recommend rear 7.1 speakers??

[MATTYBLU2]

hi, i have a 5.1 cambridge soundworks bewton series setup now and will be upgrading soon to a 7.1 sound system. i want to add 2 more speakers to the rear for the 7.1 system.

what kind on speakers are good for the rear (not surround speakers) channels behind you? can i get the same speakers i have for my surrounds or do i need straight firing speakers? my surrounds are half moon (model S300) with 3 angled mid ranges firing front, center and back, and a tweeter in them each.

any advise or opinions on which ones to use? is it ambient sound that comes out of them? is it very noticable with a 7.1 track? wondering if it is worth the upgrade as well.

thanks for your time

[Snowgod]

Same as your surrounds

How much difference it makes will depend on how they are set up and where you locate them. I recommend you go to Radio Shack and get a DB meter so you can match them with your other surrounds for where you sit in your theater. All surrounds should have the same output level.

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by Snowgod

Same as your surrounds

ok so you can use the same surround speakers for the very rear channels in a 7.1 setup and the side surrounds and this will work fine? thanks

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by MATTYBLU2

ok so you can use the same surround speakers for the very rear channels in a 7.1 setup and the side surrounds and this will work fine? thanks

rear speakers ARE surround speakers...they dont sell "rear"...only "surrounds" thats you use for the rear.

any speaker will be ok as long as it matches the ohm and watt levels of the receiver...using the same brand you already have is ok.

[Snowgod]

Actually there are companies that sell a specific rear speaker. They are less directional so as to provide fill instead of direct sound. Direct sound is good for music and front speakers. Most companies do use the same surround speakers for the rears.

It is very important for the speakers to sound the same. In other words, the front and center channels must match and be directional, the surrounds and rears must match and are usually non-directional.

Try this, put in Mask of Zorro (yes I know it is not out on Blu-ray) and in the beginning Zorro walks onto the stage from the side and you hear him as he move from the R-front speaker to the Center. he should sound the same as he moves from speaker to speaker. If he doesn't and the sound changes as he move to the center channel them you have a mismatch.

For you surrounds and rear speakers try Chicken Run( I like the DTS-ES sound track). Go to the scene where they are in the oven and the burners start to light and move around them. All of the burners should sound the same as the sound circles behind you.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by Snowgod

Actually there are companies that sell a specific rear speaker. They are less directional so as to provide fill instead of direct sound. Direct sound is good for music and front speakers. Most companies do use the same surround speakers for the rears.

are you referring to bipole "surround" speakers??

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by Snowgod

Actually there are companies that sell a specific rear speaker. They are less directional so as to provide fill instead of direct sound. Direct sound is good for music and front speakers. Most companies do use the same surround speakers for the rears.

It is very important for the speakers to sound the same. In other words, the front and center channels must match and be directional, the surrounds and rears must match and are usually non-directional.

Try this, put in Mask of Zorro (yes I know it is not out on Blu-ray) and in the beginning Zorro walks onto the stage from the side and you hear him as he move from the R-front speaker to the Center. he should sound the same as he moves from speaker to speaker. If he doesn't and the sound changes as he move to the center channel them you have a mismatch.

For you surrounds and rear speakers try Chicken Run( I like the DTS-ES sound track). Go to the scene where they are in the oven and the burners start to light and move around them. All of the burners should sound the same as the sound circles behind you.

thanks for you help and advise, its appreciated

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

rear speakers ARE surround speakers...they dont sell "rear"...only "surrounds" thats you use for the rear.

any speaker will be ok as long as it matches the ohm and watt levels of the receiver...using the same brand you already have is ok.

i know they are rear speakers, but i wanted to make sure that iif i should use rear surrond speakers or like straight firing?

[MATTYBLU2]

Originally Posted by Snowgod

Same as your surrounds

How much difference it makes will depend on how they are set up and where you locate them. I recommend you go to Radio Shack and get a DB meter so you can match them with your other surrounds for where you sit in your theater. All surrounds should have the same output level.

yes i do have DB meter already that i bought from RS. i used it to set my other speakers last year. thanks again for your input

[Bluray_ne1]

Originally Posted by Snowgod

Same as your surrounds

How much difference it makes will depend on how they are set up and where you locate them. I recommend you go to Radio Shack and get a DB meter so you can match them with your other surrounds for where you sit in your theater. All surrounds should have the same output level.

I agree wholeheartedly. Use the same speakers you are using as your surround speakers for your surround backs (if you can find them). This will produce the most seamless rear sound field. Here are some placement options:

http://www.dts.com/dts-hd/dtshd-speaker-remapping.php