[snickersbar]

I know next to nothing about speakers, but unfortunately dont have the interest in vesting the time in researching the field as I have spent countless hours on such endeavors with a HTPC. Just sort of tired, so this may sound lazy, but was hoping to get some simple feedback.


I want to simulcast the same audio into two rooms. 5.1 in Room A and stereo in Room B. Right now Room A has 4 satellite speakers from a Sony 500watt 5.1 package. I just bought a cheap $80 stereo amp/reciever to operate the speakers in Room B.


I figure I put this stereo amp in Room A on top of my 5.1 receiver and plug it into the MiniDisc/Audio out RCA stereo connections from my 5.1 box. This way it should have the same audio to both units.


So I can run the speaker wire from Room A into Room B no problem , they are adjacent.


I figure I will put my old front L/R satellite speakers in Room B (Attached to the new stereo amp) because they are small, and I dont want large speakers in that room. Just want simulcast audio for when cleaning the apartment and walking back and forth a lot - so I maximize my entertainment while cleaning.


Now if that works (the new receiver is still in the box I just bought it), I would buy 2 new "medium" quality speakers to replace the front LR speakers in my 5.1 setup.


I was hoping to spend around $100 to $200 for the pair. Is that feasible? Of course they arent medium quality to you guys considering high quality is probably $2000 per speaker, but for me, im not an audiophile, so I was hoping to get something thats a little better than the current satellite speakers I have.



Or possibly just buy 2 new satellte speakers and put those in the new room, since I have no complaints about the current 5.1 sat speaker setup, definitely because I have nothing to compare it to.


Last issue is of speaker stands. I went "all out" (for me at least) and dropped $40 each on speaker stands for the 4 satellite speakers. If I buy new speakers for the 5.1, I assume they wont work with the current speaker stands because they will be too big to fit (maybe?)

And I was thinking of using wall mounts in the other room for supporting the other speakers high up in the room, because its a small apartment and technically Room B is actually 3 rooms connected (living room/dining room/kitchen) so i want that pair of speakers to pump sound to all 300 square feet of those 3 undivided rooms.


Suggestions please?

 

[griz_fan]

Here's a couple of thoughts. First, I'd hesitate to break up the speakers in you Sony setup. for your price range, you could get a pretty nice pair of bookshelf speakers. Were you to use those in your Sony setup, I don't think they'd blend well with the remaining Sony speakers. I'd leave the Sony setup alone, and use the new pair in the 2nd room. Take a look at Athena ASB2 speakers, Paradigms, etc... I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to find a lot of options in your price range. I've also seen JBL E30 speakers on sale at an authorized online retailer for less than $200 shipped. the E30's seem to be well regarded.

I'd also hold off on speaker stands. My theory is that the new pair of speakers could wind up sounding a lot better than the speakers in you Sony 5.1 setup. When that happens, you could easily get a case up "upgrade-itis" and wind up replacing those speakers. Given the variety of speaker sizes and shapes, your investment in stands might not carry over to your next 5.1 speaker combo.

 

[snickersbar]

Id rather not put bookshelf speakers in my other room, as they would be weird and out of place.


I could definitely put a pair of smaller satellite speakers mounted on the wall high up with some plastic routing strips to hide the speaker wires.


The Sub from the 5.1 is very near the door from Room A to Room B, and I never close that door, so the sub sounds would probably be at 50% in Room B even with just sat speakers.


This setup should work though right? I mean since the audio stereo output on my 5.1 receiver is sending out the same audio as its playing on its speakers, then I can play the same audio on both recievers at the same time, right?

 

[DMF]

Ah ha! Found me!


Your idea is sound. No problem with long speaker leads, provided you get wire that is fat enough. 16 or 14 AWG at minimum.


Also agree with griz. You might not want to break up your current surround setup. If and when you do upgrade, start with the front, not the surrounds.


Sell the stands on eBay if they no longer work for you.