We're getting ready to kick-off a major kitchen remodel and also replacing our flooring. As part of all this, we're looking to make some other updates including potentially replacing our 5.1 speaker system. Unfortunately, I'm bound by a serious space constraint for my center channel. I've only got 8in of total depth to work with below our TV if it sits on the mantle, or alternatively, if I can find a center that can be wall mounted, I could go to maybe ~9in deep, but then overall height becomes an issue. You can see what I'm working with in the pic below and before I get ripped to shreds about the height of the TV, let me just say it is what it is. I cannot move it or change it. I'm simply playing with the hand I was dealt.
Current system is a ~20 year old pair of Def Tech bi-polars with integrated powered subs and then a Mythos center (bought to replace a def tech 2000CLR when we moved into this house due to the depth restriction). Surprisingly, the def tech's still sound good, but the Mythos center is the weakest link. It's okay, but thank goodness for Audyssey.
The space issue really stinks, because it eliminates so many great possibilities and their "matching" tower counterparts. At a high level, I understand the challenges in designing a good center in a small'ish design, but with all the focus on sound bars and "snack-sized" speakers, I would think we'd be seeing more good sounding passive options these days.
Am I missing any potential options that would work with my space constraints? I read the lengthy Polk R350 review thread hoping the later pages would reveal alternatives, but no joy. I see that DT now has a compact-sized DM20 center, but I'm not sure I want to go with active towers/integrated subs again and am not sure I'm sold on the new tower line aesthetics.
Any advice or guidance here is greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Current system is a ~20 year old pair of Def Tech bi-polars with integrated powered subs and then a Mythos center (bought to replace a def tech 2000CLR when we moved into this house due to the depth restriction). Surprisingly, the def tech's still sound good, but the Mythos center is the weakest link. It's okay, but thank goodness for Audyssey.
The space issue really stinks, because it eliminates so many great possibilities and their "matching" tower counterparts. At a high level, I understand the challenges in designing a good center in a small'ish design, but with all the focus on sound bars and "snack-sized" speakers, I would think we'd be seeing more good sounding passive options these days.
Am I missing any potential options that would work with my space constraints? I read the lengthy Polk R350 review thread hoping the later pages would reveal alternatives, but no joy. I see that DT now has a compact-sized DM20 center, but I'm not sure I want to go with active towers/integrated subs again and am not sure I'm sold on the new tower line aesthetics.
Any advice or guidance here is greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
