L/C/R Speaker

[cohenri]

It may be sacriledge on this site to talk about a single speaker for the L/C/R however, due to space constraints, room constraints and wife constraints, I need to consider them. Any thoughts?

I have heard about the Polk Surround Bar, Leon Speakers and Definitive Technology's Mythos Solo. A sales person is trying to convince me to get an all in one surround front speaker and add a sub woofer and rear ceiling surrounds to a system powered by a Denon 2807. Does this make any sense? Is it logical to get a surround bar that is designed to give surround sound from a single speaker and then add rear surround speakers to it or is that just overkill?

I know everyone will say that I should find a way to get 3 separate speakers for my fronts and that the "illusion" of the surround bar does not compare to the real thing. However, I just don't have a way short of floor standing front speakers to get 3 separate fronts (wife won't allow that). I am mounting a plasma over a fireplace and need to put the speaker above/below the tv.

I appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions.

 

[Mark Seaton]

A 2807 seems a bit overkill for such a simple system, unless there are other features in it that are needed for the system that you can't get in one or two models down.

 

[ricocetj]

You could also consider the Yamaha YSP-1. It is an AH editors choice, and the review is here. Its an excellent review, and it shows that you can get very good surround sound from this product after a little time spent setting up. It is a bit more expensive than the Polk, but its also self powered, so the power requirements of the receiver go down even more. Like Mark said, you could get a receiver down a few levels from the 2807 and save some money if you aren't considering the 2807 for certain features not included on the other models.

 

[Sheep]

You could also consider the Yamaha YSP-1. It is an AH editors choice, and the review is here. Its an excellent review, and it shows that you can get very good surround sound from this product after a little time spent setting up. It is a bit more expensive than the Polk, but its also self powered, so the power requirements of the receiver go down even more. Like Mark said, you could get a receiver down a few levels from the 2807 and save some money if you aren't considering the 2807 for certain features not included on the other models.

Um, you don't need a receiver with the YSP-1. All you need is a DVD player and subwoofer.

SheepStar

 

[shokhead]

Um, you don't need a receiver with the YSP-1. All you need is a DVD player and subwoofer.

SheepStar

Thats what i was going to say. I demoed one and thought it was great and a friend of mine has one and it does everything he wanted.

 

[ricocetj]

Oops! Forgot about that. Thanks for pointing that out Sheep.

 

[cohenri]

Thanks

Thanks for the suggestions. I was thinking about the 2807 for the HDMI and to future proof my system to some extent. I last bought a receiver in 1992 and it may be that long before I buy my next one. I would rather spend an extra couple hundred bucks now if I am likely to keep it for 10+ years.

For that reason, I don't think I'm looking for a self powered system. Any other thoughts?

What do you think about the suggestion to have rear ceiling surrounds with a surround LCR - is it overkill?

 

[Mark Seaton]

Have you taken a look at the possibility of in-wall speakers for the L, C & R? This should be a much preferred solution to what you are looking at. In-walls range greatly in quality, but you can certainly get good sound. There's nothing wrong with a pair of in-ceiling surrounds, as it is a common real-world solution. They do actually make di-pole-like in-ceiling speakers specifically for this use.

 

[cohenri]

Still problems

Have you taken a look at the possibility of in-wall speakers for the L, C & R? This should be a much preferred solution to what you are looking at. In-walls range greatly in quality, but you can certainly get good sound. There's nothing wrong with a pair of in-ceiling surrounds, as it is a common real-world solution. They do actually make di-pole-like in-ceiling speakers specifically for this use.

It is hard to describe without a picture. However, perhaps I can give you an idea of the setup. In the middle of the far wall of the room is a fireplace which comes out about 21" into the room. We will be mounting the Plasma TV over the fireplace. To the right of the fireplace, we will have built-in bookeshelves and cabinets. To the left of the fireplace is about 2 feet of wall space and then a doorway. I was told that if we put in-wall speakers to the left and right of the fireplace, there would be a problem. We would have one speaker mounted in the back wall of a book case and the other mounted in the wall to the left of the fireplace. They would both be recessed about 21" back from where the fireplace comes out to. However, the sound from the in-wall speaker in the bookshelf would be hinderd by a bookshelf above and below the speaker.

The other option would be to put a bookshelf speaker in the bookcase to the right of the fireplace. However, what would we do to the left of the fireplace? It would be difficult ot mount a bookshelf speaker to the left (and not look nice for the wife). Or, we would have an in-wall on the left which would produce lopsided sound.

Bottom line, I can't seem to find a way to get separate L/R speakers in the configuration of the room to work.

Sorry for the complicated fact pattern. any other thoughts?

 

[knobturner75]

While I was on here yesterday, I saw someone's home theater setup that sounds similar to yours. It belongs to KeithT, one of the fine members here. Here is a link to his pictures. I like the look of the speakers being mounted by the plasma tv.