Where are your 5.1 (7.1 side) surround speakers?
Discussion
Thanks for the replies guys, very helpful. I'm still wondering whether to go for in-ceiling dipole surrounds or get the more traditional bookshelf type on a stand. The majority of systems still seem to incorporate monopole surrounds in the form of a bookshelf type speaker placed more or less as you describe. I suppose one advantage is being able to move them around and experiment to get the best position without cutting holes in plasterboard!
At any rate, after waiting 3 odd years, the moment has come where I can decide CM9 or GX300/200 (x3) and sub and choose a suitable AV receiver, BRP and stereo amp for a home cinema/hifi setup. All good fun but a bit of a conundrum all the same.
Any suggestions welcome
At any rate, after waiting 3 odd years, the moment has come where I can decide CM9 or GX300/200 (x3) and sub and choose a suitable AV receiver, BRP and stereo amp for a home cinema/hifi setup. All good fun but a bit of a conundrum all the same.
Any suggestions welcome
Weslake-Monza said:
I kept my Stereo floor standers and added a 5.1 speaker system. When a music CD or a film (obviously an older film) plays in stereo the front Left and right 5.1 speakers play in addition to the original floorstanders. If the volume is high enough the sub plays as well.
For anything in 5.1 just the 5.1 speakers play.
That doesn't sound ideal. My system has the floorstanders for front L & R, a matching big centre, a meaty sub and much smaller surrounds and rears. Why don't you just cut out the front L & R from your 5.1 system or, better still, move those speakers to become rear L & R in a 7.1 system? For anything in 5.1 just the 5.1 speakers play.
Driller said:
All interesting stuff. Zod, out of interest, what AV amp are you running and are you happy with it?
I'm running an Arcam AVR888 processor with Cyrus power amps. It's a bit of an expensive solution but sounds great (the Arcam range is pricey, starting at £1700). I also have a couple of Denons in other rooms. One of which is ten years old and still a fantastic bit of kit. The other cost me £150 five years ago and I can't fault it .I can't recommend the Denon range highly enough. Zod said:
I'm running an Arcam AVR888 processor with Cyrus power amps. It's a bit of an expensive solution but sounds great (the Arcam range is pricey, starting at £1700). I also have a couple of Denons in other rooms. One of which is ten years old and still a fantastic bit of kit. The other cost me £150 five years ago and I can't fault it .I can't recommend the Denon range highly enough.
Sounds like a nice setup you've got there Zod. I had also considered running a seperate processor and 5 channel power amp but in my system I'm going to be using 3 floorstanding speakers ( as our man Vex brilliantly suggested) so need a seperate stereo power amp. I probably can't justify going up the Arcam path at this stage, well maybe an AVR600 but not seperates.I had also heard that Denon sounds good especially with B&W speakers.
I'm going to have to ask you what speakers you have now because what you have does sound all very interesting!
I put my side surrounds (tripole M&K K4 speakers) just below the coving which is about a metre above seated ear height (one of them has to go above a patio door, so I haven't much choice). My surround rears are also at the same height. I think the surround effect is great from this arrangement, without being overbearing (matched using an SPL meter). I also use an Arcam processor and power amps, but an older model the AV9.
Zod said:
I'm very happy with the setup and haven't really done anything with it for nearly a year now!
Good for you: Stick at it as it's so easy to get sucked into more upgrades and expense and in your case likely to get into very diminishing returns. I've put further upgrades on hold same as you...plus I need to spend money on my car instead, so from a PH point of view that's better. Zod said:
Spend even more money upgrading?
Have them produce the same sound, but be invisible?
I'm very happy with the setup and haven't really done anything with it for nearly a year now!
Didn't expect you to be anything other than very satisfied bearing in mind what kit you have. I was referring to any minor sonic subtleties in the sound from the speakers, sounds like you're perfectly happy though. I might go and have a listen to a pair.Have them produce the same sound, but be invisible?
I'm very happy with the setup and haven't really done anything with it for nearly a year now!
Thanks for the info on your gear Zod, very handy
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