Finding a Center Channel that will Fit

[Empyrials]

Hey guys i did lots of research over a year ago before i decided to join the military, which delayed my plans to make my speakers. Now i have the garage, tools, and time so i'd like to get started

I just got a nice 61"DLP TV, and all of the stands i can find can't fit the center channel i picked out a year ago Sooo... i'll go the other route of finding a center channel that will fit my stand.

I was looking at the sticky at the top there about most of the models available and wasn't liking my options so i'm hoping for some suggestions.

a pic of the T and Stand (NOT MINE)
Reciever: Onkyo 605

DIY list (as of a year ago) Fits my budget of about 1k, give or take a couple hundred lol
Front - Natalie P
Center - Dayton RS WMTW Center Size: 26"Wx12.5"Hx16D way to wide and deep
Rears - Modula MT's
Sub - Tempest-X 15"

The space i have to fit a center in is:
W:22"
H:13"
D:14-14.5"


The list i saw of centers that might work...Please add one if i missed it or if one can be modified to fit

• CJD RS150 MTM
  Size: 21.5"Wx7.5"Hx12.5"D (Sealed)

• Lineup Maxx L16 Center
  Size: 21"Wx9"Hx9.5"D

• Statements Center - Price is a little high and 2" to wide, if mod'd would it kill this design?
  Size: 24"Wx11"Hx13.75"D

• Modula NeoD CC -too pricey but can't find the budget BOM that supposedly exists?
  Size: 22"Wx9"Hx13.5"D

• Modula MTM Center Channel - No idea on price, can't find a BOM. and no idea on the depth
  Size: 22"Wx9"Hx??"D

what's my best option?

[ThomasW]

There is no budget NeoDcc nor will one be created. Since Vifa discontinued the D26 tweeter it's impossible to build this speaker. Jon and I are looking at alternative tweeters.

There is no BOM for the Modula MTM center. Finding the cost of the components isn't a big deal given it's basically a Modula MTM with a MUCH more expen$ive tweeter...

[BigguyZ]

Forgive me for asking, but isn't this a bit mish-mashy? I thought the best solution is to stay with the same or similar design for the LCR and rears fot voice matching. Maybe the surrounds can be different if you're just doing HT, but I would imagine you'd want at least the LCR to be from the same series...

[ThomasW]

Matching would be best especially for the designs using ribbon tweeters.

Either the Modula center or Chris' center will match the NatPs

All the Maxx designs use the now unavailable Vifa D26 tweeter

[---k---]

Have you considered putting a shelf over top of the TV and using any center channel you want? I think people constrain themselves a bit too much (myself included) with trying to fit a center channel in those stupid little holes.

I would say the Statement center should be out, because it needs the open back. And, because the drivers are different.

The Khancenter almost fits your space requirements at: 10.875"Hx23.5"Wx19"D. I made it 19" deep, but it doesn't need to be this deep. Very little is given up by making it smaller. But, I think it is still a hair too wide, and it just isn't possible to make it narrower.

Of your limited options, I would probably go with CJD's MTM or a phantom center.

[Empyrials]

Forgive me for asking, but isn't this a bit mish-mashy? I thought the best solution is to stay with the same or similar design for the LCR and rears fot voice matching. Maybe the surrounds can be different if you're just doing HT, but I would imagine you'd want at least the LCR to be from the same series...

ya... i'm a newb. Everything is changeable but the TV as it's actually sitting in the house lol

Matching would be best especially for the designs using ribbon tweeters.

Either the Modula center or Chris' center will match the NatPs

All the Maxx designs use the now unavailable Vifa D26 tweeter

ok since i don't know what's in and what's out... are Natalie P's still good? is there's something better in the 1k pricerange? and you both mentioned Chris's Center would be decent, with the Nat's. What would be best?

Have you considered putting a shelf over top of the TV and using any center channel you want? I think people constrain themselves a bit too much (myself included) with trying to fit a center channel in those stupid little holes.

I would say the Statement center should be out, because it needs the open back. And, because the drivers are different.

The Khancenter almost fits your space requirements at: 10.875"Hx23.5"Wx19"D. I made it 19" deep, but it doesn't need to be this deep. Very little is given up by making it smaller. But, I think it is still a hair too wide, and it just isn't possible to make it narrower.

Of your limited options, I would probably go with CJD's MTM or a phantom center.

yes i have however the tv's in the corner(ish) halfway in front of a window. + i'm renting so i'd find it harder to make a shelf that didn't have bracing on the walls above the tv. When the time comes when i buy a house, oh hell yes i'll be making some sort of theater and then i can sell mine to my friends and make whatever i want. I enjoy stuff like this, however i'm only to the point of following the directions, lol, though i like do build stuff and do it all myself. So i'm sure whatever setup i go with will just be my first and not my last.

[Bear]

too pricey but can't find the budget BOM that supposedly exists

As Thomas indicates, this probably doesn't do you any good, but since I have the link handy, here is where it was (briefly) discussed:

https://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30199

[ThomasW]

ok since i don't know what's in and what's out... are Natalie P's still good? is there's something better in the 1k pricerange? and you both mentioned Chris's Center would be decent, with the Nat's. What would be best?

The NatP remains the most popular design on this forum. They are quite good. The Modula MTM's are better but more expensive.

Consider the idea of starting out with the NatP then moving them to surround duty and upgrading the mains when you have your own place.

[sokoban]

Since Vifa discontinued the D26 tweeter it's impossible to build this speaker. Jon and I are looking at alternative tweeters.

Well, I think meniscus still has some and I saw one for sale on another forum. The guy still has it I think.

But yeah, there will be no new ones made unfortunately

[Empyrials]

The NatP remains the most popular design on this forum. They are quite good. The Modula MTM's are better but more expensive.

Consider the idea of starting out with the NatP then moving them to surround duty and upgrading the mains when you have your own place.

ok thanks, i guess i'll go with the CJD RS150 MTM for the center for now. My upgrade will be the MTM setup fronts and center, but thats later on after i get the hang of this stuff. thanks again :T

[ThomasW]

Well, I think meniscus still has some

They were sold out as of monday when I called them..

[JonMarsh]

Yeah, well, we know who the SOB was responsible for that....


Seas equivalent is on the way to evaluate.

[Jim Holtz]

Yeah, well, we know who the SOB was responsible for that....


Seas equivalent is on the way to evaluate.

Hi Jon! It's great to see you post again. I hope your workload has slowed a bit so you can hang out here more often. We miss your input and designs.

Jim

[JonMarsh]

Well, my travel is being cut back a lot in the current circumstances, and that will free up some weekend time and modify my workload. So, I'm sticking my toe back in the water to see how it goes- things have been doing great here with all the many contributors (you included!), so if I can find the time I'll have a lot of back reading to catch up with! Like going back to a popular TV series that you've missed the last two seasons!

~jon

[Paul W]

Great to see you back in circulation Jon!

(and I don't mean in holding patterns near airports )

[Dennis H]

Whoa! Who are you stranger and how did you hijack Jon's account?

[JonMarsh]

I'm like one of those characters in a TV series that gets written out of the story arc for a season or so, like the Scottish doctor on Stargate, then re-appears one day as a result of an improbable plot twist, looking a little confused and needing to get up to date, but not much worse for the wear....

[hawkfan]

ok thanks, i guess i'll go with the CJD RS150 MTM for the center for now. My upgrade will be the MTM setup fronts and center, but thats later on after i get the hang of this stuff. thanks again :T

You won't be disappointed. I just built the sealed RS28A version and was surprised by its output and ability to go low. Off axis response wasn't that bad either considering it's a horizontal MTM. Not bad at all for a relatively low priced speaker.

***EDIT*** I'm running the CJD center along with some Nat P's