7.1 with ceiling speakers - will this work?

[Joyrider1]

I currently have a 5.1 setup in my living room (wall mounted speakers), but also 2 existing ceiling speakers that I want to use to get a 7.1 setup.

Here's a rough diagram of the speaker positioning I'm thinking of (once it's renovated in a couple of weeks - the room is approx 4.7m x 4.7m):



Will this work? Not had a 7.1 setup before, but wondering if I'm going to get some weird panning effects on the sound if those extra 2 surround speakers are above and in front of me.

Ideally all the surround speakers should be the same height right? Would there be any benefit to placing the ceiling speakers above where the sofa will be (against the back wall)

[whoami]

I have a similar setup although my ceiling mounted speakers are positioned slightly behind the main listening position.

I have a feeling that if they were in front, it might sound a bit odd.

[Joyrider1]

Unfortunately I'm a bit stuck with the sofa, I have no choice but to have it against that back wall :-(

[OldSkoolRS]

If you are going to sit between the rear left and right (as you've labelled them) then no, I don't think it will work. The ceiling speakers (if connected to the surround back on your amp) would tend to move certain surround effects forwards which is the complete opposite of what they are meant to do. I think you've be better off sticking to 5.1 or using front height or front wide speakers (if your amp allows this) if you really have to involve extra speakers.

TBH I've got pretty much the ideal room layout for 7.1 and it's only a tiny bit better than 5.1. I reckon you'd be better off looking at using dipole/tripole surrounds in a 5.1 layout which will give a more difuse effect to the surrounds. Especially as it looks like you're very close to the surround speakers (which doesn't usually the best result) if you can't have distance to create some 'space' to the surround effect at least dipole/tripole surrounds can help with this.

[Joyrider1]

Yeah, I see what you're saying and was thinking this might be the case - As you say, it's not ideal being so close to the surrounds as it is, so having 2 extra surround speakers in completely the wrong place is gonna muck up the sound. How about if I were to move those ceiling speakers to the back of the room so they were effectively right above me? Would that be of any benefit? Can't stretch to buying new speakers, plus have only just managed to convince the wife that we 'need' a projector so need to make do with what I have.

Maybe I'll just not hook up those ceiling speakers to the surround sound, and just wire them up to the room B on the receiver and use them for music instead. Just thought it would be good to use them if I could...

[OldSkoolRS]

Personally I'd forget about the ceiling speakers: I've never heard any that sound decent (though I am picky, so maybe that's me ). Having them directly above you and a completely different type (and make?) means they have no chance of matching the other surround speakers so if anything it will spoil the surround effect rather than enhance it.

I'd count your blessing that your OH has let you have a projector (I have one myself and wouldn't be without it now) and save up for some better surround speakers for the future.

[Joyrider1]

OldSkoolRS said:

Personally I'd forget about the ceiling speakers: I've never heard any that sound decent (though I am picky, so maybe that's me ). Having them directly above you and a completely different type (and make?) means they have no chance of matching the other surround speakers so if anything it will spoil the surround effect rather than enhance it.

I'd count your blessing that your OH has let you have a projector (I have one myself and wouldn't be without it now) and save up for some better surround speakers for the future.

Yeah, the wife took some convincing, but am over the hurdle now. The speakers I have are B&Ws so pretty good and don't really want to get rid of them. The ceiling ones are JBL and I'm not that precious about them as they were in here when we moved in. Think I'll stick with 5.1.

[OldSkoolRS]

Yes, doesn't make sense mixing JBL and B&W. However, for future upgrades note that B&W do bipole surrounds if you can't move the surrounds any further away.

[Adrian W]

I can't see how this will sound right, the two middle speakers are effects speakers, I think the sound effects producers expect then to be at head level facing each other, it might be a good idea to somehow get some speakers up there and see how it sounds. It might be worth considering faster rear effects speakers instead

[jagman1968]

OldSkoolRS said:

But you're not mixing them with different makes and (presumably) not putting them in the wrong place as the OP originally planned.

As for the AE8000, should have bought a JVC X35 or Sony VW50ES.

I went on recommendation lol.