i am unsure if this is the correct section to post this but ile put it in here anyway.

I need to get a centre channel to complete the 5.1 setup.

I am running Boston Z6's for the front stage and boston RM6 as the rear stage. i'm thinking of using a single boston Pro 4.5 mid, tweeter and crossover. (i think it is a perfect size to hide, a great sounding speaker and goes with the all boston/alpine install.)

there is no room whatsoever to mount it in an 'ideal' position. so, i think i might get it installed inside the dash and 'fire' it up through the dimister vents in the dash. then correct the timing and clean up the sound using the pax-h700 multimedia manager already installed in the car???

the tv screen is actually mounted an a pod on top of the dash so the centre channel speaker should be fine position wise.

also, amp wise. i already have 5 alpine amps in the car (so space is a problem) so, im thinking of using the small alpine amp that comes with the alpine SBS-0715 centre channel (if i can find one) but i think that it may be underpowered.

what do u guys think ?? any other speaker,amp or setup suggestions remembering the car is setup for SQ ??

here is a pic of the dashboard to get an idea of how the system is installed.

Sounds good to me, as you mentioned my main concern will be how you are going to power it.

That will sound like garbage dude.

Don't force your system to have a centre channel just for the sake of it, especially when it will degrade the SQ of the system. Think about it, how on Earth will a single 4inch speaker jammed down into the dash with no baffle or enclosure behind it, firing up though a narrow little vent 1-inch wide, ever hope to create a realistic centre channel reproduction? Your centre channel will sound weak, have no bottom end, and will sound like it has been choked to death by the vent.

The centre channel - when done correctly - is THE most import speaker in a 5.1 system. Then again, it can also absolutely RUIN a system if done incorrectly. Your WRX doesn't suit a centre channel, so you are probably better of relying on those nice big 6.5-inch Bostons' in the doors and use the phantom centre mode.

And gooki? You've been posting some strange things today!

I sure have Damon.

In this case I was going to recomend shifting the AC controls to the dash and mounting the centre channel there.

Personally I've never been a fan of phantom centre channels. They never seemed as effective as a real one, even a badly optimised real one.

i use a boston pro 5.5LF driver as my centre speaker, in a custom made baffle that fits in the dash. it goes low and works well, according to most whove heard it, blending nicely and in most cases melting away into the soundstage. it often sounds like there is a subwoofer in the middle of the dash, due to the ability of the centre to play low and tight.

as mentioned, you really cant skimp with a centre channel, it does most of the work and if it sounds thin and diffuse - that is how the music will sound.

it will also be dead obvious that its a speaker there, and not the original performers/instruments, if you use a little speaker, as it just isnt going to blend. ive heard the little 'stick-on' centre speakers clarion/kenwood sell, and they sound like a laptop is in the middle of your dash.

you can have a fiddle with them, but its almost a certainty, with high quality speakers in the doors, you will get irritated very quickly with a cheap or small centre.

So what would be the optimal size of a centre speaker? How would you run it off a 4 ch amp if all the other channels were being utelized?

well, i don't see why this would not work. i also don't see how it would " sound like garbage"

the boston 4.5 is a great speaker and will be powered by a decent amp.

i have decided to go ahead with it.

Ile let you guys know how i go.

tracka, it will work, the only question is if your centre will have enough extension and weight to convey the music correctly and in-line with your left/right channels. given the limited bass output for a 4" speaker (even a nice one like a boston 4.5) the risk with your plans is a thin sounding system. apart from that, it has the potential to work well.

as for the other question, the ideal size - that would be the exact speakers you use in the doors though of course in the real world, that isnt always possible and often isnt. ive played with different centres, and find that 5" is the minimum required to get the job done properly, while still allowing realistic mounting options.

anyway for movies you can get away with a smaller centre, but for music when all you have to focus on is sound, it can get annoying and dis-satisfying very quickly. see how you go, you can always add a larger mid-bass unit to the centre output, mounted under the dash etc, at later date if it sounds too thin.

one last thought - yor car presents an excellent opportunity to mount a centre speaker where your double-DIN cavity is. if your LCD monitor was able to play CD's and control the entire system, then freeing up that double-DIN slot could be a great place to make a custom baffle for a 5" speaker angled up.

good luck with it

I'd love to see that PXA-H700 and the Air conditioning controls moved somewhere, the 7998R moved to the top of that space, and a nice 5" speaker mounted in the centre

Looks good either way mate, good luck.

Tom.