Video Asylum

Posted by David Aiken (A) on August 31, 2007 at 00:06:11

In Reply to: RE: What are you using for your cinema sound? posted by 4season on August 30, 2007 at 16:59:28

I'll agree with Oscar on the desirability of identical full range speakers all round. I'm running a 6.1 system with 2 pairs of full range floorstanders for the front and side L & R speakers and 2 timbre-matched centre speakers as the centre and rear surround. The auto-setup process on my Denon 2807 receiver sets the crossover frequency to 40 Hz on all of them which was a nice confirmation that the centre speakers, although having slightly different sized boxes and driver layout (a horizonta layout for the centre speakers) but identical drivers really do match the floorstanders extremely well. I also use a REL sub.

With a good soundtrack the sound is very impressive with all speakers handling sound down to 40 Hz. Try something like the battle scene with the oliphants in front of Minis Tirith in the 3rd Lord of the Rings movie and you'll really appreciate having speakers that can handle bass all around. Provided the sound quality is good, quantity can count for a hell of a lot with that sort of soundtrack. Having good, low frequency stomping all around you is both impressive and great fun. You can do fine with full range front speakers and a sub but it is worth getting full range bass all around if you can.

My HT system is separate to my audio system and in a different room. When it comes to music I definitely prefer the sound of the audio system which has better quality components and is in a better room. The sound of the HT system on music is good but not great in the area where it's located, an open plan area with lots of glass windows and a ceramic tiled floor without rugs or carpet. The Audyssey EQ feature of the Denon does a good job with the room but not as good as I've done with DIY acoustic treatments in the audio room.

What would I do differently? I'd like a bigger room for the HT system. You really do need space for surround sound and decent distances to speakers. The receiver's room EQ does a good job but I've got it crammed into a limited space and a bit more space would be nice, especially if it was a room that I could treat acoustically rather than an open plan area.

Having said all of the above, surround sound is relatively new here. I was running stereo with a sub for the HT system up until January. You can do very well with just that but having the extra speakers is fun and it really does add to the enjoyment with a lot of movies, probably the ones that rely on sound effects most of all, but even so it does add to the enjoyment. I could go back to stereo for HT if it ever came to the crunch but I would prefer not to. If you're short on budget and think you can manage it, I'd say go stereo with a sub and a decent receiver to start, then add matching side surrounds next and a centre speaker after that for a full 5.1 system. You can definitely do it in stages and you will appreciate each addition. You can also happily stop at 5.1. Adding rear surrounds is not necessary but it does add something to movies with a 6.1 surround track.


David Aiken