV with consderable shelving work (would love to try the 180, but a 50 lb speaker hanging over a plasma doesn't feel right). Asthetically the M22s on each side (with M22s for front left / right mains another 3-4 feet from each of the centers) would be best, but I'd rather not base this on asthetics alone.

How would this solution compare to, say, two M80s as the mains running a virtual center?

Thanks for the opinions...
-Michael


Dual centers like how you want to set them up would be a total waste of money IMO.

Can you set up a single horizontal center on a stand out in front of the cabinet/tv? Otherwise use a phantom and buy some back surrounds instead if you don't have them.


I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
Re: M22 Dual Centers?
BlueJays1 #366391 02/12/12 08:50 PM
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2
N
novakia Offline OP
newbie
OP Offline
newbie
N
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2
Thanks for the responses so far.

To answer some of the questions / explain a bit more. I already have 4 QS8s for the surrounds -- more than sufficient.
I also have a pair of M22s I've used as the mains for years and a pair of VP100s that were used under the TV in my old setup.

I could put a center on a stand in front of everything, but that would look somewhat awkward and block built in cabinetry.

The primary area for TV & speakers is a cabinet recess that is:

2 ft deep, 7.5 ft wide, and 4.25 ft high. This recess is built into a wall of custom cabinetry and is already 32" off of the ground.

We have a 60" plasma (on its own stand) in the recess -- there is plenty of room on each side for whatever speakers we like -- I've actually considered upgrading to M60 or M80 mains (though they would be raised off the ground the 32" and might need tilted somewhat -- or set upside down to lower the tweeters?).

With the 60" plasma, that leaves only around 15" or so above it between it and a giant wood beam (8 inches thick at the front of the cabinet). I've considered trying to hang a center from the beam somehow -- it's more than up to the task if there were some way to properly support the speaker, but I do fear that it would look rather precarious hanging above the plasma -- especially as I'd probably be tempted to hang a VP160 or VP180 if I was going to that much effort, rather than a 150.

Still having trouble deciding what to do -- asthetically the M22s on each side I think win, but our usage is almost entirely home theater (gaming / TV / Movies) and I would prefer not short changing our typical setup by not having a center -- though I know lots of people still run happily with a phantom.

Anyway -- thanks for the advice -- any further thoughts from folks would be appreciated. Tough mental hurdle to jump across.

Thanks,
-Michael

Re: M22 Dual Centers?
novakia #366406 02/13/12 01:14 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
Why not just put the two VP100s sideways in place of those M22s-as-center? That way you already have them.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: M22 Dual Centers?
novakia #366407 02/13/12 01:28 AM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 1
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 1
Hi Michael, if you've got 15" of room above the TV, I would go for putting the VP160 or 180 in that space. You could even do a slick looking install with the in-cab version of those speakers. You could always hire a carpenter/cabinet maker to build a custom shelf to match the cabinets. That's not the most budget friendly way to go, but based on the description from your last post that's what I'd do. The 160 is 11.5" tall, so it sounds like you have the room. Do you have any pics of the setup?


Dan
On-Wall M5HP LCR, QS8 & EP500 in 7.1
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,939
Posts442,452
Members15,615
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
1 members (BBIBH), 226 guests, and 1 robot.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4