Need Help With Speakers for Corner Loaded Den

[joejoejoe]

I have built myself into a corner...

I did not want to hang my new plasma over the fireplace, I wanted it at eye level, so I wired the HDMI cable and center channel speaker cable in the walls to the front left corner of the room. I currently have a 50 inch panasonic plasma at eye level in the front left corner of the room mounted with a cantilever bracket. I love this setup for viewing, more so than had I hung the TV over the fireplace.

I had planned on buying Axiom inwall speakers (W-22) for either side of the fireplace, and QS8's for the rears, and an Axiom center for under the TV, and a sub, but - doh - now - after wiring the room - I realize that although this setup would sound great with music, it would be kind of weird to have both fronts on the same side of the TV.

The front L and R speaker cables are in the walls terminating on either side of the fireplace (which is in the center of the front wall) and the rear speaker cables are running in the walls to the rear wall, opposite the front speaker cable locations.

So my options, I think are:

Hang bookshelf speakers on either side of the TV, like the Axiom M-22s. But the prospect of having big speakers in that corner is not that appealing to my wife. Are there recommended high quality speakers that are a bit smaller that someone would recommend for the fronts?

OR

Is it possible/recommended for me to do the original setup with the W-22s in the wall on either side of the fireplace, but instead of a center channel under the TV, put a soundbar under the TV? Then when I watch TV/movies, I would have the soundbar, my QS8 rears, and my subwoofer engaged. And when I listen to music, I would engage the W22s, QS8s, and the sub (but not the soundbar)? If I do this, can I send the signal over HDMI from the receiver (Onkyo 806) to the TV, then HDMI out from the TV to the soundbar, since the HDMI is already wired in the right place?

OR

Is there a better option?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[fredk]

Give up on the in walls. If the M22 is too big, look at the M3 or similar bookshelf.

Hey, bring in the M80s and tell your wife they're the M22s. After that, any bookself is going to seem small.

If you have the money, the Studio 40s are a very nice speaker and are a little smaller than the M22. If the new version is out, they are also very stylish.

 

[joejoejoe]

Thank you!!

So the soundbar you think is not a good idea? Just not good enough quality?

Thanks.

Joe.

 

[walter duque]

Thank you!!

So the soundbar you think is not a good idea? Just not good enough quality?

Thanks.

Joe.

Here is a link for a soundbar that will definently surprise you, If you want to spend the funds.
http://www.sourcespeaker.com/PlasmaLCRlist.html

 

[fredk]

Personally I don't like soundbars, but I don't have an approval factor to worry about.

putting all the drivers in a horizontal arrangement like that causes issues with the way sound is distributed into the room. I would expect that having the speakers so close together would also impact on imaging. I admit that I have not listened to any soundbars though.

I would personally choose to go with a smaller bookshelf.

Maybe you could demo a soundbar and small bookshelves side by side in your room to see what works for you.

 

[joejoejoe]

So I went with the Axiom M22s on either side of the plasma (corner loaded), VP150 center, and QS8s surrounds. (Receiver is Onkyo SR806). They sound great!

Next up is the sub - trying to decide between the Hsu VTF-2 MK3, and the AV123 MFW-15. Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

 

[lsiberian]

So I went with the Axiom M22s on either side of the plasma (corner loaded), VP150 center, and QS8s surrounds. (Receiver is Onkyo SR806). They sound great!

Next up is the sub - trying to decide between the Hsu VTF-2 MK3, and the AV123 MFW-15. Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

I suggest a DIY option. It will be superior to either of those subs.

 

[AVRat]

If you can swing it (WAF), go with the MFW-15.