help me choose center channel

[spmachina77]

i'm considering building the RS wmtw center channel (and then the towers to match them).

(i'm a noob, so lets get that out of the way)

Unless I'm missing something, the wmtw shoud have better offaxis response as compared to a standard mtm design.

It just seems to me that the 8" woofers used in the rs wmtw center channel would be a little over kill. (someone help me out on this)

Wouldn't something closer to Audax center channel where it uses 6.5 woofers and 5.25 mids, be more ideal for a center channel. (using the rs drivers of course).


Cause that center channel is huge (which isn't a big problem). I just don't see most companies making center channels using such large speakers,

can anybody give me some advice on this.

[Landroval]

Most people can live with much less, but it doesn't mean that the bigger woofers wouldn't give any benefits. Big cone area does magic.

[spmachina77]

so is the 8" going to do just as well as a 6.5 (or 7) would do exept have a little better bass.

I'm just thinking, there is not much bass that comes from the center channel (in my experince, but I could be wrong). Do the 8's do very much work in a setup like this (woudn't the mid be doing most of the work)?

[Dennis H]

No, it's not overkill or all that unusual once you get into the high-end stuff. The Aerial CC5 center uses 8" woofers as does the B&W HTM1D. Of course both of those cost a bit more than $300.

http://www.aerialacoustics.com/Products/html/Model_CC5-frame.htm

http://www.bwspeakers.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.models/label/Model%20HTM1D

That said, the RS180 looks to be pretty close to a drop-in replacement for the RS225 and could handle a smaller box but you'd be a test pilot if you did it and I wouldn't really call it a noob project. And the only dimension you could make much smaller would be the depth. The height is determined by the tweeter/mid combo and the smaller woofers would only give you a couple of inches less width.

[BigJim_inFLA]

The WTMW center sounds wonderful. If you have the room I don't think you can go wrong with it especially if you plan to build the TMWW mains. They will match up perfectly. With this center I set my pre to send a full range signal to the center and I do notice a difference over my MTM center crossed at 80Hz. When you say there is not much bass coming from the center channel, what frequency are you crossing to your sub? Perhaps you don't notice much bass from your center because its being filtered by your pre?

Jim

[spmachina77]

well......i don't notice bass from my center (cause it sucks, just a crappy kenwood home theater satellite system I borrowed from my brother). I do have towers and a seperate sub though. 80hz crossover

But...basically sucky center channel. So I guess I just don't notice it.

Well, i think I'm just goint to build it anyways using the 8s (as I said i'm a noob), so I want a design that I can follow, and theres plenty of discussion on that one.

I just wanted some info on that.

But anyways (the 8's really are just going to have more bass extension and require a larger box than the 6.5s would, am I right here?)


one last question though: I have a onkyo reciever...a cheaper one paid like $300 for it. Anyways its only stable down to 6 ohms (from what it says on the back). I bridged my two towers and ran them off of just 1 channel (at 4 ohms). And it seemed to play just fine, listened for an hour.

Do you think I would be able to run these speakers at 4 ohms without getting a new amp right away. So this woudl be the L, c, and r channels.

[WillyD]

If you would prefer a smaller size WMTW, then you could wait for Jon to finish his RS180 (7") woofer design, using the RS52 (2" dome) for a midrange, and the Vifa D26NC55 for the tweeter.

It'll be designed for use with this cabinet, or one of equal size.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=302-750

[dynamowhum]

I love this WMTW

I built the WMTW my first full range speaker project. I built an IB sub first and my old center just could not keep up. I can not praise this unit enough wether it is dialog or special effects or music. I am now in the process of building the Natalie Ps. You wont go wrong building this thing. That being said this thing is big and heavy about 70lbs. The picture is with it on top of my 32" hitachi crt
What size room do you have? If you have a small room this may be a project overkill. Do you have all the tools? Your first build will cost more if you don't have them. There are all sorts of odds and ends you will have to come up with along the way. In short you can make this DIY or DYI Do Yourself IN. With carefull planning and asking questions here this is a very doable project.
Your right about not noticing the bass cause your center suxs just like mine did.Cheers

[spmachina77]

.....well, I'm in an apartment...so it going to be in my room for a while....

but eventually will be for a home theater when I get in a house...hopefully within a year.

So yeah, bigger is better....right


anyways, I have most of the tools, I have built a home sub enclosure, just not a full range speaker before.

One question I did have. The mid and tweeter are sealed off, so do I drill a small hole to run wires (then seal ith with silicon)?

[spmachina77]

i do feel pretty confortable building the cabinets, and crossovers.....

but can anybody lead me to a walkthrough on any finishes....like veneering and stuff


that will be new to me

[borderdad]

Time Frame?

I hate to push but any time frame on Jon's center with the RS180 (7") woofer RS52 (2" dome) and Vifa D26NC55? No huge hurry, just curious. Also, not to seem ungrateful or start problems but you know someone is gonna ask for that center with the RS tweet everyone is using on the Mission's Accomplished. (I may be one of 'em) Thanks. Kevin :T

[ThomasW]

Jon's 3-way dome center will not use the RS tweeter because it's physically impossible to fit that tweeter and the RS52 in the stock PE box.

If someone wants to use the RS28 tweeter they should build the existing WTMW design.

As I posted elsewhere, the Jon's 3-way dome mid design will be available by Christmas.

[WillyD]

As I posted elsewhere, the Jon's 3-way dome mid design will be available by Christmas.

I know what my Christmas present will be! Good news.