Side surround and overhead speakers

[TankTop5]

Picked up some Orb audio speakers for sides and overhead surround but I’m not a huge fan, at least as sides. They are decent for background sounds most of the time but can get quite harsh and I can only hear the one I’m closest to.

Looking for opinions for on wall surrounds as I’m limited on space. I was thinking of the KEF Q4, but I know that they can be a little harsh if they’re pointed directly at you and I cannot place them 30° behind my listening position as recommended by Dolby. I want something a bit “airy” to make the room feel a bit bigger acoustically so I’m open to bipole or dipole but I’m not sure that is the best idea either. Focal, Dali and RBH make on walls and the RBH and Dali both have a ribbon option but RBH is much more reasonable price and most likely a better speaker.

Speakers are about 30” either side of the couch. Also not thrilled with overhead speaker placement and may try to find 4 on walls that I can mount to the ceiling… renting and asbestos so no architectural speakers.

Don’t judge the mess, rearranging the rest of the house…

 

[Eppie]

I have the Philharmonic True Mini Monitors for surrounds at either end of the couch. They have a plate on the back for wall mounting but they are 7.5" deep. Like most of Dennis' designs, they are a relatively neutral speaker. If you look at the measurements they are quite flat on axis and at 45 degrees roll off gently from 5k - 10k. They won't play low (rated to 70Hz) but for surrounds they work great.

 

[TankTop5]

I have the Philharmonic True Mini Monitors for surrounds at either end of the couch. They have a plate on the back for wall mounting but they are 7.5" deep. Like most of Dennis' designs, they are a relatively neutral speaker. If you look at the measurements they are quite flat on axis and at 45 degrees roll off gently from 5k - 10k. They won't play low (rated to 70Hz) but for surrounds they work great.

I would totally go for those, but they are just a little too deep. I want something closer to 4 inches deep. Leaning toward the Dali Oberon on walls, spoke to a dealer today and I’m gonna go look at them next week. Apparently they don’t advertise, but the tweeter is angled down about 5° and with as close to my seating position as they are, if I can get them up a little higher, I can get a little more distance out of them. Plus they are rated down to 55hz, probably cross them over at 80 hz but that may help over the Orb Audios that I have to cross over at 120hz.

 

[Eppie]

I thought they might be a bit deep for your situation. I have seen Monitor Audio recommended for on-walls as well but reviews and measurements for on-walls are hard to find.