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how do i use my soundbar as a center channel

by Allison Rowe Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Can I Use a Soundbar as a Center Channel Speaker?

  • Use Optical cable. In this method, you can use Optical cable as a connection between soundbar and receiver. The optical cable will be used as a ...
  • Connect with HDMI.
  • Use HDMI Switcher with AUX and RCA Cables.
  • Direct connect soundbar as a center channel.
  • Role of Center Channel Speaker in Home Theater.

To use it as a true center, you would have to hook up all three channels of the soundbar to the center channel of your receiver. What is this? Alternatively, you can take advantage of the three channels and hook up a left, right, and center signal into the soundbar.Feb 24, 2022

Full Answer

Can you use a sound bar as a center channel?

Yes, you can use a soundbar as a center channel speaker by using HDMI, AUX cables, RCA cables, and by using an optical cable. You can also directly connect a soundbar as a center channel. When the soundbar is in its best size and best position, it will emphasize the center channel. When you are using soundbar as your center channel speaker, then your receiver must have the RCA or 3.5mm input, along with RCA and 3.5mm input.

Can you use a soundbar as a centre speaker?

If all of the connections of your soundbar and your receiver match up, then technically yes, you could use a soundbar as a center channel speaker. Should you hook up your soundbar to the center channel? The short answer is no. Using a soundbar as a center can not only ruin your sound, it may also cause damage to your equipment.

Is a soundbar the same as a center speaker?

While both a center channel speaker and a Soundbar are typically placed in the front and center of your home theater, a Soundbar is often placed independently whereas using a center channel speaker means you will have to install the other channel speakers in the appropriate placement, too.

How to connect a soundbar to TV audio?

  • Ensure the TV and soundbar are both turned off.
  • Then, plug the red RCA cable into the red color-coded port at the back of your TV. Do the same for the White RCA cable. ...
  • You can now turn on your TV and soundbar to check if the connection was successful.

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Can I use a sound bar as a center channel?

Can you use a soundbar as a centre channel speaker in your surround sound system? The short answer is no, a soundbar cannot replace a centre speake without compromising sound quality.

How do I use my TV speaker as a center channel?

Connect the TV and AV receiver with a speaker cable. Use a speaker cable (not supplied) to connect the AV receiver to the CENTER SPEAKER IN terminal of the TV. When connecting, make sure to twist the ends of the speaker cable and insert them into the connection terminals of the TV and AV receiver.

Can I use a regular speaker for center channel?

You can use any speaker (except a subwoofer) for your center channel, but ideally, you'd use a speaker that has a horizontal, rather than vertical, or square, cabinet design, such as the example shown below from Aperion Audio.

How do I make my center channel speaker?

1:006:31How to build a DIY center channel. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI need you to recess the speakers. I did not have a rabbeting bit from our router at the time. So IMoreI need you to recess the speakers. I did not have a rabbeting bit from our router at the time. So I had to cut the recesses. Using multiple passes with a router and circle jig.

Do you really need center speaker?

A center channel speaker is a critical component of a home theater system set-up as it delivers about 70% of the dialogue from movies and television. Without one, you're missing out on vital parts of what you're watching.

What is acoustic Center sync?

The BRAVIA™ Acoustic Center Sync or S-Center speaker input allows you to connect your compatible Sony soundbar/audio system to the TV for enhanced audio playback using the TV as a center channel speaker in a multi-channel setup.

Do you need a center channel for music?

There is a minimum of 5.1 channels – front left and right, surround left and right, the subwoofer, and the center channel. If you are creating a setup for music alone, then a center channel speaker probably isn't necessary. Music is designed for the most part to run in stereo mode.

Can I use a bookshelf speaker as a center channel speaker?

Now as for how to use a bookshelf as a center, the short answer is the same way that you would use it as a left or right speaker, as the center channel is no different from the left & right channels, really.

How do I test a center channel speaker?

0:066:01Setting Center Channel Crossover | Test Track - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd try different crossovers. So you're probably starting at 80 hertz crossover. You'll move it upMoreAnd try different crossovers. So you're probably starting at 80 hertz crossover. You'll move it up to 90 100 110 120. You can even test a little bit lower say 60 or 70.

How do you play center speaker?

4:4710:53How to Get the Most Sound Out of Your Center Channel SpeakerYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTowards your ear. Now if you have your senior channel behind the screen or you have it above aMoreTowards your ear. Now if you have your senior channel behind the screen or you have it above a screen or a tv you want to angle it downwards or keep it level with your ears.

Should Center speakers be louder?

No, when properly calibrated, the center should not be louder than the fronts. The numbers you see in the setup doesn't mean the center is louder (or not as loud). Those adjustments exist so that you can account for differences in loudness between speaker models (e.g. your center vs.

How do I use my Sony TV as a center speaker?

2:083:17Learn More About Center Speaker Mode On Master Series TelevisionsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGo to settings display and sound audio output speakers audio system be sure to check out audio. OutMoreGo to settings display and sound audio output speakers audio system be sure to check out audio. Out tv center speaker mode is set to on. If it's set to off turn it. On. If your receiver has an

Do you need a soundbar with Sony OLED TV?

Not satisfied with having to go to the sound bar, Sony just announced a television that will use the surface of the screen as speaker. Called “acoustic surface technology,” Sony's BRAVIA OLED A1E Series TV might be the first home television that won't require a sound system to fully enjoy.

What is acoustic surface audio?

With Acoustic Surface Audio™ technology, sound comes directly from the screen. Two innovative actuators behind the TV vibrate delicately to create sound that moves within the picture so dialogue and special effects can be heard from precisely the right place.

Do Sony TVs have speakers?

Not only do Sony BRAVIA OLED TVs possess rich, full speakers, but they're also the most technologically advanced, adding a layer of tactility to robust sound. It all makes for an immersive viewing experience with picture and sound in perfect harmony.

What Kind of Soundbar Do You Have?

What kind of soundbar you have will tell me if this will be an easy or impossible task. Not all soundbars are created equal. Some have many connection options to allow you to connect to multiple devices. Others are passive and need an AV Reciever to power them as you would passive loudspeakers. And then others have minimal connections.

Or You Could Go Without a Center Channel

I know, that’s heresy. What self-respecting AV enthusiast would suggest not using a center? I would! Most decent speakers have excellent imaging and can use a phantom center. I will argue that the center channel is the only channel you can altogether remove and not unbalance your system. I have run a 4.1 system for years without any issues.

Our Take

Starting with a modest home theater setup is a great way to go and allows you to dip your toes in and see if you want to take it to the next level. Upgrading around your existing gear is also a fantastic way of keeping costs down and not sacrificing the quality of your system.

Why use a soundbar as a center channel speaker?

The soundbar duplicates the right-left effect of stereo sound, it is a type of audio system which is helpful in the duplication of right-left sound effects. Considering this feature, you can easily use the soundbar in your home theater.

How many channels are there in a soundbar?

The soundbar is based on three channels. And for connecting to a sound system, there are only two options to link with the sound system. If we are going to use it on the base of the exact center, then we have to link all the channels to the center channel.

How many speaker cables are needed for a soundbar?

Thus there will be a connection of 3 speaker cables from the receiver to the soundbar. It is because one will be for the front left, another will be for the center, and the last one will be for the front right. You can connect a 3.1 channel soundbar with this method.

What is HDMI ARC?

In this method, you will use the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) for the connection of the soundbar to a receiver. HDMI ARC is not a very good option because it is not reliable. We cannot 100% rely on it as it is not friendly to all components.

What is a 2.1 soundbar?

For example, if the soundbar has a capacity of 2.1, which shows that it has the right and left channels (2 channels). Whereas the efficiency of a soundbar with the ability of 5.1 will be higher. It will be used to deliver a more surround sound than the previous one. Below are some important reasons to use the soundbar.

How does logical sound over speakers work?

The logical sound over the speakers will be created by building up the right and left speakers in a proper balance.

What is 5.1 center channel?

For this scenario, the center channel speaker generally duplicates the dialog of the film. In the setup of 5.1, it replicates the effects of sound. It has the same frequency as other speakers have in the configuration of 5.1. It balances the sound: It is used to balance the sound.

How Soundbars Accomplish High-Quality Audio

There is a common misconception that soundbars are just another speaker. Its appearance and placement indeed suggest this. However, soundbars use a few audio tricks to amplify sound and simulate the immersive experience of a surround sound system.

Active Soundbars: Amplifying the Problem

Compounding the problem is the issue of signal strength. When the sound comes out of your TV, it emits what is known as a line-level signal. This signal is very low voltage to save your television the power of emitting speaker-level sound.

Why Connecting an Active Soundbar to a Receiver is a Bad Idea

Like speakers, soundbars come in active and passive varieties. As previously stated, most are active soundbars, providing their amplification.

Alternatives to Try

Our team is staunchly against a soundbar as a center channel, but that leaves you with the question of how to obtain surround sound effectively without the soundbar.

FAQs

Yes, you can use it as a center speaker. To do this, you will need to hook up the soundbar to the rest of your system in either a single or three-channel format.

Conclusion

A soundbar can be used as a center speaker in your entire home theater system. Some television manufacturers design televisions with soundbars for this exact purpose, and it can make home audio system shopping much easier when available options are presented in this way.

How many channels does a soundbar have?

There are two main ways to connect soundbars to a surround sound setup seeing that they come with three channels or four if it comes with a subwoofer. The first option for using the soundbar as a true center speaker is to connect all three speaker channels on the soundbar to the center channel on your surround sound system receiver.

What is a soundbar?

A soundbar features multiple speakers designed to deliver multi-channel sound projection. So, even though it looks like one speaker you can use as the center, there are multiple speakers under the hood designed to play different roles. Soundbars are equipped with audio techniques designed to amplify sound and give you the surround sound effect.

Why are the speakers on my soundbar tilted?

The left and right speakers are generally tilted towards the sides of the soundbar so that they can bounce off the walls in the room to create the surround sound and theatre effect.

What does it mean to have an amplification on a soundbar?

So, the amplification requirement means that you can create more problems for your audio system when you choose to make a soundbar your center speaker. If you connect a device that sends amplified audio signals to the soundbar, you may cause some feedback problems or destroy the soundbar system’s internal circuitry.

What happens if you use the center speaker?

If you choose the full center option, the position of the left and right speakers in the soundbar will lead to a more amplified center signal, worsening the clarity of the dialogue and the overall surround sound effect.

How to get high fidelity sound?

If you’re looking for true high-fidelity sound from your surround sound setup, you have to be willing to go about it correctly by either getting a proper center speaker that you can hook up with your A/V receiver. Or you choose a soundbar that matches the room’s size, backed up with a separate subwoofer.

Why is the center speaker important in a home theater system?

The center speaker is a part of the audio setup that gets attention because that’s where the bulk of the dialogue comes from.

What channel does a soundbar have?

The soundbar has the right, left, and center channel. You can create the effect of surround sound experience. The soundbar speakers are positioned left, right, and center to give you the surround sound by tilting the left and right speakers towards the sides of the sounder. The walls create a theatre quality sound, ...

How to use TV speakers as a center channel?

When the speakers are set to an audio system, you can use the TV speakers as a center channel by joining an AV receiver to the central speaker IN terminal of the TV. You’ll need an optical cable or HDMI cable (RELATED ARTICLE) to connect the TV to the AV.

How to use soundbar as speaker?

You can opt to use the soundbar as the main center channel speakers by connecting the soundbar to a receiver using Ann optical cable. Simply connect an end to the digital optical out port on the receiver and to the optical in port on your soundbar, When using this method, note that the digital encoding standards need to match on both the sender and receiver to avoid experiencing odd sound issues.

How to connect RCA to 3.5mm AUX?

Get an RCA to RCA cable or RCA to 3.5mm Aux, depending on your sounder and receiver. Connect the leads to the pre-out connections on the receiver and connect the 3.5mm AUX to the sounder. At this point, you may need to enable the pre-out center channel on the receiver.

What is the speaker cable used for?

Use the speaker cable to connect the AV receiver to the Center Speaker IN terminal of the TV.

What is the role of the center channel in a surround sound system?

Moreover, it handles most of the vocals and dialogue in movies and music, while tieing all these actions together to create a sense of realism.

Why won't my TV sound good?

Why TV Speakers Won’t Sound Good as a Center Channel. Using TV speakers as a center channel compounds the issue of signal strength. Any sound that comes out of the TV emits a line-level signal. That signal is the low voltage as it’s meant to save your TV the power of producing speaker level sound.

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1.Can I Use a Soundbar as a Center Channel? Why It's Not …

Url:https://thehometheaterdiy.com/soundbar-as-a-center-channel/

17 hours ago  · On your soundbar that you are planning to use as your center channel, you need an input that can take the analog signal from the center pre-out. Unfortunately, this is not a digital signal so you’ll need a compatible input. For most soundbars these days, it will be labeled “Aux” and is usually a 3.5mm port.

2.Can I Use My Soundbar as a Center Channel? | AV Gadgets

Url:https://avgadgets.com/can-i-use-my-soundbar-as-a-center-channel/

16 hours ago  · To use it as a true center, you would have to hook up all three channels of the soundbar to the center channel of your receiver. Alternatively, you can use the three-channel hookup a left, right, and center signal into the soundbar.

3.Videos of How Do I Use My Soundbar As a Center Channel

Url:/videos/search?q=how+do+i+use+my+soundbar+as+a+center+channel&qpvt=how+do+i+use+my+soundbar+as+a+center+channel&FORM=VDRE

10 hours ago The first option for using the soundbar as a true center speaker is to connect all three speaker channels on the soundbar to the center channel on your surround sound system receiver. The second option is to tap into the three channels on the soundbar and connect a right, center, and left receiver signals to it.

4.Can You Use A Soundbar As A Center Speaker 2022? Top …

Url:https://hookeaudio.com/can-you-use-a-soundbar-as-a-center-speaker/

16 hours ago You can opt to use the soundbar as the main center channel speakers by connecting the soundbar to a receiver using Ann optical cable. Simply connect an end to the digital optical out port on the receiver and to the optical in port on your soundbar, When using this method, note that the digital encoding standards need to match on both the sender and receiver to avoid …

5.Can You Use a Soundbar as a Center Speaker? - Home …

Url:https://hometheateracademy.com/use-a-soundbar-as-a-center-speaker/

7 hours ago  · I would not try to use a 3 channel passive soundbar as a center channel speaker. As mentioned, the same sound from three sources would just muddy up the works, not clarify it. A single, good quality center channel (perhaps in a 3 way configuration, i.e. tweeter over mid, flanked by 2 mid-woofs) would probably give you the best sound from the ...

6.Can I Use My TV Speakers as a Center Channel? - Home …

Url:https://hometheateracademy.com/tv-speakers-as-a-center-channel/

12 hours ago No, but you can buy a sound bar shaped center speaker. level 1. · 4 yr. ago. Not an active soundbar ... there are some passive soundbars that can be wired as left, center, and right. level 1. · 4 yr. ago. Sound bars are in general powered, meaning they connect to hdmi and you can’t pick just the center channel to play.

7.Can you use a sound bar as a center channel? : …

Url:https://www.reddit.com/r/hometheater/comments/7lbwba/can_you_use_a_sound_bar_as_a_center_channel/

27 hours ago  · If the number is a “2”, this means your soundbar includes a left and right channel. If the first number is a “3”, however, this means the soundbar has a left, right, and center channel. Soundbars that include “5” channels will support either “mimicked” or actual surround sound speakers as well.

8.Use the TV speakers as the center speaker | Sony USA

Url:https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/articles/00201071

11 hours ago

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