Need advice on smaller surround system for a large room

[audio_neophyte]

Help...I don't know what I'm doing!

My wife (the boss) doesn't want large speakers so I'm limited to smaller white speakers that can be mounted on the wall. The room is 750 sq. feet (30x25) and the ceiling is vaulted (around 15 feet high).

I'm looking at either the Denon 3805 or Yamaha RX-V2500, but am open to suggestions here as well. FYI, I need a multi-zone receiver for the kitchen/dining room and deck.

The main room is prewired for a 5.1 surround system, but the speakers need to be mounted on the wall. The system will be used for both movies and music.

I'd prefer to keep the cost below $2000 for the speaker system.

Can a smaller surround sound speaker system fill this large of a room?

Please don't limit comments to these systems but here are some of the ones that I have read about that sound interesting. RBH CT, RBH CT Max, Mirage Omnisat, and Mirage Nanosat. Any comments on these systems would also be appreciated (i.e., "neophyte, the nanosat system would never be enough for that size room").

I'd really appreciate any advice or suggestions on receivers and speakers.

Thanks.

 

[markw]

"Can a smaller surround sound speaker system fill this large of a room?"

Probably, but not with the quality I would wish for. Remember, a speakers main job is to move air. The larger the driver, the more air it can move with less effort.

These tiny wonders, while more than adequate in smaller or possibly moderately sized rooms, will probably be (over) driven to their limits in a room that large when trying to generate any SPL at all, no matter how large the subwoofer is, and it better be a biggie or two.

 

[JohnA]

How about....

What about inwall speakers? Larger speakers to move all that air, and you can paint the frames and grills to blend in with the walls. They have a very high WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor).

 

[Leprkon]

I'm looking at either the Denon 3805 or Yamaha RX-V2500, but am open to suggestions here as well. FYI, I need a multi-zone receiver for the kitchen/dining room and deck.

I'd really appreciate any advice or suggestions on receivers and speakers.

Thanks.

the receiver should probably be the last choice you make. if you were to decide on some "bright" speakers, you would probably want a more toned-down receiver like the Denon. If you get something "nuetral" then the Yamaha would fit in very well. just pick the speakers you really want first and match the receiver second.

if you're using a wall-mounted TV, you might look at some of the on-wall speakers from NHT or Infinity. They have a very high-tech look that might get accepted..

 

[RLA]

Hi
That is a fairly large room for small satellite speakers. That being said
you would be hard pressed to find a small speaker for the application than the new Klipsch RSX series. It excels in providing dynamics and high SPL in a small package I can think of no current product in any price range that will match its SPL levels givin its size at any price and that is what you need for a large room
These new RVX-42 on-wall /on stand are absolutely spectacular for there size
http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=768

And here is the smaller Cinema 10
http://www.klipsch.com/product/product.aspx?cid=731

 

[jaguars_fan]

I too like the Klipsch as well as the Paradigm systems. For right at your budget the Paradigm On-Wall system can be had and they sound terrific! Like Mark said, you need to move the air and some of the smaller drivers just can't keep up in that kind of room volume.

http://www.paradigm.com/Website/SiteParadigmProduct/ParadigmModels/SystemChoice/OW_MiniSystem.html

 

[Cuteman]

I'd prefer to keep the cost below $2000 for the speaker system.


Thanks.

The Denon 3805 is going to put you at about 1200.

800 left for speakers?

Def Tech ProCinema 80's or 100's.

 

[audio_neophyte]

$2000 for speakers

I'm planning to spend $2000 or less on just the speaker system. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Sparticus]

What about inwall speakers? Larger speakers to move all that air, and you can paint the frames and grills to blend in with the walls. They have a very high WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor).

For 2 g's you could do this. The most cumbersome part about this system is running the wires in the walls ans ceilings, which is not impossable. From there all you need is some decent speaker placement, and a set of in wall-mount drivers. You could even purchase a set of all weather speakers for a deck, if it applies.

 

[audio_neophyte]

complicated setup

Attached is a picture of the room. It is already prewired for a 5.1 system. I could do in-wall speakers for the 2 surround speakers in the back of the room. However, the way the room is set up now, the front left speaker is on the wall just left of the tv cabinet and the front right speaker is way over to the right of the fireplace. I'm assuming that I need to change the front right speaker location to be in the bookshelf instead so that it is a more symmetrical setup. Any thoughts?

Also, since the front right can't be an in-wall speaker if it is in the bookshelf, I'm assuming that the front speakers should be identical....correct? If I go with something like the new Klipsh RVX-42's for the 2 front speakers and the center, will the sound be overly distorted if that speaker is on a stand in the bookshelf?

About the in-wall speakers, I've heard differing opinions about the quality of in-wall's. Am I pretty safe though since I'd be using them primarily for surround speakers? Any suggestions on in-wall speakers?

Thanks!

 

[sjdgpt]

I'm assuming that I need to change the front right speaker location to be in the bookshelf instead so that it is a more symmetrical setup. Any thoughts?

Symmetrical is always better, but your receiver setup can help make some adjustment for unbalanced speaker location.

I'm assuming that the front speakers should be identical....correct?

Yes, by all means.

But the center channel is best if it is specifically designed for the center channel.

About the in-wall speakers, I've heard differing opinions about the quality of in-wall's. Am I pretty safe though since I'd be using them primarily for surround speakers? Any suggestions on in-wall speakers?

In-walls for most part, because of various problems in sound quality and quantity, are best used for surround applications, and in general do reasonably well for surround application. There are some highend in-wall, or wall applied, speakers from companies such as Thiel that receive serious praise. But being practical, a good bookshelf or small tower is going to be easier to handle/install, have better sound quality/quantity, and be far less in price than those highend wall applied speakers. The same rule applies to surround speakers, a small bookshelf is going to be far cheaper and do as good or better job than the in-wall speakers. But if inwall is required, do not hesitate to use them for surround applications.