I was messing with my system the other day and I did a quick test having a center channel using one of the old speakers and all I can say is WOW!! Having a center channel, that makes all the difference with the system. So I'm going to get one installed so the question is what would sound better. This is what I'm thinking of using
http://carstereotime.com/focal/130-k.html

now what would sound better...
using the two 5 1/8 driver and one tweeter
or
using one 5 1/8 driver and two tweeters

oh yeah, the are going to amp with about 50 wrms. The master units' 22wrms is not enough to keep up.

I want a center channel, how do I hook it up? Do I need a special HU, or can it be wired to any Stereo HU?

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...info&i=020SRK5


Thats what im thinkng about getting but dont buy it from there you can find it cheaper elsewhere

Just wire up a single component in the center of your dash and run it mono. Same basic thing, just with speakers of your choice. Hopefully ones matching the rest of your system. Aaron Harrell is gay.

thanks, but I don't think that will be able to keep up with my current mids and highs. I tried using an old speaker and using the master unit to power it, it was about 22wrms and there's no way it could keep up

a center channel is for voices and it doesnt really need a lot of power but do what you want

that is true, but unfortunately when you are using around 22wrms and you've got your surround sound speaker w/ 50wrms, no it won't be able to keep up b/c the surround sound would muffle out the center channel...talking from experience. And if you think about it, about 70% of the sound do come from the center channel. Need a test, if you have 5.1 surround, disconnect the center channel and see how much you miss

you do have a good point I stand corrected does anyone sell a better center channel speaker.

I've heard the center channel from Alpine and a few other brands and I don't think they are not enough. Most are powered by 25 wrms amp which sometimes comes with the speaker. I think it's better off to take a set of comp and use that as a center channel.

you really don't need one if you just have a regular audio setup, i.e. CD player The reason I'd like to add a center channel to mine is b/c I have a DVD setup in my car and which is another reason why I run comp in the back also even though it's a no no when you are trying to get good imaging. But, I have those turned down and you can't hear them when listening to music but they do shine when the DVD is playing

that's what I plan on doing. Unfortunately, I don't have the space to put a 5 1/8 speaker facing the cabin. Took some measurements and yeah, no way that sucker is going to fit. So it'll still be on the dash but the speaker are going to be pointed up towards the windshield and I'll just have to use the windshield to bounce the sound back into the cabin. That's what I'm doing now with the tweets anyway. Also, looks like the only way I could even remotely put a speaker to face towards the cabin is to have like a 3 1/2 or 4x6 plate to make it work.

Placing a center chanel is really kind of difficult in any car. I would just bounce it off the dash. Unless, ofcourse, you are planning to compete in 5.1. Then I would use a different meathod. Are you planning on making a new fiberglass panel? If I have the time I might be able to fab one up for you, but I'd need the drivers here. Hmmm, well you think about what you want to do.

yup. I'm doing it to complete the 5.1 surround. I'm just going to have a custom pod built for the center channel. It really does make a big difference being ampped. Tried another experiment I used my left channel and plugged in the RCA in the center channel. Oh yeah!! Night and day difference. I think I have decided though. I'm gonna use 1 tweeter and 2 woofers. That's the initial plan anyway. Once I buy the amp and have the comps. I'll do some sound test and see how well everything blends. Hey Texan, I'm not sure yet on how I want the pod to look like but it's gonna have to sit on top of the dash right above the vents.

Really? I would put it near the windshield if it was me. But I guess if you're trying to make the voices sound like they are coming from the screen then that's really you're only option.

Have you considered running just tweeters? That may be a good bet. I know where to get a set of TN45's or TN51's if you're interested, sometimes they pop up on eBay. You could mount them in the AC vents, that would rock. You could even pop the midbass up near the windshield as well to help with the dispersion of the mids.