2.2 to 5.2 or more

[everettT]

Thanks, more great information! Let's say I would put 2k into the AVR and another 2k into the ceiling speakers and/or mixing it up say 1k for the AVR and 3k for the speakers, etc. (in other words a 4k budget is about the max I could go). Would that get me some solid performance?

Since the room is beautiful and not really optimal for full surround, another option could be keep your existing setup for music, add speakers like these
https://artisonusa.com/portrait-r2 , a subwoofer(or two, an AVR like the denon x3300. You could use zone 2 output of the AVR to send your sources to your Mac pre and have a viable 3.x surround setup. The linked speakers attach to your display and look "integrated" into it and that would give you a clean look for your stereo speakers in room.

 

[Beowulf]

If you’re an imaging and detail freak, I’m sure you will appreciate what Dolby surround can do for music. I can tell you I have attended more live orchestras than I can count, even with the best imaging, stereo doesn’t do it justice.

Alright, I'm motivated to get something going. I'm interested to see the type of performance your talking about.

Since the room is beautiful and not really optimal for full surround, another option could be keep your existing setup for music, add speakers like these
https://artisonusa.com/portrait-r2 , a subwoofer(or two, an AVR like the denon x3300. You could use zone 2 output of the AVR to send your sources to your Mac pre and have a viable 3.x surround setup. The linked speakers attach to your display and look "integrated" into it and that would give you a clean look for your stereo speakers in room.

This is a great idea! I can definitely see something like this working in my situation. I already own 2 Rythmik Audio servo controlled subs that use GR Research woofer drivers.

Those particular Portrait speakers look so integrated that they blend seamlessly into the background.

I'm going to contract this company and start a dialog with them.

This is actually a screenshot of the floor plan I'm referring to. The audio/video equipment will be located in the top left hand corner. As you can see there is not back wall as it leads to the fireplace and dining/kitchen area. Right about where the sofa and chair are located the solid wall stops and it is glass after that (a series of sliding glass doors). I guess after looking at this ... some in-wall speakers could be mounted on the side area and then have 3 speakers up front, I could still not get the rear surrounds anywhere besides the ceiling though.

How about this:

1. I keep my Omega floor standing speakers as the left and right channels,
2. Install an in-wall center channel (mounted below the TV)
3. Install 2 in-wall side channels (mounted right before the solid wall ends),
4. Install 2 in-ceiling speakers up front (over my Omega l/r channel speakers) for some Atmos effects,
5. Install 2 in-ceiling speakers behind the couch area as rear surrounds.

Would that be a pretty good setup?

Thanks again guys, appreciate the inspiration!

 

[2channel lover]

Yeah, I realize it might be hard to tame, but I'm up to the challenge ... as mentioned above there will be acoustic paneling along the back, side and first reflection areas, curtains, etc. but this space is what it is and it's where my kit needs to go as there is no other rooms available. I'm not expecting miracles and I'm not building my house around my audio equipment either, so I'm just going to try and get the best sound out of it as possible.

Anyways I'm not trying to get feedback on the acoustics of my room, I'm trying to get feedback on wiring for any future uses of things like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Aura 3D, etc. and if it can be completed with mostly in-ceiling speakers and how many will be needed for the bare minimum to achieve playback of these technologies.

Thanks anyways though

Atmos prewire...For a room that size...4 should be fine, 6 max.

Integrating with your 2ch...without the HT pass through I think you will be running 2 separate systems...if so...3 in wall speakers for LCR can sound pretty good depending on the room. With the glass walls, your side surrounds will probably need to be ceiling mounted (I don't care for in ceiling as side surrounds), then 4 Atmos in ceiling....that will be plenty of speakers.

My brother-n- law has a small modern home...lots of concrete and glass throughout...very cool looking home...but it wasn't built with audio acoustics in mind. He has a complete 5.1 inwall system (sub is inwall as well)...it's not a kick butt HT, but it does the job...maybe a little better than I expected.

As in walls go...Noble Fidelity is what I went with for whole house in ceiling...they're on the upper end of the price point, (not sure I would spend that much on Atmos in ceiling speakers), but they will fill a room with SQ surprisingly good for inwalls.

 

[2channel lover]

Alright, I'm motivated to get something going. I'm interested to see the type of performance your talking about.




This is a great idea! I can definitely see something like this working in my situation. I already own 2 Rythmik Audio servo controlled subs that use GR Research woofer drivers.

Those particular Portrait speakers look so integrated that they blend seamlessly into the background.

I'm going to contract this company and start a dialog with them.

This is actually a screenshot of the floor plan I'm referring to. The audio/video equipment will be located in the top left hand corner. As you can see there is not back wall as it leads to the fireplace and dining/kitchen area. Right about where the sofa and chair are located the solid wall stops and it is glass after that (a series of sliding glass doors). I guess after looking at this ... some in-wall speakers could be mounted on the side area and then have 3 speakers up front, I could still not get the rear surrounds anywhere besides the ceiling though.

How about this:

1. I keep my Omega floor standing speakers as the left and right channels,
2. Install an in-wall center channel (mounted below the TV)
3. Install 2 in-wall side channels (mounted right before the solid wall ends),
4. Install 2 in-ceiling speakers up front (over my Omega l/r channel speakers) for some Atmos effects,
5. Install 2 in-ceiling speakers behind the couch area as rear surrounds.

Would that be a pretty good setup?
View attachment 22724

Thanks again guys, appreciate the inspiration!

If it were me.

I've lived with a non timbre matched CC for years...not as big a deal as one might think, but since you are starting out with a clean sheet of paper I would go all three inwall if I could not timbre match the Omegas.

http://www.audioholics.com/diy-audio/how-to-install-an-immersive-audio-setup/DolbyAtmos714setup.png/image_view_fullscreen

This is a link for a 7.1.4 system. My atmos speakers are placed like this except it's a 5.2.4 system...the front height atmos are about 3' ahead of the listening position and the rear heights are about 3' behind the listening position and inline with the mains.

With a room the size of yours and configurated as such...I don't think rear surrounds are going to deliver much...5.2.4 should be more than enough for immersive sound.

 

[Beowulf]

If it were me.

I've lived with a non timbre matched CC for years...not as big a deal as one might think, but since you are starting out with a clean sheet of paper I would go all three inwall if I could not timbre match the Omegas.

http://www.audioholics.com/diy-audio/how-to-install-an-immersive-audio-setup/DolbyAtmos714setup.png/image_view_fullscreen

This is a link for a 7.1.4 system. My atmos speakers are placed like this except it's a 5.2.4 system...the front height atmos are about 3' ahead of the listening position and the rear heights are about 3' behind the listening position and inline with the mains.

With a room the size of yours and configurated as such...I don't think rear surrounds are going to deliver much...5.2.4 should be more than enough for immersive sound.

Thanks, this is exactly what I'm going to do. Wire my room for 5.2.4:

1. Use my Omega's as left and right channels with my Rythmik Audio Servo Subs,
2. 4 in-ceiling Atmos channels (as you suggested ~ 2 in front of the listening position and 2 behind the listening position and both in line with the front l/r channels),
3. Use an in-wall center (or purchase an Omega center),
4. Use in-wall left and right surrounds (as shown on the diagram #5 position),
5. Forego the rear surrounds,
6. Get that Denon x3300 that was mentioned above as a surround receiver and run that into the RCA tape input connection on the back of my McIntosh c220 (not optimal, but it is doable ... just have to remember to adjust the sound when switching through sources ).

I'll check into those Noble Fidelity and I was also looking into Def Tech's stuff while I was at Magnolia the other day and the Artison USA stuff looks pretty interesting too. Yes since 2 channel is my priority I'm not too worried about timbre matching for the occasional movie, etc.

Thanks for your help I appreciate the feedback!

 

[2channel lover]

Thanks, this is exactly what I'm going to do. Wire my room for 5.2.4:

1. Use my Omega's as left and right channels with my Rythmik Audio Servo Subs,
2. 4 in-ceiling Atmos channels (as you suggested ~ 2 in front of the listening position and 2 behind the listening position and both in line with the front l/r channels),
3. Use an in-wall center (or purchase an Omega center),
4. Use in-wall left and right surrounds (as shown on the diagram #5 position),
5. Forego the rear surrounds,
6. Get that Denon x3300 that was mentioned above as a surround receiver and run that into the RCA tape input connection on the back of my McIntosh c220 (not optimal, but it is doable ... just have to remember to adjust the sound when switching through sources ).

I'll check into those Noble Fidelity and I was also looking into Def Tech's stuff while I was at Magnolia the other day and the Artison USA stuff looks pretty interesting too. Yes since 2 channel is my priority I'm not too worried about timbre matching for the occasional movie, etc.

Thanks for your help I appreciate the feedback!

Good plan!

Just sharing a tidbit or two.

I've been a 2ch guy for 35+ yrs since my 1st hifi system and I still like and buy stereo....iirc you have dappled in HT and maybe hi res...I was suspect of multi-channel audio until I tried it. The sacd vs redbook cd debate will probably still be going on 100 yrs from now, but I started with 5 sacd titles.

Kind of Blue - Miles Davis...is a staple in jazz collections...I've had the LP, and still have the cd and now multichannel sacd...the multichannel is by far the best recording of this classic....the trumpet is fed thru the CC on most of the tracks...sounds truer imo but it did make me think this will probably sound better on the Salks because the CC will match the mains. Not all mc use the center, some I have are a 2.1 and even that makes a difference in the SQ.

My point here...the Omegas are going to sound better than most any in wall...Audyssey can correct the distance issue from an inwall CC to the L & R, but that might be a bigger tonal change than you might think....there is a tonal change from my B&W mains to the Paradigm CC, but it's not drastic.

I would try to match the Omegas mains. I forgot your source, but if multi channel is feasible, I might try it again...not to replace 2 ch of course...in addition to.

I forgot what your source is i

 

[2channel lover]

Thanks, this is exactly what I'm going to do. Wire my room for 5.2.4:

1. Use my Omega's as left and right channels with my Rythmik Audio Servo Subs,
2. 4 in-ceiling Atmos channels (as you suggested ~ 2 in front of the listening position and 2 behind the listening position and both in line with the front l/r channels),
3. Use an in-wall center (or purchase an Omega center),
4. Use in-wall left and right surrounds (as shown on the diagram #5 position),
5. Forego the rear surrounds,
6. Get that Denon x3300 that was mentioned above as a surround receiver and run that into the RCA tape input connection on the back of my McIntosh c220 (not optimal, but it is doable ... just have to remember to adjust the sound when switching through sources ).

I'll check into those Noble Fidelity and I was also looking into Def Tech's stuff while I was at Magnolia the other day and the Artison USA stuff looks pretty interesting too. Yes since 2 channel is my priority I'm not too worried about timbre matching for the occasional movie, etc.

Thanks for your help I appreciate the feedback!

Noble Fidelity...research them...if you call, ask for Greg Ford. He's the owner, very knowledgeable about inwall. His prices for his best selling 8" in ceiling is about $900 a pr and the 6" is $800 a pr...a bit steep for Atmos, but they can produce sound on par with my RBH bookshelf spkrs...they image really well and can play comfortably into the 85db spl...the bass specs are influenced with positioning but they will dig lower than the avg in ceiling speaker....if you were considering 3 inwalls across the front, I would strongly suggest these, but just one for the CC...I'm not that high on them blending well with the Omegas.

 

[Beowulf]

Good plan!

Just sharing a tidbit or two.

I've been a 2ch guy for 35+ yrs since my 1st hifi system and I still like and buy stereo....iirc you have dappled in HT and maybe hi res...I was suspect of multi-channel audio until I tried it. The sacd vs redbook cd debate will probably still be going on 100 yrs from now, but I started with 5 sacd titles.

Kind of Blue - Miles Davis...is a staple in jazz collections...I've had the LP, and still have the cd and now multichannel sacd...the multichannel is by far the best recording of this classic....the trumpet is fed thru the CC on most of the tracks...sounds truer imo but it did make me think this will probably sound better on the Salks because the CC will match the mains. Not all mc use the center, some I have are a 2.1 and even that makes a difference in the SQ.

My point here...the Omegas are going to sound better than most any in wall...Audyssey can correct the distance issue from an inwall CC to the L & R, but that might be a bigger tonal change than you might think....there is a tonal change from my B&W mains to the Paradigm CC, but it's not drastic.

I would try to match the Omegas mains. I forgot your source, but if multi channel is feasible, I might try it again...not to replace 2 ch of course...in addition to.

I forgot what your source is i

Thanks for the feedback, overall I think you are right and maybe I can have Louis make me a center channel to go with my l/r mains. I've been actually toying with the idea of having another custom pair of Omega's. Right now I have the RS7 drivers, but I'm really interested in Louis' AlNiCo Hemp drivers and he is now doing a high output version with those specific drivers ... perhaps I'll have him design a middle channel that is timbered matched to the l/r channels once I get this all set up and moved in.

My sources right now are:
(a) Rega RP6 TT,
(b) McIntosh D100 DAC,
(c) Asus Vivo PC, with JRiver MC and a Western Digital NAS holding all my music and movies,
(d) Cable TV.

I only have a handful of SACD titles and I think only 1 of them is multi-channel, but my interest has definitely peaked after reading some of the posts in this thread!

 

[yepimonfire]

Good plan!

Just sharing a tidbit or two.

I've been a 2ch guy for 35+ yrs since my 1st hifi system and I still like and buy stereo....iirc you have dappled in HT and maybe hi res...I was suspect of multi-channel audio until I tried it. The sacd vs redbook cd debate will probably still be going on 100 yrs from now, but I started with 5 sacd titles.

Kind of Blue - Miles Davis...is a staple in jazz collections...I've had the LP, and still have the cd and now multichannel sacd...the multichannel is by far the best recording of this classic....the trumpet is fed thru the CC on most of the tracks...sounds truer imo but it did make me think this will probably sound better on the Salks because the CC will match the mains. Not all mc use the center, some I have are a 2.1 and even that makes a difference in the SQ.

My point here...the Omegas are going to sound better than most any in wall...Audyssey can correct the distance issue from an inwall CC to the L & R, but that might be a bigger tonal change than you might think....there is a tonal change from my B&W mains to the Paradigm CC, but it's not drastic.

I would try to match the Omegas mains. I forgot your source, but if multi channel is feasible, I might try it again...not to replace 2 ch of course...in addition to.

I forgot what your source is i

I wish multichannel music took off more rather than all but dying out. I think especially for classical or acoustical recordings it’s much better than stereo. What I don’t like is inappropriate use of the surrounds, ie placing a guitarist in the rear. It’s much better suited to properly rendering the acoustic space and getting rid of the “phantom center” problems.

I’ve always felt that stereo was lacking. Sure, if you sit in the sweet spot and have a proper setup, you can get great imaging, but compared to a real multichannel classical recording done right, it just doesn’t sound like the real live thing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk