Am I missing much out my suurounds?

searay40dad
searay40dad Posts: 82
edited April 2010 in Speakers
For starters, I have a somewhat large room. Probably best described as 30x30 square with listening/seating area roughly in a 15x15 front "corner". In the 15x15 area directly behind the listening area, I have R50's against the rear walls serving as the surrounds in a 5.1 system. So, the R50's are about 16-17 feet from where people are seated. The front soundstage is about 13-14 feet. Auddessey adjusts sound levels to accomodate this confuguration I guess.

I'm driving the surrounds from an NAD T755 AVR (100W continuous in surround mode). Front channels are seperately driven by NAD C270 amps running bridged to each mains LF posts (one amp per speaker LF). 755 L/R's drives the front main HF's.

My question is, am I missing a noticable surround experience because of either: 1) lack of true timbre matched surrounds; or 2) direct radiating vs. bi-pole/di-pole surrounds; or 3) combination of both 1 & 2?

I guess I initally thought direct radiators would be "better" due to the room configuration. I do think HT sounds great but maybe I dont know what I'm missing??

I have been thinking about FXi-A6s. But, am unconvinced it'll be noticably better. Or maybe a higher quality direct radiator speaker in the rear (of the room:eek:) would be better.

So, what say ye?:confused:
Thanks!
Searay40dad

Family Room HT/2 CH
NAD T765hd AV Receiver
NAD T550 CD/DVD
NAD C270 Amp (L Ch/HF bridged)
NAD C270 Amp (R Ch/HF bridged)
Polk Rti12 mains
Polk CSi5 center
Polk PSW505 & PSW303 subs
Polk FXi A6 surrounds
Dish 722HD/DVR
Samsung 50" plasma
Sony Blu-Ray

Weight Room (aka vintage sound rm)
NAD 3130 Int Amp
Denon DCD-810
NAD 4150 Tuner
Polk 10B monitors (still sound amazing)
Post edited by searay40dad on

Comments

  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited April 2010
    Nothing beats the fxi for surround duty in HT
  • searay40dad
    searay40dad Posts: 82
    edited April 2010
    Isn't a surround like the fxi optimally suited to be close to the listener as possible, or on side walls?

    Was just concerned about the distance from the rear wall to the listener...and whether there would be sound degradation due to cancellations/diffusion/difraction/whatever .
    Thanks!
    Searay40dad

    Family Room HT/2 CH
    NAD T765hd AV Receiver
    NAD T550 CD/DVD
    NAD C270 Amp (L Ch/HF bridged)
    NAD C270 Amp (R Ch/HF bridged)
    Polk Rti12 mains
    Polk CSi5 center
    Polk PSW505 & PSW303 subs
    Polk FXi A6 surrounds
    Dish 722HD/DVR
    Samsung 50" plasma
    Sony Blu-Ray

    Weight Room (aka vintage sound rm)
    NAD 3130 Int Amp
    Denon DCD-810
    NAD 4150 Tuner
    Polk 10B monitors (still sound amazing)
  • searay40dad
    searay40dad Posts: 82
    edited April 2010
    Hi, again
    ...also, what power/channel would be recommended to get the best out of a pair of FXI A6s?
    Thanks!
    Searay40dad

    Family Room HT/2 CH
    NAD T765hd AV Receiver
    NAD T550 CD/DVD
    NAD C270 Amp (L Ch/HF bridged)
    NAD C270 Amp (R Ch/HF bridged)
    Polk Rti12 mains
    Polk CSi5 center
    Polk PSW505 & PSW303 subs
    Polk FXi A6 surrounds
    Dish 722HD/DVR
    Samsung 50" plasma
    Sony Blu-Ray

    Weight Room (aka vintage sound rm)
    NAD 3130 Int Amp
    Denon DCD-810
    NAD 4150 Tuner
    Polk 10B monitors (still sound amazing)
  • polkfarmboy
    polkfarmboy Posts: 5,703
    edited April 2010
    Depends ...on the room

    I like them at the side in a 7.1 or at the back in a 5.1
  • searay40dad
    searay40dad Posts: 82
    edited April 2010
    Any other ideas/suggestions out there anywhere??
    Thanks!
    Searay40dad

    Family Room HT/2 CH
    NAD T765hd AV Receiver
    NAD T550 CD/DVD
    NAD C270 Amp (L Ch/HF bridged)
    NAD C270 Amp (R Ch/HF bridged)
    Polk Rti12 mains
    Polk CSi5 center
    Polk PSW505 & PSW303 subs
    Polk FXi A6 surrounds
    Dish 722HD/DVR
    Samsung 50" plasma
    Sony Blu-Ray

    Weight Room (aka vintage sound rm)
    NAD 3130 Int Amp
    Denon DCD-810
    NAD 4150 Tuner
    Polk 10B monitors (still sound amazing)
  • cnoat
    cnoat Posts: 315
    edited April 2010
    Searay,
    I have had your exact setup speaker wise.I am thinking your r50's are just to far away.I had mine directly on the sides of my sweetspot.It sounded really good.But since I joined this forum I have realized I am just a newb.I now have a pair of rti8's in the rear.The difference was huge.Maybe someone else will chyme in.

    Steve
    Parasound Avc-1800
    Mains-Rti 12 -Parasound 1500a
    Center-Csi5-Parasound 1000a
    Rears-Rti 8-Parasound 750a
    Sub SVS Ultra Tv 12
    Diamondback and King Cobra IC's
    AQ T4 SC
  • searay40dad
    searay40dad Posts: 82
    edited April 2010
    cnoat wrote: »
    Searay,
    I have had your exact setup speaker wise.I am thinking your r50's are just to far away.
    Steve

    That's what I've been thinking too which has me second-guessing the "HT sounds good to me" part. Can't get surround speakers any closer to the listener without sitting them on top of my pool table and I don't have a sidewall due to the room configuration. :(

    So, I am stuck with whatever I decide to go with being located ~15+ ft behind the listener. Guess I'll do some more research on FXiA6 vs. RTi8 (or comparable) in a surround, make a decision and just give it a shot.
    Thanks!
    Searay40dad

    Family Room HT/2 CH
    NAD T765hd AV Receiver
    NAD T550 CD/DVD
    NAD C270 Amp (L Ch/HF bridged)
    NAD C270 Amp (R Ch/HF bridged)
    Polk Rti12 mains
    Polk CSi5 center
    Polk PSW505 & PSW303 subs
    Polk FXi A6 surrounds
    Dish 722HD/DVR
    Samsung 50" plasma
    Sony Blu-Ray

    Weight Room (aka vintage sound rm)
    NAD 3130 Int Amp
    Denon DCD-810
    NAD 4150 Tuner
    Polk 10B monitors (still sound amazing)