Budget Centre Speaker options? Wall mountable, ~$350ish?

I recently got two pairs of the Polk Audio T15 speakers: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/417249 (To use as Satellites) in my existing 5.1 set up.

These replaced tiny Yamaha satellites, and now my centre speaker sounds completely underwhelming compared to the rest of my set up!

I'm looking for something that will keep up with these Polk Speakers and bring vocals out to the front. My existing centre speaker is about half the size of these Polk Bookshelves!

I'm not averse to going second hand, and have investigated the possibility of getting a passive soundbar - ie not amplified (and wiring up the centre channel only, but it seems like I'll get a better deal going just for a dedicated centre speaker instead of this route.

I've already got speaker brackets mounted on the wall for a centre speaker, but own my home, so can modify this as required.

Any hints or tips on where to look for such a thing in Adelaide?

Local JB Hi-Fi only has a trashy wharfedale speaker that isn't easilly wall mountable, and even if it was, it hasn't had the best reviews. Local cash converters doesn't have a lot, and there's pretty underwhelming options online when searching for speakers in this price range with keyhole mounting systems.

TLDR:

Find me a new centre speaker to match with the Polk T15s from a recent deal.
I'm running a Yamaha amp.
I want to wall mount this speaker above the TV.

Comments

  • +3

    Im not familiar with the range of polks, but it would be good to get a center speaker with the same drivers so the speakers are matched and give a similar tone if at all possible.

    Have you tried tuning the levels of each speaker with a sound level meter or an app?
    You may be just getting less volume than previously and need to tune your room again.

    • Yes, I've run the amps optimisation with environemental mic, the centre channel just can't put out enough power to compete with the bookshelves which is the problem I'm having! :D

      If I have to bite the bullet and get the matching polk centre channel, so be it, but looking for viable alternatives before I implement a wallshelf in my lounge room to hold the centre channel!

      • OK , well that's definitely a start. you may try to manually adjust the level of the centre if know how and increase it.

        I don't think you will get a decent centre speaker that can be mounted to the wall as they would probably be very light weight speakers that are not designed to do the job you want.

        What is the model of Yamaha amp you are running ?

        There are Centre speaker shelves, which are like 2 arms , and adjustable. unfortunately all my search's came up as from UK but maybe mothing similar at Bunnings or harveys

        https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/B-Tech-BT15-Black-Wall-Mount-wit…

        If you mount the speaker against the wall , it be best if you went for a speaker with the REFLEX port (HOLE)
        to be at the front of the speaker.

        Here is an example of a front firing port speaker

        https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DALI-ZENSOR-Vokal-centre-speaker…

        Here is an example of a rear firing port speaker

        https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/POLK-AUDIO-Centre-Channel-Speake…

        PS I haven't checked the specs etc etc.

        • +1

          On all of it!

          The reason I chose the Polks was because they had front firing ports. The centre channel is +10db(max)

          Amp is HTR 5067.
          https://au.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/6/331406/H…

          I've been looking for front firing ports, but I might have to make the sacrifice and plonk the middle speaker on the cabinet in front of the tv.

          The Dali looked like a great option apart from the weight :D

        • +1

          Screw it, there's enough room on the cabinet. Gonna get the matching t30 and leave my old Yamaha on the wall where it is for now :)

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