Should I change surround speakers?

cascius

Hi everyone,

I'm moving to a new apartment next week end and can't wait to set up my HT in my leaving room. Here's what I have in mind so far:

I'm wondering the following things:

1. Are my current surround speakers (Monitor 40s) a good choice for this type of layout or should go with bipolar speakers.
2. Also, I believe I'm limited to a 5.1 setup based on the shape of the room. Is it really the case or do you guys have some ideas on how I could achieve 7.1? Maybe even 6.1 by adding a rear speaker.
3. When playing back music, I feel it might sound odd from the table as all the speakers are directed towards the main sofa. Is there anything I can do there?

Some assumptions:

• This will be used for 75% HT / 25% Music.
• I know that the side sofa will be badly positioned for watching movies, but it won't be used often.

Here's the equipment list:

• Front: Monitor 70s
• Center: CS2
• Surround: Monitor 40s
• Sub: PSW 505
• receiver: Pioneer 1121K

So the bottom line is: I need inputs on speaker placement and choice. Your feedback is very much welcomed!

Thanks,

- olivier

cascius

Anyone has some inputs on this?

Thanks,

- Olivier

mole'

you could maybe use some of the polk OWM3/5 in the rear above the couch??? the bipolar/FX speakers rock.

pdxfj

Looking at what you have in mind the FX series speakers won't work well. You would need to put the TV and front three speakers on the wall where the short couch is. But... that would put the big couch in the way of your dining area, although the FX speakers would work better this way since would have the back walls to reflect off of.

6 or 7 channel would not work well either since your primary listening area is right on the back wall. 5.1 would sound good with the diagram you provided.

Remember, ideally the surrounds need to be 2-3 feet above your head and if using di/bi pole speakers place them at the recommended height just behind your listening area.

If the 40's are too large mole's suggestion of the OMW's fit your situation.

deronb1

mole' wrote: »

you could maybe use some of the polk OWM3/5 in the rear above the couch??? the bipolar/FX speakers rock.

+1 on the f/x line. Have a pair of fxi 3s and they do rock indeed. Looks like they would work well in your setup.

cascius

Thanks a lot for the feedback. It's a shame the fxi won't really work in that room, I've heard so many good things about them that I've been very tempted to get them.

I'll just go with the M40s for now and see how that goes.

Do you guys think adding a speaker to the rear makes a difference? I could easily get an OWM5 and place it there.

- Olivier

Joe08867

cascius wrote: »

Do you guys think adding a speaker to the rear makes a difference? I could easily get an OWM5 and place it there.

- Olivier

If you mean using an OWM5 for the rear center as in 6.1 than I would say not in your case. It would be hard to place and would probably sound weird.

The OWM5's as rear left and right in your system would be a very good choice.

mdaudioguy

pdxfj wrote: »

Looking at what you have in mind the FX series speakers won't work well.

I think you're completely off the mark with this statement.

According to Polk:

If your seating area adjoins the rear wall, or if you cannot place speakers on the side wall, you'll have to position the speakers on the rear wall. In this case, we recommend bi-directional (bi or di-pole) speakers, since they will produce the most diffuse effect. If you use front-firing speakers, do not aim them at the audience as one would a front speaker, but point them straight forward so the sound projects past the audience.

Also check this out:

Surround Speakers - Unlike the front three speakers, that must produce sharply focused images, the job of surround channels is to envelop the audience in diffused sound known as "ambience." To excel at this job, rear speakers should not (with the exception of localized 5.1 channel effects) call attention to themselves as sources of sound.

For these reasons, surround speakers work best when elevated at least two feet above the seated listeners' heads (a height of six to seven feet above the ground is considered normal), and mounted on the side walls in line with or slightly behind the audience (figure below). If you are using front-firing speakers, they should face each other so that the sound is projected over the listeners' heads.

If your seating area adjoins the rear wall, or if you cannot place speakers on the side wall, you'll have to position the speakers on the rear wall (Fig. X). In this case, bi-directional (bi- or di-pole) speakers are recommended, since they will produce the most diffuse effect. If you use front-firing speakers, do not aim them at the audience as one would a front speaker, but point them straight forward so the sound projects past the audience (figure below). Another option is to mount in-wall speakers in the ceiling, aiming them downward at the listening area.

So, if your main seating area is on the couch between your surrounds, you may have it set up just fine. You might want to experiment with the height of your speakers and the direction they are facing (note that Polk seems to contradict themselves with regard to the direction they should be facing - go with what works for you). That said, I think F/X speakers would be an improvement, and would lend themselves to providing a more immersive experience throughout the room. Personally, I'd stick with 5.1 in that room. I believe that when you have your main seating area adjoining the rear wall, you limit your placement options for anything more than 5.1.

cascius

mdaudioguy, thanks for the great source of information.

i think the bottom line is that I will stick with 5.1 and experiment with what I currently have. If I feel the Monitor 40s don't do a good enough job, I'll just move them to the bedroom and get a pair of F/X speakers.

Thanks a lot everyone!

- Olivier

rebuy

With a layout like that I would toe in the surround speakers to throw the ambience out into the room. It would be more pleasing to the people sitting in the side couch.