Hi all a HT-S990THX in a small area?

[canna420]

Hi all I've been reading through the forum but I'm still not too sure if I will be able to use this set up and was wondering if some one could give me some advice? I'm looking at a HT-S990THX Packagehttp://img237.imageshack.us/my.php?image=15647010c550303c54vy4.jpg that I'm thinking about getting for my computer.

Here is the room lay out :-
http://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=copyoflayoutwy2.jpg (I used purple boxes to show where I plan on putting the speakers)

and this is the thing I called an arch :-
http://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0037ki7.jpg

Is the area too small for this set up? or have I made a stupid mistake with the acoustics?

any advice will be greatly appreciate.

Thanks.

Canna.

 

[jostenmeat]

Im sorry, but briefly looking at the first link . . . Im not quite sure of the layout in total. Where in that diagram are you sitting? That desk does not really take up nearly half the sq footage of your room, does it?

When seeing the room dimensions, my first instinct is to tell you that "Rear" speakers are overkill, and probably in fact undesired. However, this really is very dependent on how much space you have behind the listener. A few feet, or more, then sure why not.

Try to get speakers close to ear level, try to get front three roughly on the same plane. If doing all 7 speakers, try to get sides at 90 deg, or a touch more, and rears directly behind. Also try to get corresponding speakers at equal distances and angles if you can help it.

 

[canna420]

Hi jostenmeat thanks for the reply sorry about the crappy pic I've changed it a bit to show some more info

.

The table is 4 foot by 3 1/2 feet I'm just not good a drawing to scale also it is just the second half of the room.

I'm ill so I'm in a lot and like to play games and that's what I want the system for gaming and music mainly, I'm getting a computer with a good sound card soon and cant wait.

I think all I need to know now is if 2 1/2 - 3 feet from the rear speakers is far enough?

Also the fount speakers would be 7 feet off the floor on the "arch" the side speakers can go at any height on the wall and the rear speakers would haft to go on a stand ( I'm thinking 90 - 100 cm height ) would that pose any problems?

sorry to be such a newbie but I've gotta cheek these things out before I buy its a lot of money too me :S

 

[canna420]

I also cant find a guide showing me how far speakers should be separated :S

 

[jostenmeat]

Again, without the clearest of images in my head:

I feel funny about 7ft high. If it must be, try your best to angle them towards listener. I think 3 ft works for the rears. If your fronts are so high, maybe having the rears and surrounds higher than you would originally intend could be something to consider.

When you calibrate levels, it could help to use a sound level meter like from Radio Shack. If you use your ears, I think people commonly run the surrounds a bit too hot. YMMV.

For the center to be so displaced from the display, and so far behind it ... seems strange.

I would maybe even consider forgetting the center altogether, if you can get the stereo mains lower down, perhaps mounted on that left side wall, and the beginning of what I am calling the "right wall" in the photograph.

Just get mounts that can swivel well, particularly for the left? An idea to consider.

How much have you priced that speaker system for? Cheers.

 

[jamie2112]

Looking at your pics I would say that Yes,that system is overkill for the room size. Are you trying to run 7.1 or will 5.1 work for you? I would suggest looking at a 5.1 set up until you get the room to work with....What is your budget for this?

 

[canna420]

Hi guys thanks for the replies.

Its awkward kinda speaker arrangement I was thinking about and I was thinking that 7 speakers should be better than 5 but because of my lack of space I don't think Its' gonna happen.

I found that deal here http://www.exceptional-av.co.uk/product.php?fdProductId=9&gclid=CN7nzL6i3JUCFRsWEAodxk5OYA for £700 made by Onkyo and that's the most I can spend really.

I think you may be correct and I need to lower to a 5.1 system it would then also be easier to fix 4 or the speakers to the walls and with the center speaker on a stand all at ear level kinda like this http://img524.imageshack.us/my.php?image=layout3vu8.jp It would put the rear speakers at a distance of about 4 and a half foot away the front side speakers at 5 foot and the center at 4 foot.

Would that be a reasonable set up? or am I being a total fool again :S

P.S. any 5.1 set up recommendations would be good. I'v been reading up on the logitech Z-5500 Digital there THX certified so I'm guessing there good but maby not the best I don't know.

 

[jostenmeat]

Sounds reasonable to me.

That Onkyo system is probably the most touted HTIB I've come across. Im not exactly sure what the exchange rate is today, but I believe this unit was being had for less than 700 dollars time to time here in the US.

So that kinda sux. But I have to say, you come from the land of hi-fi! There must be all sorts of nice stuff over there, yeah surely pricier, but maybe you can land something as used.

UK brands include Monitor Audio, Quad, B&W, Mission, a slew of others I'm sure. Yeah, I understand that with a limited budget, it'll be hard to pull off.

But, if you were willing to build over time, you could get a receiver and a stereo pair for the time being. Just something to consider. I just don't like the idea that you are paying that much more than we do for an HTIB of all things . . .

 

[KASR]

7.1 might be overkill. I have a space larger than that and I went with a 5.1 configuration. From what I've been told, the thing behind great sound is great speakers - apparently you can get stellar sound out of a 2.1 system or just a center channel and two front satellites. So while a smokin' deal is one thing, selecting the right speakers with a receiver is also important. I was tempted with a HTiB, but decided to piece-meal a good sound instead. So that's what I would recommend. Do some auditioning (some other good advice i was given) and remember that too many speakers in a confined area that aren't presenting the sound in unison will become muddied and ugly.

From one HT newb to another: Good luck!