5.1 Surround Recommendations

[ericxv]

I'm currently running a 3.1 setup and want to move to 5.1, and while I know I need to upgrade my fronts and sub, my next purchase is going to be surrounds. I'm hopeful someone can provide advice as to the type of surrounds, the location of the surrounds, and specific speaker recommendations (budget up to $400, though I'd prefer to spend less.)

My room dimensions are 20 x 13 x 8 (though there is no rear wall as it opens to the kitchen.) Because of the configuration of the room, I've always assumed bi-polar side wall-mounted surrounds (high on the side walls just behind the sofa) are best for my situation, but I'm really not sure.

I've attached a few photos of the room.


Thanks in advance,

ERICXV

 

[oppman99]

Have you thought about upgrading your fronts first, and moving the L/R you have now to surround duty? Some will argue that all 5 speakers should match, but in my opinion the rear speakers don't need to. I think you will notice a bigger difference by replacing the fronts first. It's what I would do in your situation, even if it meant saving for a little bit so I could get higher quality fronts. My $.02 anyway.

 

[ericxv]

Have you thought about upgrading your fronts first, and moving the L/R you have now to surround duty? Some will argue that all 5 speakers should match, but in my opinion the rear speakers don't need to. I think you will notice a bigger difference by replacing the fronts first. It's what I would do in your situation, even if it meant saving for a little bit so I could get higher quality fronts. My $.02 anyway.

Thank you for the reply. I have thought about using the current fronts as surrounds, but they would be a too large for wall mounting. Like you, I'm not too concerned about the surrounds matching the fronts, though I guess it would be ideal.

I'm hoping to buy new fronts later this year or in early 2010. I figured I could spend a less now to buy the surrounds and at least experience 5.1

 

[AVRat]

For your positioning, multi-polar surrounds aren’t the best option. A simple set of bookshelfs would be best. I’d lean toward the Ascends.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/htm200/htm200.html
http://www.thespeakercompany.com/P5-PR-525-2-way-Bookshelf-Speaker-Pair-P42C6.aspx

 

[ericxv]

For your positioning, multi-polar surrounds aren’t the best option. A simple set of bookshelfs would be best. I’d lean toward the Ascends.

http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/htm200/htm200.html
http://www.thespeakercompany.com/P5-PR-525-2-way-Bookshelf-Speaker-Pair-P42C6.aspx

I appreciate the feedback, but as I'm new to this can you tell me why you recommend bookshelf speakers, versus multi-polar, for my situation.


Thanks

 

[AVRat]

Generally, and in your situation, multi-polar side-surrounds are positioned directly to the side of the listening position where your patio door is located. It is also best if there is a rear wall to bounce the sound off of close by. It looks like you need to position the speakers to the left of the patio door positioning it a few feet behind your listening position. Bookshelfs, on opposing walls facing each other a few feet behind, work very well for surrounds in a 5.1 setup.

 

[ericxv]

Generally, and in your situation, multi-polar side-surrounds are positioned directly to the side of the listening position where your patio door is located. It is also best if there is a rear wall to bounce the sound off of close by. It looks like you need to position the speakers to the left of the patio door positioning it a few feet behind your listening position. Bookshelfs, on opposing walls facing each other a few feet behind, work very well for surrounds in a 5.1 setup.

Thank you for the information on the multi-polars.

As far as attaching the surrounds on the side walls, the only portions of the side walls that are directly across form each other is at the 7' level (just above the patio door.) That locations provides about 11" of height (between the crown molding and patio door trim). While I know this is not an ideal location, I don't see an alternate location if these surround speakers are to be wall mounted.

I guess I could consider ceiling mounted, but I understand that location is far from ideal for surrounds.

If I do go with wall mount (at the 7' level) I guess I could get some type of bracket that would allow me to point them at the appropriate location.


Thanks again,

-e.

 

[AVRat]

If you're talking in-ceilings, I have no problem with them. Sometimes they may be the best option. I actually use them for my rears as my situation is similar to yours. Manufactures off some good options in your budget if you're interested.

 

[ericxv]

If you're talking in-ceilings, I have no problem with them. Sometimes they may be the best option. I actually use them for my rears as my situation is similar to yours. Manufactures off some good options in your budget if you're interested.

Thanks again for you information.

You feel that in-ceilings would be okay for my surrounds (versus mounting them on the wall at 7')? I thought about using in-ceilings as rears if I ever had a 7.1 system, but I did not think they would work well as the side mounted in a 5.1 system.

If you do feel the in-ceilings are the better route for my surrounds, can you recommend a few models in my budget?



Thanks again,

Eric

 

[AVRat]

Eric, you need to decide whether you want to go with a 5 or 7 channel setup especially if you use in-ceilings for surrounds. The surround locations are generally different for each setup. Although depending on the type of speaker used, mono vs multi-polar, the side-surrounds in a 7.1 system could be in close proximity to the surrounds in a 5.1 setup.

This article should help: http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/speaker-setup-guidelines/home-theater-speaker-layout-an-essential-guide


Aperion Audio Intimus 6-IC
Niles CM630/CM710fx
Polk Audio TC620i
Paradigm AMS-150
Definitive Technology UIW-63/64

 

[fredk]

I agree with the second poster. Hold off and save your pennies for upgraded fronts first. That way you can match the fronts and surrounds if you desire.

OTOH, if you must buy surrounds now, Axiom's QS4 or QS8 with a ceiling mount would work quite well in that situation. These are an excellent quadpolar surround that are not particularly sensitive vertical to positioning. They excel as what surrounds are supposed to do: provide diffuse sound.