Am I missing much out my suurounds?

searay40dad

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?

polkfarmboy

Nothing beats the fxi for surround duty in HT

searay40dad

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 .

searay40dad

Hi, again
...also, what power/channel would be recommended to get the best out of a pair of FXI A6s?

polkfarmboy

Depends ...on the room

I like them at the side in a 7.1 or at the back in a 5.1

searay40dad

Any other ideas/suggestions out there anywhere??

cnoat

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

searay40dad

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.