help with fxi position

hellotheworld

I was planning to buy fxi30's as surrounds. But this was just a thought...

The back of the living room is open to dinning room as shown in the pic below. I planned two postions to hang a pair of fxi30, either position 1 or position 2. 1. side wall, the postion shown in the pic is about 2~3 feet above ear level. 2. back wall (not real a wall), I think it will be too high and too close to ceiling.

I thought the surrounding effect was gain by the reflection of the side and back walls when using bi/dipole speakers. But in my situation the reflection effects are so limited, I suspect there won't be much improvement by using fxi30's, even positon 1 is not ideal.

The floor plan:
http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/showcase/closeup.php?userid=56119&pic=147_14_big.jpg

Current equipment:
ONKYO TX-SR501 (receiver)
polkaudio RTi70 (front channel)
polkaudio CSi30 (center channel)
polkaudio R50 (rear channel)

Any one has experience with this? Any thoughts?
Thank you for your input!

scottvamp

I like your layout. That is exactly where your speakers need to go in that room. But ---
Your going to need 7 channel amplification.
And in a typical 7 channel setup you want the rear speakers direct firing and the dipoles at the sides. Simply tilt the rears down towards the listening position and it will sound great.
Welcome to the 6/7 channel world!!!!!!!!!

hellotheworld

thanks, anyway currently I do not want to go with 7.1...
I want to make it more clear, I want to hang fxi30 either poistion 1 or position 2, not going to hang 2 pairs fxi30 on the walls. I think position 1 would be better, but I suspect that even position 1 is not good either.
Without backwall reflection, is it a good idea to go with dipole? I do not want waste money.

gregure

I think your best bet is option one. Surrounds sound better from the wall on the side of the listening position rather than from the back. Put the lever on BI-POLE mode, where the sound radiates at a more acute angle. From looking at your floor plan, looks like you will still get some reflection off of the back wall (what there is of it) on either side of the kitchen entry. If I'm not mistaken, the mid/bass woofers will still be facing toward the television, as opposed to the rear. Unless you decide to go with 7.1, I think that is your best bet. Despite the open space, I think FX speakers would still yield a better HT experience than bookshelf speakers. Best of luck.

PolkThug

I would go with option 1. IMO, that is what speakers shaped like that are best for. Unless you're in the Bose world and you want to bounce all your sounds off the walls.

Regards,
PolkThug

hellotheworld

thank you guys...
My concern is the opening on the side walls and no back wall. If you do not think that is a big problem for dipole speakers, I would like to get a pair fxi30 to test.

PolkWannabie

There's not much you can do about the holes and the bi/dipoles will still imho be the best solution for side surrounds.

Dennis Gardner

Whoever built that house has absolutely no concern for proper surround sound speaker placement!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Bi-dipoles are best in side setups, but usually this in a 7 channel setup. For 5.1 I would get monopoles from either position 2 or mounted in the rear corners next to the ceiling pointed down to your listening position. Something you haven't mentioned is how far forward your seating position is. You really want surround in a 5 ch rig to be behind you if possible, not to the sides.

I have used both as I described, and now have dipole sides (RT/FX)and monopoles in rear corners (RT55) in my 7.1 setup.

Multi channel music is still better with direct facing speakers IMO.

hellotheworld

en, that is an apartment:D

Now I do not know what to do
Currently I only use 5.0 system (no sub because this is an apartment, no rear because there is no place to put it).

I saw a lot 7.1 system swith dipoles on side wall and direct firings on the back wall. Also some peopel use dipoles to set up 5.1 with a back wall. But with such big holes, do not know what is better...

scottvamp

I thought you wanted 7 channel advice. Figured not with the 501.
Anyway you want position #1.

Dennis Gardner

The FX line is very flexible, so I would cut yourself plenty of speaker wire to test each placement, even if you have to put a couple of nail/screw holes in your apt. walls.

Good luck with what looks like a nice room setup,

DG

hellotheworld

thanks...
If it is a good idea to go with fxi30 in my room, I would probably to find a pair cheap...

PolkThug

When you get done testing different locations, you can put toothpaste in the holes to fill them.