How to Configure Multiple Side Surround Speakers for a Large Home Theater

Magice

Hi, I am new to this forum and this is my first posting. I am planning to build a large home theater with 30 theater seats, configured in 4 rows (8/7/7/8), in a room 26 feet wide by 35feet long with 10 feet ceiling height. Given the length of the room and the 4 row configuration, I plan to go with 4 side surround speakers (instead of the typical 2) to ensure that all 4 rows are filled with a full presentation of surround sound. With this goal in mind, I have 2 sets of Polk FXi5s for the side surrounds which will be driven by an outboard 4 channnel amplifier. My question is, given the 4 row configuration and size of the room, where should I locate the 4 FXi5 relative to the 4 rows? Should I set the speakers for Dipole or Bipole or a combination of the two? Should I configure the second set of FXi5s such that they are reverse sides from the first set? Are 2 sets of FXi5s unnecessary even for a room of this width and length?

I appreciate and value all viewpoints.........Regards, Merlin

polrbehr

Wow, you're not kidding when you say large :biggrin:

To address some of your concerns, I would say to mount those FXis anywhere from 7-8' above the seated positions. Use your best judgment measuring for the probable slope of the floor, I assume it will be lower in front than behind? Rather than worrying about where the rows of seat are, I would simply place them about 10-12' from the front of the space, and another set 10-12' back from those; this way you will get more "even" coverage, and the last row will be about 10' from the back wall.

As for dipole/bipole, as well as driver orientation, I would simply suggest you try out the combinations using some good surround tracks, and decide for yourself what sounds best. I don't think there is a "right" or "wrong" way to do this, and if you're mounting them using conventional methods, it should be easy enough to move them around? Same goes for whether 4 speakers are too much in that room, you will have to hear them first, but it sounds like a nice setup to me. OK, I will use the word unbelievable, that theater should sound pretty amazing.
By the way, I must ask what you will use for your picture, also what fronts/center/subwoofers are you going to be using? Welcome to Club Polk too, stick around and post some pics when you finish.

Magice

Thanks for the sound and clear feedback. For the fronts I plan to use RTiA9s and CSiA6 for the center. I have a set of FXiA3 for the rear surrounds. In terms of subs I have a pair of PSW 505s. In terms of amplification I plan to use a Yamaha RX V3010 Adventage, largely as a preamplifer, coupled with a set of 5 Marantz MA 500 mono block amps and a Marantz MM9000 5 channel amplifier. I won't need all these amps but, will figure out how best to configure (thoughts hear will be appreciated). The Marantz MA 500 amps can be bridged (a different active thread) to put out over 400w to a single RTiA9, where as the Marantz MM9000 is rated at 170 watts per channel. The Yamaha RX V3010 allows for both front and rear height/width speakers which I have acquired four RTiA4s for this purpose. All together the system will be 13 speakers excluding the subwoofers, 13.2 with subwoofers. I am a little concern that I will need to invest in more serious subwoofers than the PSW 505s to add meaningful additional base to RTiA9s. Video projector is the open link in that I have largely focused on the audio side of the equation. Any thoughts on projector options is appreciated.

Magice

Thanks for the sound and clear feedback. For the fronts I plan to use RTiA9s and CSiA6 for the center. I have a set of FXiA3 for the rear surrounds. In terms of subs I have a pair of PSW 505s. In terms of amplification I plan to use a Yamaha RX V3010 Adventage, largely as a preamplifer, coupled with a set of 5 Marantz MA 500 mono block amps and a Marantz MM9000 5 channel amplifier. I won't need all these amps but, will figure out how best to configure (thoughts hear will be appreciated). The Marantz MA 500 amps can be bridged (a different active thread) to put out over 400w to a single RTiA9, where as the Marantz MM9000 is rated at 170 watts per channel. The Yamaha RX V3010 allows for both front and rear height/width speakers which I have acquired four RTiA4s for this purpose. All together the system will be 13 speakers excluding the subwoofers, 13.2 with subwoofers. I am a little concern that I will need to invest in more serious subwoofers than the PSW 505s to add meaningful additional base to RTiA9s. Video projector is the open link in that I have largely focused on the audio side of the equation. Any thoughts on projector options is appreciated. Regarding the room floor slope, 3 rows will rise progressively 6 - 8 inches with the 4th row being 18 to 24 inches higher than the first row.

polrbehr

I should probably offer a correction from my first post, in that the surround height should be 7'(+/-) from the floor, not from above the seated listening positions. Allow for the slope by keeping the measurements consistent from the floor itself.

Having a 5ch amp and 5 monoblocks is an interesting problem to have; from what I could find the 5ch is 150 x 5, but the monos are 125 each, I am sure that is a conservative rating though? Still, if it was me doing this, I would use the 5ch for the fronts, center, and rear surrounds, and try using the Yamaha for the front height/wide speakers, and the side surrounds. I almost feel it would be a waste to use a monoblock on any of the latter speakers, maybe the side surrounds but certainly not the extra fronts. If you have all the amps on hand already, by all means hook them up and compare your options. Just my opinion, but that's where I would start. I might think about selling some of the MA500s and buying another CSiA6 to have two, you have a lot of space to fill there.
With that in mind, I would definitely think about a better sub(s), as I think those 505s will never give you the experience you will expect in that room. I mean, try them out since you have them, but seriously consider subs from HSU, ED, SVS, JL, etc. With a room that size you will likely need two of THOSE!

Magice

Thanks for the feedback.......Regards