Speaker Config

[TheNuzziNuzz]

Looking for best speaker placement for my specific situation. I wants everyone's own opinion/facts but please no responding, or arguing with others...AKA strictly your thoughts. The setup will be for music.

 

I have 4 speakers, a pair of old releastic speakers, they produce very clear sound but distort highs. They each are about 4ft tall and have three different size cones. I also have a pair of Bose Environmental speakers. I am using an old Harmon Kardon amp with 5.1 outputs, but only 2 channel inputs. I have my computer connected to a behringer external sound card connected to an old "Realistc Stero Mixing console" of which's main out is connected to the amp.

 

I have a device I have been using to take the amps amplified stereo outs and split them into more so I can safely connect more speakers to the stereo connection. What I have described is all I currently have. I can make small investments but as you can probably tell based on what i'm working with, im not in the market for new speakers/amp ect unless there is a really good reason to be. I'm using this setup in various conditions that include:

 

-Houses with a few small rooms, carpet, 8ft tall, high person density.

-Houses in basement that are:

    -Concrete floored

    -8-10ft tall

    -Rectangular, sometimes 30ft wide, and 50ft long, and sometimes just the opposite. 

 

 

I believe I have said enough, so comment away!

[k_benlevi]

Very good audio setup. One thing I might add are one or two subwoofers in order to compensate the other speakers. Other than that, good job!

[TheNuzziNuzz]

1 minute ago, k_benlevi said:

Very good audio setup. One thing I might add are one or two subwoofers in order to compensate the other speakers. Other than that, good job!

Im just now realizing that my AMP may not have proper rating to power all the speakers...It says in the mainual 8ohms, and the big realistic speakers say 8 ohms...So can I still use the Enviroment Speakers?

 

I'm also looking for input on speaker placement.

[k_benlevi]

1 minute ago, TheNuzziNuzz said:

Im just now realizing that my AMP may not have proper rating to power all the speakers...It says in the mainual 8ohms, and the big realistic speakers say 8 ohms...So can I still use the Enviroment Speakers?

 

I'm also looking for input on speaker placement.

OK. Keep the Bose speakers. I believe you should be able to use your current amp, but that would probably be pushing it a bit. Try for another amp, sell yours on eBay, but from what I can tell, The Environmental Speakers definitely help your sound signature by far.

[stealth80]

Stick with stereo for music, don't try and produce extra channels that it wasn't meant for, I messes with the staging and clarity IMO. I don't know how your funds are, but  iwould suggest a good stereo amp. I have an Arcam A85 I bought in 2002 for around £800, I was considering selling it and just using the new Denon X4200W I just purchased (which cost more than the Arcam) After some advice from What Hi Fi which basically went - "that Arcam is a fantastic amplifier, even now, the Denon won't much it for musicality, stick with the Arcam for music.

 

My point - No surround system/amp will be able to touch a good stereo set up

[TheNuzziNuzz]

21 minutes ago, k_benlevi said:

OK. Keep the Bose speakers. I believe you should be able to use your current amp, but that would probably be pushing it a bit. Try for another amp, sell yours on eBay, but from what I can tell, The Environmental Speakers definitely help your sound signature by far.

Should I just look to invest in self powered speakers?

 

What happens if I pull to much from my amp?

 

The realistic speakers have clearer sound that the Bose ones, plus they have better bass.

[TheNuzziNuzz]

2 minutes ago, stealth80 said:

Stick with stereo for music, don't try and produce extra channels that it wasn't meant for, I messes with the staging and clarity IMO. I don't know how your funds are, but  iwould suggest a good stereo amp. I have an Arcam A85 I bought in 2002 for around £800, I was considering selling it and just using the new Denon X4200W I just purchased (which cost more than the Arcam) After some advice from What Hi Fi which basically went - "that Arcam is a fantastic amplifier, even now, the Denon won't much it for musicality, stick with the Arcam for music.

 

My point - No surround system/amp will be able to touch a good stereo set up

I said in my OP that I don't really have any funding, never mind 800!

[stealth80]

3 minutes ago, TheNuzziNuzz said:

I said in my OP that I don't really have any funding, never mind 800!

My point was "stick with stereo" and I was basically saying that an £1100 2016 model Denon AV amp still cant compete with my 14 year old stereo amp for musicality.

 

Stick with 2 speakers for music

[TheNuzziNuzz]

Just now, stealth80 said:

My point was "stick with stereo" and I was basically saying that an £1100 2016 model Denon AV amp still cant compete with my 14 year old stereo amp for musicality.

 

Stick with 2 speakers for music

I was still using stero, I just had two extra speakers connected to the stero outputs. So I have 2 channels, but 4 speakers.

 

The amp is the Harmon/Karmin AVR10

[stealth80]

1 minute ago, TheNuzziNuzz said:

I was still using stero, I just had two extra speakers connected to the stero outputs. So I have 2 channels, but 4 speakers.

 

The amp is the Harmon/Karmin AVR10

Ye drop the 2 extra speakers, unless i'm miss-reading this and you have them like in another room on zone2 etc.

 

using 4 speakers just spreads the sound and ruins the staging - yes it works with SACD - but that kinda flopped. Any serious audiophile will tell you to stick with 2 speakers for stereo. I'm not a fan of Bose although I do like their headphones, without knowing the model numbers (could you find these?) I cant advise which set to use. As for the stuff between your PC and the AMP - I have no experience so can't advise.

[TheNuzziNuzz]

1 minute ago, stealth80 said:

Ye drop the 2 extra speakers, unless i'm miss-reading this and you have them like in another room on zone2 etc.

 

using 4 speakers just spreads the sound and ruins the staging - yes it works with SACD - but that kinda flopped. Any serious audiophile will tell you to stick with 2 speakers for stereo. I'm not a fan of Bose although I do like their headphones, without knowing the model numbers (could you find these?) I cant advise which set to use. As for the stuff between your PC and the AMP - I have no experience so can't advise.

Okay.

THese are the speakers:

https://www.amazon.com/Bose-Mount-Outdoor-Environmental-Speakers/dp/B00006I53D/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1482455617&sr=8-5&keywords=Bose+environmental

[stealth80]

7 minutes ago, TheNuzziNuzz said:

Okay.

THese are the speakers:

https://www.amazon.com/Bose-Mount-Outdoor-Environmental-Speakers/dp/B00006I53D/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1482455617&sr=8-5&keywords=Bose+environmental

and the others?

[TheNuzziNuzz]

Just now, stealth80 said:

and the others?

The others are over 40 years old. All they say is "Realistic"

[TheNuzziNuzz]

3 minutes ago, stealth80 said:

and the others?

They look like this:

http://edsgoodstuff.com/edscart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2676

 

Not sure if its the exact same.

[stealth80]

6 minutes ago, TheNuzziNuzz said:

They look like this:

http://edsgoodstuff.com/edscart/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2676

 

Not sure if its the exact same.

Ye they're old haha

 

I'd stick with the Bose

[TheNuzziNuzz]

1 minute ago, stealth80 said:

Ye they're old haha

 

I'd stick with the Bose

Despite the difference in audio quality? Does Size matter? What happens when pulling too much from an amp?

[stealth80]

Just now, TheNuzziNuzz said:

Despite the difference in audio quality? Does Size matter? What happens when pulling too much from an amp?

Pulling too much from an app will generally cause the speakers to distort, its actually BETTER to overpower a speaker (slightly aka 10 - 30watts lol) than under power

[TheNuzziNuzz]

2 minutes ago, stealth80 said:

Pulling too much from an app will generally cause the speakers to distort, its actually BETTER to overpower a speaker (slightly aka 10 - 30watts lol) than under power

Huu....Okay

 

Also, when I point the bose speakers directly at my ears in a certain way, the sound sounds really weird compared when I'm not in their direct line of site. What is this? Is it good?

 

Sorry i have lots of questions.

[stealth80]

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-C7x7WRjF57f/learn/learningcenter/home/nonHTspeak.html

 

Have a read there, some speakers should be "toe'd in" as you describe, others shouldn't. You are probably overlapping the staging of the speakers by toe-ing them in

[TheNuzziNuzz]

3 minutes ago, stealth80 said:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-C7x7WRjF57f/learn/learningcenter/home/nonHTspeak.html

 

Have a read there, some speakers should be "toe'd in" as you describe, others shouldn't. You are probably overlapping the staging of the speakers by toe-ing them in

It sounds like I have headphones on, and is almost painful...

[stealth80]

1 minute ago, TheNuzziNuzz said:

It sounds like I have headphones on, and is almost painful...

try positioning them so they fire "past" your ears rather than directed at them. Make sure you don't have any silly surround effects selected on the amp. most av receivers have a "pure" or "direct audio" setting especially for music/stereo.

 

Beware, if you become an Audiophile, it becomes expensive, it did for me once I started working, and to top it off, I love AV as well oh and PC gaming = continuously buying latest tech

[stealth80]

48 minutes ago, TheNuzziNuzz said:

Should I just look to invest in self powered speakers?

 

What happens if I pull to much from my amp?

 

The realistic speakers have clearer sound that the Bose ones, plus they have better bass.

just seen this, if that's the case, then stick with these, it's not unknown for old stereo kit to have great sound. Again, play with the postioning of speakers to hunt the best sound

[TheNuzziNuzz]

8 minutes ago, stealth80 said:

just seen this, if that's the case, then stick with these, it's not unknown for old stereo kit to have great sound. Again, play with the postioning of speakers to hunt the best sound

I believe I did also say that their highs typically distort, other than that they sound great in my opinion. They also weight alot...

[k_benlevi]

1 hour ago, TheNuzziNuzz said:

Should I just look to invest in self powered speakers?

 

What happens if I pull to much from my amp?

 

The realistic speakers have clearer sound that the Bose ones, plus they have better bass.

Bose are for Mids... If you pull too much from your amp it will probably shut itself down to protect itself, and self-powered speakers are usually for travel like weddings or parties, things like that, but in my experience, ones that are powered from an amp typically sound better. Test it out, if the amp shuts down, you need a new one. If not, then you're good!

[TheNuzziNuzz]

23 minutes ago, k_benlevi said:

Bose are for Mids... If you pull too much from your amp it will probably shut itself down to protect itself, and self-powered speakers are usually for travel like weddings or parties, things like that, but in my experience, ones that are powered from an amp typically sound better. Test it out, if the amp shuts down, you need a new one. If not, then you're good!

 

I've turned it up very loud with them both connected. Also, when I disable one pair, and re enable it while still listening to the other, there is no audible difference from the control pair.

 

My larger concern is how I should place both pairs when dealing with...well both of them