Billy - the JBL E-Series is relatively new, so the response will probably be limited.
I can tell you that if HT is your priority, then I would recommend at the very least using IDENTICAL speakers @ the Fronts & Surround locations around you.
It's no mystery why IDENTICAL speakers all-around would enhanced the 100% seamless surround Blockbuster DVD Movie experience, ... it's based on Dolby Labs
5.1-Channel Production Guidelines:
Quote:
3.2.1 Front Speakers (pg. 24)
To promote good imaging, all three should be identical, just as conventional L and R stereo speakers must be matched. If all three cannot be the same model, the center speaker may be a smaller model from the same product line.
3.2.2 Surround Speakers (pg. 25)
Whenever possible, use the same speakers all around to achieve uniformity.
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My HT setup consists of three pairs of JBL S26's w/timbre-matching S-Center. They are slightly larger & heavier than the JBL E20's.
Based on Sound & Vision's (April 2004 issue) Objective Benchmark ...
Quote:
IN THE LAB
Frequency Response (pg. 46)
E20 front left/right.......... 88 Hz to 20 kHz ±3.6 dB
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... I would not hesitate recommending them to my family and friends. Because of JBL's EOS Waveguide (same design used in their TEC Award Winning JBL PRO LSR Studio Monitor's), ... they would work equally well @ the surround locations, reaching 20 kHz at those demanding angles within ±3.9 dB.
Anyway, ... I would recommend buying 2 pairs for DD/DTS-5.1 or three pairs for DD/DTS-6.1 w/the timbre-matched EC35.
If I used the E20's & EC35, I would place them in the same location(s) that I placed my JBL S26's.
So, I recommend reviewing the following information since I am fortunate enough that I can follow the suggestion(s) from
Dolby Labs on-line document ...
The Dolby Guide to Home Theater Sound in placing my original 5.1 HT speakers locations ...
Quote:
3.2 Preferred surround speaker placement
The surround speakers should be placed alongside and slightly to the rear of (but not behind) the prime seating position (Figure 8);
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Figure 8: Place the surround speakers alongside and slightly to the rear of the seating area.
Quote:
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... well above ear level, to help minimize localization effects (Figure 9);
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Figure 9: Install the surrounds two to three feet above listeners.
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... aimed directly across the listening area, not down at the listeners (Figure 10).
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Figure 10: Aim the surrounds straight across, not down at, the listening area.
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This arrangement creates a diffuse, enveloping surround soundfield throughout the listening area, like that in cinemas and in the dubbing theaters where soundtracks are mixed. If the speakers are too far forward, you won't get sufficient rearward effect, and if the speakers are too far back, there will be a loss of envelopment and integration of the surround information with the whole soundfield.
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Since my HT/family room is 20' x 30', I located my side surrounds approx. 3' back from my 'sweet spot', sorta' following the
Typical 5.1-Channel Room Layout Figure 3-1 (pg. 21) in Dolby Labs "5.1-Channel Production Guidelines" If it's good enough for the Mixing Engineer, it's good enough for me!!!
Anyway, When I upgraded to 6.1 (Yamaha RX-V1300) , I bought another pair of JBL S26 speakers (wired in-series) and located them per Dolby Labs
Dolby Digital EX recommendation ...
Quote:
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For Dolby Digital EX playback, as with regular 5.1 playback, place the left and right surround speakers to the sides of, or slightly behind, your listening position. For the third surround channel, place an additional surround speaker, or, preferably, an additional pair of surround speakers, directly behind the listening area, as shown in Figure 2.
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Quote:
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If you use a single rear surround speaker, center it behind the listening area at the same height as the side surround speakers, preferably above ear level. If you use two back surround speakers, which give a more diffuse and natural surround effect, they should be at least four feet apart (creating an included angle of about 90 degrees to the listener), also centered behind the listening area and at the same height as the side surround speakers.
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Mine are approx.
5'- 1 1/2" apart (tweeter to tweeter), ... also see my
20' x 30' w/10' high vaulted ceiling HT/family room overhead view w/speaker dispersion patterns.
Hope this helps,
Phil
