A1 or FXia4/6 for Sides

abb0008

Hey guys, I've been all over the forums doing research for the past week for a side/surround speaker pair.

Right now I am running a7's as my front l/r and will be getting an a6 for a center soon. Also I have a pretty nice definitive tech sub. All of this is running off a pioneer elite vsx70.

My room is small, about 11' by 15'. The couch is right against the back wall and I have end tables on both sides that will be used for the speakers. So whatever speaker i put there will be right in line with the couch, on the back wall, and only about 4-5 feet away from my ears.

So, I was just about to buy a1's yesterday but came across the fxia4 and a6 and now have no idea what to pick.

I listen to music (usually with lots of bass) and watch movies 50/50.

What do you guys think i should do?

Thanks!!!

rpf65

Seeing as you have a small room, I would probably suggest the FXI A4. Many would argue that the A6's would be a better match, but I think it would be a little much for your room size. I would set them a little low, about 4 1/2 feet, and pretty close to each end of the couch. I believe this would be a better potion than the A1's setting on end tables.

Erik Tracy

Dredged from the past and from another forum:

If your room is smallish and/or acoustically dead and/or you have multiple seats, dipoles tend to work better, with an even but compromised listening window.

If you have a larger and/or more live room with less seating, or seating away from the surround speakers, direct-radiating surrounds can be better.

If you are a sad, lonely, pathetic little man who sits in his solitary, cushy theater chair, five identical direct-radiating speakers, equidistant from your ears, can provide an absolutely holographic movie experience, allowing you to momentarily forget that you are lonely and unliked, with no friends.

:cheesygrin:

abb0008

thanks for the responses!

hmmm. well I kind need to keep things on the end tables (live in a condo and can't mount to walls) so the speakers will probably be about 2 feet off the ground. Would you still recommend the a4's even if i can't get them 4 1/2 feet off the ground?

Irrenhaus

Just out of curiosity. I have never used dipoles before for surround. The woofer on the speakers will point away or towards each other.:question:

Geoff4rfc

abb0008 wrote: »

thanks for the responses!

hmmm. well I kind need to keep things on the end tables (live in a condo and can't mount to walls) so the speakers will probably be about 2 feet off the ground. Would you still recommend the a4's even if i can't get them 4 1/2 feet off the ground?

abb, welcome to the forum. I'd recommend A4's all day. The double tweeter IMO will provide the best 360 degree sound field a surround can make, you will be amazed!!!!!!

Don't worry about wall hanging when you can either place them on end tables or as I have done, fastened my own speaker stands. It's incredible what a guy can do with a saw, wood, stain and wood screws and a drill.

Irrenhaus wrote: »

Just out of curiosity. I have never used dipoles before for surround. The woofer on the speakers will point away or towards each other.:question:

The woofers are angled toward the front, or center channel depending on placement.

abb0008

okay im convinced!!! im going with the a4s.

One more thing, and I know there are sooo many threads about this questions but given my small room and that i'll only be about 7 ft from the tv/center channel...should i get the a4 or the a6, the budget isnt a problem, but the size of the a4 is a pretty big pro (over the a6)...but if the sound of the a6 is going to be much better, I can find a way to make it work

Geoff4rfc

Good plan here, RTiA7's, CSiA6 and FXiA4's. You should be good to go even if you move to a larger space.