surround setup

[jjclecky]

Hello all,I am wondering if it would be wise to hookup a 6.1 or 7.1 system even though my couch is up against the wall, so I wouldnt be able to get speakers behind me, I know anything is possible but I dont know if it would make sense to put them in the ceiling any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[jostenmeat]

It's rather pointless to use rear(s) when the "rears" cannot be rearward of you.

Now, if you could get your couch off the back wall. . . by several feet or more . . . I'm sure it's probably not possible. But, some people put their couch feet on sliders: *slide out for critical viewing, slide back against wall when the wife gets home*. See, getting off the back wall is a huge boon to the acoustics you perceive. Some experts believe that nothing is more important to SQ than the position of the listener. They believe it's even more important than the positioning of the speakers.

 

[Exit]

I have got my couch against the backwall and I hear the rear speakers ok. My speakers are flush wall-mounted Klipsch 180 degree radiators (horizontal plane), but the rears are mostly ambient sound, so I think the type of speaker is not critical.

 

[jjclecky]

does anyone think it would make sense to put in ceiling speakers above the couch for the rears,or is there a better option?

 

[jostenmeat]

does anyone think it would make sense to put in ceiling speakers above the couch for the rears,or is there a better option?

Ok, it seems you really want to add more speakers! Since they simply can't be behind you, but above you, I'd use them as "height" speakers. There are things like Dolby PLiiZ or Yamaha's own algorithm, but I myself would lean towards Audyssey DSX. Of course, to use any of these most likely means you need to buy a new receiver.

If you try DSX, you want them to be at a 45 degree angle, with some leeway. So the heights (ceiling speakers) might very well be closer to the front than the back of your room, lengthwise, depending. There are a number of configurations, but using the 6th/7th as heights (and not widths) would look like this:

here is their own site (the reading is interesting).

And here is another end user commentary Audyssey DSX Report.

 

[jjclecky]

Jostenmeat, thanks for your help! can I install the two front height speakers in the ceiling,I appreciate your advice I wont be able to afford a new receiver being i just purchased an onkyo tx-sr607.will the two additional heights make a big difference in the overall effect I am using all infinity primus speakers 162 fronts,350 center 210 sub and I have 2 infinity in ceiling speakers I havent installed yet which I was going to use for the height> will i get good sound from bing in the ceiling?I listen to my system now with a blueray in and I am so amazed with the sound so if I can add a little more umph with the heights I am so game.

 

[jostenmeat]

Jostenmeat, thanks for your help! can I install the two front height speakers in the ceiling,I appreciate your advice I wont be able to afford a new receiver being i just purchased an onkyo tx-sr607.will the two additional heights make a big difference in the overall effect I am using all infinity primus speakers 162 fronts,350 center 210 sub and I have 2 infinity in ceiling speakers I havent installed yet which I was going to use for the height> will i get good sound from bing in the ceiling?I listen to my system now with a blueray in and I am so amazed with the sound so if I can add a little more umph with the heights I am so game.

I would temper the expectations; I think you'll get some benefit, but it's just icing I would venture to guess. If you have the 607, then you already have height channels with Dolby PLIIz.

 

[jjclecky]

can the height speakers be in the ceiling?as you can tell i am a newbie as of right know I only have 5.1 set up. thanks

 

[jjclecky]

can the height speakers be in the ceiling?as you can tell i am a newbie as of right know I only have 5.1 set up. and if so would I lose alot of quality with them being in the ceiling?

 

[AVRat]

For starters, you don't want in-ceiling surrounds directly over the couch. At least, they should be off to the sides by a couple feet and any move back is a plus.

It's funny, I hadn't thought about in-ceilings for the front, height channels but I think they may be a good option in some situations since the height channels provide more of an ambient effect.