Dedicated surrounds versus bookshelves for rear channels

[Woochifer]

"dedicated" surround speakers typically refer to those models that use a dipolar or bipolar design that diffuses the sound in order to keep them from sounding localized. This is actually a remnant that dates back to the earlier Pro Logic era and the first set of THX specs.

Both of these programs were aimed at mimicking the theatrical speaker arrangement, with arrays of speakers along the wall, as much as possible by creating a placeless null sound at the point source. With the advent of discrete 5.1 soundtracks, this approach is no longer needed.

IMO, you're much better off using direct-firing speakers in the surround channels, and optimizing the sound by properly positioning the speakers (following Dolby's guidelines of pointing the surround speakers directly at one another and raising them above ear level). Because of how soundtracks are mixed, with some ambient cues still in the surround channels, you don't still don't want the speakers to act too much as a point source. OTOH, you also want the alignment to create the directional imaging cues that a 5.1 soundtrack (purposed for home theater use) will create.

Generally, you will want the surround speakers positioned higher than ear level, so bookshelf speakers give you the most flexibility for optimizing the alignment and height. Floorstanding speakers are best suited to large rooms and multichannel music -- a lot of movie soundtracks won't work optimally because of they might still use the original theatrical mixes that have a lot of ambient sounds mixed into the surrounds.

[mcbr1]

"dedicated" surround speakers typically refer to those models that use a dipolar or bipolar design that diffuses the sound in order to keep them from sounding localized. This is actually a remnant that dates back to the earlier Pro Logic era and the first set of THX specs.

Both of these programs were aimed at mimicking the theatrical speaker arrangement, with arrays of speakers along the wall, as much as possible by creating a placeless null sound at the point source. With the advent of discrete 5.1 soundtracks, this approach is no longer needed.

IMO, you're much better off using direct-firing speakers in the surround channels, and optimizing the sound by properly positioning the speakers (following Dolby's guidelines of pointing the surround speakers directly at one another and raising them above ear level). Because of how soundtracks are mixed, with some ambient cues still in the surround channels, you don't still don't want the speakers to act too much as a point source. OTOH, you also want the alignment to create the directional imaging cues that a 5.1 soundtrack (purposed for home theater use) will create.

Generally, you will want the surround speakers positioned higher than ear level, so bookshelf speakers give you the most flexibility for optimizing the alignment and height. Floorstanding speakers are best suited to large rooms and multichannel music -- a lot of movie soundtracks won't work optimally because of they might still use the original theatrical mixes that have a lot of ambient sounds mixed into the surrounds.

Does this hold true for all listening rooms? My listening area has a fireplace on one side and is open on the other, so my surrounds are mounted on the back wall just 2 feet behind the listening position and a bit outboard. Bookshelves would have to be placed on stands much lower and fire at each other from a spot very close to the rear wall and outboard. Which sounds like a better solution?

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Does this hold true for all listening rooms? My listening area has a fireplace on one side and is open on the other, so my surrounds are mounted on the back wall just 2 feet behind the listening position and a bit outboard. Bookshelves would have to be placed on stands much lower and fire at each other from a spot very close to the rear wall and outboard. Which sounds like a better solution?

It does not hold true for all listening rooms, and certainly not for yours. Wooch is speaking to more optimized spaces(four walls with equal symmetry). With folks turning everything from a bedroom to a living room into a "listening room", it would be hard to apply his advice universally.