Speakers for Rear Surround - LSiM702 Worth It? Other recommendations?

msg

With LSiM in the front stage, I've been considering, off and on, adding LSiM702's as rear surrounds.

I'm not a huge HT person, and have only been running 3.1 for the past couple of years. I'm not sure I'll be listening to much music in surround/multiple speaker mode, so I've been having a hard time justifying the cost for 702's. Then again, systems evolve, so there's always the future to plan for.

Anyone here using 702's, and/or can speak to their worth?
702's or something else?

As I was writing this, I'm just seeing that there's a bit of common misuse of surround/rear/rear surround. Which is the correct designation for the rear speakers in a 5.1 system? Surround Rear? And in a 5.1 system, they should be placed at the side and just to the rear of the listening position, correct? Not directly behind?

D_M

Msg,

Like everything else in life, It depends on your philosophy. If you believe that surrounds don't matter, then you can throw anything up on the wall. Polk and other manufacturers recommend using timbre matching surrounds. I would default to the manufacturers, rather than the hoi polloi. Polk's speaker manual and other manuals have recommended set-up guides. Go to the dolby.com website. It should clear up any misunderstanding about speaker designation.

voltz

I have seen many pic like this on and in my horrible setup I can only do the sides as their is a wall behind my seating area where I have 2 recliners


https://www.google.com/search?q=ht+setup&biw=1920&bih=955&site=webhp&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj4w8CG_ubLAhXozoMKHfQeBwAQsAQISw#tbm=isch&tbs=rimg:CVAk21x6io4xIjjBMYQOpZliNEC6_1f3toBr235nHdernuwhSDBRrD1zE4ffYiLfve4b4O2cM4irnNPCq_1xAdv3NuICoSCcExhA6lmWI0EWo6x-j2eNZpKhIJQLr9_1e2gGvYR8LWxByMFKsgqEgnfmcd16ue7CBF-Bz35Qn2U0CoSCVIMFGsPXMThESmr7FBzaoNIKhIJ99iIt-97hvgROCybh9ibXpwqEgk7ZwziKuc08BGfPMtEi9LfqSoSCar_1EB2_1c24gEXgX6sYEhnoT&q=ht setup

voltz

but I too am not sure the correct way to mention the back speakers in a 5.1

I also interested in how the 702's sound music wise, compared t using some 703's for the surrounds?

voltz

which is better this?
or this?

Nightfall

The top one. You have to go 6.1 or 7.1 to get speakers behind you. 5.1 are to the direct sides or just very slightly behind but still on the sides.

msg

Man, so many options. I would have to mount them on the wall directly behind the listening position like that bottom image, except I don't have the benefit of side walls for reflection. In a discussion with another member, it seems stands may be a good option, and just go with the surround rear, where they're to the side and slightly back?

@D_M - thanks for the dolby suggestion. I'll go have a look. I like to call things out properly.

@voltz - the bottom image was clearly not drawn by a woman. there's no way that guy would have his foot on the coffee table.

Jimbo18

Scott, I have been doing HT for a while now. Actually that's pretty much all I do and I think the side surrounds are the best location for 5.1. Unfortunately, for me, I can't really do that the way I am set up now, but I do think that's what sounds best.

If you don't really care much about the surrounds, I can see where you wouldn't really want to put that kind of money into them.

I don't think that timbre matching means much with surrounds. I know purists will disagree, but, at least with my meagre setup, very little speech comes through in them.

Do you have anything reasonably compatibile with the LSiM's just to see how you feel about how they sound? Of course, if you pass on the 702's today, you may be waiting a year till you can get them at half off.

msg

Jim! thanks for weighing in!
yeah, more than not so far, I'm hearing that for general HT timbre matching isn't quite as pronounced a difference as long as you're not going from full front stage to tiny satellites?

yes sir, and herein lies the dilemma. so the 705's replaced 703's. I'd originally planned to repurpose those entirely, but I'm thinking for purposes of conscience and practical grownup-dom I should give a shot to using those as the surrounds to see if it's something I even want to pursue. Wouldn't be the end of the world to pass on the 702's, even if F&F didn't come around again, it's just a great opportunity to make moves. Not sure I can justify that right now, though. Plus, Polk recommends installing the 702's at 6-8ft height? My space isn't really conducive to proper wall mounting of HT surround - it's wide open, no side walls - so part of why I'm thinking about 702's is more for timbre matched, out-of-the-way multi speaker music mode, not HT surround effects. Having music speakers mounted 6-8ft up doesn't sound like it would be such a great idea? (footnote here per prior discussion) It seems that I'd be able to get a better audition and better control with 703's on stands and be able to play with the position. Frankly, I'm thinking I'll probably just end up right back at 2ch for music anyway, and 702's really only seem to serve a single function by design.

Plan B was some relatively affordable in-walls from the Polk Ebay store. But I need to get back to the home reno work before I can make decisions on permanent speaker locations (I've been saying that 'home reno' bit since I stumbled into this site in late 2013) I'll probably hold off on 702's for now. But there's still 3hrs and 12 minutes to to go, so I could change my mind 13 or 14 more times between now and then.

How do you have your surrounds positioned? Or are you going 3.1 right now, too?

http://stores.ebay.com/Polk-Audio-Direct?_dmd=2&_nkw=inwall

mikeyb128

voltz wrote: »

I have seen many pic like this on and in my horrible setup I can only do the sides as their is a wall behind my seating area where I have 2 recliners


https://www.google.com/search?q=ht+setup&biw=1920&bih=955&site=webhp&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj4w8CG_ubLAhXozoMKHfQeBwAQsAQISw#tbm=isch&tbs=rimg:CVAk21x6io4xIjjBMYQOpZliNEC6_1f3toBr235nHdernuwhSDBRrD1zE4ffYiLfve4b4O2cM4irnNPCq_1xAdv3NuICoSCcExhA6lmWI0EWo6x-j2eNZpKhIJQLr9_1e2gGvYR8LWxByMFKsgqEgnfmcd16ue7CBF-Bz35Qn2U0CoSCVIMFGsPXMThESmr7FBzaoNIKhIJ99iIt-97hvgROCybh9ibXpwqEgk7ZwziKuc08BGfPMtEi9LfqSoSCar_1EB2_1c24gEXgX6sYEhnoT&q=ht setup

This is how I have mine set up. Except both subs up front and front left and right speakers toed in. All the surrounds are mounted about 2 feet above your ears on the wall. If the 702 is anything like the lsi fx you might as well rip your wall apart and slap in some bracing. Those things are heavy, and required studs to hang. Those drywall plastic anchors almost pulled right out of the drywall.

Geoff4rfc

".......so part of why I'm thinking about 702's is more for timbre matched, out-of-the-way multi speaker music mode, not HT surround effects."

Scott, this is totally your call then. Your motive is unconventional, all rules are out the window! Reflection points are now moot. You can hang them anywhere you want on the back wall, or make stands for the side at any height you deem acceptable for your music enjoyment.

The beauty of this is, you call the shots for placement according to your wants and needs. "IF" you ever decide to transfer the 702's to H.T. duty, you'll have pretty good grasp on where you'll want to make the changes.

It's up to you brother! You are in control

msg

Thanks for all the input fellas. I decided to hold off on 702's for now.

Jimbo18

msg wrote: »

Thanks for all the input fellas. I decided to hold off on 702's for now.

It's not too often that people on here help you NOT spend money.

msg

haha, this is true!

eclypse

The 702s rock hard for ht surrounds!

Finally tested them out in the updated 7.1.2 setup. Before had 703s in there as sides but moved them to front wides.

They freaking look just like the side surrounds you would see in the theater. That's what I think everytime I look at them and he'll yes there heavy! Each one is 30lbs!

I had to install them on the back wall as one side has a window and rhe other side is open to the starway.

Worked out great anyways with the angle of the tweeters. Installed them a foot and a half higher then ear level. Didn't want to go higher since I have ceiling speakers above the listing possition as middle atmos speakers.

I actually like the position more then when I had the 703s somewhat to the sides.

I'll take pics and upload them sometime tomorrow when I get time..

Wifes home to bish and me about the next purchase.. emotive new mono amps.. xpa-1L.. oh well you only live once.

msg

Nice!
Though I'm kinda glad you didn't post this last night.

eclypse

msg wrote: »

Nice!
Though I'm kinda glad you didn't post this last night.

Your ok sticking with the 703s. You prob wouldn't want the 702s angled tweeter at like a 45 degree anyways.