I have a 3D array, ForceField 4 sub, and SuperSat 3 rears and heights. I was thinking of upgrading my front speakers but I have to stay spouse/location reasonable. I have an entertainment table where I’ve had lcrs under the top and I just realized that I could fit 3 supercenters in the same place as LCRs. I figure that the wood top would dampen some of the base, but I still have the sub. Anyone tried this? Please let me know if using 3 supercenters as left, center, right would be a good setup with the sub and SuperSat 3s. Thanks.

Hi, HansHT

Good question. My thoughts:

I guess I'm not exactly sure what sound quality uptick you'd like to gain. If it's bass slam, another option is to go with a SuperSub, either in addition to, or to replace the FF4. That would give a BIG kick!

3 SuperCenters as L/C/R channels would give some more power handling and bass, but would you have the space to separate them enough to get good channel separation? The 3D arrays are designed to cancel close-in channel cross talk, and you might well lose that channel separation if you had to place the 3 SuperCenters side by side for space reasons.

Other options include ceiling mounted HTR 7000's if that is an installation option, and they can be far enough away from the listening position to present at ear level.

Could you describe a little more the upgrading objective you're looking for?

Moderator Dude may want to add some perspective on what your trade-offs and options would be. He's no doubt set up lots of systems with lots of Goldenear speaker combinations.

Good luck!

Rick

Thank you for your thoughts. My goals for the upgrade are to get a fuller sound out of the front three speakers while fitting in the entertainment center. The 3d array is really nice but I upgraded to a 75” tv and want to make a bigger sound to go with it. The drivers in the supercenter are larger so I’m thinking they would give fuller mid range sound like a front speaker. I could push the FF4 crossover lower and let the supercenters drive the show.

As you note the biggest questions are: 1. would they give me the sound upgrade desired, and, 2. Can they work well close to each other.

I’d appreciate any more thoughts anyone has. Thanks!

HansHT wrote: Thank you for your thoughts. My goals for the upgrade are to get a fuller sound out of the front three speakers while fitting in the entertainment center. The 3d array is really nice but I upgraded to a 75” tv and want to make a bigger sound to go with it. The drivers in the supercenter are larger so I’m thinking they would give fuller mid range sound like a front speaker. I could push the FF4 crossover lower and let the supercenters drive the show.

As you note the biggest questions are: 1. would they give me the sound upgrade desired, and, 2. Can they work well close to each other.

I’d appreciate any more thoughts anyone has. Thanks!

How much clearance will the SuperCenters have above them? Ideally 1" or so is functional and more clearance is better. They will work fairly well if close to each other but you won't have a lot of separation for that really immersive sound. Another option to look at is a 3D Array XL. I get the impression you have the smaller 3D Array X. Both models have a technology that gives you huge soundstage out of speakers that are normally considered too close to each other. It won't answer the larger driver question, though.

Audition the SuperSub X, too. It is capable of quite a bit more output than the FF4 and does it with less distortion. It is more money, but well worth checking out as you go through this upgrade.

Hey, HansHT

I know this is a little counter intuitive to what you are thinking, but you you stated you wanted a bigger sound to go with your larger tv and want to use the larger drivers in the SuperCenters in part to enhance bass below 100 or 120 HZ and lower the crossovers and give less to the FF4, leaving the SuperCenters to "drive the show" more in that range also. Just a thought. 120 HZ and down is SO in the SuperSub wheelhouse, I know it would knock that range even more out of the park, leaving the 3D Array to do what it does so well above 120 HZ


Do you have a local dealer who could let you try a SuperSub in your current set up? Might be worth the time to experiment. When you say you want more impact, I think of bass and what an action movie can sound like, even feel like, with the way it can make a scene seem so real. I've seen movies in theaters and then watched the same later in my Goldenear HT. Absolutely no comparison. The GEt's bring the sound effects to life. Liked the movie Dunkirk in the theater, fell in love with it on my HT, even shuddered, got goosebumps with some of the scenes. That's impact, and it came from SO realistic frequencies 120 HZ and down that shook the rafters.

Just a suggestion. Whatever you decide, it will be an upgrade to what you have.

Rick