Son is Walking / Christmas Coming .. Need Speaker Advice

[a67676767]

My son is walking. The floormounts need to go because he is pulling them down. They were cheap anyway so no big loss. My wife committed to getting me speakers for Christmas. So I want to go with:

1. Ideally In-Ceiling Speakers.
2. Am ok with Surface-mount Ceiling Speakers, if I can get them in white.
3. In-Wall speakers MAY work, but the two front speakers would be on different-facing walls so I don't think it is ideal.

I am concerned with sound quality of ceiling-mounted speakers in general, particularly 5.1 surround and directional sound. I play video games where directional sound is very key to play. Other than that I primarily will watch movies and it will be the main sound system for music.

This will be a 5.1 system .. I am not really interested in 6.1 or 7.1. I do need a subwoofer. I have a cheap one but want to replace it. I would like to keep it under $1000 for speakers/woofer, but that's not set in stone.

I am attaching a Pic. I am looking for all kinds of advice, and even interested in if someone could come in and do a professional install.

Thanks in Advance,
Tim

 

[stratman]

Tim,

This might help....there's a company (you'll have search net or maybe someone here knows) that sells "legs" for tower speakers to keep tots from knocking them over, I remember I saw them a while ago.

 

[phillyguy]

How about some type of strap from the top of a floor stander speaker to the wall to prevent them from tipping? You could anchor the strap from the back of the speaker to the wall. Just an idea....

 

[a67676767]

there's a company (you'll have search net or maybe someone here knows) that sells "legs" for tower speakers to keep tots from knocking them over, I remember I saw them a while ago.

Thanks Stratman. That would work well if I wanted to keep the floor speakers. I think I will take this opportunity to upgrade speakers, though. If possible I will go with ceiling speakers.

 

[stratman]

No pun intended...the sky's (ceiling) the limit, my friend has some B&W, white, sound fantastic in his HT. (just a starter thought)

 

[emorphien]

Why not go with regular bookshelf speakers on some good adjustable wall-mounts? Then when your rugrat stops knocking them over you can transition them to some nice stands.

 

[a67676767]

Why not go with regular bookshelf speakers on some good adjustable wall-mounts? Then when your rugrat stops knocking them over you can transition them to some nice stands.

Good Idea. Would they work ok mounted very high on the wall (near the ceiling) or on the ceiling? What would that do to the properties of directional sound in the room? Any suggestions on speakers?

 

[emorphien]

Good Idea. Would they work ok mounted very high on the wall (near the ceiling) or on the ceiling? What would that do to the properties of directional sound in the room? Any suggestions on speakers?

Unless your son is very tall for his age, mounting them 4 or 5 feet up shouldn't be a big issue and there are plenty of speaker options you could consider, some which have the option for mounts (like my Axioms) or you can use generic mounts (some which require screwing in to the speakers and others which don't).

I can't imagine that ceiling mounted/flush mounted speakers would sound better. Every system using speakers mounted at or near the ceiling, or in-ceiling speakers has been very underwhelming to my ears.

I don't know what's the best choice for $1000 on the market these days, I have heard SVS came out with a speaker+sub package that might be in your price range and those are bookshelves which you can most likely wall-mount. I'm sure you can do Polk, Klipsch or Infinity for your budget but again I really haven't kept up with home theater for that price range and haven't a clue what the best choice would be. I would be of more help if you had maybe at least twice that budget (I don't, I just enjoy reading up on whats out there). AV123 has become popular, particularly the Onyx speakers so that is another possibility.

I'd suggest waiting on others to pop in with their opinions but in your case I'd go with what's recommend and put them on adjustable wallmounts, that way I'd think you'll be making the fewest compromises

 

[a67676767]

I can't imagine that ceiling mounted/flush mounted speakers would sound better. Every system using speakers mounted at or near the ceiling, or in-ceiling speakers has been very underwhelming to my ears.

Cool, thanks .. yeah that feedback is what I was looking for. I was not too sure on the ceiling speakers. I think bookshelf speakers mounted 5 feet up would work nicely.

 

[Pianoman84d]

I agree you should go with bookshelves wall mounted. Here's a by no means definite list of brands to consider.

Onix X-Series system range from 800 to 100 including shipping.

SVS SBS 1 system - 999 including a sub (not sure about shipping

Ascend Acoustics - could get a really great system starting at about 1200 if you want to boost the budget a bit

Axiom Epic Midi HT system (consensus seems to be to buy a different sub instead)

Hsu Research HB1 system (new, so I doubt many people have heard it)

Off the top of my head, that should get you started...

There are many other good speakers out there, so listen for yourself and buy something that makes you smile from ear to ear.

 

[emorphien]

It's too bad half those are internet order only!

 

[jcPanny]

On-wall speakers

If you don't want to mess with mounting brackets for bookshelf speakers consider the on-wall speakers from Paradigm or Axiom as an alternative as a compromise. Also, many surround speakers like the Axiom QS4/8 are designed to be hung on the wall.

In ceilling speakers might be fine for the surround channels, but I would recommend them (in your budget) for the front and center channels.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

My wife will not allow speaker stands

I am pretty new to this forum and have a limited knowledge but I face a similar issue to yours. My wife will not allow speaker stands in the front nor will she allow me to hang the speakers on the wall; she will only allow speakers to set on the mantel (for some reason she is ok with the surrounds on stands and a giant subwoofer that looks like an air purifier). My listening room is really big so I had major concerns with the ability of a bookshelf speaker to handle the job. After a lot of research I decided I would not be happy with “in-wall” or Ceiling speakers. I ended up emailing SVS and telling them of my dilemma and sending them pictures of my room. Ron from SVS was of great help and has me totally convinced on how to tackle this problem. I am going with the SVS 5.0 system and substituting the woofer with the PC-Ultra. I have been so impressed with the help from SVS that it would be hard to talk me out of using their equipment. I have included a couple of pictures on here so you can see the issue of my room. I wired everything through the walls and attic so it will be easy to replace my HTIB as soon as my SVS system comes in and I get my Yamaha receiver. I will keep everyone posted on the end result.

 

[Pianoman84d]

It's too bad half those are internet order only!

Well at under $1000 for the system, I don't particularly know of any non ID companies that are worth a look. Heck, they are all internet order only. Just to be clear, this was not supposed to be a complete list. Only some more places for the OP to look.

 

[billy p]

I am pretty new to this forum and have a limited knowledge but I face a similar issue to yours. My wife will not allow speaker stands in the front nor will she allow me to hang the speakers on the wall; she will only allow speakers to set on the mantel (for some reason she is ok with the surrounds on stands and a giant subwoofer that looks like an air purifier). My listening room is really big so I had major concerns with the ability of a bookshelf speaker to handle the job. After a lot of research I decided I would not be happy with “in-wall” or Ceiling speakers. I ended up emailing SVS and telling them of my dilemma and sending them pictures of my room. Ron from SVS was of great help and has me totally convinced on how to tackle this problem. I am going with the SVS 5.0 system and substituting the woofer with the PC-Ultra. I have been so impressed with the help from SVS that it would be hard to talk me out of using their equipment. I have included a couple of pictures on here so you can see the issue of my room. I wired everything through the walls and attic so it will be easy to replace my HTIB as soon as my SVS system comes in and I get my Yamaha receiver. I will keep everyone posted on the end result.

Well I heard the svs sbs01 bookshelf speakers in a store showroom display, they sounded incredible and I would recommend them. Heard them with a pb12nsd and 25-31 cylinder and the sound was wow!! The sub you have chosen is beyond both those subs. I myself can't wait for the holidays to be done and gone. I'm looking to revamp my system and waiting to audition the svs floors when they are released in 07, along side a new sub.

 

[a67676767]

SVS looks pretty good

Thanks Guys .. I'm thinking the 5.1 system .. What do you guys think for my setup (pic in first post)

http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_white.cfm

These are at $999, so definitely within budget. I could go higher too, if it is a big difference.

 

[billy p]

If you go with the pb 12 in place of the pb 10. That's all it would take, can't really beat that.

Good Luck, Billy p

 

[a67676767]

Ok here is my list of finalists

Here's a by no means definite list of brands to consider.

Great list, thanks. Ok here is my list of finalists

Do I have these generally Ranked by Overall Sound Quality? I know this is a tough quesion, but I am thinking the Ascend speakers will be what I go with. The SVS with the sub I need is close to that price anyway.

1. $1300 - Ascend - Can get in Pearlized white .. emailed for quote
CBM-170 SE front pr
CBM-170 SE center
CBM-170 SE surround pr
VTF-2 MK2 sub
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/purchase/advisor.mv

2. $1,463.00 - Axiom Epic Master 175
I like the Axioms, but my listening area is 2601 Cu Ft. and open on one side. I am thinking they are too small.
http://www.axiomaudio.com/epicmaster_175main.html

3. $1094 Onix x-cs 5.1 system w/ ULW10 Sub
http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=93.1

4. $1149 SVS SBS-01
5.1 Surround Sound System with PB12-NSD - White
http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_white.cfm

 

[emorphien]

How have you come to the conclusion that the axioms are too small while everything else is big enough?

 

[a67676767]

How have you come to the conclusion that the axioms are too small while everything else is big enough?

I may be wrong. Please tell me if I am.

Axioms - it says on the website that it is for < 2100 cu ft.
Ascend - Says for "most applications", while other of their speakers specifically say large or small with cu ft recommendations. The sub says for medium sized room.
SVS - have concerns about this as well, but I think with the upgraded sub I would be ok.
Onix X-CS - not concerned about these at all. Should I be?