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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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1/19/2004
14:43:59

Subject: Center Channel Speakers
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I am thinking of adding a center channel speaker to my 00 Dak. Has anyone done this, and what speakers did you use. I am thinking of a couple of 3 1/2 Infinity's in a custom enclosure on top of the dash, probably an extension of the guage pod.

I had one in my last car with a system and it added a lot to the front stage. Everyone asked why I put it in. I would throw a towel over the center channel and then remove the towel to show what it added to the sound, night and day for the vocals.



Jim Z
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1/19/2004
18:09:18

RE: Center Channel Speakers
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Center channels are a great idea. They can do wonders for imaging and sound stage.

"Has anyone done this, and what speakers did you use."

I've worked with them in OEM systems, and typically 3-1/2" to 4" speakers are used. I wouldn't go any smaller than 3-1/2", in my experience that's the smallest you can get that is capable of reproducing the entire vocal range.

You might want to investigate a single mono center using an amp that sums L+R signals into it. A stereo center can be finicky, without sufficient time correction it can throw your imaging all over the place.



JMII
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2004
08:38:17

RE: Center Channel Speakers
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I had some in car once too... and used 3.5" mids. Your right, it helps the sound stage but these days I'm not so intrested it putting holes in my dash ;) so I'm keeping that stock/stealth look.

- John

http://www.blueoceanpress.com/~storage/truck/index.html



DSW
Dodge Dakota
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1/25/2004
02:11:16

RE: Center Channel Speakers
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Jim Z, How about running a 3 1/2, bridged off the front or rear channels of the amp and cutting the volume to the 3 1/2 with a Lpad? Haven't heard of anyone bridging a full range speaker to combine the L&R signal before and wondering if it will produce quality sound. My last center channel had a 3K bandpass Xover on it so it was crisp with the vocals. How do the OEM's run center channels, full range, high pass, band pass?

JMII, I agree about hacking up the dash, lucked out on my last car since it had a big defroster vent that popped out, 3 1/2's fit in there real nice. I am looking at making a fiberglass extension off the guage pod so I don't need to cut into the dash. I want to keep it stock looking or as close to stock looking as possible.

I was also thinking of putting them below the ash tray in an enclosure, but don't think this will produce the desired affect.

Thanks for the responses, DSW



Jim Z
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1/25/2004
13:28:45

RE: Center Channel Speakers
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"Jim Z, How about running a 3 1/2, bridged off the front or rear channels of the amp and cutting the volume to the 3 1/2 with a Lpad? Haven't heard of anyone bridging a full range speaker to combine the L&R signal before and wondering if it will produce quality sound."

It won't be a 100% true L+R, but it'll be pretty darn close. But instead of futzing with L-pads, I'd use a small bridgeable 2-channel amp and set the input level low enough.

"My last center channel had a 3K bandpass Xover on it so it was crisp with the vocals. How do the OEM's run center channels, full range, high pass, band pass? "

generally high-passed, summed L+R and time corrected. You want the frequency response of the center to be as close as possible to the front left and right, mostly to avoid image shift.

"I was also thinking of putting them below the ash tray in an enclosure, but don't think this will produce the desired affect. "

Worked for the Lincoln LS.



DSW
Dodge Dakota
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1/25/2004
22:16:22

RE: Center Channel Speakers
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Thanks Jim Z, Looks like I am headed in the right direction. What would I use for time correction? I have seem this option on,,, well I can't remember anymore, Audio Control EQX or something like that. Any suggestions on equipment for time correction and what to set the delay to, couple of milliseconds?



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