Home Theater Forum  ›  Forums  ›  Home Theater Hardware  ›  Speakers and Subwoofers  ›  Need help with Audio...
Forum Nav More Forums | All New Posts | New Thread

Need help with Audio...

#1
Rating: 0
8/6/09 at 3:08pm
  • Joined: November 2008
  • Post Count: 9
I want to upgrade my surround sound.  Current system is a very cheap Sony box system that sounds alright to me in the small theater room.  However, I want to upgrade it.  I really do not know anything about audio, so I'll post some questions.

What are the differences between the surround speakers from the front speakers?  Obviously, location, but are the speakers themselves any different?  I've found some Boston Acoustic HS460 ( http://www.bostonacoustics.com/HS-460-P171.aspx ) for cheap....not sure if they're any good or not.  Can these be used for the fronts and the backs or are the back speakers a different type of speaker?  Thanks!
Export to Wiki
#2
Rating: 0
8/6/09 at 8:53pm
  • Joined: August 2003
  • Location: SF Bay Area
  • Post Count: 2,349
Your link didn't work but if you mean these then they are way over-kill for surrounds. The rear and back channels don't have much to do, usually ambiance/crowd noise and that type of thing, so such a large speaker is not needed. Surrounds are usually small bookshelves or wall mounted di-pole/bi-pole speakers like these.
Edited by gene c - 8/7/2009 at 10:27 am GMT
"Everyday room": Mitsubishi 52631 RPTV, H/K 520, H/K dvd-5, H/K 8380, H/K CDR 20, OPPO BDP-83 BluRay player, Dish-HD, Infinity Beta 20's-C250-OWS1's, Dayton HSU10.
"Movie/Music room": Toshiba 65HM167 RPTV, Pioneer Elite 59txi, Elite DV59avi, Elite CD-59, Pioneer PD-51FD BR, Dish-DVR, Swan Diva...
Export to Wiki
#3
Rating: 0
8/13/09 at 2:49pm
  • Joined: November 2008
  • Post Count: 9

Yea, you're right on with the BA speakers I was talking about.  I understand you when you say that they are "way overkill for surround speakers" but is that necessarily a bad thing?  I guess what I am getting at is even the Diva's that you showed are 400 for the pair.  I can the the BA's for 250 a pair.  If it's not something that works...I wont do it.  But if it's something that works, I'd like to go a less expensive route...

 

Bottom line, I am an audio-tard.  =)

Thanks again!

Export to Wiki
#4
Rating: 0
8/13/09 at 3:32pm
  • Joined: January 2004
  • Location: Mechanicsburg, PA
  • Post Count: 1,116
Jeff,

I may be easier if you state your goals, budget and room size.  Also include any gear you want (have) to keep. 

Different surround speakers are recommended for different uses.  If your main goal is movies, bi-pole or di-pole are sometimes recommended.  If you main goal is 5.1 music, then direct radiating (sometimes full range) speakers are the norm. 

Also, we prefer "audio challenged"
My Home Theater
Our DVD Collection
Dolby and DTS Plaques (downloads)
Export to Wiki
#5
Rating: 0
8/13/09 at 3:54pm
  • Joined: April 1999
  • Post Count: 1,573

Quote:
I understand you when you say that they are "way overkill for surround speakers" but is that necessarily a bad thing?


It's not overkill in the sense of price, it's that they are floorstanders.  Floorstanders aren't normally used for surround speakers, since guidelines are usually for the surrounds to be mounted several feet above ear level, on stands or on the walls.  So normally one would use bookshelf speakers, like cheaper BA HS40/HS50/HS60 if you are considering that series, with the HS460s used as front speakers only.  But usually I would prefer cheaper bookshelves for the fronts as well, with funds going toward a bigger/better sub instead, since often the lower frequency response of a floorstander is wasted when you have a sub & crossover at 80 hz anyway.
Export to Wiki
#6
Rating: 0
8/13/09 at 4:56pm
  • Joined: August 2003
  • Location: SF Bay Area
  • Post Count: 2,349

Quote:
 I understand you when you say that they are "way overkill for surround speakers" but is that necessarily a bad thing?  I guess what I am getting at is even the Diva's that you showed are 400 for the pair.  I can the the BA's for 250 a pair. 




As Stephen said it wasn't the price that was over-kill but surrounds don't really do very much compared to the fronts and center. Smaller Boston bookshelves, or bi-pole/di-pole's would be more than adequate. Biggest issue with towers as surrounds is they limit your placement options compared to speakers designed for surround use.

As for my $400 Diva's ($329 actually), Like David said, I also feel direct radiating speakers are the better choice for surrounds when surround sound music is the main source. If Swan made a smaller Diva bookshelf speaker I would have bought it.

Main reason I went with the Swan 5.1 towers is they had the same 4 drivers in them as the Swan C3 center. But the 2.1 bookshelve would have made an excellent front speaker itself. In my other room I did go with bookshelves for fronts, the Infinity Beta 20. Another very nice speaker for the (closeout) price. The surrounds in that room are Infinity OSW-1's which are a thin, plastic enclosure wall-mount version of the Alpa 20 which preceeded the Beta series. Perfect for surround music, except for that plastic enclosure. I may change that some day.


"Everyday room": Mitsubishi 52631 RPTV, H/K 520, H/K dvd-5, H/K 8380, H/K CDR 20, OPPO BDP-83 BluRay player, Dish-HD, Infinity Beta 20's-C250-OWS1's, Dayton HSU10.
"Movie/Music room": Toshiba 65HM167 RPTV, Pioneer Elite 59txi, Elite DV59avi, Elite CD-59, Pioneer PD-51FD BR, Dish-DVR, Swan Diva...
Export to Wiki
#7
Rating: 0
8/14/09 at 10:53am
  • Joined: November 2008
  • Post Count: 9
Hey Guys I really appreciate all the help for an "audio-challenged" person like myself.  I just bought a house and so I am enjoying upgrading all of my crap to...nicer crap.  My old surround sound is, like I said, a cheap sony unit that came complete.  To me it doesn't sound bad, but I am not sure if I know what good is supposed to sound like...The Sony unit will make its way to my bedroom once it is replaced.  So...having said that, the only thing that I may want to reuse is the speaker wire I ran through the attic for my speakers...and that's it.  What are my primary uses for this new surround system?  It's my theater room.  I've got a 1080p projector at I dunno....100" or so.  I have a PS3 that I use for blue ray as well as playing the PS3 on it.  
Export to Wiki
#8
Rating: 0
8/14/09 at 4:23pm
  • Joined: August 2003
  • Location: SF Bay Area
  • Post Count: 2,349
What say we start from the beginning. You have a 1080P projector and a PS3. That's a great start. Now you need a receiver, speakers and a subwoofer as well as video cables.

The first things that we always ask are: 1-what's your true budget?
                                                          2-how big is your room? 
                                                          3-what are your main uses?
                                                             % movies?, % music, % games? 
                                                          4-any particular features you're looking for?

Answer these questions, and a few others as they come up, and we can guide you in the right direction.
                                                         
                                                       
"Everyday room": Mitsubishi 52631 RPTV, H/K 520, H/K dvd-5, H/K 8380, H/K CDR 20, OPPO BDP-83 BluRay player, Dish-HD, Infinity Beta 20's-C250-OWS1's, Dayton HSU10.
"Movie/Music room": Toshiba 65HM167 RPTV, Pioneer Elite 59txi, Elite DV59avi, Elite CD-59, Pioneer PD-51FD BR, Dish-DVR, Swan Diva...
Export to Wiki
Forum Nav More Forums | All New Posts | New Thread