Can I match a DIY center to PSB Synchrony 2 floorstanders?

[kjgarrison]

Hi everybody. I'm working on an IB project over at the cult. It is going to be a "box in a box", with the whole thing built inside of an entertainment center.

One part of the build includes a place for a center speaker. This is below the TV and above the IB sub. The space is approximately 33" wide, 26" deep, and 9" high, but the height can be adjusted some and still have the IB work out.

My R&L are Synchrony 2s. The center (Synchrony 2C) costs ~1300. If a DIY center can be built in, or just built to be placed in the opening, now is the time to figure out the dimensions so the IB and the center work out.

Is enough known about the drivers and crossover to get an acceptable timbre match? Or should I just bite the bullet and get a 2C?

Thanks for any help.

[ThomasW]

We don't have any designs that use fiberglass cone mids. That said I wouldn't worry about having a 'perfect' match with regard to the driver materials.

Consider either Jon's Modula MTM

https://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11475

Chris D's smaller MTM

https://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19887

Or if you're feeling flush the NeoDcc...

https://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27218&highlight=NeoDcc

The NeoDcc won't be the best 'timbre' match for your existing speakers, but it's such a neutral speaker I doubt that will be a problem.

The purists will no doubt object to this idea, but I find once one gets 'into the movie', the brain tends to ignore timbre mismatches.

Regarding the PSB Synchrony Two C, I doubt that it's designed with modified BSC (baffle step compensation) to customize it for in-wall (aka in ET center) mounting. So it might be more of a compromise than having somewhat mismatched drivers.

[kjgarrison]

We don't have any designs that use fiberglass cone mids. That said I wouldn't worry about having a 'perfect' match with regard to the driver materials.

Consider either Jon's Modula MTM

https://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11475

Chris D's smaller MTM

https://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19887

Or if you're feeling flush the NeoDcc...

https://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27218&highlight=NeoDcc

The NeoDcc won't be the best 'timbre' match for your existing speakers, but it's such a neutral speaker I doubt that will be a problem.

The purists will no doubt object to this idea, but I find once one gets 'into the movie', the brain tends to ignore timbre mismatches.

Regarding the PSB Synchrony Two C, I doubt that it's designed with modified BSC (baffle step compensation) to customize it for in-wall (aka in ET center) mounting. So it might be more of a compromise than having somewhat mismatched drivers.

Thanks Thomas. You're right that the Synchrony Two C does not have BSC adjustment capability. I'll read up on the threads you provided. Sorry I didn't post a link to the Synchronys to make the answers to my query easier.

Here is what I'm trying to duplicate:

https://web.archive.org/web/20081205144925/http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/Synchrony/Synchrony-Two-C

[---k---]

If the height is adjustable, then you might want to consider the RS WTMW Center or the Khancenter. Otherwise, I agree with Thomas.

https://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15323

https://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28262

The Khancenter is designed to be placed under a TV and sounds best when placed as such. Its a 3-way with the TM portion vertical, so you should get nice off-axis response.

I agree with Thomas that it won't be perfectly timbre matched, but ah who cares. Becasue of placement, they centers never match well. My guess is that once you hear one of these designs, you'll be thinking about selling your Synchrony 2s and using the money to build a pair of Khanspires and buy a good amp and maybe a new player.

(BTW, I listened to the PSB Synchrony 1s for about 1/2 hour a few weeks back at a local dealer.