Surrounds for the A5/A2?

[Jeff240sx]

Hmm... I think the internet ate my last attempt at posting.

Anyway,

My living room is C-shaped, opening to a kitchen on the right side. And I'm updating my college-era HTIB from 7 years ago.

That said, I'm looking for some help. After lurking around and nearly getting in on the A5 group buy, I placed an order for the A5s and got on the wait list for A2b a few days ago. These will be hooked up to an Onkyo 818 arriving tomorrow.

While my front three speakers are set, these haven't really been around long enough to do much research pairing surrounds to this line.
I think that the A1's would be a bit too much speaker for rear/surround duty, especially since I'd likely be mounting on the wall either above or to each side of the sliding door behind me.

That said, what should I be looking for in rear/surround speakers? I was thinking something closer to the A4, but with no timetable laid out, I might have to look at other brands. So what makes a good surround speaker? And how would I know how to match them?

Any insight would be appreciated.

[gtpsuper24]

First congrats on the A5s, you'll be amazed at the SQ difference between those and the HTIB. I'm running my Arx setup with the 818 as well, great receiver.

I don't think the A1b would be too much for surround use, unless they are too large for the area you need them to go. I have my A1s mounted on the wall using some Pinpoint AM40 mounts. http://www.amazon.com/Pinpoint-AM-40.../dp/B002UV03MW They are mounted toward the top of the wall as front height speakers and the mounts are very heavy duty when mounted to a wall stud. I'm using the A2s as surrounds currently and I don't think you can have "too much" speaker when it comes to surround duty, IMO.

If you can't fit any current Arx model, then I would probably look at the Aperion Intimus surround model. Small and compact and will give good diffused sound.

[newspeakers]

Look at the Future Arx Speakers Discussion sticky thread and search on A4. This is the new ARX surround speaker that Jon is working on. We haven't heard anything about this recently but you can check with Jon on its status. If you can wait a few months, this might be your best option.

[D'Argo]

The A4s might be your best bet. If timing is an issue, I used these as my surrounds while waiting for the A5s. They use ribbon tweeters as well, although they are more forward/a bit brighter than the Arx tweeter (not timbre matched). Based on my experience, it makes the sound localizable for movies (not sure if that helps or if you prefer that). They are also wall mountable. $109 for the pair with free shipping. http://www.av-express.com/AV-Catalog...SLS-Q-LineGold.

[gtpsuper24]

I probably wouldn't wait for the Arx A4 surround. We haven't heard much from Jon about it or even if its going to be released for sure. If the A1b is too large to use as rears even if they can be mounted, I would look at a small surround from Aperion or maybe the Ascend HTM 200 small compact speaker that can be wall mounted. While i'm sure the A4 will be a nice surround model given Jon's track record, it doesn't seem like a sure thing just yet.

[Chane M&C]

I probably wouldn't wait for the Arx A4 surround. We haven't heard much from Jon about it or even if its going to be released for sure.

It's probably good advice to not wait out the A4, at least if you expect to complete your system by the first of the year. Just being realistic, folks.

That said, the A4 is high on our product priority list, it and the subwoofer we've been talking about. While a massive earthquake could wipe Florida from the map or a flood Nevada, TAI expects to launch the A4 Q1 2013.

The A4's twin 12 ohm 5.25" midbass drivers are here on my desk. This is a gorgeous driver for the Arx class. It has a cast alloy frame, hard-struck curvilinear cone, machined anodized phase plug, completely vented motor through the suspension underside, large diameter flat rear suspension, and a high energy motor. The guys did a really nice job on this part and we're loving it.

That's not all: a "3rd gen" planar treble driver is also here and in the A4 it'll constitute the first dipolar Arx tweeter system. Again, a really nice job - I'll have more to report about this special driver eventually - and we really like what this piece's characteristics mean for Arx. For now I think it's safe to say that the A4, when it hits, is going to be one heck of a product. I haven't seen this level of sophistication in high end main-channel speakers running literally over $2,000 the pair.

Do not expect a hard price estimate just yet, and kindly don't expect a firm date, but rest assured we're working on the A4. So many of you want it that we need to do our best getting it to market.

If the A1b is too large to use as rears even if they can be mounted, I would look at a small surround from Aperion or maybe the Ascend HTM 200 small compact speaker that can be wall mounted. While i'm sure the A4 will be a nice surround model given Jon's track record, it doesn't seem like a sure thing just yet.

That's good advice, gtp. I hope to be more definite about the A4's date sometime before the end of the year. As they say, watch this space.

[gtpsuper24]

That's not all: a "3rd gen" planar treble driver is also here and in the A4 it'll constitute the first dipolar Arx tweeter system. Again, a really nice job - I'll have more to report about this special driver eventually - and we really like what this piece's characteristics mean for Arx. For now I think it's safe to say that the A4, when it hits, is going to be one heck of a product. I haven't seen this level of sophistication in high end main-channel speakers running literally over $2,000 the pair.

This 3rd gen planar is it going to be a drastic change like Acculine to Arx was or is this going to be something that is just a slight improvement but will be close sounding to the current tweeter?

[Chane M&C]

This 3rd gen planar is it going to be a drastic change like Acculine to Arx was or is this going to be something that is just a slight improvement but will be close sounding to the current tweeter?

In-speaker the change won't be audible except perhaps for a little frequency response adjustment here and there. As a raw device the 3rd gen part has more thermal power reserve and so could raise the possibility of larger Arx models with higher initial efficiency and higher maximum output.

[jnordi]

In-speaker the change won't be audible except perhaps for a little frequency response adjustment here and there. As a raw device the 3rd gen part has more thermal power reserve and so could raise the possibility of larger Arx models with higher initial efficiency and higher maximum output.

This is great stuff Jon, glad to be onboard, I think I will order my A2b today, I think by pre-ordering it will get here quicker:mrgreen:
I built a stand for it, raised the TV and all ready to be oriented vertically with tweet as close to parallell with the A5's, it's awful lonely without the CC:rolleyes: Thanks Jon for all that you do.:) seriously my friend.
Cheers Jeff

[jnordi]

Hmm... I think the internet ate my last attempt at posting.

Anyway,

My living room is C-shaped, opening to a kitchen on the right side. And I'm updating my college-era HTIB from 7 years ago.

That said, I'm looking for some help. After lurking around and nearly getting in on the A5 group buy, I placed an order for the A5s and got on the wait list for A2b a few days ago. These will be hooked up to an Onkyo 818 arriving tomorrow.

While my front three speakers are set, these haven't really been around long enough to do much research pairing surrounds to this line.
I think that the A1's would be a bit too much speaker for rear/surround duty, especially since I'd likely be mounting on the wall either above or to each side of the sliding door behind me.

That said, what should I be looking for in rear/surround speakers? I was thinking something closer to the A4, but with no timetable laid out, I might have to look at other brands. So what makes a good surround speaker? And how would I know how to match them?

Any insight would be appreciated.

Jeff, you still here? Congrats on the speaks. I have a couple of suggestions that may work for you (except get the A1b's) you could try either of these, they are front ported so would help with close wall mounting. If you don't like them, return, thirty day in home.

http://www.htd.com/Products/level-two-speakers/Level-TWO-Bookshelf-Speakers

If too big, then these. I've never heard any HTD speakers, they seem well regarded.

http://www.htd.com/Products/flat-panel-speakers/middy-compact-speaker

You can choose colors. Hope this helps, and welcome to the best forum on the planet.
Cheers Jeff

[Jeff240sx]

Jeff, you still here? Congrats on the speaks.

Yup, I'm still here. I lurk mostly.
I picked up a Rythmik FV15HP to go with the A5/tx-nr818 combo, so my budget is pretty well blown for the near term. I'm on the waitlist for the A2b center, and will snap that up when I'm notified they're available.
The soundstage increase between a 5.1 HTiB setup and the A5s by themselves is pretty night and day, and as such, I'm not really missing the surrounds. And since my budget is tapped until the new year anyway, the A4s might be an option by then. If not, I'll probably go with the A1b setup.

Speaking of the fv15hp, Sorbothane is nothing short of magical - and saved me from receiving an "I told you so" from my wife and thus ruining my weekend. But that's another topic...

[marksman]

Jon:

Is the A4 going to be larger, or smaller, than the A1b? I searched and couldn't find a thread on it, but when I saw mention of dual 5.25 drivers in the A4, vs. the single 135mm of the A1b...it made me think it would be larger.

My current surrounds are 15x9x13 at around 22lbs and work well on my B&W stands. However, given my small placement area I wouldn't mind something smaller. Where do I find more tentative information on the A4's?