Flatscreen between speakers

@elliottbnewcombjr I actually have a very nice center, I just choose not to use it. I also think you are not quite grasping what the processor does. You say center info does not appear in front L&R, which is true, but that's not where the phantom center comes from. The processor recognizes when there is center channel info available so if no physical center is present it sends that info to front L&R. It's not trying to "create what doesn't exist", it's simply re-routing that center channel signal. I can see there being some differences in how well various processors do this, however.

Also, your room is a big factor in the necessity of a physical center speaker. If you have seating that's frequently used that's off to the sides of the screen or if you have a really large room then I agree that you should probably use a physical speaker, but in my room and I'm sure in many others, you really can't sit off axis. My room is not small at 15' x 22' but with the speakers properly pulled out from the wall and the seating at the proper distance from the speakers you are close enough to them that the phantom center works quite well.

Fortunately I no longer have a flat screen between my speakers sharing stereo and surround sound. But when I did, I used a double-sided quilted black cover from https://www.digitaldeckcovers.com/ $110 delivered. It helped a lot and was easy to deal with. I added a few small velcro squares to tighten things up.

@macg19. Definitely need to explore this. Maybe that’s all that is needed. At any rate, I am going to start there, maybe add some padding to the front. Thanks. 

@elliottnewcombjr

Don’t Skip a Center Speaker, even if it has to be small, or behind something, try one

There are very good reasons for not using a centre speaker, especially one which is in effect a horizontal d’Apolito array!  As soon as you move away from dead centre, the outer drivers create an interference effect, or comb filter.  If your main front left and front right speakers have good imaging capability, let them do what they are already good at. 

Your pre-processor should just add the centre signal to the signal for the two front speakers - my Marantz ones all do this.  My main system is configured with two main front speakers, and two rear speakers, plus four ceiling speakers and a subwoofer.

“And never the Twain shall meet…

my experience has lead me to believe that 2 channel and HT have no business being seriously pursued in one room. Doing so allows for too much compromise to do either side justice (unless done temporarily for experimental purposes).