Noob needs advices about Surround Speaker (Klipsch model/placement)

L

longham

Audiophyte
Hi everyone, thank you for reading my thread. Please give me some advices about my 5.1 audio system.
I'm having a system of FL, FR, CEN and SUB. Now I'm going to buying SL and SR. This is the model I'm seeing:

R-14S
Code:
83Hz - 24kHz +/- 3dB
89dB @ 2.83V / 1m
50W/200W
8 Ohms Compatible
LOW FREQUENCY EXTENSION 78Hz
CROSSOVER FREQUENCY 2200Hz
http://www.klipsch.com/products/reference-surround-sound-speakers
This model has something called WDST (WIDE DISPERSION SURROUND TECHNOLOGY), good for small room (I read that somewhere), similar to bipole (speaker) type. My room is quite small one, so I think they'll fit my need: Seating position is directly against the back wall + Placement on the back wall. My Receiver is Yamaha RX-v375:

Code:
Channel     5.1
Rated Output Power (1kHz, 1ch driven)    100 W (8 ohms, 0.9% THD)
Rated Output Power (1kHz, 2ch driven)    85 W (8 ohms, 0.9% THD)
Rated Output Power (20Hz-20kHz, 2ch driven)    70 W (8 ohms, 0.09% THD)
Dynamic Power per Channel (8/6/4/2 ohms)    110 / 130 / 160 / 180 W
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/av-receivers-amps/rx/rx-v375_black_u/

My other speakers' info:
- Center: NS-C444
- Sub: Polk PSW111
- Fronts: 2 unknown models which specs are:
20hz-20khz
4-8ohm
Treble : 2 x 2.6"
Bass : 1 x 8"
95db
10-250w


Side placement for this pair of surround speakers is not possible because of the wardrobe. So I think I'll will use the rear placement. This is my room:

audio system.png

Wardrobe is 2m (6.5ft) high and there is 0.8m (2.5ft) between the wardrobe and the ceiling. The distance between the bed and wardrobe is 0.6m (2ft). Ear level is 1.25m (4ft) (sitting) and 0.6m (2ft) (lying). So I think optimal is height for speaker is 1.5m (5ft).

So my questions are:
1. Is my receiver compatible with this Klipsch model?
2. Is rear placement with this Klipsch model efficient or at least acceptable with 5.1 system?
3. If it is acceptable, is this placement (2.2m distance) ok? What about the height, I don't have any clue?

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
Y

yepimonfire

Audioholic Samurai
Thank you for the detailed explanation and diagram as it makes answering questions easier. Any speaker is compatible with any receiver assuming it is not below the rated impedance.

The R-14s are bipole speakers. This means that there is one woofer and two tweeters firing in phase in opposite directions. The idea behind this is that instead of direct sound being aimed at the listener, the sound is diffused throughout the room and is reflected off of the walls (and to a lesser extent, the ceiling), essentially making the surrounds less localizable and more enveloping. This works well in a large room with multiple seats but personally I would stick with dipoles. If you want to stick with Klipsch, the R-14m would work well and can still be snagged off ebay or some other sites for $99 a pair. Considering the seating (I am assuming the bed) is up against the back wall I wouldn't place any speakers directly in the back.

How high is the wardrobe? Does it extend to the ceiling? What speakers are being used for the fronts? I see a few options that would be better here. If there is at least two feet between the wardrobe and and ceiling, the surrounds can be placed either on the wall or on the wardrobe (preferable if using ported speakers). I would angle them slightly down. The second, and possibly wife unapproved option (but most ideal) would be to place the surrounds directly to the sides of the bed up against the back wall and as far apart as possible on stands. The third option would be rear corner placement, either on wall with a swivel mount or on stands angled at about 45 degrees butted up to the corners. For the second option, the wardrobe could be moved about two feet away from the back corner so that the stand and speaker was out of the way of accessing the wardrobe.

The surrounds should ideally be placed two feet above the listening position to expand the sense of envelopment and to reduce localization by keeping the tweeter off axis. Some might disagree with me but I find horn loaded speakers such as the klipsch to be fantastic for wide dispersion of sound in a small room. I'm currently using Klipsch KB-15s as surrounds in a small bedroom (12'x12') about 5' away from the listening position and about 1.5' above ear level and have no problem with them sounding too directional.

Another question, is the subwoofer under the bed to keep it out of site? I would recommend placing it in the corner and being careful to properly set the distance of the speakers and the sub in order to avoid phase issues considering it's in the back of the room. Placing it in the front right corner may also yield better results as far as it blending in better. Just speaking from experience trying to set up a system in a small room.

If you decide to go with stands, I would highly recommend these https://www.amazon.com/VideoSecu-Adjustable-Height-Satellite-Speaker/dp/B000VRREPG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483541788&sr=8-1&keywords=adjustable+speaker+stands

The poles extend to 47" which is perfect for getting the proper height for the surrounds, they can also be angled and rotated in pretty much any direction and are great for holding bookshelf speakers that are too large to be mounted on one of those satellite speaker stands.
 
Last edited:
L

longham

Audiophyte
Thank you, @yepimonfire for your detail answer. Much appreciate!

If you want to stick with Klipsch, the R-14m would work well and can still be snagged off ebay or some other sites for $99 a pair. Considering the seating (I am assuming the bed) is up against the back wall I wouldn't place any speakers directly in the back.
So no go with the R-14s (bipole type)? Only direct radiating speakers? Seating position is directly against the back wall so I thought bipole speaker in the rear would be better (less localizable), wouldn't it?

How high is the wardrobe? Does it extend to the ceiling? What speakers are being used for the fronts? I see a few options that would be better here. If there is at least two feet between the wardrobe and and ceiling, the surrounds can be placed either on the wall or on the wardrobe (preferable if using ported speakers). I would angle them slightly down. The second, and possibly wife unapproved option (but most ideal) would be to place the surrounds directly to the sides of the bed up against the back wall and as far apart as possible on stands. The third option would be rear corner placement, either on wall with a swivel mount or on stands angled at about 45 degrees butted up to the corners.
Wardrobe is 2m (6.5ft) high and there is 0.8m (2.5ft) between the wardrobe and the ceiling. The distance between the bed and wardrobe is 0.6m (2ft). Ear level is 1.25m (4ft) (sitting) and 0.6m (2ft) (lying). So I think optimal is height for speaker is 1.5m (5ft). Then what is the option for placement for me?
- Option 1: maybe too high
- Option 2: wife unapproved option
- Option 3: cannot open the wardrobe
What about placement on the back wall?

Another question, is the subwoofer under the bed to keep it out of site? I would recommend placing it in the corner and being careful to properly set the distance of the speakers and the sub in order to avoid phase issues considering it's in the back of the room. Placing it in the front right corner may also yield better results as far as it blending in better. Just speaking from experience trying to set up a system in a small room.
Out of sight to satisfy my wife :( I have another question: If I settle my sub in that position, should I use 0 or 180 degree phase? All my speaker are set to small. Sub is connected via LFE input + preout ouput

My other speakers' info:

Center: NS-C444
Sub: Polk PSW111
Fronts: 2 unknown models which specs are:
20hz-20khz
4-8ohm
Treble : 2 x 2.6"
Bass : 1 x 8"
95db
10-250w
 
Last edited:
Y

yepimonfire

Audioholic Samurai
Leave the phase switch to zero and measure the distance to the listening position of all the speakers, including the sub. Set the distance in the receiver. If 4 feet is ear level than optimal placement is 6 feet. 6.5 feet on the wardrobe is better than rear placement in my opinion. Surrounds were not mixed to be behind unless they are rears and from experience it sounds wrong placed behind. The only way I would do placement on the back wall would be to get speaker mounts that extend slightly from the back wall and angle them inwards. I still think the wardrobe height is good enough and you're likely to have better results there. I would also recommend in the future replacing the front speakers with one's that match the center channel. Also make sure those speakers are set to small. Even if they can hit 20hz (which is doubtful considering they're no name brand) you're likely losing bass due to the opening at the front left of the room.
 

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