Surround sound

[Jackal1]

For the gadget geeks.
What is the best solution for setting up speakers for surround sound?

[Nilsen]

I have never been interested in home cinema so im no expert, but i belive most surround sound recievers comes with a mic or something that helps you with calibrating it just right. All you need to do is put the speakers in aprox the correct places and the unit does the fine tuning for you.

[Masherbrum]

Originally posted by Jackal1
For the gadget geeks.
What is the best solution for setting up speakers for surround sound?

Depends on the shape of your room and where things are relative to your seating arrangements.   You'll also want to try and match brands and styles so you have a proper timbre across the board.

Three types of "surround speakers".    

Standard speaker

bipolar speaker A speaker that produces sound equally from the front and the back. Unlike the dipolar speaker, the bipolar’s front and rear soundwaves are in-phase with each other.

dipolar speaker A loudspeaker that produces sound from the rear as well as from the front, with the front and rear sounds out-of-phase with each other.

Depending on where your seating is, you may have to place them beside, behind, above, or slightly in front of it, for the best sound.

[Jackal1]

Thanks for the replies.
I have 52 inches of high def heaven I`m trying to get set up.

[Eagler]

the standard surround sound is a 6 speaker system, RF, LF, RR, LR, a center speaker and a powered sub woofer. The sub can go anywhere, the other speakers need to "surround" you.
Then you have to find programs that broadcast in true 5.1 sound, my sony give me a pretty blue light when the show has 3/2 sound which is 5.1 surround sound.
I had to run my speaker cables up and through the attic to get to the two rear speakers.
gl

[RightF00T]

Ditto....subwoofer frequencies are omnidirectional so you can place it anywhere, but the best effect would be near your seating.  Be sure to wire your speakers with the least amount of wiring possible so you can get the most power out of them(although the differences we're talking about could be barely noticeable) it is still a good idea.

If the speakers are floor free standing....try to keep people from placing drinks on top of them....I've seen 3 speakers ruined this way after the resulting spill.

[vorticon]

since were on the subject, whats the big deal anyway? the movie is in front of me, and thats where i darned well expect the sound to come from.

[Gh0stFT]

In 2003 i was watching a movie at a friends house in 5.1 surround sound for the
first time.
5 days later i had my own 5.1 surround sound installed at home.
Watching a movie the sound alone have a minimum 50% impact to
enjoy it or not.
The sad thing is why i discovered 5.1 in 2003 and not earlier! :(

[Eagler]

Originally posted by vorticon
since were on the subject, whats the big deal anyway? the movie is in front of me, and thats where i darned well expect the sound to come from.

the difference is that the sound is divided into five channels and sent to your ears from five different sources. You will actually hear a helicopter circle your living room, or horses gallop across the room, birds chirping from the left while a stream babbles on the right. THen the sub kicks in for the lows, making explosions better than ever.
with the right tv and surround sound, you will give up on theater movies. They will sound and look better in your LR not to mention no $5 hotdogs, cell phones going off, kids crying or ppl talking during the flick..

watching jurassic park on a friends tele with surround sound sold me

[Nilsen]

Originally posted by vorticon
since were on the subject, whats the big deal anyway? the movie is in front of me, and thats where i darned well expect the sound to come from.

That is how I feel too. Having expensive speakers all around the livingroom to get sound from were its not supposed to be is not for me, but thats just my taste.

[Gh0stFT]

Nilsen, where you once in a movie theatre?
they also use 5.1,  6.1 or even 7.1 in a larger scale then
systems for home-use, but it is the same expirience.
Stereo vs. 5.1 its like day & night.

[vorticon]

Originally posted by Gh0stFT
Nilsen, where you once in a movie theatre?
they also use 5.1,  6.1 or even 7.1 in a larger scale then
systems for home-use, but it is the same expirience.
Stereo vs. 5.1 its like day & night.

i just find it annoying. personal preference. besides you can probably get awesome stereo speakers for the price of a mediocre surround setup.

[Nilsen]

Ofcourse ive been to a movie theatre Ghost. I know they use surround but that does not mean i want it in my home. That beeing said I havent seen a movie in a theatre since Star Wars episode one.

Im a snob when it comes to AV so im glad i dont want it. I would be ruined. My Stereo and TV cost me too much to even think about doing that brand in surround anyway

[RedTop]

I'm no expert by any means. Surround sound systems , can be pretty expensive.

I have a 52 inch HD TV and bought a Bose 3-2-1 system. It is basically simulated surround sound. It has a Sub-woofer and 2 speakers. How it really works I have no idea , but the sound is reallly nice.

My living room is basically 22 foot cielings and square. I have them set in front of me and I hear sounds from everywhere.

Try looking into that. May save you some money and give you a good sound. All the movies I have rented sound wonderful.

Just a thought.

[Gh0stFT]

Originally posted by Nilsen
...im glad i dont want it. I would be ruined...

;)

well, we dont have the 5.1 in the living room, there we use
the simple TV speakers with build-in fake surround. Its more then ok for the
daily TV dose, watching news, ect.
The 5.1 setup is in a different room, just for watching DVD Movies,
i call it amusement-room...but thats another story;)