Speaker selection and layout - new room

[Trezl]

Hey all. I recently moved into a new house and lost my fully equipped home theater, but I'm putting together a new one.

I'm trying to figure out what speakers to go with and how to lay them out properly.

The room is pretty small, about 10x10x7.

I currently have:

55" 1080P Sony SXRD HDTV
Denon AVR-4310ci
2 B&W 602 bookshelf speakers

I plan on getting an HSU STF-2 for my sub.

The question is what to do about the other 3 speakers (I plan on sticking with 5.1 since the room is so small, and it's layout doesn't really fit going 7.1). My budget is not in stone at this point. I'd like to spend $500-$1000 on top of the price of the sub. Closer to $500 if possible would be good for the WAF.

Question #1: Center channel options
I probably need to take a picture for you, but I'm concerned about finding a good placement for my center channel, if I get one. If I put it on the stand with the TV, it would have to be somewhat thin. If I put it above the TV, it would be back behind it (since SXRD's, like DLPs are about 18" thick, so screen is a good 2 ft from the wall).

I'm currently running phantom center since it sounds way better than using the cheap HTIB center I had laying around.

Question #2: Rear/surround speakers
Here's where I just don't know what to look for. I've got a friend who recommended something like B&W LM1's. Any opinions on these? I want to stay small because of the size of the room, and they look nice.


Thanks for any help!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would just get 3 more B&W 602 speakers + Epik sub or B&W sub.

 

[Docks]

I would suggest you stick with the B&W 6 series line in order to keep everything timbre matched. As for subs, i would suggest Velodyne or SVS. Best thing you could do is see if the dealer would let you borrow a set to test in your own home.

 

[sholling]

The center needs to be matched to your mains. I'm not a B&W guy so I don't know the correct model off the top of my head. As far as placement goes there are center stands made to sit on top of DLPs. I know Sears used to sell one. I'd probably use some sort of isolation pad with it - like a set of Auralex MoPads.

While more 602s would be ideal surrounds don't need to be an exact match, just not glaringly different. Wild West Electronics sells a couple of products that might work. I like bipolar speakers in tight spaces so perhaps a pair of Wharfedale WH-2. They may not be the best bipolar speaker made but I'm pretty sure they are the best bipolar surrounds you'll find for $80/pr and they really don't suck at all. They also carry Mordaunt Short Carnival 3 bipoles ($250/pr) but I haven't heard them. I'm guessing that being British that they are probably going to be a bit laid back.

The sub depends on total room volume including attached spaces. For up to about 3000cuft Outlaw's LFM-1 EX is on sale for $567 shipped and offers 16-180hz +-2db, or Hsu's pricey ULF-15 sealed sub is rated at 15-200hz +-1db. For larger rooms I'd go with two.

 

[Trezl]

Thanks for the replies so far!

For the Sub, I was thinking the STF-2 because I would eventually get a 2nd one (2 10" subs instead of the bigger ones considering the space).

As for the 602s, I've thought about looking for 3 more, but they are pretty bulky speakers. I'm not sure if I can get 2 of them mounted in the back of the room and positioned well, but if I can find a deal on some, I may consider that. The reason I have 2 602s already is I got a deal from a friend on them I couldn't pass up.

The center that matches the 602s is gigantic I think. I didn't know there were special stands for big centers...

One other option would be to put the 602s I have in the rear and buy 3 new speakers for up front. Thoughts on that approach?

Thanks again! Keep 'em coming.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The center that matches the 602s is gigantic.

I would get another single B&W 602 as the center.

That way the front sound stage/timbre would match seamlessly/perfectly, which is the most important.

The surround speakers are not as important. You could just get something that looks similar at a cheaper price to blend in aesthetically.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Here are some thoughts:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bowers-Wilkins-B-W-DM602-602-S3-Speakers-/260655087774?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item3cb041009e

http://cgi.ebay.com/B-W-DM-602-S1-/150483821785?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item230988e4d9

http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?spkrsyst&1283786556&&&/-B-W-602S3

 

[j_garcia]

I would say moving the 602s to surround duty and getting a new 68x front stage would get my vote. Easy choice in my book.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would say moving the 602s to surround duty and getting a new 68x front stage would get my vote. Easy choice in my book.

Yeah, as long as the colors match, that has my vote too.

 

[Trezl]

Yeah, as long as the colors match, that has my vote too.

Black is black, right?

 

[Trezl]

I would say moving the 602s to surround duty and getting a new 68x front stage would get my vote. Easy choice in my book.

The 68x series looks nice. I'd have to stick with bookshelf speakers I think. I have 3 little kids, so I try and keep things up off the ground.

I'll have to see if any local dealers have them available to listen.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Black is black, right?

True.

A black B&W is a black B&W.

That's a good thing about black.