Ain't Got No Rears

[hjustin]

Hey, y'all.

I want to get my surround in my 5.1 system running this weekend. I have a few options...

#1) Mount my Paradigm Atoms v.1

I don't have brackets to wall-mount these. The Paradigm MB-60 has limited availability. Locally I can probably find something that might work. Do I really screw these mounts right into the speaker cabinet?

#2) Mount a pair of Paradigm ADP-370s that are available on Craigslist

I can get a pair of v.3s for $300 or v.4s for $350. They come with mounting hardware. The issue here is that my couch is against the back wall of the room and moving it out isn't really an option. If I mount these at the on either side of the couch, I will only have about 24" to the back wall. Not sure that's a good idea for the ADPs.

Thank you!

 

[j_garcia]

IMO, I would never screw directly into a speaker cabinet unless you never intend to sell them or you already expect to get a lot less for them if you do plan to sell them at some point, though these are V1s (pre-plastic back panel) I prefer monopoles, so I'd say the Atoms would be the best bet normally. If you need them on the wall, I'd go with the ADPs. ADPs can be mounted at 45 degrees to the walls per Paradigm's own literature, but along side as you described probably would not be ideal, though couch against the wall is far from ideal as well.

You don't need Paradigm's mounts unless the Atoms have mounting that specifically fits them which I am pretty sure they don't because the V1s did not have integral mounting as far as I can recall (I've owned V3s and V1, V2 and V3 Titans). There are options for mounts that don't use screws. Heck, you can use shelves.

 

[hjustin]

Here's my floorplan...not great options for surround.

 

[j_garcia]

Yeah, kind of a bad room. I'd go with an ADP on the RR at 45 degrees to the corner in that setup, or stand mount the Atoms, one in the corner, the other would be sort of free standing on the left, both facing toward the center of the room.

If you wall mounted the Atoms, you could put one in the corner and point it toward the center of the room, and the LR on the wall where you have it, pointed a little more toward the listener, but even with calibration, it is probably going to sound much more diffused on the left.

 

[hjustin]

Even getting speaker wire to that side of the room is a pain in the butt. I'm on a slab but I can get into the attic. And so I thought I would mount them up on the wall.

Trying to find the ADP install instructions so I can see what this 45 degree angle installation is all about.

When I demoed some Def Tech 8040s a few weeks ago, the demo room had the Def Tech 8040 bipoles on the wall behind the couch I sat on and they sounded good. I even considered buying a pair of those for sure duty but still would have placement issues.

I need to read up on dipole vs bipole. The Paradigm ADPs are alwasy referred to as dipole but aren't they bipole below a certain frequency?

 

[j_garcia]

Frequency has nothing to do with it. They either fire in phase (bipole) or out of phase (dipole), and some can be switched to do either.

 

[3db]

Here's my floorplan...not great options for surround.

Like I posted in Joees Gallery.... Try these mounts.


AM-40 - Pinpoint mounts

 

[GranteedEV]

that wall right behind the listenign position is a big problem. Any chance of pulling the couch forward about 3-4 feet?

 

[j_garcia]

I think the room is intended to be setup the opposite way - couch on the long wall and the system in the nook. That would make surrounds easier, but would probably create issues for the mains.

 

[GranteedEV]

I think the room is intended to be setup the opposite way - couch on the long wall and the system in the nook. That would make surrounds easier, but would probably create issues for the mains.

I had the same initial thoughts and conclusion. Typical speakers with wide dispersion like that probably won't love the 12 foot width. I did inform Justin a few days ago about a truly good deal on some SEOS-15 / TD15Ms with a constructed box though. Those are speakers that would work VERY well with the narrow room dimension. Since it's pretty local to him he should be able to audition them.

 

[hjustin]

I think the room is intended to be setup the opposite way - couch on the long wall and the system in the nook. That would make surrounds easier, but would probably create issues for the mains.

I had considered this but I didn't care for the idea of having my left front stuck in the corner. Might affect sub placement negatively as well.

This room sucks.

 

[hjustin]

I had the same initial thoughts and conclusion. Typical speakers with wide dispersion like that probably won't love the 12 foot width. I did inform Justin a few days ago about a truly good deal on some SEOS-15 / TD15Ms with a constructed box though. Those are speakers that would work VERY well with the narrow room dimension. Since it's pretty local to him he should be able to audition them.

Hopefully meeting this weekend for an audition. I will post a full report if it happens.

 

[hjustin]

I stopped at one of the local HT retailers looking for mounts for my Atoms. I'm hoping to get something before Saturday when I'm having my TV wall-mounted. I just want to get all this done at once.

They didn't have any mounts but the guys asked if I would be interested in a pair of Focal Sibs for $300. Brand new. Mount is "built in" to the speaker. Not sure if these would match well with my Paradigms.

 

[hjustin]

Ugh...just brought my Paradigm Atoms in from the garage. They did not weather the move well...the veneer is chips and missing around the edges and one of the Paradigm badges is gone. Not sure how that happened...I moved them myself.

In any case, the wife doesn't want them hanging on the wall in the living room in their condition. This is getting to be a pain in the butt.

 

[Steve81]

Not sure if these would match well with my Paradigms.

FWIW, with surrounds, you've got a little more leeway with regard to matching. Don't know anything about those Focals though. They don't exactly look like they can keep up with your front stage, but surround duty isn't all that difficult generally speaking.

 

[hjustin]

Picked up a pair of Paradigm ADP-390s (v.6) for $350 on clearance at a local furniture store last night. Installed them tonight. Very happy. Thanks to everyone for their help.