I am finishing my small theatre room. My custom screen is coming tomorrow and that just about finishes the room up except for my rear speakers and if it would be worthy of adding 7.1. I currently have Paradigms Studio 100's as mains along with a Studio CC center. I am working on what would work for rears (currently have Paradigm Atom's but think I may go to ADP for surrounds). Since this is a small area do you think it would be beneficial to go with 7.1 and if so where would be the best placement due to the size of the room? Any recommendations on good matching speakers to the mains that wouldn't be too cumbersome sticking out from the walls? I sit right at 13.5 ft from the screen.

Our room is a similar size and we are quite content with the performance of our 5:1 surround system.

I sit right at 13.5 ft from the screen.In that case, stick to a 5.1-speaker layout. You're within 6 inches of the back wall and there isn't enough space behind you for the rear speakers. Better to do 5.1 well than do 7.1 poorly.

I would also stick to the Atoms instead of ADPs for surround use. Place them as far back as possible (in this case, the back corners of the room), facing each other, mounted at least a couple of feet above ear level (makes them more enveloping and less distracting).

Good Luck,
Sanjay

In that case, stick to a 5.1-speaker layout. You're within 6 inches of the back wall and there isn't enough space behind you for the rear speakers. Better to do 5.1 well than do 7.1 poorly.

I would also stick to the Atoms instead of ADPs for surround use. Place them as far back as possible (in this case, the back corners of the room), facing each other, mounted at least a couple of feet above ear level (makes them more enveloping and less distracting).

Good Luck,
Sanjay

Quick question on why you would say stick to the Atoms? I am actually happy to hear you say that, but curious as to why that route as opposed to dipole version Paradigms. Thanks for the input as well.

I have 6.1 in my theater and it sounds great!

Victor

Quick question on why you would say stick to the Atoms?Dipoles have front-facing and rear-facing drivers that are wired out of phase, creating cancellation where the sound from both sets of drivers meet in the middle of the speaker's dispersion pattern. When using dipoles as surrounds, the idea is to place them directly to the sides of the seating area so that listeners end up in the speakers' nulls (quiet zones), therby hearing mostly reflected sound from nearby walls and very little direct sound from the speakers themselves.

With your listening position being 6 inches from the back wall, you're not going to be able to use dipole surrounds effectively. Placing them directly to your sides would mean that the rear set of drivers end up practically against the back wall, ruining the dipole effect. Placing the dipoles away from the back wall would mean that the listeners are no longer in the nulls, getting direct sound from the rear set of drivers and (again) ruining the dipole effect.

I typically suggest dipoles if the seating area is well away from the back wall AND the room is so narrow that direct firing speakers would be distracting as surrounds. Placing the Atoms a couple of feet above ear level (or even in the rear tri-corners of the room, near the ceiling) will help diffuse the sound, making your direct firing speakers more enveloping. The wide spread will make sure you hear clear left-vs-right stereo separation in the surround field.

Best,
Sanjay