Small speakers vs. big. Many vs. fewer.

[kay]

I've noticed some people feel that a set of good bookshelves + a good subwoofer that blend nicely are preferable to the more traditional "towers fronts + bookshelves rears" layout. If budget was an issue, which would preveil for you - 5.1 system with towers at the front or 7.1 system with similar speakers all-round? Why?

 

[markw]

Quantity is no substitute for quality.

and dats da troot!

 

[kay]

Assuming good quality bookshelves? From the same line as the floor-standers?

 

[RJB]

If budget & space were no consideration, then floor standing would win hands down. Unfortunately I have both to deal with, one has to sets limits of what one is willing to spend ( like most mortals ) and I have a reasonably large room but there is the WAF and the basic issue of how much real estate you are willing to give up...

I voted the 7.1 option...

 

[jmgillespie]

I have towers in front and rear and love it, sounds awesome for music and movies.

 

[Xsound]

I voted small & 7.1, but it comes with some caveats. I have always thought that I wanted Floorstanders for my fronts. I like big sound, etc. etc. I like the look of floorstanding speakers. I like the height of a good floorstander, and not having to worry about stands to get it to the right height.

Recently this board has begun to change my mind. I currently have bookshelf speakers (Monitor Audio MA700 gold), and they have pretty decent low-end. Actually they have good low-end, not wall rattling, but nice balanced sound. Right now I have my crossover set at 50hz. My bookshelfs handle down to the crossover (they are rated to like 38hz +/- 3db) If I "upgrade" to floorstanding speakers, I may pick up sound down to 30-35 hz at the most, but I will never hear it because of my crossover. If I were to stick with the Monitor Audio line of speakers, my intended upgrade for my fronts was S-8s response down to 35 hz +/- 3dB. For about the same price, I could get the Gold 10 bookshelf rated to 40Hz +/- 3dB. Step up in line, better driver, better cabinet constrution, better crossover. Similar price.

If price and space are no problem, then I am going for some huge floorstanders. In the real world, if I'm not going to use the low-end, I'm thinking about upgrading the line and going smaller.

 

[silversurfer]

a lot of caveats that have already been mentioned.

Cost is a big factor. If the cost is the same, I would tend to lean toward bookshelves, which would hopefully lead to better mids and highs, and possibly better imaging due to a smaller front baffle.

Another factor is what the primary use of the system would be, home theater or music? If HT, I think I would lean towards a big front soundstage and go with larger speakers. For music (hi-res SACD and DVD-A), five identical speakers would be best.

 

[kay]

Recently this board has begun to change my mind. ... If I "upgrade" to floorstanding speakers, I may pick up sound down to 30-35 hz at the most, but I will never hear it because of my crossover. ... Step up in line, better driver, better cabinet constrution, better crossover. Similar price.

If price and space are no problem, then I am going for some huge floorstanders. In the real world, if I'm not going to use the low-end, I'm thinking about upgrading the line and going smaller.

Well put, that's pretty much what I've come to realize. I do like the imposing look of huge floorstanders however