Need help finding a decent center channel/sound bar...

[EarthDog]

Moved into my new house and finally getting a final(ish) setup on my a/v stuff. My TV mounts above the fireplace and I purchased a 3 shelf wall mount for the audio equipment and cable box etc. Where the tv is mounted, I only have a total of about 8" from the tile frame of the fireplace to the bottom of the tv. I intend to install a floating shelf and that is where the center channel will go.

My problem is that the sound bars I have come across either come with a subwoofer (which I own already), doesn't take speaker level inputs or both. Traditional center channels are too tall ( I have a polk cs10 series 2). I estimate I will have 5-6" height available after mounting a floating shelf/mantle. The lower the better as the deeper and taller the unit is, I risk a chance of the closer seats getting the bottom of the tv cut off.

Budget is $300 on down. Used is fine.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[ATMINSIDE]

Have heard the Vizio sound bars are nice. Some are also Google Cast enabled.
https://www.vizio.com/audio/sb3830d0.html

 

[EarthDog]

The problem with sound bars, and I think this one too (only see pic on phone) is that it does not have speaker level inputs. In other words how will it work with my existing receiver, other 4 speakers, and subwoofer?

About the smallest decent thing I have seen is the Klipsch rc-10

 

[Jeff G]

Have you considered a DIY speaker? DIYSG sells 'flatpacks' that are DIY kits. This one looks like it would fit the bill nicely:
http://www.diysoundgroup.com/waveguide-speaker-kits/fusion-4/fusion4-kit.html

 

[EarthDog]

I have not... that is neat though!

I think I settled on the Paradigm Cinema 400 speaker. I lose a bit of range out of the center compared to my polk, but... I can wall mount it, or go floating shelf.

 

[ATMINSIDE]

The problem with sound bars, and I think this one too (only see pic on phone) is that it does not have speaker level inputs. In other words how will it work with my existing receiver, other 4 speakers, and subwoofer?

About the smallest decent thing I have seen is the Klipsch rc-10

What output does your receiver have? The one linked has an analog 3.5mm input.

 

[EarthDog]

The usual suspects for a 10 year old receiver...speaker level, digital coax, and optical.

It's ok, I already bought my solution: https://www.paradigm.com/products-archived/model=cinema-400/page=overview

Since it wall mounts and only sticks out like 5", I can get away with its height of slightly over 6".

Now, some Paradigm towers are in my future... matching timbre and all.

 

[Jeff G]

Now, some Paradigm towers are in my future... matching timbre and all.

Paradigm's site shows them as discontinued...Were you able to get them direct from them or did you find somewhere that still carries them?

 

[EarthDog]

The cinema 400s? Found them on amazon for $120. I was tempted to replace my front with these as well, but would lose too much low end (each front has 12"), and my sub wouldn't fill in as much as I would like.