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Center Speaker; MTM - 5.1 System

heeman

heeman

PRETTY HAPPY.........
Famous
We have discussed many times the Lobbing effect that a horizontal MTM Center speaker arrangement will have in a 5.1 set-up.

Recently, I have my first HT dedicate room functional and immediately placed my Paradigm Studio CC vertical. Everything seems to sound fine, however would I be better off replacing the MTM with a Studio 20?

I am looking for input from you guys here so that I can get optimum performance from my system.

Thanks!
 
If your current center channel's voicing matches up well with the front speakers and you have the ability to position it vertically, I don't see why you'd need to make a change.
 
Also consider this - the lobing effect you're referring to mainly impacts off-axis listening. The further off-axis you sit, the worse the effect. That said, as narrow as your room and seating options are, I highly doubt anyone would notice the lobing even if your center channel was oriented traditionally (read: horizontally).
 
Well since you have it vertical, you now have a vertical lobing problem. ;) That is, if your head is higher in the back row of seats, it will sound different from the lower front row, even if you're in the center as far as left/right. Are you going to have a permanent back row? I don't remember if you were planning to add that or not. If not, no issue, just angle the cc so that it points as nearly as possible at seated head height and you'll be good.
 
Some Data:

The exact center seat (sweet spot) is rarely used, because you have to straddle the center of the loveseat. I will use this position for Stereo Listening.

That being said, both front seats (in the loveseat), head locations are max. 18" off center.

The distance from the Center of the Loveseat to the LF and RF is 9' and 8' to the Center Speaker.

I am not sure how far off center axis the lobbing effect starts.

What I will do:

1. I will place the Center Speaker Horizontal and then Vertical and compare the sound from a typical seating position.

2. I will take one of my Studio 20's from the den and use it as a center speaker and compare to the Studio CC in both Horizontal and Vertical orientation.

I will report my results.
 
PaulyT said:
Well since you have it vertical, you now have a vertical lobing problem. ;) That is, if your head is higher in the back row of seats, it will sound different from the lower front row, even if you're in the center as far as left/right. Are you going to have a permanent back row? I don't remember if you were planning to add that or not. If not, no issue, just angle the cc so that it points as nearly as possible at seated head height and you'll be good.
Click to expand...

Yes, we have a dedicated 2nd row. Currently the CC is angled up slightly while in the vertical position.
 
I'd assume is more important to optimize the sound in the front two seats, in which case the vertical orientation aimed at roughly head height is probably best; vertical means the left/right seating positions which you porobably use most of the time won't suffer from lobing as they would if it were horizontal. There's still the off-axis issue, but that's not the same thing... Anyway the people in the back row are just SOL. :laughing: But realistically, I don't know HOW much difference it will really make.
 
Loving is also a problem in untreated rooms as the reflections off the side walls will sound considerably different from the reflections of the left and right speakers. So, the sound propagation in the will be different and a perfect surround level setting at one SPL will change at different SPLs due to the difference.
 
Heeman,
Have you noticed any of the above problems?
Play around with it a little. see if you notice any problems with the Center positioned in the traditional horizontal manner, then try it vertically.

If you don't notice any problems, then pick which way you like it best and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
 
Flint said:
Loving is also a problem in untreated rooms as the reflections off the side walls will sound considerably different.....
Click to expand...



You're telling me. The carpet burns are a bitch and don't get me started on all the screaming my poor ears endure when the mrs and me are going at it.



Oh, shit.....You meant lobing didn't you?
 
Yesfan70 said:
Flint said:
Loving is also a problem in untreated rooms as the reflections off the side walls will sound considerably different.....
Click to expand...



You're telling me. The carpet burns are a bitch and don't get me started on all the screaming my poor ears endure when the mrs and me are going at it.



Oh, shit.....You meant lobing didn't you?
Click to expand...

:laughing-rolling: I couldn't come up with a quick enough response, glad you did!!
 
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