What is the tradeoff in using monopoles for side/rear surrounds in an HT 7.1 Setup? (1 Viewer)

[glenn.arsenault]

What is the tradeoff in using monopoles for side/rear surrounds in a HT 7.1 Setup?

 

[Kevin C Brown]

They could be too localizable.

If you do get them, it is typically recommended to put them 2-3 ft above ear level. And/or, do not face them directly at the listeners. (Bounce the sound off the wall or ceiling 1st.)

I had direct radiators for surrounds and rears at 12-15" above ear level. The rears were OK, but the surrounds, at even 7 ft away were waaaay too localizable. I went to Mirage Omnipolars, and now they disappear into the room.

But also, my problem with putting direct radiators 2 to 3 ft above ear level, is that now you're relying on off-axis sound, and if you've ever seen off-axis freq response plots the highs are always rolled off and there is always roughness to the plot in the midrange.

 

[MichaelDDD]

Yep, I agree with Kevin. That's why I went with regular "surround" speakers with my new set. Quadrapoles from Axiom. (QS8s). They give a very diffuse sound field. Perfect for surround. Maybe not so perfect with SACD/DVD-A, but I'll cross that bridge when I come it.

 

[glenn.arsenault]

Let me describe my room to see if that affects things. My room is 23' x 23 ' with a 6' x 9' alcove centered on the left side of the room. There is a open stairway in the rear left hand corner of the room, leading down a level.
(room is built over a garage)

The ceilings slope from 8' to about 12' with a number of angles. Average ceiling height is probably 10'.

My RPTV is against the front wall. L&R speakers would be stand mounted monitors set about 2' out from the front wall and 9' apart. The main sitting area is about 14 - 15' from the front wall. Side surrounds will be wall mounted at about 6 - 6 1/2 feet up on the wall - almost directly to the left and right of the sitting area. The side walls and side-surrounds are at least 8' from the closest seat. The rear surrounds will be mounted about 9 - 10' up on the wall. The rear wall is at least 8' from rear wall.

Thanks