Including stereo speakers in HT setup

[josko]

I have a pair of B&W 802D speakers (driven by Levinson separates) and am considering setting up a 5.1 HT system in the room they're in. The room geometry (24' x 18', high, complex ceiling) has the 802's positioned where rear surrounds want to be. Visually, I'd prefer not to stick 2 extra surround speakers near them, but I'm at a loss on how to complete the rest of the HT system if I do hook them up as surrouonds. I can't afford 2 more 802's for fronts and HTM1D as center. I also can't really haul them to a store to hear how they'd sound with other speakers. Using the 802's as fronts will not work for various reasons.
Given, say, a $5k budget for the rest of the HT speakers, what's a reasonable way to do this? (I've thought about 805S's for fronts and HTM4S as center.) Thanks in advance.

 

[CraigV]

First, you’re going to have to consider changing the location of the speakers. This may not be practical, but it’s the best route. Then you can get surround speakers without breaking your budget.

Next will be the extra amplification you’re going to need. Did you want to keep the Levinson? (given how good they are, you should consider it). You could get an A/V receiver to act as a pre/pro and extra outboard amplifiers to power the rest of the system. The other option would be to sell the Levinson equipment & buy a separate pre/pro and 5 or 7 channel amplifier.

As for a center, you could try the two B&W’s as front & “phantom center” and see what the soundstage is like. If you still feel the need, you could add an actual center channel speaker later.
Also, you will want to get a good sub for the LFE effects. SVS & Hsu give good bass with any system.

 

[josko]

Thanks for the feedback, but changing 802 locations is unfortunately not an option for me. (They've been carefully matched to the room, and also would be a nightmare anywhere near the TV location.)
My plan is to keep the stereo as-is, but feed two video preamp outputs to the AUX 2 stage of the (Levinson) preamp and pass the signal through to the speakers. The fronts would get powered by a separate (3 chan) power amp. I understand I'd have to power up the stereo to do this, and set it to a predetermined volume. That's a nuisance, but I can live with it, unless, of course, there's a more intelligent solution that wouldn't require turning on and fiddlint with the stereo to listen to HT.

This lets me keep the stereo as is, and also doubles it as a surround for the TV. However, I know very little about setting up home theater, and would appreciate any further advice from this BBS.

 

[lsiberian]

I have a pair of B&W 802D speakers (driven by Levinson separates) and am considering setting up a 5.1 HT system in the room they're in. The room geometry (24' x 18', high, complex ceiling) has the 802's positioned where rear surrounds want to be. Visually, I'd prefer not to stick 2 extra surround speakers near them, but I'm at a loss on how to complete the rest of the HT system if I do hook them up as surrouonds. I can't afford 2 more 802's for fronts and HTM1D as center. I also can't really haul them to a store to hear how they'd sound with other speakers. Using the 802's as fronts will not work for various reasons.
Given, say, a $5k budget for the rest of the HT speakers, what's a reasonable way to do this? (I've thought about 805S's for fronts and HTM4S as center.) Thanks in advance.

FYI 5.1 has no rear surrounds. They go on the sides. I hope this fact makes you realize you have no problem.

Good theater speakers may not be good music speakers. So I suggest you demo the speakers with movie tracks not music. You already have a great music setup anyway.

On 5k I could build a dream setup for me. So don't think that budget is too low.

I will say that subs are everything and I suggest you DIY on those or get some to DIY for you. You have the money to do that.

Set aside 2k for subs

2k for your fronts and maybe 1k for surrounds(though it's not necessary.) At your budget get dipoles for surrounds.