On-wall speaker advice sought (1 Viewer)

[EricTownsend]

OK, the basement theater is coming together slowly but surely. My room is approx. 33L x 22W x 8H. I am waffling between the Sanyo Z3 and the Panasonic AE700U projectors, but I have some time to choose that. I am trying to figure out the speakers now...

My wife wants me to use on-wall speakers rather than in-wall or floor standing. Any advice for a 7.1 setup and trying to keep below $2000? If need be, I can go with a 5.1 now and add two more later.

I have been looking at the Energy Take FPS, the NHT L5, and even some more standard wall mountable speakers like ones from KEF. Along with the advice, could you provide a link to find these? Finding a place to purchase these less common speakers is a challenge.

Thank you!

Edit: Is there any compelling evidence to go with an in-wall like the Veritas 2.3WM or the Atlantic System 10? Thanks...

 

[EricTownsend]

I think I would like to go with the Energy Take Series...
However, I cannot find a retailer.

Now that the new Take series is available, I am interested in a set cosisting of: 2 Take TWR, 3-5 Take FPS, and 1 S12.3 Sub.

Where can I get these? Anyone know of a local store (anywhere) I can call? The dealer locator on the Energy site only shows Good Guys, and a few other retailers that only carry the more generic Energy styles.

Thanks again!

 

[EricTownsend]

OK, these three posts are mine... I look like I am talking to myself.. Anyway, here is what Energy told me:


And so, I wait!

 

[John Garcia]

Typical on-walls, and even most in-walls, are going to have a really hard time trying to fill a room that size.

 

[Eric:F]

i have these:
http://www.salksound.com/htshome.html
Jim Salk custom built them for my "on wall" plasma set up.
you could get the front soundstage for about $2k, then add an SVS or HSU sub. fill in with cheap surrounds and upgrade them when you can. you will have a world class system that can handle a lg. room with ease. Jim has a $ back guaranty. you can't go wrong.
see my review at audioreview.com
best,
eric

 

[EricTownsend]

Hum... Floor standers only then?

EricF, you went with the MTM's?

Thanks!

 

[Eric:F]

hi EricT,
yes, i went with the HTS-MTMs in piano black.
they are beautiful but heavy (40lb./each). after looking at several options, i chose the Parts Express Smarter Speaker Support for the wall mounts. these allow great flexibility in aiming the speakers, are easy to mount, and cost just a few bucks.
best,
eric

 

[Greg_Hammond]

You're talking about a 6000 cubic foot room, which is a lot of space to fill with sound. While on-wall mounted speakers will do a fine job for surround and rear-surround duty in that room, I really think you're going to need floor-standing speakers for the front channel and a decently sized center-channel speaker mounted either on a strong wall-mount bracket, or table-top.

Depending on how much bass you're looking for, you'll also need a decent subwoofer for that 6000 cu ft room.

There certainly -are- some pretty nice wall-mounted options available for center and front-channel speakers, but the ones that work for very large room sizes tend to be very expensive, and are absolutely going to require rock-solid stud-mounting.

I'm using Polk RTi4 bookshelf speakers mounted on-wall for my surround and rear-surrounds, and they do a fairly good job for that role. Not much bass response for the little bookshelfs, but for the purpose I use them - they're fine.

Greg

 

[Eric:F]

greg,
the Salk HTS-MTMs can handle the room.
they are large speakers with twin Vifa 7" midbass drivers and a Arum Canton G2si pure ribbon tweeter in each speaker.
for that matter, you can order them with a xover customized for free standing.
i have an SVS PB12-ultra/2 for the low end, but it's overkill in our room. any good sub could fill in the bass using the Salk mains.
best,
eric

 

[EricTownsend]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I did write to Jim Salk and received a very detailed response from him. I must say, I do like his style. I am going to follow through with him on his HTS line of speakers. I will post as progress is made.
Thanks for the input about on-wall / in-wall speaker use in a large room. It makes sense now.

-EricT