Ok, so I have decided to go with B&W 803d as my mains. Trying to decide what center and surround speakers to pair with them for 7.1. For the back speakers i can only do In ceilings. For the surrounds i can only do in walls with limited space (also they would be not in optimal position either 5' above ears or pointing 3' in front of seating position). What would be better?
I vote 5' over ears rather than 3' in front. With the cutouts, you will also have the flexibility of putting something else in there too if it works out better.
Also, It is hard for me to use the B&W surround line. The in ceiling speakers ccm816 work fine for my situation because I can angle. But B&W does not have in wall speakers which are similar. The closest that dealers have recommended would be the cwm 7.4 and it is hard for me to fit it because it needs a reservoir box (really needs 3' of vertical space in wall). Also if i did go with the cwm 7.4 and somehow got it to fit would it be better to use ccm 816 or ccm 7.4? ccm 7.4 cant be angled toward listening position but ccm 816 can be.
If the entire baffle can be angled, I definitely vote for that. If only the tweeter can be angled, I'm not nearly as sure. (Next time please provide links for our convenience, as I'm having a bit of difficulty finding the 7.1, am short on time, and oh well . . .)
Also, I can use paradigm surround speakers which fit my situation much better. Paradigm Signature SIG-1.5R-30 for ceiling and SIG-1.5R which require less space to mount and would all be the same speaker on wall and ceiling. This would be the easiest for me. Cheaper and easier to install. But would it make sense sound wise?
Hm. You will get very different opinions, but most will say matching the surrounds isn't all that important. IMO, if I can do it, I definitely match the surrounds. You will likely enjoy the matching with music, if mch music is important to you.
Lastly, I can just toss the idea of 7.1 and just setup 5.1 with B&W ccm 816 for surrounds.
Yeah, that's a tough decision. I tepidly give my vote to the 5.1 BW. Not only for the matching, but because in-ceilings aren't the greatest choice (and so it's easier to give up).
I really need some help with this as i only have a day or 2 to make my decision because I'm running conduit so my walls can be dry walled.
What do you think?
Good luck in your decision, and I hope more people chime in.
edit: I forgot to address the center choice. In order, the best choices are 803D, 804D, HTM2, HTM4, or a different speaker from Bowers Wilkins. Stay with the same brand at the very least.
