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  1. #1
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    Rear speaker location

    Hello,

    I am setting up a home theater in a new room for my aunt. This space used to be a wide one car garage. One wall will be entirely windows (looking at the TV this is to your right) and the rear wall will be entirely built in bookcases.

    her equipment is
    Denon 2803
    Denon DVD player, cant remember model number
    Kef Q7 for fronts
    Matching Kef center
    Velodyne spl 1000 sub

    My question is with the rears. I dont think that we can mount the rear to side wall because of the wall of windows and also because the room will be much wider than long. Could we use in wall speakers for this. If so, should they be mounted directly overhead the main sitting location or behind. If behind, how far behind. (anyone have any recommendation for a good in wall speaker for rears)

    The only other location would be to get a set of speakers and set them on the bookshelves behind the main sitting area.

    Thanks for you help

  2. #2
    M.P.S.E /AES/SMPTE member Sir Terrence the Terrible's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mdchambe
    Hello,

    I am setting up a home theater in a new room for my aunt. This space used to be a wide one car garage. One wall will be entirely windows (looking at the TV this is to your right) and the rear wall will be entirely built in bookcases.

    her equipment is
    Denon 2803
    Denon DVD player, cant remember model number
    Kef Q7 for fronts
    Matching Kef center
    Velodyne spl 1000 sub

    My question is with the rears. I dont think that we can mount the rear to side wall because of the wall of windows and also because the room will be much wider than long. Could we use in wall speakers for this. If so, should they be mounted directly overhead the main sitting location or behind. If behind, how far behind. (anyone have any recommendation for a good in wall speaker for rears)

    The only other location would be to get a set of speakers and set them on the bookshelves behind the main sitting area.

    Thanks for you help
    I am going to be honest, it doesn't really matter that the room is wider than it is long. I think alot of rooms are this way. My certainly is.

    Surround speakers SHOULD be mounted on the side walls for best performance. Rear wall locations do not convey the surround experience with much accuracy. Because of head related transfer distortions, sound eminating from the rear in this kind of setup can sound like they are coming from up front of the head, instead of behind it. The spacious sound that is highly desired for rear channel effects are enhanced when the direction of the signal comes to the sides of the head, not from the rear of the head.

    Place the surround approximately 2-3 ft behind the listening position and to the sides, and 2-3 ft over the head from a seated position. This works well for movies as well as music. If windows make it impossible to mount directly on the wall, use very tall stands to place the speakers on. I am using milk crates covered with decorative fabric that matches the speakers in color(black velvet) because I also cannot drill into the side walls. These kinds of room setups require creativity, not compromises.
    Sir Terrence

    Titan Reference 3D 1080p projector
    200" SI Black Diamond II screen
    Oppo BDP-103D
    Datastat RS20I audio/video processor 12.4 audio setup
    9 Onkyo M-5099 power amp
    9 Onkyo M-510 power amp
    9 Onkyo M-508 power amp
    6 custom CAL amps for subs
    3 custom 3 way horn DSP hybrid monitors
    18 custom 3 way horn DSP hybrid surround/ceiling speakers
    2 custom 15" sealed FFEC servo subs
    4 custom 15" H-PAS FFEC servo subs
    THX Style Baffle wall

  3. #3
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    stands not an option

    Should have stated before, stands are not an option. With 2 dogs, and 3 cats, they just will not work.

    She enjoys music and movies, but will not be able to tell a major difference if the surrounds are not placed ideally. This is certainly NOT a dedicated home theater room, and therefore compromises are usually a necessary evil.

    Therefore, what would you recommend

  4. #4
    M.P.S.E /AES/SMPTE member Sir Terrence the Terrible's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mdchambe
    Should have stated before, stands are not an option. With 2 dogs, and 3 cats, they just will not work.

    She enjoys music and movies, but will not be able to tell a major difference if the surrounds are not placed ideally. This is certainly NOT a dedicated home theater room, and therefore compromises are usually a necessary evil.

    Therefore, what would you recommend
    I have a dog, and two cats. They do not go near the stands. They don't scratch on them(I have scratching posts), the dog has never knocked them over(they are too close to the wall).

    I don't do well at recommending compromises that will result in poor performance, doesn't matter how non critical your aunt is. If she is that NON CRITICAL, then why invest in hometheater at all? The internal speaker in the T.V. should be just fine.

    Rear wall and in ceiling placement are unworkable due to imaging problems. The next thing I could recommend is placing them on the sides, but suspended from the ceiling facing downward. This way they are overhead, to the sides, and not as compromised as you propose. Then on the other hand, if you aunt is not that critical, put them anywhere you desire, and forget about any suggestion you would get from here.
    Sir Terrence

    Titan Reference 3D 1080p projector
    200" SI Black Diamond II screen
    Oppo BDP-103D
    Datastat RS20I audio/video processor 12.4 audio setup
    9 Onkyo M-5099 power amp
    9 Onkyo M-510 power amp
    9 Onkyo M-508 power amp
    6 custom CAL amps for subs
    3 custom 3 way horn DSP hybrid monitors
    18 custom 3 way horn DSP hybrid surround/ceiling speakers
    2 custom 15" sealed FFEC servo subs
    4 custom 15" H-PAS FFEC servo subs
    THX Style Baffle wall

  5. #5
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    Well then, I have an idea for you. If you are unable to make a recommendation on my alternatives, do not waste my time to do so. I ma very happy that YOUR cats and dog have not hurt anything, but I would rather not take the chance.

    Not a critical enough ear to tell the difference between a TV's speaker and a home theater, that makes alot of sense. You're right, that takes a very discriminating ear, such as your own.

    I appreciate your first response to my question, but not your second. I dont need that kind of "help"

    Now, to anyone who has a practical and helpful suggestion, your input would be greatly appreciated.

  6. #6
    cam
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    Get rid of whatever speakers you are using for rears and go get some dipole speakers from paradigm. I have the adp 370's but anybody would be happy with the adp 170's. My wife voices her critisicm about my home theater options over the years but when I brought the adp 370's home and mounted them on the wall she was very happy. She hated my old bookshelf speakers on stands behind the couch.

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