New Theater Set up

[rscruggs5]

Hi all,
Rather new to all of this: I am in the process of purchasing and setting up/adding to my current set up and would like some tips on how to go about it (i.e. speaker location and selection). I am not going crazy on this, but want to expand on what I already have and have the ability to add on to it more at a later time.
I should note that I do not mind cutting into the ceiling or walls seeing as I just moved in and really hate the wall and floor coverings (paint and flooring to come..)

Anywho...

I currently have a Denon AVR X-1600 which is a 7.2 channel receiver that is capable of being used as a 5.2.2 if I understand all this correctly. I have two Klipsch R-820's, a Klipsch R-34 center channel and two Klipsch R-120SW's. There are also two ceiling speakers that came with the house that I am not quite sure what to do with or how I should be utilizing them.

Basically, I currently have five speakers and would like to add two more to fully utilize the potential of my current receiver. The question is, which speakers do I purchase, how do I configure my current speakers and where do I locate the new ones?

So on to the specific questions and scenarios:

-Should utilize the current ceiling speakers as the Surround Back speakers and purchase a new pair of wall mount RP-250s for the Surround Left and Right for 7.2?

-Should I utilize the current ceiling speakers as Dolby Atmos speakers (they are located above and to the read of the main listening position) and purchase a new pair of wall mount RP-250s for the Surround Left and Right for 5.2.2?

-Should utilize the current ceiling speakers as the Surround Back speakers and purchase some R-41-SA's for some Front Height Atmos speakers for 5.2.2?

-Should I forgo the ceiling speakers until I upgrade the receiver and purchase some RP-250s for Surrounds and some R-41-SA's for some Front Height Atmos speakers for 5.2.2?

-Should I forgo the ceiling speakers until I upgrade the receiver and purchase some RP-250s for Surround L and R and purchase some R-51m bookshelfs for the Surround Back L and R for a 7.2?

I will upload a picture here with the current layout of the room for reference.

Any input helps! Thank you!

 

[rscruggs5]

 

[rscruggs5]

another view

 

[mazersteven]

You could mount these on your side walls

R-41SA Dolby Atmos® Elevation / Surround Speaker (Pair)

Klipsch and Dolby Atmos combined means killer home theater sound. The Klipsch R-41SA delivers immersive sound to any room in your home. Shop now.

www.klipsch.com

Don't know what in-ceiling speakers are already there. But I would recommend if you use them to get Aimable In-ceiling speakers. Klipsch does make them.

 

[rscruggs5]

You could mount these on your side walls

R-41SA Dolby Atmos® Elevation / Surround Speaker (Pair)

Klipsch and Dolby Atmos combined means killer home theater sound. The Klipsch R-41SA delivers immersive sound to any room in your home. Shop now.

www.klipsch.com

Don't know what in-ceiling speakers are already there. But I would recommend if you use them to get Aimable In-ceiling speakers. Klipsch does make them.

Thanks Mazersteven. Should I use those R-41SA's in conjunction with the ceiling speakers? How should I assign each? R-41SA's as the Surrounds L and R and the ceiling speakers as SBR and SBL?

I will have to find out what speakers they are in the ceiling once I get home, I do not know either

 

[rscruggs5]

how would the R-41SA compare with the RP-250's? I know the 250's are a step up and twice the cost, would it be worth it? I have to say, I do not have a finely tuned ear. I am definitely a novice listener

 

[mazersteven]

how would the R-41SA compare with the RP-250's? I know the 250's are a step up and twice the cost, would it be worth it? I have to say, I do not have a finely tuned ear. I am definitely a novice listener

The 250's are Floorstanders if Im correct. You could use Floorstanders or Bookshelf speakers as Surrounds. A little challenge in Cable Management.

 

[rscruggs5]

This is the RP-250S

 

[rscruggs5]

The 250's are Floorstanders if Im correct. You could use Floorstanders or Bookshelf speakers as Surrounds. A little challenge in Cable Management.

I am not a big fan of having the rear of the speakers exposed to the room, so I would like to avoid that. I could place the bookshelf speakers all the way against the rear wall though

 

[mazersteven]

View attachment 37941This is the RP-250S

I just looked them up. I comment was about the 250F sorry.

 

[rscruggs5]

I just looked them up. I comment was about the 250F sorry.

No worries!

I guess one of the main aspects of my questions are:

Would a 7.2 system sound better than a 5.2.2? And how should each be configured in the room I am setting up in?

 

[mazersteven]

No worries!

I guess one of the main aspects of my questions are:

Would a 7.2 system sound better than a 5.2.2? And how should each be configured in the room I am setting up in?

Better is in the Ear of the Beholder. Room Accoustics effect Sound Quality.
You could mount the R-41SA's on the side walls and use the Rear In-ceiling speakers as Rear Surrounds w/ Aimable drivers to the Listening Position.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

No worries!

I guess one of the main aspects of my questions are:

Would a 7.2 system sound better than a 5.2.2? And how should each be configured in the room I am setting up in?

No. 5.2.2 will be better than 7.2. But the .2 should be in front of the LP so unless you can upgrade the AVR I wouldn’t bother with the IC speakers that are there. 5.2.4 will be great and 7.2.4 even better, but not necessarily by a whole bunch.
Problem is for 5.2.4 you want the heights at 45° fore and aft of the LP while 5.2.2 will have the tops at maybe 30° so you don’t really wanna do .2 now and add .4 later. Unless you install the .2 at 45° now with the idea being that you will install the rear tops at 45° behind later.

 

[mazersteven]

another viewView attachment 37940

Im not a HT room designer. Just a thought. Ever think of putting the rear couch on a Riser and moving that sideways couch in front. Two Rows

 

[rscruggs5]

I have considered it, yes. Those couches are actually going to be on the curb here soon though. I also dont want to obstruct the TV from where the bar seating will be, for events such as the Super Bowl

 

[rscruggs5]

No. 5.2.2 will be better than 7.2. But the .2 should be in front of the LP so unless you can upgrade the AVR I wouldn’t bother with the IC speakers that are there. 5.2.4 will be great and 7.2.4 even better, but not necessarily by a whole bunch.
Problem is for 5.2.4 you want the heights at 45° fore and aft of the LP while 5.2.2 will have the tops at maybe 30° so you don’t really wanna do .2 now and add .4 later. Unless you install the .2 at 45° now with the idea being that you will install the rear tops at 45° behind later.

Thank you! This is some good info.

If I use the IC speakers in their current location as the Surround L and R and purchase the R-41SA Atmos speakers (mentioned above) to use for the front atmos height speaker, do you think that would sound good until I upgrade the receiver and move around the IC speakers? Or is that silly and I should just bite the bullet and do it all now