Choosing Surround Speakers

[Michizno]

I'm wondering which speakers would be best for surround sound. I am using these speakers for the fronts http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-page.php?id=266
and I'm wondering if I should use these for the rears http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-page.php?id=268
or these http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-page.php?id=271
or maybe even these http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-page.php?id=269
I'm doing a 5.1 setup and right now I'm leaning towards the RC30 loudspeakers as rears since they are on sale but I wonder if they will even perform well as rear surround speakers. Will the RC-R's give me a better surround effect?? Any help would be greatly appreciated since I'm buying real soon. Thanks.

 

[mazersteven]

I'm wondering which speakers would be best for surround sound. I am using these speakers for the fronts http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-page.php?id=266
and I'm wondering if I should use these for the rears http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-page.php?id=268
or these http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-page.php?id=271
or maybe even these http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-page.php?id=269
I'm doing a 5.1 setup and right now I'm leaning towards the RC30 loudspeakers as rears since they are on sale but I wonder if they will even perform well as rear surround speakers. Will the RC-R's give me a better surround effect?? Any help would be greatly appreciated since I'm buying real soon. Thanks.

I think any of the speakers you listed the RC-30's or RC-10's would work as surrounds.

The RC-R's are great if you don't want your rear speakers sitting out in the middle of the room on the floor. Or if you have no room behind you you can wall mount them. Side walls work also.

 

[Michizno]

Would I get a better surround effect from the RC-R's though since they are designed strictly for surround? Or is that just a gimmick. I have lots of room so I can make any of those speakers work in my room. I'm just concerned about which one will give me the best effect for watching movies. Thanks again.

 

[AVRat]

As mazer said, any of those will work. I would base my decision on room layout and how the speakers would be positioned.

 

[Michizno]

Well I plan on placing the speakers behind and to the side a little bit. I have about 10 feet or so of space behind my listening position and lots of room to the sides. If you guys think the RC-30's will do a good job I might just go ahead and get them. Man I hate making decisions. One other thing I read mentioned that you shouldn't be able to tell where the sound from the rear is coming from. From what I've read, the RC-R's do give that effect but will the RC-30's?? Sorry for being a newb. Thanks again.

 

[AVRat]

If this is not an enclosed (somewhat) room then perhaps the 10/30s are the best bet. Just curious, what are you planning to power the system with?

 

[Michizno]

The room isn't totally enclosed. It's about 22ft by 22ft and there's an enclosed set of stairs on one side. There is also a hallway which will be behind my listening position so I'll have to place the rears on either side of the hallway. I'm gonna power all this with a Harmon Kardon AVR645. Hopefully it will do the job!

 

[AVRat]

First off, the 645 should work well. Is there any reason you’re not considering a 7.1 setup in a room that size? If not, I’d go with the RC-Rs for the sides and either the R/10s for the rears. If only 5.1, then … flip a coin. I think I’d go with the Rs myself. They are flexible and can be used in mono/bi/di-pole modes.