Help picking surrounds and wiring question.

[ptabib]

Have a denon 2805 pushing polk r50 fronts and a csi30 center. (Hopefully get a sub some day and better fronts for that matter) I am looking to get some surrounds to seamlessly match. I have a shelf above my fireplace that i want to set the surrounds on. Still debating on getting the polk r15's, but they might be or look to big on the shelf. Is their any suggestions out their for smaller surrounds that would still blend well with the setup?

Also, the reason for the surrounds now is because i am laying new carpet in about a week. So i figure this is the best time to lay wire. To go under carpet i will run both wires on the same side of the room becuase of the layout. Thought about sticking regular 12ga wire in between the baseboard and floor but since a have to run both wires along the same wall i dont think they will both fit under baseboard (let me know if i am wrong). Being the speakers will be on the shelf i will need paintable speaker cable for when it runs up the wall. Saw the decorp but man that stuff is pricey. I know their have been post on these topics but i was hoping for some updated info. Does the flat wire sound like crap? The runs will be about 25-30feet each. Looking for some help but not really wanting to spend 100-200 bucks for speaker wire for only 2 speakers. Sorry for rambling, but any suggestions would be appreaciated.

thanks

 

[jaxvon]

I would recommend that you get another polk speaker in the same line as your mains. So, the R15 is a good option. Dipole surrounds would be nice too, but those are only available with the LSi line, probably a little out of your price range.

As far as wire goes, no flat wire does not sound like crap. It doesn't sound any different than normal speaker wire.

You can get some 16ga stuff for a good price at Parts Express.

http://www.parts0express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=100-041

Just take out the 0 in the URL to make it work correctly. There's a filter in this forum that forbids me from posting a PE URL. If you don't feel that 16ga would be adequate, you could always use 2 runs of cable for each speaker with an effective gauge of 13.

 

[ptabib]

Thanks for the reply. So it would be bad to go outside of polk to find smaller surrounds? Is the partexpress flatwire paintable? Do you think it will be noticable when it runs from under the carpet, over the basebord and up the wall. I also have a women at home who would be pissed if it stood out. Also, does any one know approximitly what it would cost to have someone run and fish the wire's through the wall and who do you call? I am on a slab with no attic above the room or crawlspace below. Sorry again to jam so many questions into one. thanks for sharing your knowledge.

 

[jaxvon]

Regarding the surrounds...

I can't say it would be BAD, but it's generally a good idea to stick with one line of speakers for your setup so you get a consistent sound. That way, when a sound pans around the speakers, it will sound the same on all of them. If you have a speaker from a different manufacturer that has a slightly different character of sound, then it won't have a good, continuous sound.

As far as paintability goes with the speaker wire, I don't know. I haven't personally used it. I would recommend that you email Parts Express. It's only .09" thick, so it shouldn't stand out too much, especially if it's under some thicker carpet or behind a baseboard.

I'm not sure about cost on having an installer come out. But the person to call would either be a generic low-voltage wire installer, or a HT installer. Just look in the yellow pages or visit one of your local shops that does custom installs (not something like Best Buy) or sells HT equipment and ask around. They should be able to point you towards a good local guy.

 

[ptabib]

Looks like all be getting some r15's. Just going to have to make room. You have been alot of help, i appeciate the time.

 

[mulester7]

"I also have a woman at home who would be pissed if it stood out"

.....laughin' my butt off....for real....might have to nail it back on, haha....

 

[brian32672]

For wire, there is no other place cheaper than Westlake. Here is 12 gauge twisted Beldin wire cl3 rated with a grey pvc outer jacket. They may have the flatwire. I just bought 240 feet of this stuff. Cost like under 30.00

Right now the wire above is at 0.17 a foot. The pvc jacket could be spray painted with a cheap rattle can white. If the grey sticks out to much for you. But this wire is rated for behind the wall.

Also if you only need 14 gauge it is 0.11 a foot.

Here is link to 12 gauge.
http://www.westlake-electronic.com/cgi-bin/store.php?search=yes&detail=yes&category=CAB&SUBCAT=BEL-&hits=150&item_no=BEL-13247