Just wondering what unconventional things do you do in your HT/audio setup and why?

I'll start-
1) I use ribbon/planar magnetic speakers in the front and conventional bipole speakers for the side/rear surrounds. The front channels I tried a "fully matched set" with conventional speakers LCR and surrounds and they simply did not have the vertical height or imaging capabilities of the ribbon/planars with a projector screen.

I run conventional rear speakers in the sides/rear cause I can't have planar speakers sticking off the wall. Further, the planar's line source dispersion is extremely narrow in the vertical range like a cylinder, while conventional cones and domes project like a sphere. IMO more appropriate for surround speakers.

2) I run no center channel. Since I run planar magnetic front L and R, I tried a 'lesser' planar turned on its side as a center and I tried conventional cones. None matched, even tweaking it with a parametric EQ. I haven't tried an actual planar center channel from the same company though other users who have the same combination speakers report the match is also not 100%. Thus, I'd rather run no center channel then run a mismatched center.

3) I run 2 pairs of side surround speakers. I have a fairly small room, only 17.5' x 13.5'. I have 3 pairs of bipole surround speakers total. The additional surrounds are forward of the side surrounds. I feel this provides a much fuller side image. Even with 7.1 there seemed like a gap between the side surrounds and the front speakers. With the additional side speakers this filled in that gap.

4) I do not use the LFE output on the preamp processor. I run the subwoofer set to "no" and then the front L and R line outputs going into a external electronic crossover, then feeding a subwoofer EQ. I have a few reasons for this 1) The preamp processor's high pass filter is only 12 db/oct while the low pass is 24 dB/octave. I'm a stickler for 24 db/oct Linkwitz Riley alignments so I chose to use the external crossover. 2) the LFE channel reaches up to 125 Hz on the recording. If the LFE channel's crossover is set to 80, as far as I know the information from 80 to 120 Hz is lost. 3) The external electronic crossover is far more adjustable then the preamp processor's which only gives 20 Hz incremental adjustments.


5) I EQ the side and surround speakers to match the front speakers (which are not EQ'd). Since my front speakers are not the same design as the surrounds, a tonal quality difference is obvious. The EQ allows me to shape the sound to bring them more in line with the front speakers.

Any one else? What do you do unconventionally in your system?

I sometimes ballroom dance around with my three month old. I have to lead.












Or is that not what you were looking for? ;)

I once watched an episode of Gilmore Girls when my wife wasn't home.

I watched Steel Magnolias.

I watched Steel Magnolias.


Ah, but did you cry? :p

:lol: Wow, I have to say I got a kick out of the responses so far. Dang, was it the way I worded the question? Everyone has a "ideally" setup 7.1 system?

I only use the pre out from my receiver (Sony STR-DA5200ES) and run it through an Ebtech LLS-8 to turn it into balanced signal. Then it goes to a 6.1 set of powered ("active") monitors ("speakers").

I also have a 1-hour timer so the kids can rotate GT Racer/Viva Pinata/Halo 3 on a reasonably fair schedule :-)

I use 16 gauge speaker wire that didn't cost much. ;)

I don't hide my electronics, unlike many other dedicated theater owners.

I don't watch tv.

I play computer games on my TV and sound system, sitting in my favorite chair with a 360 controller instead of at my desk with a mouse and keyboard. It's more comfortable.

I have a small room, so the surround speakers are laying on the floor behind the couch. They're propped up on one side so they aim up at the rear corners of the room.

Works a lot better than it should. Certain movies it works really great. Like Master & Commander. In the beginning when the dude is walking around below deck, it really sounds like there are footsteps and creaking coming from directly above you.

[quote]I play computer games on my TV and sound system, sitting in my favorite chair with a 360 controller[quote]

Actually, that's not unconventional. A console game will often sell 10x as many copies as a PC game. You're in the majority!

My whole home theater is odd but lets see.

Phantom center channel. (by choice)

4.2 surround both subs wired with #12 romex.:eek:

Walls made from field stone 32” thick (very solid):rolleyes:

Ceiling height 6’4” (very low):mad:

And if I did ever watch the Gilmore Girls alone I would never admit it. :D

Actually, that's not unconventional. A console game will often sell 10x as many copies as a PC game. You're in the majority!

Yes, but I'm talking about PC games.

Or am I missing something...