Need Serious help with setup!

jchas41

HI all, I need assistance setting up a difficult room, it is small and is only 13.5 x 12. I have the RM7600 system, plus the PSW 505 and the CSi5 for my front center. I plan on using the 7600 center as my rear center. The ceiling's are not high and are about 8' or 9' high so I can only mount my speakers so high. Anyways my front is okay, I have stands for my front 3 speakers, center included. However, my back is tough b/c my couch must be against the wall b/c of the room size. Should I put my rears on an angle and my center directly over the couch? I will try and attach a rough image. Also, should I set the rear surrounds on shelves or attempt to mount them directly against the wall? This sucks, I really hoped to have a bigger place when I bought these.:D

okiepolkie

Have you thought about ceiling mounting the speakers?

If you do that, then you can get a little better surround experience.

You can angle them down towards your listening position a little better if you desire too.

Just a suggestion. That is where I would try to put them if it were my house.

Wouldn't it be nice if we all had perfect rooms for HT and music.

jchas41

Is it possible to ceiling mount the RM7600 series satellites...they are pretty big? If so, what is the best way? Polk recommends wall mounting them as well, does this really make a big difference? WHat are your thoughts on my sub placement? Thanks.

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'm not sure what your obstacles are, but there are a couple things that I'd change if possible...

It's typically not best to arrange your front soundstage diagonally in a corner like that...if you can avoid it. I know this is more than you're looking to do, but here's what I'd do if possible...

I'd move the couch into the corner where the TV is now and put the recliner just to the right of that on that wall adjacent to the patio door wall. Not sure if you're drawing is to scale, but it looks like that may work...

Then I'd take the TV and front soundstage and put them on the opposite wall where the recliner is now, facing the couch and recliner directly. Then you could mount the three rear speakers on the couch wall and the other three fronts where they go by the TV...

like I said...don't know if that's an option given your room size and layout...but it looks like it may be and you'd get superior sound going that route...

okiepolkie

Changing your room layout first would be the best suggestion. If that is not possible,as it is with many of us, then try the ceiling mount suggestion.

Omnimount makes some ceiling mounts that would support the 7600's. I thought about doing this with my FXi30's, but ended up putting them on stands instead(have you thought about stands behind the couch?).

Try omnimount's website to find the ceiling mounted ones. Ebay has quite a few ceiling mounts and floor stands as well.

Hope this helps a little more.

jchas41

I actually have not moved in yet, just took measurements, so switching layout may be possible. However, the drawing is not to scale and the sectional couch may not fit against the patio side. Although I may be able to put it in front of those doors during the winter. The room is not big, that is the main issue, so I have to have the couch against the wall and there is not room for stands behind the couch. In other words the rear surrounds would be in my ear. The ceiling mounts sound like a great option. how do they mount on the rm4300's? The only hanging option on them seems to be the screw set on the power port. If anyone can provide a model number for the proper mount that would be great. Thanks again.


p.s. any thoughts on sub placement?

okiepolkie

Try one of these links.

The first one is for theFX300i's (which weigh abuoth the same and have a similar mount)

The second is for the RM7500 sat

Glancing quickly, it looks like they are the same mount.

jchas41

okay, I have contacted polk and omnimount directly and they both recommend the steel 20.0 series ceiling mounts. However, omnimount said that their brackets don't support the "keyhole mounts" that come on the rm7600 satellites, and I would have to drill and attach their mount. Has anyone done this? I hate to drill into the speaker, ugh...

jchas41

Okay, well after speaking to Polk again...they have assured me that attaching the mounting plate is quite simple and safe, and that the ceiling mounts should work very well. With that I am going to give it a try, it will allow me to get a much better enveloping, surround environment. My only remaining questions are with regard to sub placement and whether anyone has used a tv wall mount for their center channel speaker. Because I have a thinner lcd tv, I need a shelf for my CSi5, I thought of placing it on a tv wall mount...any thoughts on that?:)

amulford

Shouldn't be a problem. Just be sure the mount can handle it and it will be sturdy enough not to move with time. Personally, I'd put it on a shelf and secure it...

jchas41

Weight won't be a problem, speaker is less than 30lbs and the mount supports 21" - 27" TV's up to 120 lbs or so. I measured the base of the stand and it should fit the speaker like a glove. I should be able to mount it perfectly so that the speaker is just above the TV, I really think it will work well.;)

okiepolkie

I'm not sure how you were told to secure the speakers(and it might be better than the way I will show you), but here is one consideration.

If the mount is like the one on their website(omnimount pdf), put a piece of wood on the mounting plate. Next, put a screw into the piece of wood. Then hang the speaker on the screw.

This diagram from an earlier post might help a little bit:fxi position

jchas41

I like that idea! Sounds good, that way I don't have to drill into the speaker itself. One question is do you have a good way to make sure the speaker is secured if it is just hanging on the screw at an angle. I would like to point the speaker at the listening area so it might be at an angle, not straight up.

okiepolkie

I'm not sure.
How much space is there between the power port plate and the actual speaker?

If it is at least a centimeter, then nut and bolt could help secure it better.

Here is another diagram to see what I am talking about:

jchas41

Great diagram! That looks about right, I will order the brackets and try that set-up. Man that is perfect! Glad I came on the boards and asked. Any thoughts on my sub placement?

gkouvaras

just keep moving the sub around the room after everything else is set up until it sounds best... you can never really tell where these things are going to work

Tour2ma

One trick for picking a sub placement is to put the sub in the primary listening area/ spot and take SPL readings in the places you would like to put the sub. A little crawling around can save a fair amount of lugging a sub around.

Look for the place with a strong, but smooth response as you run test frequencies.

jchas41

ALright, sounds good to me, time to take a trip to Radio Shack.:D

okiepolkie

One more thing for when you mount your surround speakers. Put a piece of rubber or foam between the nut-speaker and piece of wood-speaker. That way you won't scratch the speaker up when it is mounted.

Do you have a test disc(Avia, Sound & Vision, Digital Video Essentials) that can help you calibrate everything with the Radio Shack SPL meter? I only assume you already have the SPL meter or are going to RS to get it. They are both invaluable tools in this hobby/lifestyle/whatever you want to call it.

jchas41

Oh yeah, I have DVE, it is a great calibration disc for sure. Yeah I thought about using some rubber or foam to pad the keyhole on the speaker, definetly don't want to scratch those puppies. I bought my whole speaker package in February and have not been able to take them out of the box, I am REALLY looking forward to testing them! Now I just have to wait for the HK 635, hopefully it will be out soon!

Tour2ma

Understand that the DVE has sub test tone issues. They are not at a level consistent with the signal to the other channels.

Won't present a problem while hunting the best location, but is an issue for final calibration. op just went through this in selecting test disk.

op,
Can you post a link to that thread?

jchas41

Oh, okay thanks for the heads-up much appreciated!

okiepolkie

Try this thread for suggestions and links to calibration corrections:Calibration

Happy hunting