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Using two small bookshelf speakers as a center channel

Good morning esteemed colleagues! I come asking for recommendations.

I am in search of a center channel. But am having a height issue.

Currently there is a bose center channel under the tv. This is due to a 4 inch height restriction I have on the tv. The access hole will not allow me to raise the tv any higher or you will see the hole. Yes, I too wonder why they would place the access hole so low but that’s another story.

My thought was to use two small bookshelf speakers on the sides of the tv as the center channel. My Denon will support the parallel run.

Please see the picture. I have 7" deep by 16" wide to work with here. The red arrows are where I would place the speakers. The white arrow shows the height restriction I have and I have not been able to find a center channel under the 4 inch height. Klipsch was close but not there for the center, but when I saw their RP-400 book shelf at 7.5" deep I thought this might be a viable option.

Your thoughts please. Thanks! Steve

https://s82.photobucket.com/user/steveo242/media/Z%20Misc%20Saved/Audio/TV.jpg.html
steveo242
steveo242 OP
4 posts
 
I'm not worried about the resistance to the amp, she will support 4 ohm.  Electrically I am sound.  

Yes, these would be one channel, center.  Fronts are KEFR700's and run well.  I just wouldn't want to use them as phantom.  May as well run 2.1  

 I was thinking of using two KEF C200's in Parallel but they are too large for the depth of the shelf.  

Any good bookshelf with crystal clear mids for voices would work.  But I thought I would check here.
ericjcabrera
567 posts
 
Steve,
What Denon do you have? I have an AVR5700 I run 2.0 with full range speakers & it is quite good at rendering the phantom center. (If you haven’t tried already.) Otherwise I don’t see why not having the bookshelves side by side for a ’balanced’ center; I have done that it the past with no issue. But again that was with my very robust 5700. If your Denon can handle it, & for 'crystal clear mids for voices,' I recommend NHT or Paradigm; both from my past experience.
-E
steveo242 OP
4 posts
 
Thanks E, 

My Denon is the AVR 2400H so not as beefy as yours but good to go.  I love the idea of two smalls for centers on the outside of the TV.  

For me, my fronts are too far away to try and use 2.1.  Its just not to my liking.  

Which Paradigms were you thinking, just their smallest book shelf?  
ericjcabrera
567 posts
 
Which Paradigms were you thinking, just their smallest book shelf?

It’s been a while since I had Paradigm but they seem to keep their house sound, which I like for HT. So yes, I would think any of their small bookshelves depending on your budget & fit. I have since moved on from HT surround, but if I were to return, Paradigm would be on my short list. I am currently exploring the idea of Active Monitors w/ a balanced processor, but that’s another subject altogether. Only wish Paradigm kept their Active Monitor lineup - hard to find in the used market.

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