Replaced surround speakers

[mtrycrafts]

After some time not really and totally satisfied with my surrond performance, of course not the best of listening space to set up, it is what it is, I decided to replace my Axiom 8s. I did and still do like the Axiom finish as it blended much better than a black speaker in the living room.

I decided to try the Emotiva ERD1 surround speakers. I was concerned about the steep off axis, 50 degrees or so where it has to be mounted so I decided to try to angle them down. Emotiva doesn't have a wall mount that I wanted so I had to make my own.
Here is the link to the process of replacing the old surrounds

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/album.php?albumid=46

Before I started making the brackets but having the Emo in hand, I decided to listen to the new speakers but how. So I connected it to the center 1 out and tried the FM tuner in the receiver. Boy, was it ever so nice
Then I decided to also connect the Axiom to the center 2 out and compare them. The center channel amp 1&2 can be attenuated individually so I could give it a listen one at a time. Certainly not a good comparison, and not controlled, for sure but the Emotiva sounded better.

Now I need to watch my movies with the better surround effects to really evaluate. Hope I can remember how the Axioms sounded.

 

[Pyrrho]

I am glad you are enjoying your new gear. You seem to go to a lot of trouble with installing things. But given your space, I can see why you would feel the need to do that.

I don't suppose you have a different room in your house that you could convert into a home theater?

 

[mtrycrafts]

I am glad you are enjoying your new gear. You seem to go to a lot of trouble with installing things. But given your space, I can see why you would feel the need to do that.

I don't suppose you have a different room in your house that you could convert into a home theater?

It all goes back to the beginning of the home design process many moons ago and before all the progress in audio and video presentations. This was the best room to add it into. Certainly not the family room that is open totally into the kitchen. It too would have its issues. The other rooms are bedrooms, some of which are periodically used by guests and are small; would not accommodate a big screen, the whole purpose of a home theater

Just finished watching 'Battle: Los Angeles' a second time and it seems to have improved performance over the Axiom speakers which could not be slanted effectively. 'Serenity' caused issues with the axioms so that is the next one for a refresher.

 

[Pyrrho]

It all goes back to the beginning of the home design process many moons ago and before all the progress in audio and video presentations. This was the best room to add it into. Certainly not the family room that is open totally into the kitchen. It too would have its issues. The other rooms are bedrooms, some of which are periodically used by guests and are small; would not accommodate a big screen, the whole purpose of a home theater

Just finished watching 'Battle: Los Angeles' a second time and it seems to have improved performance over the Axiom speakers which could not be slanted effectively. 'Serenity' caused issues with the axioms so that is the next one for a refresher.

If a bedroom is not too tiny, you can use an entire wall for your screen and that would be nice. But if they are all too small, then, of course, one does what one must. You don't have an unfinished basement in which you can build a home theater, do you? (You appear to have the woodworking skills that you could do it yourself, if you have the space for it.)

One other thing struck me from looking at your pictures, and that is that you seem to be using two center channel speakers. Have you tried using just one instead? I think it would anchor the sound more securely to one spot, and there would be no cancelation and overemphasis issues that two might give you. My guess is that one would sound better than the two, though if you listen at deafening sound levels and would overdrive the one, then two would be better.

The slanty front speakers look interesting and nice.

And the brackets you made look solid and look nice in the room. You seem quite good at that sort of thing. I wish I had the house next door and could bother you to help me with little projects around the house.

 

[mtrycrafts]

If a bedroom is not too tiny, you can use an entire wall for your screen and that would be nice. But if they are all too small, then, of course, one does what one must. You don't have an unfinished basement in which you can build a home theater, do you? (You appear to have the woodworking skills that you could do it yourself, if you have the space for it.)

One other thing struck me from looking at your pictures, and that is that you seem to be using two center channel speakers. Have you tried using just one instead? I think it would anchor the sound more securely to one spot, and there would be no cancelation and overemphasis issues that two might give you. My guess is that one would sound better than the two, though if you listen at deafening sound levels and would overdrive the one, then two would be better.

The slanty front speakers look interesting and nice.

And the brackets you made look solid and look nice in the room. You seem quite good at that sort of thing. I wish I had the house next door and could bother you to help me with little projects around the house.

Unfortunately the bedrooms are too small for a good theater.

I built the center speakers many moons ago and don't have the hart to retire one of them. I haven't noticed an issue having both there, or, I just am very used to them
I wouldn't mind another neighbor who would be interested in my abilities but I live on a corner with no room for a 2nd good neighbor, Perhaps nearby? The weather is good around here.

 

[Pyrrho]

But have your tried just one center? If you have only used two, you don't know what it would be like with only one.

Also, if you wanted, you could build a new one for the center, and use the two for a system in another room. It is nice to have music in more than one room. I have four systems set up in my current home. Feel free to drop by and I will demonstrate the two that are the best for you.

 

[mtrycrafts]

But have your tried just one center? If you have only used two, you don't know what it would be like with only one.

Also, if you wanted, you could build a new one for the center, and use the two for a system in another room. It is nice to have music in more than one room. I have four systems set up in my current home. Feel free to drop by and I will demonstrate the two that are the best for you.

I guess it is easy to try since I can attenuate each channels to the center independently. I will have to check the level changes and give it a listen.

 

[Pyrrho]

I guess it is easy to try since I can attenuate each channels to the center independently. I will have to check the level changes and give it a listen.

Ideally, you would move the one speaker into the center, and re-calibrate the system. My guess is that it will sound better with just one speaker. Of course, "better," being a subjective term, is a little difficult for me to predict for you, but I do think it will sound different, and, I think, better. I think you will agree, and it costs you nothing to use just one instead of two. It isn't every day that one makes an improvement at no cost!

But please report your opinion of the results, so we can all argue about the merits of one or two center channel speakers.


One can see an advantage to living next door to you, aside from help from you in little projects, it would be nice to share your view:

I don't think I have ever seen a nicer view from someone's living room.

My current view isn't bad, as during the summer I see nothing but trees beyond the deck unless I make an effort, but it isn't the grand sort of vista that you have. One almost wonders why you would ever want to put down your movie screen and block such a nice view.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...


One can see an advantage to living next door to you, aside from help from you in little projects, it would be nice to share your view:

I don't think I have ever seen a nicer view from someone's living room.

....

You should see the view from the master bedroom one story, 11' above the living room