Bi polar Definitive speaker placement or tips?

[J.H.]

I have and have had a Def Tech setup forever now,I just love Def Techs. First what I have: BP7002 main speakers,BPVX surrounds,center channel CLR2000 powered by a Yamaha receiver. Also a Supercube II. My system in general just sounds a bit underwhelming. It should sounds great right? I recently moved is part of the problem and the BP7002 do not have a wall behind them. Do you think that is the biggest problem I have? I have the BPVX about 6 inches above ear level,1 foot from back wall toed in just a bit. My center channel is much lower than the BP7002's also. So if anyone has any suggestions I'd appreciate it? Thanks JC

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by J.H.

I have and have had a Def Tech setup forever now,I just love Def Techs. First what I have: BP7002 main speakers,BPVX surrounds,center channel CLR2000 powered by a Yamaha receiver. Also a Supercube II. My system in general just sounds a bit underwhelming. It should sounds great right? I recently moved is part of the problem and the BP7002 do not have a wall behind them. Do you think that is the biggest problem I have? I have the BPVX about 6 inches above ear level,1 foot from back wall toed in just a bit. My center channel is much lower than the BP7002's also. So if anyone has any suggestions I'd appreciate it? Thanks JC

Bipolar front speakers sound the best if they are placed about 2 feet away from the front wall. The rear drivers need some room to reflect against the wall and fill the room. Experiment with positioning the speakers and see if you get better results. Bipolar surround speakers work best if they are placed a few feet behind you and at least a foot or so higher than your head.

Beside location and placement in the room, another problem could be calibration problem. Recalibrate the speakers and use an SPL meter to check their levels.

The last solution is to use some room treatment and bass traps.

[DragonSarc]

do you have a diagram of your set up?

[prerich]

Originally Posted by J.H.

I have and have had a Def Tech setup forever now,I just love Def Techs. First what I have: BP7002 main speakers,BPVX surrounds,center channel CLR2000 powered by a Yamaha receiver. Also a Supercube II. My system in general just sounds a bit underwhelming. It should sounds great right? I recently moved is part of the problem and the BP7002 do not have a wall behind them. Do you think that is the biggest problem I have? I have the BPVX about 6 inches above ear level,1 foot from back wall toed in just a bit. My center channel is much lower than the BP7002's also. So if anyone has any suggestions I'd appreciate it? Thanks JC

First, IMHO the BPVX should be placed higher, actualy mounted to the back wall so they can reflect off the side walls (each speaker 1.5 to 2 ft from the side walls so you can have an spacious sound. The BP7002 should have two feet behind them (like Big Daddy suggested). From what I'm hearing from you - you have your system setup (especially your rears) like a direct radiating system, losing the advantages of a Bipole. I use Bipoles exclusively in my rears and side surrounds...I even use them as presence speakers (even though a direct ratiating system may work better here - I'm pleased with the sonic results). Definately get the BPVX higher up.

[J.H.]

Thanks guys. I have to get the surrounds up higher. I'm using the tallest speaker stands I could find. There are no walls on the side till very far away,very far. I will try and figure something out. Thanks JC

[SKRUhddvd]

i would also look at how your system is set up in your receiver. sometimes just changing the speaker setup from large to small can wake them up.

[Big Daddy]

This information is from https://forum.blu-ray.com/speakers/6...-speakers.html .

Normally, surround speakers are placed at or above ear level. However, for movies, installing them 2ft to 3 ft above ear level is preferred. In a 5.1 setup, you have three options for installing bipolar speakers:

1. On the side walls, above and behind ear level.
2. Hung from the ceiling, above and behind ear level.
3. The rear wall, above ear level.

When doing 7.1, two bipole speakers can go on the side walls or hung from the ceiling, above and behind ear level. The additional bipole surround speakers are placed behind the listener on the rear wall or hung from the ceiling, again above ear level.

All diagrams are created by Big Daddy

In case you have a wall on one side and the other side is open, you can attach one surround speaker to the wall and attach the other one to the ceilining with a chain or with a bracket. Alternatively, you can put that speaker on a tall stand. Make sure the heights and distances are the same.

[J.H.]

Thanks I read that. I just bought new 17.5 inch speaker stand to go with my speaker stands I have now. That should put the BPVX surrounds about a 1 1/5 to 2 feet above year level. I am working on a solution to raising up the center channel so its level with the driver of the 7002's. There is no way to fix the 7002's not have a wall behind them. They are in 2 doorways. You think I should invest in the Mythos Super tower ST or STS to replace the 7002's? Just so I have direct radiating fronts and not rely on Bipolars? Thanks

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by J.H.

Thanks I read that. I just bought new 17.5 inch speaker stand to go with my speaker stands I have now. That should put the BPVX surrounds about a 1 1/5 to 2 feet above year level. I am working on a solution to raising up the center channel so its level with the driver of the 7002's. There is no way to fix the 7002's not have a wall behind them. They are in 2 doorways. You think I should invest in the Mythos Super tower ST or STS to replace the 7002's? Just so I have direct radiating fronts and not rely on Bipolars? Thanks

Is it possible to install a solid door in the doorways to block the open areas?

You can buy the Mythos speakers, but my recommendation is not to waste your money on buying different speakers. Those 7002 speakers are excellent speakers. Think of other alrernatives such as room treatment and/or rearranging the room. Recalibrate the front speakers and perhaps turn their level up a bit. Use an SPL meter for better accuracy.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Is it possible to install a solid door in the doorways to block the open areas?

You can buy the Mythos speakers, but my recommendation is not to waste your money on buying different speakers. Those 7002 speakers are excellent speakers. Think of other alrernatives such as room treatment and/or rearranging the room. Recalibrate the front speakers and perhaps turn their level up a bit. Use an SPL meter for better accuracy.

Ditto +1

[J.H.]

Ok so turn up the 7002's a bit? My system is calibrated by the Yamaha auto-calibration by the way.

[J.H.]

I raised the up the surrounds 17.6 inches and lifted the center channel up a bit and it sounds like a totally different system. It sounds so good now it scares me. Speaker placement is so scritical as you all know.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by J.H.

I raised the up the surrounds 17.6 inches and lifted the center channel up a bit and it sounds like a totally different system. It sounds so good now it scares me. Speaker placement is so scritical as you all know.

Sometimes, speaker placement or room treatment affects the sound more than the cabinet, drivers, crossovers. That is why I always try to warn people not to expect the same performance in their HT room as the way the speakers sounded in the showroom during auditioning.

[J.H.]

I agree with that big time. I'd like to get into roo m treatments but it seems complicated. The speaker placement alone made my system sound brand new.