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for my room and preferences, are towers better as back speakers?

post #1 of 5
7/5/09 at 11:09am
Thread Starter 
Before I pose my question, here is my background:

-I have a 50" Panasonic plasma in a family room, about 20' by 20'
-the room is mostly used to watch tv and movies, though occasionally for video games and rarely for music
-volume is NOT important, but clarity is-

Now, some photos of the back half of the room (the bookshelf and armoire in the back will be moved soon):





Last info before my question: I just ordered a Harmon Kardon AVR 254 and an Energy S10.3 subwoofer.  My plan is to get a pair of tower speakers and a center channel (perhaps from Jamo).

Finally my question: considering this room and my preferences, should I get tower speakers for the rear corner of the room or bookshelf speakers?  More specifically, I am wondering:

(1) Will my sofa block the sound from tower speakers, necessitating that I get bookshelf speakers on a higher stand/or wall mounted?
(2)  I understand that speakers in the rear mostly serve the function as giving the surround effect and sound effects in movies.  If so, can I spend lesss on the rear speakers without noticing much of a drop-off in overall sound?

Keep in mind that, because I plan to have tower speakers and a subwoofer in the front, I don't think that bass is much of a concern.

Thanks for any advice.
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post #2 of 5
7/5/09 at 12:24pm
Hi Jim,

In a 5.1 setup, the "rears" are really sides and should be placed on either side of the listener, not behind. You are correct that surrounds are more for effects.  No need to worry about bass since it should all be handled by the sub (this includes the mains, BTW). 

Ideally, the sides should be a few feet higher than the listeners and slightly behind (facing toward each other).  IMO, di-pole type speakers are better suited for movies.
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post #3 of 5
7/5/09 at 5:24pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks David,

As you may or may not be able to tell from the photos, I cannot put speakers directly on the side, due to the window and space constraints.  So I figured I would, as a compromise, place speakers in the rear corners.

If the speakers should be a few feet higher than listening position, doesn't it follow that they should be bookshelves (mounted on a wall or in a bookcase), rather than floor-standing towers, which will not be very high?
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post #4 of 5
7/5/09 at 5:32pm
Jim,

That's how it usually goes - comprise to fit things into our rooms.  I would recommend getting speakers designed to be used as surrounds.  These normally mount on the wall.  Get something like this - http://www.jamo.com/na-en/products/c-60-sur-description/ - or the equivalent if you decide to go with another brand.  Speakers like these are very forgiving - they can be placed almost anywhere.
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post #5 of 5
7/7/09 at 5:21am
I've seen it both ways but 2 more towers could be expensive. I would go with bookshelves and mount them on either side of the louvered door behind your couch about 5 feet from the floor.
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