Major HT redesign - how do I install side & rear speakers? (1 Viewer)

[Javier_Huerta]

I think I am about to do a major HT redesign That's dangerous.
Currently, I have a pair of (all Definitive Technology speakers) BP8B's as front channels, ProSub 100s for each speaker, a C1 as a center, and a pair of BP2X's as rear speakers (they are actually on each side of my sofa) and a PF-15 subwoofer, all powered by a Yamaha 995 receiver.
I intend to add to the mix a pair of BP6B's as side speakers, and use the BP2X's as rear speakers.
I don't have the slightest idea on how to proceed. I've heard a lot of side / rear speakers, yet I don't know how to do it. So I'll try to make a couple of specific questions.
1. Do I definitely need a DTS-ES / DD-EX surround processor?
2. If not, can I get away with my current receiver by connecting in series the rear / side left & rear / side right speaker (so that impedance doesn't drop below 4 ohms?).
3. Should I get another Dolby Pro-Logic decoder, run the rear outputs to a set of inputs of the decoder and run the side / rear speakers in Dolby 3 mode?
4. Is it possible at all to do what I intend to do? Do you think it'll sound better than my current setup?
5. Any other tips?
Thanks a lot for your help!
Javier.

 

[Chris Tsutsui]

Yamaha 955
1. If you want 6.1 then, yes you'll need a 6.1 compatable receiver. (Like Dolby EX)
If you connect more speakers to the rear surround channel they will all play the same thing. This helps broaden the surround sound to a wider audience (how commercial theaters have a number of surrounds). This may not produce a good sense of 360 deg sound.
I do not think it will sound better than a 5.1 setup if you put the surrounds both behind and to the side. To me, it sounds ok to have 4 surrounds with 2 to the left and 2 to the right. Have the surrounds closer to each other to disperse the highs over a wider range. (Maybe try positioning the 2 speakers like those bipolar surrounds)

 

[Javier_Huerta]

Hi Chris, thanks for your answer!
I don't really need 6.1 sound, since I really don't have enough money to get a new receiver. What I was wondering is exactly what you are saying, whether adding side speakers would help the sound field and if someone has tried doing what I intend to (adding extra surround speakers to the side and moving some speakers to the back).
I can't experiment at the moment, since part of the equipment is at my parents' home, and they would not be very happy about wrecking the installation (sometimes I think they won't ever let me take my HT out of their home, anyway)

 

[david.byrne]

If you want a more disperse spread of sound why not just replace the side speakers with dipole's that would give you exactly what you are looking for.

Dave

 

[Javier_Huerta]

David, my Definitive Technology BP2X are bipolar speakers, as the BP6Bs. They both have practically the same drivers:
2 5.25 in. woofers, 2 aluminum tweeters.

The BP2X are installed at the sides of my sofa.

The BP2X are front firing, although they have drivers at a 120° angle.

The BP6Bs have drivers facing front and back.

I could install the BP2X at the rear of the room, facing the front wall, and the BP6Bs firing at the front and rear of the wall at the side of my sofa.

The question is, is this the correct way to install a side / rear firing surround sound system?

How should they be wired to my surround equipment?

 

[Ryan_Mk]

Trying to find out the same thing. I'm not interested in buying any new equipment but want to add two speakers per surround channel. So far nobody has told me any of the affects, and on another forum they just kept avoiding the question and told me to buy mini home theatre in a box dipoles... *sigh*

 

[Javier_Huerta]

I have seen those installations so many times in 5.1 systems. I'm sure there has to be a way... it's so strange, though, noone wants to say how it is done.
Maybe it's a trade secret?