Speaker Ideas - Mix InCeiling w/Tower Mains?

[pamperofirpo]

I want to get some thoughts from the experts out there on some recommendations on speaker systems for an 18 x 18 room. Likely receiver will be a Yamaha RX-V3800 or a Denon AVR-3808. It'll be a 60/40 mix of movies/music. Music ranges from Jazz to New Age to Rock to Metal.

I'm looking for a 5.1 system, and ideally would like floor-standing front speakers, and an in-ceiling or in-wall rears, (for WAF). I'm looking to spend between $2000 and $3000 for the speaker system (including sub).

My questions:

1) Since I would like the rear speakers to be timbre matched with the fronts, are their any recommendations for this configuration? Even companies that make both (i.e. Boston Acoustics) provide zero guidance for this. I can't believe I'm the only one that has considered mixing conventional speakers with in-wall or in-ceiling rears.

2) Do you have any general recommendations for a 5.1 speaker system in this price range that ARE NOT in-wall or in-ceiling given the above mix of movies/music/music genres? (BTW - I prefer NOT to have highly inefficient speakers recommended...since that will add additional cost to the amp).

Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Sorry for the lengthy first post!

 

[mazersteven]

Welcome to Audioholics Forum

This would be a incredible system IMO

Mains--Rocket RS850 http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=50.1

Center--Rocket RSC200 http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=100.1

In-Ceiling Surrounds--Speakercraft AIM8 Three http://www.speakercraft.com/#Products:16:AIM8 Three

Subwoofer--SVS SB12-Plus https://svsound.com/products-sub-box-sb12plus.cfm

$3350 A little over


Or use Rocket RS760 as mains and save $200.

There are so many ways to build a system like this. You need to start auditioning as many tower speakers as you can. Those will be the most important speakers in your system IMO.

 

[pamperofirpo]

Mazer. Thanks for the reply. How important is it that the rear speakers are from the same manufacturer to have a chance to have a matched sound for either movies or multi-channel audio?

For subs, I was definitely considering SVS or HSU. I was also curious about the new MTS series from SVS, but haven't seen a review yet. Perhaps they haven't actually shipped. I'm not familiar with Rocket.

 

[no. 5]

How important is it that the rear speakers are from the same manufacturer to have a chance to have a matched sound for either movies or multi-channel audio?

Not insanely important. Yes if the surrounds are timbre matched to the fronts it is better, but it's not that important; a very satisfactory system can be had with surrounds from a different manufacture than the front speakers.

 

[pamperofirpo]

Thanks no.5!

My father will likely want an all In-ceiling or In-wall system in his very large and very open Great room. He has a one story house, so attic access will be easy for all of the speakers.

I've got a lot of self-education to do on these types of speakers, as I've never read a lot of reviews on them.

I'm still open to suggestions for a 5.1 system in the $2K to $3K range (including sub)!

 

[mazersteven]

Mazer. Thanks for the reply. How important is it that the rear speakers are from the same manufacturer to have a chance to have a matched sound for either movies or multi-channel audio?

For subs, I was definitely considering SVS or HSU. I was also curious about the new MTS series from SVS, but haven't seen a review yet. Perhaps they haven't actually shipped. I'm not familiar with Rocket.

Your front three speakers should be Timbre Matched for the best sound quality from left to right. A complete system of matching speakers is always better, but the surrounds aren't as critical as the mains.

MTS speakers have not shipped yet. They should start shipping after the 1st of the year from what I was told by SVS.

And do some research on the AV123 Rockets.

And if you go all in-ceiling I do recommend Speakercraft AIM8's or Speakercraft Cinema In-wall series.

 

[3db]

I want to get some thoughts from the experts out there on some recommendations on speaker systems for an 18 x 18 room. Likely receiver will be a Yamaha RX-V3800 or a Denon AVR-3808. It'll be a 60/40 mix of movies/music. Music ranges from Jazz to New Age to Rock to Metal.

I'm looking for a 5.1 system, and ideally would like floor-standing front speakers, and an in-ceiling or in-wall rears, (for WAF). I'm looking to spend between $2000 and $3000 for the speaker system (including sub).

My questions:

1) Since I would like the rear speakers to be timbre matched with the fronts, are their any recommendations for this configuration? Even companies that make both (i.e. Boston Acoustics) provide zero guidance for this. I can't believe I'm the only one that has considered mixing conventional speakers with in-wall or in-ceiling rears.

2) Do you have any general recommendations for a 5.1 speaker system in this price range that ARE NOT in-wall or in-ceiling given the above mix of movies/music/music genres? (BTW - I prefer NOT to have highly inefficient speakers recommended...since that will add additional cost to the amp).

Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Sorry for the lengthy first post!

Hi

For HT use, one needs to match the Left, Right and Center channels. The only time surrounds need to be matched is if you are planning to play multichannel music. Then matching the surrounds to the LCR speakers becomes important.

PSB offers some choices in-wall and in-celing speakers along with their towers. I own a pair of Image T45s and really REALLY like them.

http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/In-Wall-In-Ceiling-Speakers

 

[pamperofirpo]

MTS speakers have not shipped yet. They should start shipping after the 1st of the year from what I was told by SVS.

And if you go all in-ceiling I do recommend Speakercraft AIM8's or Speakercraft Cinema In-wall series.

Thanks for the update on the SVS MTS speakers.

I'll have to see who carries Speakercraft in the Houston area. Their hotlink to list local dealers was broken on their website yesterday.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Also look at Niles and Sonance along with Speaker Craft.

I use in-ceilings for my surrounds and have no complaints.

 

[3db]

A friend of mine uses Russound. I've had th e pleasure of listenign to them watching a movie and a hockey game. I forget which model he uses, but they impressed me with smoothness and detail;

http://www.russound.com/speakers.htm