sethwas
07-24-08, 03:37 PM
Ok,
I'm going to start with the basic question, and then explain in more detail:
All things equal is it better to use a contemporary bookshelf speaker mounted on the wall toed to the listener (not it's intended use), or a in-wall/on wall speaker placed flat (inherantly compromised design, but used as intended).
I understand that both setups, in a stereo only arrangement, are inferior to an in-room stereo arrangement.
Now to be more specific, lets assume identical speakers designed for each scenario, so use for example Axiom M2 and W2 - pretty much same sound (I could use PSB platinums, a custom DIY, etc. so take your pick), but one is a regular box, and the other is a plasma style thin on wall speaker (doesn't extend into the wall cavity other than the wire ports).
Right now I have my Tyler mains set 9' apart over a foot away from the wall and listener. The speakers are front ported and, due to imaging necessity, toed to the listener.
Check out my gallery photo to understand the setup and furniture.
Obviously the baffle/bass issues with the on wall speaker will be minimized as much as possible by choosing a speaker that takes these issues into its design and eliminates them as much as possible. I understand the compromises with in/on wall speakers but the reality is my setup is always going to be compromised one way or another so I am ignoring this and focusing on not an 'ideal' scenario but my 2 choices listed.
The goal here is to move the speakers off the floor. This is mainly a safety issue (wires and heavy toppleable speakers) and of course a damage issue (on walls are less reachable) - i.e. this is a 'childproofing' project.
These are the IF's:
1) If I use an in/on wall speaker designed for such purpose while still being mounted 10' apart (1 foot wider due to them being a foot farther away) and flush with the wall with zero toe, will I need a dedicated center instead of pure stereo to maintain proper imaging?
If I cannot go zero toe with my regular mains, to keep proper imaging, which I expect to be superior to the wall mounted solution, why would I be able to even with a cost no object wall type speaker?
As a follow up to this question, given my room setup (see gallery), will the extreme proximity to the plasma as well as the reflection effects of the cabinet above, affect the center? (i.e. cause any tonality issues due to potentially extending, or even blocking, the baffle of the on-wall)
Or would I need a standard box center, wall mounted or simply seated below the plasma on the TV stand, to be able to extend beyond the face of the plasma glass?
2) If I use a standard bookshelf and mount it right up against the wall with the ability to toe it to the listener, am I damaging the speakers designed tonality by placing it too close to the room boundary so much so that the speaker designed for an in/on wall use is actually better. In this situation there would be no dedicated center.
Thanks,
Seth
P.S. This link may work for the gallery:
http://gallery.avsforum.com/showphoto.php/photo/28810
I'm going to start with the basic question, and then explain in more detail:
All things equal is it better to use a contemporary bookshelf speaker mounted on the wall toed to the listener (not it's intended use), or a in-wall/on wall speaker placed flat (inherantly compromised design, but used as intended).
I understand that both setups, in a stereo only arrangement, are inferior to an in-room stereo arrangement.
Now to be more specific, lets assume identical speakers designed for each scenario, so use for example Axiom M2 and W2 - pretty much same sound (I could use PSB platinums, a custom DIY, etc. so take your pick), but one is a regular box, and the other is a plasma style thin on wall speaker (doesn't extend into the wall cavity other than the wire ports).
Right now I have my Tyler mains set 9' apart over a foot away from the wall and listener. The speakers are front ported and, due to imaging necessity, toed to the listener.
Check out my gallery photo to understand the setup and furniture.
Obviously the baffle/bass issues with the on wall speaker will be minimized as much as possible by choosing a speaker that takes these issues into its design and eliminates them as much as possible. I understand the compromises with in/on wall speakers but the reality is my setup is always going to be compromised one way or another so I am ignoring this and focusing on not an 'ideal' scenario but my 2 choices listed.
The goal here is to move the speakers off the floor. This is mainly a safety issue (wires and heavy toppleable speakers) and of course a damage issue (on walls are less reachable) - i.e. this is a 'childproofing' project.
These are the IF's:
1) If I use an in/on wall speaker designed for such purpose while still being mounted 10' apart (1 foot wider due to them being a foot farther away) and flush with the wall with zero toe, will I need a dedicated center instead of pure stereo to maintain proper imaging?
If I cannot go zero toe with my regular mains, to keep proper imaging, which I expect to be superior to the wall mounted solution, why would I be able to even with a cost no object wall type speaker?
As a follow up to this question, given my room setup (see gallery), will the extreme proximity to the plasma as well as the reflection effects of the cabinet above, affect the center? (i.e. cause any tonality issues due to potentially extending, or even blocking, the baffle of the on-wall)
Or would I need a standard box center, wall mounted or simply seated below the plasma on the TV stand, to be able to extend beyond the face of the plasma glass?
2) If I use a standard bookshelf and mount it right up against the wall with the ability to toe it to the listener, am I damaging the speakers designed tonality by placing it too close to the room boundary so much so that the speaker designed for an in/on wall use is actually better. In this situation there would be no dedicated center.
Thanks,
Seth
P.S. This link may work for the gallery:
http://gallery.avsforum.com/showphoto.php/photo/28810