Speaker Advice (1 Viewer)

[HBCrouch]

I moved out of a house with a dedicated theater room into a new home where I am trying to reuse as much of our old equipment as possible. The layout of the room presents some definite challenges and I need some advice on how to proceed. I'd like to setup a 5.1 system.

Receiver-
I have a Denon AVR-1912 that I will be reusing.

Viewing Screen -
I will be reusing our 60" Samsung Plasma

Subwoofer -
This will need to be replaced. I was using a Klipsch 10" sub, but it has a terrible rattle.

Center Channel -
I had a Klipsch speaker I was using for the center channel. It did not make it to the new house, so it will need to be replaced.

Rear Speakers
I have two Klipsch KHC-6 and two Klipsch KHW-5. I have access to mount either of these in the rear wall to use for my back speakers. Which of the two would you recommend?

Front Speakers
This is where things are tricky. (pic attached) There is a built in cabinet in the corner of the room where the tv sits. The two adjacent walls are all windows and there is nowhere to install a speaker in the wall. Is my best option floor speakers? If so, where would I put them?

One possibility, I am going to have to build a wooden shelf / stand to raise my television, so I can put the center channel speaker under it. I could build space to house the front speakers, but they would be no further apart than the width of the television. I'm not sure if that is far enough?

Recap: I need a recommendation for a sub, center channel, and two front speakers.

Thanks,

Brent

 

[Mike Frezon]

Brent:

Welcome to the HTF!

Ugh. All those windows in your line of site as you look at the plasma. You may want to consider window treatments like this other member used in his HT project. You can imagine what a difference they might make.

I'm going to leave the gear recommendations to others who know more about that stuff than I do.

But I can guarantee that you'll get some informed opinions. We love to help new other people spend their money!

Good luck with your project!

 

[HBCrouch]

Thanks for the reply Mike!

Window treatments are def a must. In my last setup, I picked up some blackout blinds from blinds.com. They worked perfectly and if you size them just right, they don't let a ray of light inside.

 

[Mike Frezon]

I'm gonna move this to the speaker forum and see if we generate some traffic there...

If not, I'll bring it back to the HT subforum.

 

[Elizabeth S]

I think the placement of your TV is really going to limit your options. Is it a must to use the built-in to place your TV? I also think your TV is at a good height (or a tad high) now and a shelf to raise it for the center may make the TV too high. There are some center speakers with a lower profile like the Polk S35. Of course, something with a 5- or 6-inch woofer would be preferable, but quite substantial in size. Some people use the Phantom center mode if necessary.

If using the built-in, I think I would put the floorstanders or bookshelves with stands at about one window's distance on each side. (Not sure how/if those windows open and if that would impede access.)

I've never had a subwoofer as I'm in a condo and didn't think I would turn it up to its potential (though I have been mulling it over recently). So I don't have recommendations there.

Speakers are so subjective, but perhaps you prefer bright speakers as you have Klipsch. Maybe you might like the new Emotiva Airmotiv line with the folded ribbon tweeter (B1 bookshelf or T1 or T2 floorstanders). They have nice clarity but were unfortunately a tad too bright for my taste. I think you really have to audition yourself in your own home if possible. (And you do have a pretty reflective bare floor.) I personally like the KEF Q series which have really nice clarity (and a little forwardness on the smaller bookshelf) but are not bright to me.

 

[MTrotter]

Yes, the back lighting from all those windows is a big issue, but can be darkened. As to the speakers and audio quality, the corner placement for the TV is not all bad. You can rig up a center channel speaker below the TV, and set a couple of floor standing speakers to the right and left of the TV. I have heard some corner located systems and they sounded great. And it looks like a pretty good distance from the TV to all the seating positions, so it will be okay if the front L/R speakers will sit a bit closer than the center channel speaker under the TV. Your receiver can account for the difference in distance.

If I were you, I would get the best and largest Klipsch or other center speaker that I could incorporate into the cabinet below the TV and then select front L/R speakers, preferably from the same brand and series. Remember that, in Dolby Digital or DTS movies, the center channel carries the majority of the front sound stage. But, even with that said, I still like large, floor standing speakers for my front L/R, on account of two channel music listening. Just personal preference.

The other option that was mentioned above is to, initially at least, forget about the center channel speaker and get very nice front L/R speakers and use "phantom" mode, in which the receiver sends the center channel signal to the front L/R speakers. I have been doing this for years after being underwhelmed by three or four center channel speakers that I tried.

Now, some people say that your front three speakers do not necessarily have to exactly match the surrounds, you could go with a different brand across the front, which opens up scads of options.

 

[bigshot]

The trick with corner setups is just not to put your listening position at the primary reflection point.

If I was buying today, I would buy a Klipsch reference center (which I have), KEF R300 mains (which I don't have, but I will get when my current mains go south) and a Sunfire 12 inch sub (which I have). Not cheap but as good as anyone would ever want. No need for upgrade-itis.