[Spizz]

I am getting my Onkyo TX-DS989 in 2 weeks time and need asistance in where to place my rear ex channels and also my current side Dipole rear channels.
http://www.chariot.net.au/~spizz/My%...%20Theater.htm


That link has how I have my speakers currently but I have read that my rear speakers should be 2-3 feet above the top of your head. Currently I have them at ear level. So should I raise them another 3 feet?


Lastly and more importantly the Rear EX channels and where to put them as I am going to use 2 speakers for EX. Ideally I think they are supposed to go in the middle of the entranceway in the 3 picture down. However as you can see that is impossible. Would there be a problem if I mounted the speaker to the right of that entrance where that Buzz lighteyear picture is? Or would that be to close to the side rears which would cause a problem?


Lastly should i use a direct radiating for the rear EX channel or Dipoles/Tripoles? Which is really conflicting as there are no direct radiating THX certified speakers as far as i know?

Any advice is appreciated.


Thanks,

Spero D.



[This message has been edited by Spizz (edited April 21, 2000).]

 

[Spizz]

Any one please?


Spero D.


[This message has been edited by Spizz (edited April 21, 2000).]

 

[Will Gibbons]

I have been checking out as many postings as possible on your type question. I'm looking to upgrade to either the new Onkyo or to a pre/pro such as the Lexicon DC-2 or MC-1. Frankly, I thought I would wait and check out the responses from folks like you who will have the Onkyo soon. To your question--from what I have read and experienced, your surrounds would best be located directly to the sides of the viewers at least at ear level. Your picture appears to have them more as rear placement. I think you will want to experiment with height, especially with the rather reflective nature of your concrete ceiling. For rear specs, I am more inclined to go with direct radiating, because I am guessing sound will be more directional for movement, especially with 7.1, and should be mutually complimentary with the dipoles. Regarding THX, so much of that issue is timber matching. Though expensive, I would look into duplicating my front right and left speakers. This may be overkill for EX, but would be great for 7.1, whether in an upcoming discrete or in a DSP mode. If not feasible, stay with the same manufacturer as the others. Lastly, my thanks to you for all the information you have been putting out on the new Onkyo. I have enjoyed visiting your website.


Regards,

Will

 

[Larry Davis]

Spero,

I am using V-shaped bipoles (Atlantic Technology 454e SR) for my rear surrounds and EX rear center: http://www.atlantictechnology.com/pu...images/454.jpg


Alan is using a speaker (don't remember which) actually planted in the ceiling. He said that he found speaker placement had the biggest effect, more than speaker type. I had a situation similar to yours. I have my rear speakers on stands flanking the couch with the null point point centered directly at the listener, which is exactly the configuration AT recommends. I have about 3 1/2 feet between the couch and the rear wall. I just placed one of my rears right at the center and that's how I've been listening to EX and 5.1 DVD's with the Smart 3X (EX) decoder. When I get the other amp I ordered, I will hook up the other speaker to try it out. But too many speakers in such a small area could hurt the sound more than help it. We'll see. I suggest you experiment. I don't recommend placing the rear center/back surround toward one side of the room. I think that would be very distracting to the listeners.


Larry


[This message has been edited by Larry Davis (edited April 21, 2000).]

 

[Spizz]

Hi Will thanks for the reply. Currently my side rear speakers are at ear level and the null pointed at the listener like THX suggests. So are you saying that with a concrete ceiling like mine it is inavisable to place the sides 2 feet above ear level as THX suggests because of the reflective nature of the ceiling?


As for what speakers to use for the rear EX I didnt even think to use the same as the fronts. Though that is not an option as I am looking for something small due to space limitations at the back of the room. If I did use dipoles/Tripoles/Direct speakers in the back where should I mount them in my setup after haveing seen my setup?


Thanks for the compliments on the website.


Larry- Thankyou also for the reply. So you to have them at ear level and not the perscried 2 feet above head height?

Lastly I tend to agree with you on not having the rear-ex channels to far to the side. Do you have any suggestions as well as to where to put them both or mount them both after seeing the setup?


If anyone else has any ideas to please let me know. 1 thought is to put the speaker on top of each arch way and pointed down at the listener. What do you think as it wont be the same height then as the sides?


Thanks everyone in advance,


Spero D.

 

[Larry Davis]

Spero,

the 450e system is THX Ultra certified. I don't think the stands would violate the THX specs. If it did, they wouldn't sell it. The installation booklet from Atlantic Technology says: "Height of the surrounds should be between ear level and two feet above ear level". Hope this helps.


Placing the speakers closer to the ceiling pointed down at the listener is something I've been thinking of myself. Give it a try and tell us what you think. It could be a great solution. As I said, Alan Gouger has his EX center actually placed in the ceiling.


Larry

 

[tredshift]

If I go to an "EX" rear speaker setup, which I would love to do, I would have to use a ceiling mounted speaker.

My rear wall is 18 feet away from my listening position and to boot, I've got a large ceiling fan almost directly over head.

That means that I would have to either use 1 speaker moved back 3 or 4 feet in the middle or 2 speakers in line with the rear of my seating area and set about 4 feet a part.

Does anyone have any thoughts as to which arrangement might be better?

 

[Rachael Bellomy]

Spizz my experimenting has led me to believe only one rear center speaker is necessary and proably preferable.I

started out using two RC's but only liked the pair when they were together

in the middle rear.Ultimately I decided that one RC was enough,placed

in the center rear just slightly above

ear level.I used an Atlantic Tech 254SR because I had a pair.I will try

a single monopole speaker too.From the

look of your setup,I bet all you need is one RC too.I'm still experimenting at this point but have figured out that a pair of rear centers can mess up effects that seem intended to pan

back to front or vice versa.


------------------


Ms. Bitchlist

 

[jmiyake]

I am setting up my theater, and the way it is laid out it occurs to me that I could place a shelf to the sides and rear of the room. I could then place as many small speakers as I want to the sides, and as a rear channel. Since that is the way things are laid out in a real theater, wouldn't it work here? What would be the effect of many monopoles high around the sides and rear of a home theater? My room is 13' wide by 20' long and the ceiling is 8'.

 

[Rachael Bellomy]

Spizz,I'd put my speaker/speakers right under the projector.I stille think you only need one for EX.


------------------


Ms. Bitchlist

 

[Spizz]

Thanks Rachel thats what I was going to do when I was going to get the RX-V1 but now im going for the Onkyo TX-DS989 I want to use its full implementation.

I may just end up putting them on stands and placng them in the middle of the entranceways into the back of the room and move the stands when im not using them and just keep them ear level like I currently have my sides.


What do you think?


Thanks in advance,

Spero D.

 

[Rachael Bellomy]

Spizz,could you mount a shelf just below the projector and put the speaker/s right there,as high as possible.GMC,how did you mount your cc350 (Paradigm?)? I own some Paradigm speakers,which ones are you using on the sides? Spizz,one big speaker might be better.I have a cc350 in my bedroom now I've got to bring it in here and try it! I had a Mini-Monitor in here earlier tonight.This center channel thing is intresting,the ones with the aiming stand like my Atlantic Tech center would be intresting on a shelf.

GMC,my room is like yours open on one side like yours and I assure you your conclusion about monopoles on the sides is correct.My setup and room are

similar,except my room is proably even smaller.Spizz,GMC certainly has an intresting idea here!Could you use another center? Put your processor in phantom and try your center back there.......Keep us informed,I gotta go and get my cc350,buenos noches!


------------------


Ms. Bitchlist

 

[Rachael Bellomy]

Vaerry intresting! My brother is using mini-monitors for sides for pretty much the same reason.I,of course,use them for fronts now on the "little" system.When I get my own house in a year or two,I'd be tempted to move my

Paradigm speakers to my main system and get a pair of their towers and use the Mini's for side or rear.I helped my brother pick out his Paradigm set and I bought some about a month later.

Well Spizz,GMC's setup sounds very,I won't say it again......


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Ms. Bitchlist

 

[Mark Hunter]

Hey Spero,


I am looking forward to the arrival of the DS-989 myself (it's on order!). I am wondering what to do with 7.1 channels though.


I have the Atlantic Tech. 450 speakers coming as well (451e for front left/right and 453e for the front center and the surrounds).


I am currently thinking of getting ONE more 453e center channel speaker as a SINGLE REAR center channel, that matches the front (in a 6.1 hexagon setup). I realize that this doesn't use the full capability of the Onkyo, but 7.1 is a lot of damn speakers!


In your case, I would get two monopole, direct radiating surrounds on stands and place them towards the rear corners of the room. Your entranceway should be fine.


If they get in the way of the entrance, put them on motorized tracks and control them with your remote!


------------------

Mark Hunter

 

[Spizz]

Mark thanks for the reply. Here it goes-


You have to let me know what you think about the Onkyo if you get it before me. However (and please take this as a suggestion) why not go for a Yamaha RX-V1 if you only want to use 1 channel as a rear center channel as it would seem like a waste not to use the 2 off the Onkyo? Can you mix the 2 rear center channels of the onkyo to run 1? If so then disregard the above as the point is moot.


Secondly thanks for the suggestion on the placement of the rear center channels. However after speaking to the technical guru at DVDTalk, HTF etc he says to divide the rear wall in 3s. Then on were the 2 lines are that is were the rear center channels go. Now that position is in the middle of each archway so I guess I wil buy stands and put the speakers on those at the same hieght as the sides for a seemless pan. However Im still tossing up wether to buy dipoles (as suggested by THX)for the rear center channels or monopoles as suggest by others. I guess until more people use THX-EX we wont know which the best actually is, though I guess it will differ from person to person. (Also due to Rachels experimentation above Im tempted to try both speakers or just 1 as a rear center and make my own decision)


I have a feeling that I wont be using the EX capabilities of the amp yet (which is a shame as that is a big reason Im getting the amp so go figure) as I can only strech for the amp immediatly and the rear center speakers about a month later. However I have a pair of Bose monopoles (Yeah, yeah I can hear what your all thinking http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif that i will pull down from my outdoor setting to test for the rear EX channels so i may do that.


Let me know how your setup goes Mark as Atlantic Tech speakers are really nice speakers.


Spero D.


[This message has been edited by Spizz (edited May 02, 2000).]

 

[Mark Hunter]

Hey Spero,


Have you been reading my other posts? The DS-989 and the Yamaha RX-V1 were the two units I have been considering.


When I put them head-to-head, though, it was no contest, the DS-989 blew away the Yamaha, and at a better price, too!


Even without using 7.1 channels, the Onkyo was the clear winner (for a great article on this very topic, see "Onkyo Puts Yamaha in Checkmate with their Latest Home Theater Masterpiece: the TX-DS 989" )


I was sold on WRAT, 192/24 bit DACs, 5hz-100khz response, THX certs, additional wattage, and most of all the UPGRADEABILITY.


The 7.1 channels was excellent for me, too, but not my main reason for buying it. I hope that I can figure out a way to use them all!


And if my unit comes in first, I will be sure to let you know...although I doubt it...I believe I am in the same PowerBuy that you are!


------------------

Mark Hunter


[This message has been edited by milori (edited May 02, 2000).]

 

[Spizz]

I have not seen you other posts regarding the TX-DS989 and the Yamaha.


As for the Audioholics article I am not happy with them as it is a blantant rip off of all the information which I personally typed up on this forum and the HTF forum. The author even copied the Power buy info word for word.

 

[Mark Hunter]

Hey Spero,


I DID notice that the information looked familar! I remember you saying that you personally typed in every word of that, too.


I also found an answer to my question of how to use the 7.1 channels on the Onkyo...see the related thread at http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000829.html for the details...


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Mark Hunter