FYI for folks looking for an excellent setup without breaking the bank (no affiliation)
http://www.chanemusiccinema.com
Background:
Audiofool of some 20 years and a classical musician for longer than that. In audio I've designed and built just about everything, conventional speakers, I've had planers, horns, 'stats and many many tube and SS amps/preamps. My house turned out to have the perfect spot for a 120" screen and theater so I took the plunge into this world.
Now for Cinema I believe you have different needs than for two channel music. Movie sound tracks aren't "real" - they're highly manipulated mixes comprising many different sources. So I don't think the rules and expectations from two channel classical music apply here. So with that in mind I've been looking for a system which is immersive, non fatiguing, detailed (but not too detailed) and with low distortion at the high SPL's that movies like to throw at us on occasion.
Interesting design with split gap drivers to keep distortion down at higher SPL and flat tweeters (not ribbon). The enclosures are solid top drawer speaker grade MDF with excellent (but not insane) metal film caps and wound inductors. Looked like a promising design so I auditioned (in home) and eventually outfitted a 7.1 system with Chane speakers.
My Setup.
Results:
Excellent, exactly what I'm looking for. I believe the tweets are giving me a somewhat 'planer like' experience without having to deal with the trouble of full Maggies. The sound field is fully immersive and wide. There's no sweet spot here which is what you don't want with Cinema. You obviously want all the viewers to get an equal sound field if possible. For home cinema this design provides that.
Detail is excellent, but as I said I don't want to hear too deeply into their mix. Sound effects, audio tracks (usually not real instruments), and even voice is something that needs to be believable but not real. These provide the right amount for me. At high SPL's distortion is truly low. On two channel I'm a distortion/detail freak, so am highly sensitive to this (comes from my music background). These get quite loud at moments and I can handle it - enjoy it actually which is unusual for me.
Integration. This is really important for a 5.1/7.1 system. In this case the same mid and tweet is used across the line, and in my case I used the exact same speaker for the front three, just with the center rotated. The front field is perfectly integrated, and the sides fit right in beautifully.
In the home. The speakers are small, and best is that the A2rx-c fit perfectly under my screen which is 3' above the floor. With my setup (I'll try and post pictures later) regular floor standing LR pairs don't work. The speakers have a black very high quality PVC finish (I don't want some more expensive wood grain or whatever) that fits well in the space.
I should add, having high quality and integrated satellites does make a difference. A huge one? Well, I'd say that cheap satellites will get you 80% of the way there, but the last 20% subjectively seems more than it is (you cross the 'uncanny valley'). This is in tests with this system before I got the A1rx satellites. So if you can afford the extra $300(5.1) or $600(7.1) then I suggest doing it. If not then a L-C-L A2rx for some $700 will do wonders.
Conclusion: I couldn't be happier. I still need to find permanent stands but the sound field is just what I want for Cinema. Pro-tiup, make sure you let the speakers break in, and if you can manage it do the 3xA2rx-c in front as I did.
http://www.chanemusiccinema.com
Background:
Audiofool of some 20 years and a classical musician for longer than that. In audio I've designed and built just about everything, conventional speakers, I've had planers, horns, 'stats and many many tube and SS amps/preamps. My house turned out to have the perfect spot for a 120" screen and theater so I took the plunge into this world.
Now for Cinema I believe you have different needs than for two channel music. Movie sound tracks aren't "real" - they're highly manipulated mixes comprising many different sources. So I don't think the rules and expectations from two channel classical music apply here. So with that in mind I've been looking for a system which is immersive, non fatiguing, detailed (but not too detailed) and with low distortion at the high SPL's that movies like to throw at us on occasion.
Interesting design with split gap drivers to keep distortion down at higher SPL and flat tweeters (not ribbon). The enclosures are solid top drawer speaker grade MDF with excellent (but not insane) metal film caps and wound inductors. Looked like a promising design so I auditioned (in home) and eventually outfitted a 7.1 system with Chane speakers.
My Setup.
- 7.1 as stated (still using a crappy Monoprice active sub for below 45 Hz approx)
- 3 L-C-R using three A2rx-c in front (LR vertical C horizontal with a rotated tweeter).
- 4 A1rx-c on satellite duty (vertical)
- Total cost - approximately $1300
Results:
Excellent, exactly what I'm looking for. I believe the tweets are giving me a somewhat 'planer like' experience without having to deal with the trouble of full Maggies. The sound field is fully immersive and wide. There's no sweet spot here which is what you don't want with Cinema. You obviously want all the viewers to get an equal sound field if possible. For home cinema this design provides that.
Detail is excellent, but as I said I don't want to hear too deeply into their mix. Sound effects, audio tracks (usually not real instruments), and even voice is something that needs to be believable but not real. These provide the right amount for me. At high SPL's distortion is truly low. On two channel I'm a distortion/detail freak, so am highly sensitive to this (comes from my music background). These get quite loud at moments and I can handle it - enjoy it actually which is unusual for me.
Integration. This is really important for a 5.1/7.1 system. In this case the same mid and tweet is used across the line, and in my case I used the exact same speaker for the front three, just with the center rotated. The front field is perfectly integrated, and the sides fit right in beautifully.
In the home. The speakers are small, and best is that the A2rx-c fit perfectly under my screen which is 3' above the floor. With my setup (I'll try and post pictures later) regular floor standing LR pairs don't work. The speakers have a black very high quality PVC finish (I don't want some more expensive wood grain or whatever) that fits well in the space.
I should add, having high quality and integrated satellites does make a difference. A huge one? Well, I'd say that cheap satellites will get you 80% of the way there, but the last 20% subjectively seems more than it is (you cross the 'uncanny valley'). This is in tests with this system before I got the A1rx satellites. So if you can afford the extra $300(5.1) or $600(7.1) then I suggest doing it. If not then a L-C-L A2rx for some $700 will do wonders.
Conclusion: I couldn't be happier. I still need to find permanent stands but the sound field is just what I want for Cinema. Pro-tiup, make sure you let the speakers break in, and if you can manage it do the 3xA2rx-c in front as I did.
