Help with Angled LCR Ceiling Speakers for 5.1 Solution

[larcklorn]

Hello Everyone,

I have met my match on researching angled LCR speakers for my new 5.1 system. I know all of the pros and cons here and will be doing my best to mitigate some of them, but I don't have a choice on placement. The wall with the TV is a plaster wall which is in front of brick wall - no way to mount speakers here - so ceiling it is because the wife wants them hidden.

Here is what I need - help from you with what you may know about some of the brands I will have below, any pros/cons, and to add to the list if I missed something. I have no way to hear all of these speakers here in Indianapolis - so be my ears for me if you will.

Details on the room and setup:
* TV will be above a 4.5 ft mantle
* Sitting area is 10ft back from TV with an 8ft ceiling
* Floors are hardwood
* Ceiling and Walls are Plaster (yes the room is lively and they may factor in what you recommend as it may not be worth my money to do really high end items)
* Looking to stay at 200-300 per speaker, but willing to consider something else if it is just going to work perfectly
* Need to stick to round speakers due to ceiling configuration
* Will be powered by a Marantz 1504 or 1403 unit
* Will be used for mostly movies, but hoping that soundstage will support hearing the wonderful soundtracks as well as the surround effects

Now - here is the list that I have accumulated. I have two hopes - one that this threads help highlight the large number of speakers out there and two, that we can define the good, bad, and ugly out of the group.

Paradigm
CS-60R-30
http://www.paradigm.com/products/pro...ries/cs-60r-30
Notes - I like the sound, but do not see a lot of recent reviews on these.
Angle: 30

Earthquake
SS82W
http://www.hometheatergear.com/produ...FelAMgod_2UAAQ
Notes - Heard a small local installer and they were not bad, but no reviews anywhere.
Angle: 20

Monoprice
4929
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2
Notes - Seems to have some reliable follows out there and price is good, but what do they sound like.
Angle: 15

MTX
HT625AC
http://www.amazon.com/HT625AC-Theater-Ceiling-Speaker-Electronics/dp/B0006TVW1Q/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt
Notes - none
Angle: 15

Episode
ES-500-POINT-6
http://www.snapav.com/p-413-es-500-point-6.aspx
Notes - none
Angle: 15

Dayton
ME650C
http://www.daytonaudio.com/index.php...g-speaker.html
Notes - none
Angle: 15

InWallTech
HD-650A
http://www.inwallstore.com/InwallTec...s_p/hd650a.htm
Notes - Great bulk price and on site reviews, but nothing out in the real world that I know of.
Angle: 20

Legrand
7000 Series HT7655
http://www.legrand.us/onq/audio-vide...rs/ht7655.aspx
Notes - none
Angle: unknown

Proficient
C870, C840, C660, C655, C650
http://www.proficientaudio.com/produ...g-lcr-speakers
Notes - Wide variety of selection between quality to price
Angle: 15

Speakercraft
Aim8 One
http://www.amazon.com/Speakercraft-Fidelity-Pivoting-In-Ceiling-Speaker/dp/B000U7NGCW
Notes - none
Angle - unknown

So - that is my selection so far - I may update this with the woofer and tweeter material if everyone feels it would help. Tell me what you think and let me know if you need more info.

[Mr Peabody]

People like Monoprice because it's cheap and most don't know any better. IMO the only respectable speaker on your list is Paradigm.

Another alternative, Golden Ear has a new model of the style that attaches to the TV. If they are designed like Artison each speaker is two, a top and bottom panel, the bottom left/right are left/right channel and the tops are wired together to make a center channel. The Artisons work excellent but they are very expensive, the Golden Ear are more affordable, have been getting great reviews and would sound better than in-ceiling for front LCR. Of course, if that's too visual for the wife, go with a decent in-ceiling. The only consideration with Paradigm, they do have a lively top end but maybe being angled wouldn't cause so much direct reflection off the wood floor.

[Mr Peabody]

Another option although would not be totally hidden, a high quality sound bar. Below are some comments on the Golden Ear.

"I do all my demos, both stereo and surround sound, in my living room, where I usually have the GoldenEar Triton Two set up, so I have high expectations for what I hear. Yesterday I moved the Tritons out for a demo of the GoldenEar 3D Array soundbar. As before I was blown away, so here I am, a devotee of high-performance high-end audio raving about a soundbar. Usually soundbars are just one step above built-in TV speakers, but the 3D Array is totally a different creature. The biggest reason is the “interaural crosstalk canceling” signal applied to 2 of its 6 woofers. It makes the soundfield expand far to the right and left of the enclosure, giving a 180 degree wrap-around soundfield.

The next day my GoldenEar factory reprsentative visited and I learned that this crosstalk canceling technology has been around since way back when the GoldenEar founders were at Polk Audio making the Polk SDA speakers. He told me the 3D Array works much better then the SDA speakers because the one piece construction keeps the alignment perfect. The SDA speakers had to be set up just right for the crosstalk cancellation to work, but that usually did not happen.
Another reason the 3D Array sounds great is that it uses the woofers and ribbon tweeters from the Triton Two. This sound bar sounds high-end, and it can play loud!. It can make a too-small TV room sound spacious. And it makes stereo so spacious it could be a fantastic stereo speaker in an office or bedroom system paired with a small subwoofer.

In case you think I have gone overboard with my love for these speakers check out the link below to read what the magazine reviewers say. They make my remarks seem like understatement. And there is a link to a scientist’s explanation of interaural crosstalk."

SuperCinema 3D Array | GoldenEar Technology | A Passion for Sonic Perfection

[larcklorn]

People like Monoprice because it's cheap and most don't know any better. IMO the only respectable speaker on your list is Paradigm.

Another alternative, Golden Ear has a new model of the style that attaches to the TV. If they are designed like Artison each speaker is two, a top and bottom panel, the bottom left/right are left/right channel and the tops are wired together to make a center channel. The Artisons work excellent but they are very expensive, the Golden Ear are more affordable, have been getting great reviews and would sound better than in-ceiling for front LCR. Of course, if that's too visual for the wife, go with a decent in-ceiling. The only consideration with Paradigm, they do have a lively top end but maybe being angled wouldn't cause so much direct reflection off the wood floor.

Oh...the goldenear is nice. I have actually heard it at a local store here in Indianapolis. I am looking at around 680 for the Paradigms vs this guy toping out at a grand. Plus then I would need to go with their tweeters and possibly thier sub, which are all higher priced, but what can you do....Any thoughts on the Def Tec square in ceiling speakers?

[Mr Peabody]

I've only heard some of the Def Tech towers, based on that I'd say the ceiling speakers would be decent.