Try and lay this one out :)

[Rowdy S13]

OK this is my buddys house and hes wanting something more than just the TV speakers. He would like a typical surround sound system but I dont think its possible. Here is a bad drawing of the room, the red is the plasma and the black boxes are the couches.

Its open all the way up to the roof, and the second floor hallway is also open (so basicly it opens up to the upstairs) The only thing I can think of is a sound bar, with a GOOD sub. Lets see what you masters come up with

Sean

 

[Rowdy S13]

Where are all the experts?

Sean

 

[unreal.freak]

did he leave off the frieplace that is in the plans you posted?

 

[Rowdy S13]

Didn't even see that, but no fireplace. But it DOES have pergo foors throughout the whole down stairs.

Sean

 

[allargon]

Its open all the way up to the roof, and the second floor hallway is also open (so basicly it opens up to the upstairs) The only thing I can think of is a sound bar, with a GOOD sub. Lets see what you masters come up with

I thought my layout was fracked. I've seen this type of thing before. Most people go with stereo. A sound bar? Egad...

The fronts shouldn't be THAT hard... The left channel will hit the wa...wait a minute... The closet wall? How high is it? Let's do this... Center, left, right ABOVE the display angling down at the listener...

Surrounds? Err...umm... Can't do in-ceiling as this is an open room. Honestly, I'm no expect, but I would put the surrounds on each side of the couch either on stands or wall mounted. If it's not possible to wire, then go wireless.

The sub will be the fun part. I will defer to others. With all that open space, a 15-18" tube (or two) might be the better choice.

The above is just MHO--I'm definitely no expert.

 

[Rowdy S13]

I thought my layout was fracked. I've seen this type of thing before. Most people go with stereo. A sound bar? Egad...

The fronts shouldn't be THAT hard... The left channel will hit the wa...wait a minute... The closet wall? How high is it? Let's do this... Center, left, right ABOVE the display angling down at the listener...

Surrounds? Err...umm... Can't do in-ceiling as this is an open room. Honestly, I'm no expect, but I would put the surrounds on each side of the couch either on stands or wall mounted. If it's not possible to wire, then go wireless.

The sub will be the fun part. I will defer to others. With all that open space, a 15-18" tube (or two) might be the better choice.

The above is just MHO--I'm definitely no expert.

ROFL, well thanks for at least taking a shot at it If you do the LCR above the display, that means that the L and R will have to be at the corners of the display. For anyone wondering in celings are WAY WAY WAY not an option, celing is high, if I had to guess 30'. Secondly if you do the surrounds on the sides of the couch, one is going to be very far away (not to mention infront of you) depending on where you sit. Im thinking, like I said, either an auto calibrating sound bar or nothing at all. But I really want to hear opnions, good bad or indifferent, lets see how everyone would attempt to take this on.

Sean

 

[jostenmeat]

Yeah, this scenario is compromised to say the least. Im with you Rowdy, forget the surrounds.

It can work to at least some compromised effectiveness, if there were two viewers only, and they were sitting in each respective couch as close to the corner as possible. Not that being close to wall boundaries is a good thing, but... EDIT: I take this sentence back. In this case, the surrounds are still MUCH too forward. Strike this from the record please.

However, as you've noted, the surrounds will be forward of LP. Mm. My back row has surrounds a bit forward as well, but it still works pretty decently IMO.

Its just that with 4 viewers, or more, in that scenario is going to have one surrounds be much louder than the other, I think, at least when on either extreme.

The best thing I can think of is just go front three. Not having speakers close as possible, but the opposite: try to make as wide of a front soundstage as possible. The front is really where its at anyways. If you had the optimal stage, you might not even notice the surrounds were missing. Seriously.

Subs? Yeah, it would help if he went nuts. Maybe even some transducers for the couch, such as either Buttkicker or Earthquake units.

 

[Rowdy S13]

Ok something I just thought of, he has nowhere/noway do do front L/R's and here is why. Looking at the TV go right....Where does the wall go? It drops back right after the screen, same to the left. You cant really comprimise and put the speakers even a lil out cause then one is in the middle of the hallway, and the other is in the dining room. So for the left say you go across the hall to the short wall on the left, how do you get wire over there? Cant go up to the attic, there is none, cant go down to a basement or a crawl space, there is none. The right speaker is even worse becase you not only have the same wire issue but also where the hell can you put it?!!? I think this is the anti suround sound house, I just dont think there is anyway with the layout it has.

Sean

 

[Matt34]

In-ceilings with a sub, in-walls for the surrounds.

 

[Rowdy S13]

So 10' infront of you, and 30' up for fronts and either directly behind each ear or to close together and to one side for surrounds. I like.

Sean

 

[Davemcc]

It's a terrible design. I think the soundbar and sub idea is the only practical solution, functionally and aesthetically.

 

[allargon]

It's a terrible design. I think the soundbar and sub idea is the only practical solution, functionally and aesthetically.

Maybe I'm crazy but a soundbar won't offer anything sonically above satellites or bookshelves. Moreover, soundbars are EXPENSIVE. My Mitsubishi DLP has left, right and center speakers right below the screen. It's kind of like a built-in soundbar. (Yeah, I know a dedicated one will sound better.) Trust me. I was happier with stereo from my Infinity P362's once I added them. I can understand not doing surrounds, but a sound bar? Blech... At least no suggested a Bose 3*2*1.

ROFL, well thanks for at least taking a shot at it If you do the LCR above the display, that means that the L and R will have to be at the corners of the display.(snip) Im thinking, like I said, either an auto calibrating sound bar or nothing at all. But I really want to hear opnions, good bad or indifferent, lets see how everyone would attempt to take this on.

Now, if the left and rights will be at the corners of the display, why not go with on-walls, bookshelves or satellites? A soundbar won't give a better or wider sound field, either. The only reason to go with a sound bar is for aesthetics. Personally, I would stick two floorstanders on each side, but I know that won't happen due to WAF. (Yes, I know they will be close together. Big effing deal. My floorstanders are 5 feet within each other, and I sit 13 ft. away. It's not ideal, but it's better than a soundbar.)

You seem to want to go with the soundbar to forget it and be done. To me soundbars are for people with no space (i.e. NYC apartments) who RENT (so no in-walls), and who are lazy or want something simple.

Does it seem like I am predisposed against soundbars? Heck yes. I like their aesthetics and simplicity, but their costs leave my head scratching.

BTW, the sub situation will still be messy because of all that open space.

 

[jostenmeat]

Um, how about the greatest 1.2 system ever? BW 800D flanked on each side by a JL Gotham.

 

[Rowdy S13]

The reason for the soundbar idea is that its bound to be better than the TV speakers. The owner (and his new wife) both like the idea of a sound bar as well. If it was me, Id just cut my losses and have nothing, maybe do something in a bedroom or something. A 2.1 or a 3.1 set up may not be to bad, at least then he can expand it when he gets a new place. I can tell you right now that we all know what kind of sub or subs would be needed for proper bass in that place, but I gaurntee he wont buy any of them. Isnt Clint or Gene doing an install series, they should come and tackle this one

Sean

 

[unreal.freak]

In-ceilings with a sub, in-walls for the surrounds.

Im with Matt34 on this one, i think his suggestion would sound the best under the conditions. It might surprise you with how well it will sound.

 

[AMPocketRadio]

I'd say some sort of sound bar, but not the cheap ones. The large volume of the room will eat it up unless it can project well. What kind of budget does he have?

 

[AMPocketRadio]

Is that TV scaled in properly. Is that the actual size relative to the space?

 

[Rowdy S13]

Im with Matt34 on this one, i think his suggestion would sound the best under the conditions. It might surprise you with how well it will sound.

I havent looked myself, but I dont think we have any access up there to do anything.

I'd say some sort of sound bar, but not the cheap ones. The large volume of the room will eat it up unless it can project well. What kind of budget does he have?

His budget...hmm....I duno actually. I know we talked about it, and it want high enough, but I talked him up a lil. Ill get back to you on that one.

Is that TV scaled in properly. Is that the actual size relative to the space?

You should be able to assume that nothing I added in is to scale seeing as how I used MS Paint. The TV is basicly as wide as that wall, and is a Panasonic Plasma.



Sean

 

[AMPocketRadio]

If the the TV were significantly smaller then you could possibly use Artison speakers flanking the set to produce LCR w/ fairly good stereo separation and imaging. Otherwise you could use a Atlantic Technology or Triad LCR bar up front and throw separation out the window. Funny enough Jamo's A360 LCR has pretty decent seaparation and imaging at a very affordable price, but I don't think it can fill a large area well.

The easiest solution would be to use something like a Yamaha YSP that should steer sound around the room decently, but makes wiring more of a task.

 

[cwall99]

Think different

Why not rotate the furnishings in the room? Put the TV on the blank wall (the one on the right side of the room drawing). Rotate the couches to face that wall. That will give you room for L/C/R and the sub. The trick will still be the rear surrounds, but you could put them on or in the walls flanking the back couch, and, since they can be elevated without affecting the sound as much (you don't have to put them all the way up to the ceiling), and use some di-poles, back there, too.

Use the silly space where the TV is now as shelves for your media or something else. A painting. A mirror.