I was somewhat skeptical about using
presence speakers but
Clint DeBoer had mentioned in posts in the past that they were a worthwhile feature in a surround system. So I bought a couple of Definitive Technology Mythos Gems (with pedestals) to fulfill this need and placed them about one-foot behind and 30 inches to the side of the mains (DefTech Mythos One's).
The Myth Ones are 48" in height and the Gems are 41" (on stands) so this placed them below the mains (duh!). I left them in this position for about a week and they sounded pretty good. I then raised them to about 71" and it was even better.
I don't think
presence speakers will 'knock-your-socks-off' the first time you use them but they definitely add a another dimension (maybe '
presence' is the better word) to your listening environment.
I agree with
Doug on the trade-off for
presence vs surround back; there just does not seem to me much activity generated from those back speakers from most programs. I think some well-placed
surround sides seem to fill the void left by exercising the
presence option on the receiver over the use of the
backs.
System config: Mythos One's (main), Three (center), Gems (presence), Deftech DR-7's (surround side), Deftech C-1's (surround back), and my 800 pound gorilla that smoothly eradicates mice, termites, and other uninvited varmints from the premises: an SVS PB-12 plus 2. Rcv'r: Yam RXV-2400.
-GeorgeM
...I think I'm going to have to watch my
'Undertow' DVD again; ohhhh, my poor foot! I hope I won't need medical attention
.