Flatscreen between speakers

@spenav. That could indeed be a factor as my TV is a mini LED and does not have the slick glass surface.

I have a 100" flat screen between my speakers. I was very worried about the effect it would have but I use a Lyngdorf processor with their seriously amazing "room perfect" correction software. I know purists will balk at that but the system is not complete to me without a TV. My favorite use of my dedicated room is watching concert videos (on disc). The Lyngdorf, unlike most lesser processors, allows the main speakers (Focal Sopra 1's) to retain their unique sonic character instead of trying to force them to bend to the processor's will.

I also have a very large rectangular ottoman in the room and I found that even without processing the signal if I push that up between the speakers and right in front of the TV it helps with quashing the undesirable reflections.

I once read right here on Audiogon that a member claimed that the flatscreen didn't hurt his sound nearly as much as he feared. In fact, he said it actually helped preserve the center image. Since I don't use a physical center speaker (processor has 16 channels, configurable to whatever you like, I have a 8.2.6 configuration) this helped assuage my worries. I just don't think about it anymore and my room sounds like a dream. Literally. I've been dreaming of having a room like this for 40 years.

@elliottbnewcombjr  "I am surprised that you do not have a true center channel, when content is originally created, center dialog/content does not exist in FL and FR so Phantom Center cannot create what doesn’t exist. There is no need for Bass in the center."

Depends on your processor. Lyngdorf has the option of sending all center channel info to front L&R. Pretty sure other processors also have this capability.

@elliottbnewcombjr I actually have a very nice center, I just choose not to use it. I also think you are not quite grasping what the processor does. You say center info does not appear in front L&R, which is true, but that's not where the phantom center comes from. The processor recognizes when there is center channel info available so if no physical center is present it sends that info to front L&R. It's not trying to "create what doesn't exist", it's simply re-routing that center channel signal. I can see there being some differences in how well various processors do this, however.

Also, your room is a big factor in the necessity of a physical center speaker. If you have seating that's frequently used that's off to the sides of the screen or if you have a really large room then I agree that you should probably use a physical speaker, but in my room and I'm sure in many others, you really can't sit off axis. My room is not small at 15' x 22' but with the speakers properly pulled out from the wall and the seating at the proper distance from the speakers you are close enough to them that the phantom center works quite well.

As far as not sharing a room, how many people have 2 dedicated rooms? I know some do but it's got to be a pretty small number. I, for one, am thrilled to have ONE dedicated room. If I just had a 2-channel system in there I would have to put the "home theater" (I hate that term) in one of my living spaces. None of mine would accommodate a 100" screen, not even close. Then there's the fact that because this system is not in a dedicated room the SQ will suffer. As I previously stated, my favorite use of my room/system is watching concert videos. I'm getting the best sound possible for this purpose in my "dual use" room.

If I had unlimited funds and could build any kind of house I wanted I "might" do 2 rooms, but I also might not. I like having the highest quality gear in my dual use room that I can afford. Having 2 rooms would be somewhat redundant, especially since a screen has become such an important component in the enjoyment of my room.

For the absolute best 2 channel listening I have a dedicated headphone system. This equipment is at least as good as the rest, probably better. HifiMan Susvara 'phones and a Holo Audio stack consisting of a May KTE DAC and a Bliss KTE amp. The SQ is sublime. Both systems share the HifiRose RS130 as a streaming source and a fairly highly modified Oppo 203 with I2S output as a physical disc source.

I've spent decades planning this room/systems and wrestling with all the decisions that are involved. Considering that most plans don't work out exactly as you'd like and some real world learning is often necessary, I've been over-the-moon with the results I've been getting. I can't afford to shuffle components at the level that many of you do (though I've definitely done quite a bit of shuffling with the HP rig over the years), so I had to get it as right as I could from the beginning.

@ticat 

"My experience is My Experience. The List includes (but is not limited to) HT and HiFi “things” I have learned to no longer waste time, effort and/or resources on…

Low efficiency speakers, low impedance speakers, subwoofers, encode/decode protocols, extraneous wiring, room reflection issues (proper room treatment is of Primary Importance), screen reflection, multi speaker radiation interaction, digital glare, inadequate digital “sound processing “… I could go on but to what point?

My experience had lead me to organize my audio systems thusly…I have my HT system in the living room (where it belongs) and the 2 channel in a dedicated room (where it belongs). High efficiency, Large Full Range speakers, custom electronics (almost exclusively hand assembled), science guided room treatments and as few wires and connections as possible."

What an arrogant response. "Where it belongs" is your opinion, not a fact.

Projectors have come a long way and the ultra short throw ones are pretty intriguing, but they still can't compete with an OLED. You could probably get close if you're willing to go commercial grade (think $50K and up, plus screen). OLED is simply the best TV technology there is right now. Micro-LED will supposedly supplant it in the next couple of years. There are already some Mini-LED's that can come close to the OLED experience. I have both technologies in my home and while I adore the OLED, the Mini-LED often makes me do a double-take because the picture is so incredible.