Speaker Dilema

[snmhanson]

I am hoping to get some input on my planned speaker setup for our rec room. I am replacing the speakers that I have with towers up front but am stuck on my surrounds. I have attached pictures of the room to illustrate the issues I am facing - sorry that they are not great quality. The first pic is looking from the back of the room to the front, the second is looking from the front corner towards the opposite rear corner adn the third is focused in a bit closer on the same rear corner area. The room is ~21'6" wide and 22'9" deep not including the alcove. The alcove is another 3' deep. The soffited ceiling goes all the way around the room and extends out 30". The seating area is in the exact center of the room and cannot be moved back at all because of the pool table. As you can see there is a large 12' wide door to the left of the listening area.

With the large door located immediately to the left of the listening area I am thinking in-ceiling speakers placed in the soffit to the left and right and slightly back from the seating area may be my best option. I don't think that bookshelfs or wall-mounted speakers would work, both from an aesthetic as well as a functional standpoint when considering my locating options. If some sort of wall-mounted surround would work I think I would be happier with the sound and performance of my system but I just don't know where they would go. What do you all think my best options are for my surround channels? Also, feel free to comment about anything else concerning my speaker plans. Oh, I am most likely going to go with Aperion speakers - at least for the front. Also, not that it matters in this case, but the tv is going to be replaced with a projector and screen eventually.

Thanks for any input,

Matt

 

[JerryLove]

Spitballing:
Put them on platforms suspended form the ceiling?

 

[agarwalro]

Based on your post, it sounds like you are pretty much stuck with in-ceiling. You can always not get the surrounds...
Nice room.

 

[walter duque]

Designated rear surround towers could work. You could fit them between the couch and the chairs, a little back, like the back of the couch. That is a tough one, looks like inceiling or brackets is the way to go.

 

[snmhanson]

Thanks for replies. I think I will probably end up going with in-ceilings. I like the "towers between the chairs" idea but I would have to have speaker wire running along the ground from the processor to the speakers (cement slab floor) and the speakers would likely get knocked around by errant pool cues and my young children jumping on the furniture. I had considered hanging the speakers from the ceiling at one time but I don't think the wife would go for it. I do do definately want surrounds though so I think I am stuck with in-ceilings.

I don't have a problem with in-ceilings and actually like the idea of them being hidden as long as they will provide effective surrounds effects. I'm a little concerned with them being aimed at the ground versus towards the listening area but I have heard that the placement of the surrounds isn't as crucial as that of the front speakers so hopefully I will be ok. Maybe I will look at some angled ceiling speakers such as the Paradigm SR15R30s to help aim the sound a bit. If anyone has any other ideas, either specific products or otherwise, feel free to chime in.

Thanks again for the advice,

Matt

 

[mike2t]

In Ceiling Deal I found

I just purchased some Infinity ERS610 in ceiling for a similar room layout. They are super nice and I'm very happy with them. I actually got a really good deal at this site I stumbled across called 21greatdeals.com. I don't know if they do close-outs or what because they have alot of Infinty product for good prices, they may or may not still have the same deal but it is worth a shot to check.