Opinion on Home Theater Speaker Placement

[joe0412]

Hi. My family room, is 24' long by 16' wide and has a cathedral ceiling. The position of my 50" plasma TV is between two very large windows, on the 24' wall. The room is open at one side to the eating area and kitchen. My desired placement of the front (L, R) in-wall speakers is on the far side of the windows making them nearly 24' apart. The center speaker would be mounted under the plasma...and the rear speakers in the appropriate place on the rear wall.

Given that my room is 24' long, if I use this arrangement, would I be separating the front L and R speakers by too great a distance in order to get rich stereo sound? What other arrangement would you suggest?

I've also thought about getting one of the all-inclusive (LCR) speaker bars (to be mounted underneath the plasma) and in addition, two rear surround speakers in the back. Not sure if this would be a viable option. Definitive makes a nice one (the SSA50 speaker bar).

Thoughts on all of the above? I would like to include a diagram of my room (which I have drawn to scale, but I can't figure out how to include an attachment with this post....help...

Thanks.

Joe

 

[Midcow2]

Definitive also makes a very excellent center speaker

The CLR3000 from Def Tech would also work for your center. It has a builtin sub-woofer and provides a full range on center channel sound.

the separation of 24 feet is pretty wide but with strong fronts and a strong center you should be okay. you didn't mention what front speakers but the Def Tech 7002, 7001, or 7000s would work nice.

You also might want to consider dual subwoofers. SVS and Hsu make some very nice ones.

 

[joe0412]

Here is what I was planning on getting:

1) Definitive UIW-75 in-wall speakers for front right, center and left (the left and right would be separated by 24')

2) Definitive UIW-BP/A in-wall speakers for right and left rear surround

3) Definitive SuperCube II 1250W subwoofer (not in-wall)

4) I have a Yamaha RX-V663 receiver (665 watts -- capable of 7/1 sound at 95 watts per channel).

Thoughts?

 

[Midcow2]

go Def Tech, except maybe sub

Here is what I was planning on getting:

1) Definitive UIW-75 in-wall speakers for front right, center and left (the left and right would be separated by 24')

2) Definitive UIW-BP/A in-wall speakers for right and left rear surround

3) Definitive SuperCube II 1250W subwoofer (not in-wall)

4) I have a Yamaha RX-V663 receiver (665 watts -- capable of 7/1 sound at 95 watts per channel).

Thoughts?

1) Would probably work, but if you have the space I woould put front towers in instead of in-wall. However, just check the Def Tech site the specs of the UIW-75 look great. They will work!!!

2) I have the UIW-BP/A speakers in the ceiling for front and rear surrounds and that have an nice crisp clear sound. They will work great!

3) Even though I really like Def Tech a lot, I would go with a SVS PB12-Plus for the sub, unless you absolutely want to stick with the Def Tech line.

4) Nice AVR will work fine!

 

[jcPanny]

Room Layout

You might consider using the narrow wall for the Display and the L/C/R channels for a much better layout. For proper imaging the distance between the L/R speaker should be approximately the same as the distance from the speakers to the listening position (equlateral triangle).

Alternately, companies like Speakercraft and Triad make som high end in-ceiling speakers that could be used for the front channels. You could also use deftech bookshelf speakers on stands or mounted to the wall or ceiling.

Do you have shades for the windows? They are a highly reflective surface.

 

[joe0412]

re:Room Layout

The narrow wall has a fireplace and I don't like plasmas mounted over fireplaces. Opposite that narrow wall, the room opens into the eating area and kitchen (so the room only has three walls. I have a cathedral ceiling, which makes ceiling-mounted speakers difficult (?impossible).

Is there a way I can post an image of the room here? It might make more sense if everyone can see it.

 

[joe0412]

Definitive Technology SSA50

As an alternative to solve the problem of the 24' distance between my L and R front speakers, it has been proposed by one home theater installer that I consider a speaker bar for the front LCR speakers, rather that going with three separate speakers. I would then install rear surround speakers as planned and of course, the subwoofer.

Has anyone heard of the Definitive Technology SSA50 speaker bar? Dare I ask, but do these things produce good sound?

His thought was that a speaker bar might give me better stereo sound in this particular case.

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker options

I am not familar with that model, but most of the sound bars aim the speakers in different directions and "bounce" sound off of the side walls to create a stereo image. With your 24' wide room you effectively have no side walls.

Bookshelf speakers on stands or with wall or ceiling mount brackets would work, but would block part of the window. If you have a little room, you could get on-wall type speakers that flank the sides of the TV similar to these EMPs. It is not ideal but it is better than the sound bar.
http://store.audioholics.com/search?xSearch=emp+on-wall&x=0&y=0