Using Television as Center Channel

Chiefsfan

This might be more of an audio question. I'm getting my new RCA 61LPW163 in the next few days. It has a 60 watt center channel input on the back. Apparently just stick the center channel speaker wires into the television. My receiver is 100w per channel. will this screw up the television speakers if they're only rated for 60 watts?

unkster

No it should not hurt the TV. I have a 50" RCA DLP and use the center channel plug in. It utilizes the the tv built in speakers. Unless you crank up the volume to the max, it should not be a problem. My surround is only a 80 watt system which is enough to drive you out of the room and it works fine. The center channel coming out of the front of the tv sounds better than the surround system, without the bother of finding a place for the speaker.

jojojojo57

I use mine , Is it THX certified? NO, jo

Chiefsfan

Thanks for the input.. I have some small but very good Boston Accoustics, so I'll most likely put the center speaker below the TV on the stand's top shelf and try it both ways. Cannot wait to see this TV!

RICKSRIBS

Which RCA DLP Model do you have..
And how are you enjoying it??

Beastslayer1

Real quick note on using the center channel speakers as your center...they will not equal the quality of sound output as a dedicated center channel speaker. You can use them, but at center volume levels you may notice them "tweeking out" and distorting at hard pushes and high end recreation is some what impaired...

JoeyG

then use the tv speakers for your center channel.

I come from a fairly hardcore audio background and realized a while ago that most of your dialogue comes from the center channel. Most private audio stores will tell you that your center speaker should at least be the same manufacturer and quality as your other front speakers. This way you won't notice the differences in tone when sound pans across the front, from one side to the other.

You will have to calibrate the three front speakers to play at the same volume. They probably won't at first as your tv speakers will be more efficient than the right and left units. This means they will play louder than the other speakers with the same power. Most receivers or prepro's have a sound check mode where it generates static and plays all of your speakers one at a time. This will allow you to hear the volume difference and adjust them so they play at the same level.

Try this and if you can't hear the difference between the tonal quality of the three speakers then don't worry about it. If you can and it annoys you then you know what you have to do.