7.1 In-Wall Speaker System Upgrade Suggestions

[razz589]

I currently have a 7.1 Home Theater setup that I plan to update/replace this fall and am beginning to look for suggestions on what speakers to consider.

The room size is 14'x30' with 8.5' ceilings. I currently have Klipsch RVX-42 for LCR speakers, Klipsch RW-5650-S for side surrounds, Klipsch CDT-5650-C speakers for rear surrounds and a Klipsch RW-12d subwoofer all powered by a Yamaha RXV-2600.

While it sounds pretty good, I really want to replace/upgrade the on wall Klipsch RVX-42 LCR speakers with some quality in-wall speakers. As a result, depending on the new LCR speakers that I decide to go with I would consider replacing my current side and rear surrounds to match the LCR's along with replacing the sub with either a new one or maybe adding another matching Klipsch RW-12d.

While the easies thing and cheapest thing to do would to be replace the LCR with Klipsch in-wall speakers, I was hoping to get some ideas/suggestions from others who have in-wall speakers systems.

Any suggestions or comments on replacing the whole system or upgrading what I currently have would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[walter duque]

I don't own these, but I have heard them before and these sound amazing. These are very highend speakers.

http://www.sourcespeaker.com/Inwallist-4.html

These are build by John Sollecito famous for the JSE Infinity Slope Speakers

 

[razz589]

Forgot to mention in my original post that the seating area is approximately 12 feet from the LCR speakers and the rear surrounds are approximately 7 feet behine the seating area.

 

[AVRat]

Is this a dedicated HT room setup? Are you using a Pj/screen, if so, what size is the screen? Do you have multi-tier seating? How much are you looking to spend?

Since the in-wall surrounds are in place, I suggest leaving them. In a room that size I'd suggest a better sub(s).

 

[razz589]

AVRat...To your question of this being a dedicated home theater room...the best I can answer that is yes and no. I would say that while I consider it my home theater room it is also used as a general purpose secondary family room on occasion.

As part of this upgrade I also plan to add a projector and screen while still keeping the wall mounted Panasonic 50" plasma tv. I plan to purchase a 100" motorized acoustic screen that will drop down just in front of the plasma tv. The plasma will be used for for general tv viewing when the room is being used for the secondary family room and the Projector and Screen will be used for Home Theater movie watching.

As far as your question about seating I will not have multi tier home theater seating but I will be purchasing dedicated home theater sectional furniture for the room.

My max budget for speakers and subs would be $4,000 MSRP if replacing the whole speaker system and of course much lower if just replacing the LCR and sub(s).

This budget does not include, projector, screen and seating.

Look forward to hearing your suggestions??

 

[bandphan]

Triad, niles, speakercraft, martin logan, bg corp, and a host of others are some to consider. I personally like niles for value and imo nice sound, but it will be up to your ears. The sub suggestions will based volume which you have provided room deminsions for. The question will be one or two subs? Do you plan on doing the installation?

 

[razz589]

bandphan...Thanks for the input...yes I will be doing the installation, it will be my fall/winter project that I am looking forward to!

I think I am probably going to have to go with 2 subs as my current Klipsch RW-12d just doesn't seem to cut it in that size of room.

I will have to check out the Niles... I can get a pretty good deal on those as well.

Thanks

 

[AVRat]

I was going to suggest 2 of the SpeakerCraft AIM Cinema Threes for the L/R and an AIM LCR 3 for the center, but if it were my money I’d just use the LCR 3s up front and go for two good subs.

One thing you need to be careful that the center in-wall will fit within the 16” OC stud bay. This knocks many in-wall LCR/centers out which is why I recommend the SpeakerCraft. These speakers also offer full baffle tilt to aid in aiming the drivers toward the listening area if necessary.

Your room isn’t overly large so for subs I’d look at HSU VTF-2 MK3 or SVS PB12-NSD for starters; or step up to the HSU VTF-3 MK3 or Epik Sentinel.

If you want a screen reco you could look at Seymour AV or SMX.

 

[razz589]

AVRat...Thanks for the suggestions....so I take you think that my existing Klipsch surrounds would be adequate or should I also consider replacing them sometime down the road?

 

[AVRat]

Yes, the Klipsch in-structure surrounds will work just fine.

 

[razz589]

AVRat...One more questions....What do you think of any of the Klipsch in/wall LCR speakers? I was looking online at the R-5502-W or the R-5800-W for LCR speakers however after having the on-wall RVX-42 Klipsch speakers my ears sometimes get a little tired?

Anyhow, I was just curious about your opinion on the Klipsch in-walls for LCR.

Once again thanks for all your input!!!!

 

[lsiberian]

AVRat...To your question of this being a dedicated home theater room...the best I can answer that is yes and no. I would say that while I consider it my home theater room it is also used as a general purpose secondary family room on occasion.

As part of this upgrade I also plan to add a projector and screen while still keeping the wall mounted Panasonic 50" plasma tv. I plan to purchase a 100" motorized acoustic screen that will drop down just in front of the plasma tv. The plasma will be used for for general tv viewing when the room is being used for the secondary family room and the Projector and Screen will be used for Home Theater movie watching.

As far as your question about seating I will not have multi tier home theater seating but I will be purchasing dedicated home theater sectional furniture for the room.

My max budget for speakers and subs would be $4,000 MSRP if replacing the whole speaker system and of course much lower if just replacing the LCR and sub(s).

This budget does not include, projector, screen and seating.

Look forward to hearing your suggestions??

I'm unsure of the cost of an acousticly transparent motorized tab tensioned screen, but unless you are just rolling in the doh I suggest another approach. At least consider going manual. A manual pull down screen can be 1/5th the cost. I also think you should consider a phantom center This would allow you to spend your money on better speakers for the LR and subs.

I suggest you get a manual pull down screen combined and at least try a LR phantom approach. Toe in may help as well as balance in the sound stage.

This is just one thought, but it will save you considerable money and I think result in a sonically superior system as well as a visually superior system.

I've been phantoming for a few weeks now and find it to be preferable.

 

[AVRat]

The in-walls should be less fatiguing than the RVX-42, but that’s not to say they will be to your ears. I see no problem with them being used for L/Rs, but if used in a horizontal configuration for the center, neither will fit in the standard 16” OC stud bay. Depending on the height of your plasma, the 5800 oriented up-right may work well for the center.

If you’re concerned about the fatigue issue and are willing to use something like the 5800 upright for center, then maybe something like a Def Tech UIW 75/65 combo might be an option. It would be a tough call for me, but I think I’d lean toward the SpeakerCraft 1st then the DTs. But that’s me.

 

[razz589]

AVRat
To complicate matters the exact center of the tv/screen has a concrete stud running from floor to ceiling. I could just get rid of the plasma tv and only use the screen, that way I could mount the center vertically to either the left or the right of the stud and still have it look ok.

Have you ever heard of using 2 center channel speakers, one to either the left or right of the stud for asthetic purposes, but someone told me that it wouldn't sound right?

or

Use one "aim" speaker on one side of the stud and use a grill for a dummy on the other side also for asthetic purposes?

Not sure if I want to use an on wall for the center and in-walls for the L R speakers.

Any thoughts on an in ceiling center?

I know I am all over the place but I want to get it right this time especially since I am going to be cutting holes in the walls and where the steps are in the room I cannot use floor standers.

Thanks again for all your helpful insight!!!

 

[AVRat]

AVRat
To complicate matters the exact center of the tv/screen has a concrete stud running from floor to ceiling. This would’ve been nice to know earlier.

I could just get rid of the plasma tv and only use the screen, that way I could mount the center vertically to either the left or the right of the stud and still have it look ok. No, keep the plasma. I’m sure a solution will arise.

Have you ever heard of using 2 center channel speakers, one to either the left or right of the stud for asthetic purposes, but someone told me that it wouldn't sound right? Probably not a good idea.
or

Use one "aim" speaker on one side of the stud and use a grill for a dummy on the other side also for asthetic purposes? Definitely a viable option.

Not sure if I want to use an on wall for the center and in-walls for the L R speakers. Also a decent option, DTs are timbre matched across their lines.

Any thoughts on an in ceiling center? Only as a last resort.

The last two ideas that I have are:

1.) Use better on-walls like the DT Mythos Eights which will cost a little more.
2.) Build wall mountable boxes that would contain the in-wall speakers. This could be done taking room design into account.