Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Center channel quandary

Is that why I am listening to my 60's (which I love) and wondering if I would like 80's more?

>>I had thought that there would not be enough distance behind the seating position to run a directional speaker. So I was going to use four QS8’s (2 sur and 2 sur bks). What do you think?

I don't have much experience with 7.1 myself but my understanding is that QS rears are the way to go if you don't have much distance from listening position to back wall.

The other common suggestion is "stick with 5.1" but I'm slowly starting to understand why 7.1 is attractive. You really lose some of the wacky spacial effects with 5.1 if you put your speakers in the right place

I heard a friends system a week or so ago with 4 QS8s but both pairs were mounted on the side wall rather than rears on the back wall. Never did find out why, will ask again tomorrow...

>>Is that why I am listening to my 60's (which I love) and wondering if I would like 80's more?

The 60s and 80s are supposed to sound very similar but the 80s have more ability to sound good at high volumes. I think the rationale for 80s across the front rather than a 60 center was that the center channel carries as much or more volume than the mains sometimes so either a third 80 is required or only 60s were needed for mains in the first place...

Since I tend to listen at lower volumes 65-80, the 60's and 150 suit me very well. My mains are at least 12 foot apart because of WAF (placement), and my 150 bridges that distance easily. I can run everybody out of the house if I bring up the volume.

Hello CM,

I'm a bit concerned about the "acoustically transparent screen" that you show on your drawing. While I have not auditioned such projection screens intended for home theater that claim to be acoustically transparent, there may well be some affect on the frequency response and dispersion characteristics of speakers placed behind them. I certainly wouldn't take the word of the screen manufacturer.

I've been involved in double-blind tests for years that use a special acoustically transparent cloth screen (not for projection purposes) that is postitioned in front of the speakers under test, so it is possible to have a fabric with clean acoustic transmission. The grille material used on Axiom speakers is one such material.

You could always do a test by putting one M60 behind the projection screen and the other in front to see if you can detect any reduction of high frequencies or muddying of the imaging.

The wall you''ve indicated on your drawing may also introduce some coloration to the left and center M60s.

Regards,

Any update on your impressions of the Star Wars Trilogy party?

Just received my golden e-mail today , the M60's and M2's should be here around Wednesday. Would be happy to bring them over so you can hear them for yourself. Gotta help you scratch that upgradeitis bug .

Jack, valid point thanks. A little further explanation is in order. My home is a 4-level split home and the black lines labled "wall" are actually the 2x4 framing that support stairs going to the upper level. So in the diagram you have a set of stairs that go from the basement level, where the HT is being built, up one level (the stairs labled in the diagram), then they wrap around and go up to the next level (the black lines labled wall support these steps).

The wall the Screen is on will be finished. The side of the stairs next to the left front speaker will only be finished on the stairwell side with insulation between studs. I'm hoping this will help reduce, probably not eliminate, any reflections from the LF speaker.

The center channel will be next to the other stair support and left unfinished, therefore there shouldn't be any reflections of consequence.

I know I'm bending the recommendations of Alan and others about the effects of placing the speakers in cabinets, but it is the best comprimise I could think of (WAF factor). Any other suggestions would be welcome, besides getting rid of the wife .

bridgman, The seating area will be about 12ft from a 103" diagonal screen, which gives me a viewing distance of 1.6x the screen width of 90". This should be enough to prevent me from seeing any screen door effect from the LCD projector. This room is also more a family room than a dedicated Home Theater room, so I didn't plan on using multiple rows of seating. The room will also have a fireplace, between the double french doors and the door by the stairs.

BigWill, Ah, when is enough ever enough . I think you are correct that 5.1 would be plenty, but I don't want the upgrade bug bitting me later. Like Seabear says, gotta have more Cowbell .