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Self Powered Rear Channel

post #1 of 6
5/20/09 at 8:23am
Thread Starter 
Hello,

My room layout is forcing me to strongly consider routing the 5.1 rear channel over cat5E cable with a pair of stereo audio baluns. I already have structured wiring setup, with the terminations in almost ideal locations. I understand doing this would require me to power the rear channel separately. What are some options here?

I have been looking at some self powered speakers such as the Audioengine A5's or the M-Audio Studiophile series, but wonder if those would be overkill for the rear channel.

Another option I know of would be a separate small stereo power amp for just the rear channel. I am not very familiar with these, and haven't had much luck finding more information. Would appreciate any suggestions, or a point in the right direction.

Thanks,
Mike
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post #2 of 6
5/20/09 at 6:08pm

Re: Self Powered Rear Channel

Hi Mike,

What is the 'rear' channel in your 5.1 setup? 5.1 means left, center, right in the front, left and right surrounds, and a sub woofer.
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post #3 of 6
5/20/09 at 7:22pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Self Powered Rear Channel

Sorry, the surrounds. More generally though, I was referring to the 'rear' as any speakers that are behind the listening position and typically the most difficult to run speaker wire to. For a better idea here's some of the products I've been considering. I would appreciate any suggestions or alternatives.

Leviton QuickPort
Product Details

Audio Baluns:
Intelix.com - Audio-Visual Baluns
Niles Audio Corporation

Powered Speakers:
Audioengine - Upgrade your music
M-AUDIO - Reference Monitors

Separate Amp:
Audiosource AMP100 Newegg.com - AudioSource AMP-100 2-Channel Amplifier
Could use some help for other products in this category...
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post #4 of 6
5/21/09 at 8:56am

Re: Self Powered Rear Channel

Can you describe the room in a little bit more detail... I haven't met a room yet where I couldn't fish and/or hide speaker wire (behind crown moldings, baseboards, etc...) Do you rent or own?

Also, is this a primary movie watching setup or a computer/media room?

As much as I hate them, I'd try wireless speakers for rears before going the route you propose...
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post #5 of 6
5/21/09 at 10:36am

Re: Self Powered Rear Channel

Mike,

Just one more clarification... You surrounds are designed to go on either side of your listening area, not behind it.

Do you have pictures or a drawing?
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post #6 of 6
5/21/09 at 11:03pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Self Powered Rear Channel

The room is not quite a room, but more of a loft that is enclosed on 3 of the 4 walls. 4th wall is a half wall with a landing and a stairwell behind it. Ceiling is sloped 16ft down to 8 ft, so no crown molding (plus I think the stuff is nasty, I'm a clean lines kind of guy). Floor is hardwood. I suppose I could run behind the baseboards, but...

1) I JUST finished thoroughly caulking and painting them (the entire room for that matter). Using the room as a home theater was an afterthought, it was originally supposed to be a 2nd bedroom.
2) there are still some issues with routing. If I go clockwise from the receiver I have to cross the landing for the stairwell somehow. If I go counterclockwise, the long way around, I would have to go up and over 3 doors (they don't have thresholds).

I did, however, install wiring terminals with 2 Coax, 2 RJ11, and 2 RJ45 on both the receiver's wall and the wall opposite, and there is an extra RJ45 plug on each wall just begging to be used for something...

Do these Baluns really not work or something? Oh well, I thought it might be worth a try.

Maybe I could get some advice on running the cabling then? Can we assume I am running 4 pairs instead, no sense pulling everything up again unless I am going to do it up big...

Thanks,
Mike
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