What to do with surrounds?

[acritzer]

Well, I have on the way a CS2, and two Monitor 60's. Can't wait to hook them up. Now I'm wondering what to do with my old speakers, especially for the surrounds. Right now I have the stock Onkyo stuff hooked up...came all packaged up with the HT-R520 receiver that I have.
The surrounds are unfortunately mounted high on the back wall, above the seating position, facing directly out. (not ideal).

What I would really like to do, is use the old L/R as surrounds. But, I don't know if I can mount them up and have it look right...they're quite a bit bigger than the old ones.

Would I really notice much difference for surround speakers? Or, as a compromise, should I try and get mounts for the existing speakers that allow me to angle them down toward the listener? Would that be an improvement? Sorry no pics right now to help.

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by acritzer

Well, I have on the way a CS2, and two Monitor 60's. Can't wait to hook them up. Now I'm wondering what to do with my old speakers, especially for the surrounds. Right now I have the stock Onkyo stuff hooked up...came all packaged up with the HT-R520 receiver that I have.
The surrounds are unfortunately mounted high on the back wall, above the seating position, facing directly out. (not ideal).

What I would really like to do, is use the old L/R as surrounds. But, I don't know if I can mount them up and have it look right...they're quite a bit bigger than the old ones.

Would I really notice much difference for surround speakers? Or, as a compromise, should I try and get mounts for the existing speakers that allow me to angle them down toward the listener? Would that be an improvement? Sorry no pics right now to help.

Look into the B-Tech BT77 speaker mounts. I had my Polk bookshelves on them and they worked great.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by louhamilton

Look into the B-Tech BT77 speaker mounts. I had my Polk bookshelves on them and they worked great.

Not only do I agree with Lou, but I have 4 pair of them and 1 pair is holding up some TSi200's, the other TSi100's so yes, they can hold some big speakers (when mounted correctly) I've got a couple of shots of them in my gallery and here is a link,

http://www.bracketsandstands.com/BT_...ETS_p/bt77.htm

i highly recommend them!

keep us posted

[acritzer]

Those look pretty good but I think my biggest problem is thy our couch is flush with the mounting wall. So the speakers almost need to point down to be directed toward the listener. The room really causes some limitations for their placement. I'd like to get them on side walls instead of the back but it's just not possible. I'll probably just live with it for now. And keep looking at alternatives.

I'll also try and get some pics up once the new stuff arrives.

[sterryo]

Originally Posted by acritzer

Those look pretty good but I think my biggest problem is thy our couch is flush with the mounting wall. So the speakers almost need to point down to be directed toward the listener. The room really causes some limitations for their placement. I'd like to get them on side walls instead of the back but it's just not possible. I'll probably just live with it for now. And keep looking at alternatives.

I'll also try and get some pics up once the new stuff arrives.

can you possibly place them on stands on each side of couch?

[acritzer]

Floor space is limited and with a 17 month old my wife doesn't like that idea. I think the side walls are too far away to work. I think I need a mount that allows for a lot of downward tilt.

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by acritzer

Those look pretty good but I think my biggest problem is thy our couch is flush with the mounting wall. So the speakers almost need to point down to be directed toward the listener. The room really causes some limitations for their placement. I'd like to get them on side walls instead of the back but it's just not possible. I'll probably just live with it for now. And keep looking at alternatives.

I'll also try and get some pics up once the new stuff arrives.

I thought the same about my rear surrounds... so I actually mounted them on brackets so that I could angle them sharply down towards my listening area. To my surprise.... they actually sounded better mounted flush to the wall. Of course mine are bipole surrounds, so you may experience very different results with directionals.

[Hammie]

Exactly how far are your side walls. Any calibration should be able to take that into account.

You could always sell your current ones and get some bipoles/dipoles. That is what I have and sound WAY better than direct firing speakers.

[DonRSD]

HEY.....those look like MY speakers louie-boy!!!

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by acritzer

Those look pretty good but I think my biggest problem is thy our couch is flush with the mounting wall. So the speakers almost need to point down to be directed toward the listener. The room really causes some limitations for their placement. I'd like to get them on side walls instead of the back but it's just not possible. I'll probably just live with it for now. And keep looking at alternatives.

I'll also try and get some pics up once the new stuff arrives.

direct firing speakers are not required to point "down" at you for surround purposes. 7 - 10 degrees is more than enough for good speakers with audio calibration done. my speakers don't fire down at my ears and let me tell you when surround effects or music comes from any surround speaker in my place, everyone there knows it!

next time your at the movies, you'll notice that the speakers have a tilt to them but there not aimed down at your head. they are angled/tilted in such a way that they create the surround field when engaged. good speakers with a good receiver/amp powering them with calibration will do wonders on these mounts.

i love them; but that's me with no small children in the house...even though my adult kids act like it sometimes