Help me pick out some surround speakers!

[jholzbauer]

So, I caved under all the positive reviews and have ordered 3 SHOs and a CS18.1 sub. These will be in a 16x16x8 room. I'm driving myself crazy trying to figure out what surround speakers to buy. I've attached a crude drawing of the room along with where our sectional couch will go. The open space on the left will be french doors that can close. Because we won't have much room on the right side of the room and behind us, some of my choices are limited. Here's some I'm considering. How about a rating on 1) how their audio would match the SHOs and 2) sound quality.

1) Axiom QS8 + M2 onwall ($870)
2) Emotiva ERD-1 + UAW 6.2 inwall ($700)
3) Def Tech BP2X + UIW 55 inwall ($500)

My choices on the surrounds are such because of the low profile I want and I think the sound dispersion will be nice for HT. On the rear wall, I need something really low profile so I don't have sound blasting into the back of me. Anything else I need to weigh into the decision? Thanks!
room.pdf

[HuskerOmaha]

I was steered towards the QS8 for quality of build and how they would match up better sensitivity wise with the SHO-10s.

I have pictures of mine somewhere in here or at least on my avsforum thread....I'll try and throw one in here...





I wanted low profile and they are working well where I stuck them. Haven't heard them other than radio as of yet...that will change through this weekend.

For your rears with the couch being so close to the wall I would think you would need a diffuse like speaker as well like the QS4 or something....or I forget the one Ajax or someone was discussing a few weeks ago you could mount 18 inches from the ceiling...looked like a good fit for situations like yours.

The Emotivas have good reviews too...I just didn't like their sensitivity and 4 ohm driver compared to the Axioms.

You can get Axioms B stock for about 100 bucks cheaper than their website pricing...no flaws that I found on mine...

I'm new at this....but just my opinion.:no clue:

[HuskerOmaha]

Thread discussing other options...

http://www.chasehometheater.com/foru...ead.php?t=3772

[dguarnaccia]

I went through this same decision process and decided to go with Sho10's for the surrounds. Over the last few years, bi/dipoles have become less popular, and direct radiators have become more popular. I currently have the AV123 RS300's which is similar to the Axioms and Emos. I had the rears rewired to monopoles because you really want directed sound from the back. I find myself wanting more detail in the surrounds, which is why I'm going with the Shos. I would mount them up towards the ceiling, and aim them slightly down. That will give you some extra distance since you sit so close to the back wall.

[rsa]

Unless you have 10+ foot ceilings, rearrange the room. Besides having somewhere to mount the last surround—the one to the left—you aren't walking into the the back of the sectional when you come in through the french doors. It'll also look better from outside the french door. Specifically, I'd use GR Research surrounds.

Paint them wall color for WAF. Picture is by "TomS" from this AC thread:

[Mike_TX]

GR Research A/V-1RS surround speakers

Unless you have 10+ foot ceilings, rearrange the room. Besides having somewhere to mount the last surround—the one to the left—you aren't walking into the the back of the sectional when you come in through the french doors. It'll also look better from outside the french door. Specifically, I'd use GR Research surrounds. Paint them wall color for WAF.

I don't know about the top firing drivers, but the wall mounting design is elegant!

Mike

[dguarnaccia]

Are those DIY or is someone actually building them out for people?

[rsa]

Are those DIY or is someone actually building them out for people?

They're designed and marketed as kits, but over time there have been people providing varying degrees of help ranging from bare MDF flat packs to completed speakers. GR Research has a forum at Audiocircle for more info. Builders that are active are starting to be discussed in this thread.

•Ruben aka AC forum member "Outofthewoods" has been building sick enclosures for some time now, and has shipped completed subwoofers. Here's an AC thread with examples of his work.

•Elemental Designs Audio does custom work and has delivered an MDF enclosure of this speaker, so they have the CNC already programed. See this thread here on CHT. You'd have to contact ED for possible build options. Here's a picture of ED's assembled MDF enclosures:

•I've seen AC forum member "Ron" build and sell some of GR's kits on a small scale. See this example.

•If you need any crossover assembly done, Sean at Skiing Ninja will gladly assemble GR crossovers. I can't recommend anyone more highly than Sean and Skiing Ninja. He's the real deal.

If one possesses just the smallest amount of DIY capability, I think ED + SN is a great way to go. A final note: forums are littered with woodworkers who have tried to provide flatpack and build services and failed. Caveat Emptor applies. :)

[dguarnaccia]

Gotcha,

I really do like those designs. Reminds me of the X-omni design, and I aways thought those were awesome surrounds.

[dengi]

I would go for Axiom QS8 + M2 onwall Sound quality is Great!

[rsa]

1) Axiom QS8 + M2 onwall ($870)
2) Emotiva ERD-1 + UAW 6.2 inwall ($700)
3) Def Tech BP2X + UIW 55 inwall ($500)

My choices on the surrounds are such because of the low profile I want and I think the sound dispersion will be nice for HT. On the rear wall, I need something really low profile so I don't have sound blasting into the back of me.
[ATTACH]2317[/ATTACH]

Those choices show you're willing to open the drywall and perhaps modify some studs. What about recessing SHO-10's into the wall? Difficulty is on par with installing a recessed medicine cabinet. That'll save 4" in depth and give you matching surrounds.

If that fails, CHT may have your solution down the road.

Fitzwaddle ... I forgot to answer about the in/on wall ideas. It's a pretty simple concept, give the regular PRO-10's a couple of months to finish normal production, then we can look at the in/on wall stuff.

Maybe you can ping the management about it?! :whistle:

[jholzbauer]

Thanks for the feedback guys, keep it coming!

rsa-we are just starting to frame our basement, so yes in walls are definitely an option. I didn't know how their audio quality compared to normal bookshelves, but if it is similar that may be the route I take. I do like your idea on switching the orientation of the couch. That is actually the way I preferred it to sit. Unfortunately, I messed up the scale a little on my couch in the drawing. It is actually about 12'6" wide and that wall by the doorway is 11'. So, it would be hanging out over a foot which would look a little weird so I think I'm stuck with the direction I had in my drawing.

I'm going to have to do some digging about what CHT has in store in the future speaker offerings. Since I won't be done for probably 2-3 months, I've got some time to wait.

[kivyee]

I was seriously considering the QS8, then ended up getting these.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wharfedale-Evolution-EVO-DFS-Rear-Surround-Speakers-NEW_W0QQitemZ160536828125QQihZ006QQcategoryZ3276QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Seems decent enough in surround duty so far...they are a bi-pole configuration.

[jholzbauer]

Room layout changed!

So, I got my basement framed this week and when I looked at the finished product, I decided to move the location of the theater room. It is going to be smaller and I'm going to have to be creative boxing around electrical/sump/furnace but it will be a real man cave and I won't have to worry about kids/toys/etc knocking over my equipment and wreaking havoc.

The new room is 12x14 (hopefully not too small for the CS18.1) and will be almost fully enclosed. Here's the problem, I had pretty much decided on the QS8 for surrounds but with this new arrangement, if I mount them on the side wall, they are going to be right up against the rear wall and I don't know if that is a problem or not. I think I have 3 options:

1. mount bipole/dipole on side wall right next to rear wall-1 tweeter will fire right into rear wall
2. mount bipole/dipole on rear wall-these will be almost right above my head and QS8 has down firing woofer.... problem?
3. mount monopole on side wall right next to rear wall... I think I'm more interested in the sound dispersion from bi/di but with my layout is this approach ideal?

Please educate me! Oh, and when looking through the website, I saw grilles are available for the SHO-6....

[Ajax]

Jeff, option 1 or 2 will work fine. With their angled drivers they will still give a Left and right side surround effect.

If you's like verification, ask over at the Axiom forum. I've been a member there for years and they are a fairly decent bunch of guys very willing to help with placement. Or, just give Axiom a call (1-866-244-8796). They are very responsive. There well could be somebody on duty right now. I've called as late as 11PM and reached someone.

Personally, I'd go with option #1.