Need two very small speakers to complete 7.1

[tilapiah6]

My equipment is listed below. I'm interested in getting two tiny but decent speakers to use as the rear surrounds. Looking at my HT, you can see that my couch is literally up against the wall, and I'm wanting the two speakers to go on the wall slightly above listening level pointing down. In addition, I'm only looking to spend around 60 or 70 bucks, and I would prefer they be 8 ohms. Does anybody have any suggestions?

(When I say tiny, I mean like Bose cube tiny)

[tilapiah6]

Although obvious, I feel I should also mention that I don't want Bose cubes.

[Hendricks4333]

Originally Posted by tilapiah6

Although obvious, I feel I should also mention that I don't want Bose cubes.

But why wouldn't you want those? Haha. My parents have a bose system but they're oblivious to anything so its pointless trying to get them to buy something new. The subwoofer is absolutly awful.

Btw I'm not sure about speakers, I'm just getting into the audio side of things.

[JasonR]

How about two of these, around 80-90 dollars though....

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-RM6...0591737&sr=8-1

[tilapiah6]

Originally Posted by JasonR

How about two of these, around 80-90 dollars though....

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-RM6...0591737&sr=8-1

Looks like they may work. I'm thinking those might be a bit too big though.

[tilapiah6]

Originally Posted by Hendricks4333

But why wouldn't you want those? Haha. My parents have a bose system but they're oblivious to anything so its pointless trying to get them to buy something new. The subwoofer is absolutly awful.

Btw I'm not sure about speakers, I'm just getting into the audio side of things.

Yeah it's a losing battle. Just let them know so that you can have the piece of mind that you at least tried to explain the truth about Bose to them.

[callas01]

The picture makes those speakers JasonR was talking about look large but they are actually only 6Hx4Wx5D, that might be some of the smallest out there that are cheap. I know Crackin talks about some insignia's that BB sells, but I think they are a little taller then the polks.

[tilapiah6]

Originally Posted by callas01

The picture makes those speakers JasonR was talking about look large but they are actually only 6Hx4Wx5D, that might be some of the smallest out there that are cheap. I know Crackin talks about some insignia's that BB sells, but I think they are a little taller then the polks.

Ah, okay. In that case I may go with them. You're right, they do look pretty big from the pic.

[aramis109]

Meh, are you sure that's something you want to do? I'm not sure you're going to see a big improvement in sound in a small space like that. Are the 30's not creating a good enough rear soundfield for you?

I think there are definitely speakers and room setups that 7.1 can provide a lot more immersive experience for, and I'm not sure that yours would be one of them. (For the record, I think the same about mine.)

If you're really set on doing it however, I'd personally just wall mount some Polk 30's and angle them downward if they have a mounting bracket on the back. Otherwise maybe some Insignia's or the Polk RM6751.

[tilapiah6]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Meh, are you sure that's something you want to do? I'm not sure you're going to see a big improvement in sound in a small space like that. Are the 30's not creating a good enough rear soundfield for you?

I think there are definitely speakers and room setups that 7.1 can provide a lot more immersive experience for, and I'm not sure that yours would be one of them. (For the record, I think the same about mine.)

If you're really set on doing it however, I'd personally just wall mount some Polk 30's and angle them downward if they have a mounting bracket on the back. Otherwise maybe some Insignia's or the Polk RM6751.

Well to be specific it's for two reasons:

1. When watching The Incredible Hulk I suddenly realized there was nothing coming from behind me, but there was from every other angle. Granted, I don't yet have a sub (it's awaiting paint), but I'm not sure how much of a difference that'll make. Be that as it may, I feel that 7.1 may possibly provide a more lifelike experience.

2. I'm not fully utilizing the 7 Ch Enhance mode that the RX-V663 provides when listening to music. I felt there could be a difference.

Now just to clarify, I'm only giving the reasons why, not saying I disagree. So you feel I won't get enough of a difference to justify the trouble of buying and setting up the extra two speakers? I was going to wait a couple of months after doing this and bye two more for presence speakers. I just want the fullest experience possible. Please let me know your thoughts aramis, and anybody else.

[obiwopkenobi62]

Originally Posted by JasonR

How about two of these, around 80-90 dollars though....

http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-RM6...0591737&sr=8-1

Those are the ones I have. I love em. 2 fronts, 2 surrounds and 2 rears. fantastic sound. You can't go wrong.

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by tilapiah6

Well to be specific it's for two reasons:

1. When watching The Incredible Hulk I suddenly realized there was nothing coming from behind me, but there was from every other angle. Granted, I don't yet have a sub (it's awaiting paint), but I'm not sure how much of a difference that'll make. Be that as it may, I feel that 7.1 may possibly provide a more lifelike experience.

2. I'm not fully utilizing the 7 Ch Enhance mode that the RX-V663 provides when listening to music. I felt there could be a difference.

Now just to clarify, I'm only giving the reasons why, not saying I disagree. So you feel I won't get enough of a difference to justify the trouble of buying and setting up the extra two speakers? I was going to wait a couple of months after doing this and bye two more for presence speakers. I just want the fullest experience possible. Please let me know your thoughts aramis, and anybody else.

I think for as little as rear surrounds are used in 7.1, those will be fine....

[callas01]

Tilapiah,

There are very many movies that utilize 7.1 at the moment anyways, so its not overly worth it unless the reciever can Matrix the sound.... I wouldn't think a $450 receiver would have that.....

I just set up my system to 6.1, and I am telling you that there isn't much use for the Surround backs, Now I can put it into the Digital Cinema Mode and get the 6th speaker to be a virtual speaker, and it picks up ambient sounds and SOME discrete sounds, if that intrests you too, then it would be worth it. the only blu I own with 7.1 is Sleeping Beauty, and that did come through as a seperate speaker all together. The only 6.1 movie I can think of off the top of my head is Top Gun.

One strange thing I did notice and I PM'd Crackin about is when I switched my Panasonic 35K over to LPCM to decode the audio for me, I got 6 discrete channels of audio.... Crackin wasn't sure, he said perhaps the Sony's have some post processing of LPCM to them. Don't ask me, that is why I asked him.

I was listening to Foo Fighters on Blu today(took Vaca this week) and with the reciever in the DCM, I felt like I was in the concert myself. It was Awesome.

[tilapiah6]

Originally Posted by callas01

Tilapiah,

There are very many movies that utilize 7.1 at the moment anyways, so its not overly worth it unless the reciever can Matrix the sound.... I wouldn't think a $450 receiver would have that.....

I just set up my system to 6.1, and I am telling you that there isn't much use for the Surround backs, Now I can put it into the Digital Cinema Mode and get the 6th speaker to be a virtual speaker, and it picks up ambient sounds and SOME discrete sounds, if that intrests you too, then it would be worth it. the only blu I own with 7.1 is Sleeping Beauty, and that did come through as a seperate speaker all together. The only 6.1 movie I can think of off the top of my head is Top Gun.

One strange thing I did notice and I PM'd Crackin about is when I switched my Panasonic 35K over to LPCM to decode the audio for me, I got 6 discrete channels of audio.... Crackin wasn't sure, he said perhaps the Sony's have some post processing of LPCM to them. Don't ask me, that is why I asked him.

I was listening to Foo Fighters on Blu today(took Vaca this week) and with the reciever in the DCM, I felt like I was in the concert myself. It was Awesome.

I understand that. Honestly I doubt 7.1 will be mainstream any time soon because it isn't very popular with HT folks. Also, the RX-V663 does have a Straight Enhance mode which as far as I know matrix's the audio.

I mainly wanted it for the music, but thanks for talking me into at least reconsidering. That 90 bucks could buy a number of Blus.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by tilapiah6

Well to be specific it's for two reasons:

1. When watching The Incredible Hulk I suddenly realized there was nothing coming from behind me, but there was from every other angle. Granted, I don't yet have a sub (it's awaiting paint), but I'm not sure how much of a difference that'll make. Be that as it may, I feel that 7.1 may possibly provide a more lifelike experience.

2. I'm not fully utilizing the 7 Ch Enhance mode that the RX-V663 provides when listening to music. I felt there could be a difference.

Now just to clarify, I'm only giving the reasons why, not saying I disagree. So you feel I won't get enough of a difference to justify the trouble of buying and setting up the extra two speakers? I was going to wait a couple of months after doing this and bye two more for presence speakers. I just want the fullest experience possible. Please let me know your thoughts aramis, and anybody else.

Well, Callas' reasoning is pretty solid. Your reasons for wanting them are better than just "because my receiver is 7.1". You may want to try something you can return on a trial basis and see how it goes.

While 5.1 can't perfectly recreate anything behind you, you should be getting some psychoacoustics to a rear channel with your two surrounds. If you're not, perhaps you might want to try adjusting their placement and levels. Personally, while my surrounds are overkill, I feel I get a pretty good surround soundfield, even from the rear, because they're both above and behind my ears at approximately the same distance.

It's always your money and your theater, but I have seen some folks (on this forum even) cram in 7.1 to too small a space where the speakers aren't enough of a distance from one another to justify the cost, and personally I think it kills the look. This isn't true in all home theaters though.

[tilapiah6]

Well in that case I'll just stick with the 5.1 and keep the rear surrounds set up for bi-amping the front speakers. On that note, have any of you tried using the additional Presence speakers?

[tilapiah6]

I've decided to try these Insignias from Best Buy:

Insignia® - 3-Way Indoor/Outdoor Speakers (Pair)

I'm going to get them in a few hours, so please let me know if any of you have had any experience with them. They got great reviews, and they're only going to be doing the rear surround work, so they should be great for that.

[Silo5]

Originally Posted by tilapiah6

I've decided to try these Insignias from Best Buy:

Insignia® - 3-Way Indoor/Outdoor Speakers (Pair)

I'm going to get them in a few hours, so please let me know if any of you have had any experience with them. They got great reviews, and they're only going to be doing the rear surround work, so they should be great for that.

I'm not sure if you already purchased those speakers, but I have the Polk OWM3 speakers for surrounds & rear speakers. I have them mounted on the walls & ceiling. Not sure if it is something you would consider, but I thought I'd throw it out there to you.

http://www.polkaudio.com/homeaudio/owm/index.php?s=owm3

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by tilapiah6

(When I say tiny, I mean like Bose cube tiny)

PERFECT for what you're looking for..... and 8 ohm.

http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/s...999=WFROOGLEB3

[Big Daddy]

Orb speakers may be the solution.

http://www.orbaudio.com/

http://www.orbaudio.com/index.asp?Pa...TS&Category=17