Surround Speakers for 5.1?

[Sound K]

I am finally going to add surround speakers to my 5.1 set-up. But I have limited space on the shelve created by the top of the plantation shutters around the back wall slider (rear wall in listening position), and limited on top by the crown molding by the ceiling. So, max 5.5" to 6" depth, 6.25" vertical and unlimited horizontal. I want white speakers to blend with the shutter casing, but of course this limits my choices.

I have found some MB Quart QL A50 hybrid dipoles that will fit, but do not know anything about MB Quart. Anyone have info on these?

Other posibilities:
NHT Super Zeros, laid on side
PSB Alpha Intro CLR, centers used as surrounds
Boston Acoustics Bravo II, laid on side
Definitive Technology Pro Monitor 800, laid on side

Any recommendations from my list or other?


System:
Panasonic 58" 1080p Plasma (merry xmas to me)
Mitsubishi 5.1 Amp
Mitsubishi DVD Player (will soon upgrade to Blu Ray)
JBL Tower front
JBL Center
PSB SubSeries 6i Sub

 

[Sound K]

I will be back at 8:00 PST tomorrow.

 

[Tiguron]

What speakers (model numbers) are you matching up to? Are in walls an option? You can always get in walls and paint the grills to match the wall.

 

[Sound K]

Speakers

Sorry, to all, I meant I would be back at 8:00pm PST, not 8:00am.

My speakers are:
Fronts: JBL HLS615's
Center: JBL Northridge Seris E, EC25
Sub: PSB SubSeries 6i

 

[Tiguron]

I don't have a lot of experience with horn speakers. My assumption would be to stick with horns all around. Maybe someone with horns can chime in and tell you what they are using for surrounds.

I don't think JBL has any horns that are small enough to fit where you want. The other option is to look at Klipsh. They have some smaller horn surrounds that may fit your space (S-1 or SS.5 surround). The other option is to throw an inwall speaker in. Klipsch has the R-5650-S.

 

[lsiberian]

I don't suggest in-walls as a primary option. But Horn style speaker may limit you.

If you don't mind having horns on the front and a different style in the surround stage. i would advise you to take a look at the KEF egg 2000, 3000, and 1000. They are very versatile surrounds and produce great sound for the size. They are small but they have plenty of volume for surrounds. They keep up with my Beta's on the front which are much larger in size.

 

[Sound K]

Speakers

I looked at the KEF Egg surround speakers, and they do have good stats. But, they do not come in white, and the style does not really fit the room or my other speakers. Thanks for the suggestion though. Any other suggestions?

 

[Jeff R.]

Sound K

I have the larger version off these MB Quarts (MB Quart QL A80). As you will see I have MB Quarts all around and love them. I am guessing you will be able to pick up these A50's for a great price, they are likely discontinued. I would highly recommend them. I found a pair of the A80's on Ebay a few days ago on auction for only $99.00. If you have the room you could go with the slightly larger design. One thing that is nice is the semi circle shape. It mounts nicely on the wall and just kind blends in with out much notice. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Jeff

 

[Tiguron]

If white is a dealbreaker, take a look at the Mirage Nano's or Omnisats. They come is white and work fine as surrounds. I used a pair of Nanosat Prestiges for a while and they did a great job.

 

[Sound K]

MB Quart A50 Speakers

I purchased the MB Quart A50's on EBay for $95. Can't beat the price. If they do not work out, I'll sell them on Ebay, and try something else. Either way, I'll post my review in this thread discussion, with as much info as possible.

Thanks to everyone for their input!

 

[lsiberian]

I purchased the MB Quart A50's on EBay for $95. Can't beat the price. If they do not work out, I'll sell them on Ebay, and try something else. Either way, I'll post my review in this thread discussion, with as much info as possible.

Thanks to everyone for their input!

Nothing like getting a new toy Have fun.

 

[Sound K]

Review of MB Quart Domain Balcony A50 Hybrid Dipole

Too bad these speakers are discontinued.

First, the half-round shape is very asthetically appealing. The speakers are very well made with quality materials all around, and are hefty for their size. The binding posts will accept banana plugs and up to 10 guage wire. Which is great if you have to do a long speaker wire run from the amp.

These are rated to go down to 100hz at -3db, but with placement closer to the ceiling, I found the vertical firing midrange/woofer to be quite good. The best part of these speakers is the imaging, when used in my 5.1 home theatre set-up. The sound is clean, and natural.

The sound field is spread wide, with some movie sounds seeming to originate almost to my immediate left or right. Nice!

These speakers fit my requirements very well. So, if you have a similiar situation as described in my original post in this discussion thread, then I would recommend these speakers.

 

[lsiberian]

Too bad these speakers are discontinued.

First, the half-round shape is very asthetically appealing. The speakers are very well made with quality materials all around, and are hefty for their size. The binding posts will accept banana plugs and up to 10 guage wire. Which is great if you have to do a long speaker wire run from the amp.

These are rated to go down to 100hz at -3db, but with placement closer to the ceiling, I found the vertical firing midrange/woofer to be quite good. The best part of these speakers is the imaging, when used in my 5.1 home theatre set-up. The sound is clean, and natural.

The sound field is spread wide, with some movie sounds seeming to originate almost to my immediate left or right. Nice!

These speakers fit my requirements very well. So, if you have a similiar situation as described in my original post in this discussion thread, then I would recommend these speakers.

Good to hear! Why not post a full review in the reviews section of the site.