Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Speaker setup, just how bad is this?

Below is a link to my living room setup. The space I have to work with is kinda awkward. The north wall has a window in it that I would like to leave open. I'm planning on purchasing a Samsung DLP tv, new reciever and dvd player. I'm hoping to use a 7.1 setup. The dimensions of this room are 17'x 15'. I'm considering the M60's for front, VP150 for the center, QS8's for surrond and rear surround and two EP175's. This is what the wizard gave me anyway, here from Axioms site. I should also mention that the E wall is a half wall, it onlys sits 5ft high. To the E is a kitchenette and kitchen. I think the second sub would most likely go behind the couch.

How bad is this setup?

Thanks for any feedback.

Interesting layout, tech249. I'd try the back surrounds aimed at the TV, and I wouldn't drill holes for the brackets until you play with your options. Good luck and please let us know how it works out.

Welcome, 249. My first thought is that I'd like to set up on the north wall, despite the window. What you propose now doesn't really seem suitable for 7.1, since the two back surrounds are supposed to, well, surround from the back. You don't appear to have either enough room behind the sitting position, or a full wall to give a good effect. Staying at 5.1 with that seating arrangement might be a better idea.

Not to jump on your thread, but I have the same problem. So any help is appreciated. I am ready to order the 60’s, vp150, and two or four QS8’s. The living room (family room has a pool table – there before the wife, so can’t give it up) is not the best as the listening area is against the back wall. There are no side walls (slider to the patio on one side and open to the dining room on the other. About 10 feet from the main speakers and TV. It has 12-foot ceilings (will be in the house for at least five years) . I intend to mount two QS8’s on the brackets to each side of the listening area.

The receiver will be the Denon 3805. I want to use the 7.1 feature. Would it be an overkill to also mount two more QS8’s on the wall? I’ve seen a thread recently that suggested that would be overkill. Besides possibly overkill, would the setup take anything away?

There are two speakers (low quality) in the ceiling. One thought to take advantage of the 7.1 would be to upgrade the two in the ceiling and have those be the “rear” surround speakers. Is the 12-foot ceiling a concern? Or should I just do the 5.1 setup and forget about the 7.1?

I have to agree with John that a 5.1 setup might be better here unless you can get your seating position directly against a single wall with the tv flat (not angled) such that the surround speakers will go to either side. You can place rear surrounds on the wall directly behind the couch but if they are sitting directly above your head, it could be something of a distraction more than a surround channel effect.
A second subwoofer should not be necessary for such a small room. One larger subwoofer will very much do the trick.

I think 5.1 is also your best bet, although I think if you really wanted to push it to 6.1 you could. If you have a speaker you could place behind your couch on the floor facing up. I'm sure some vets are thinking this is a bad idea. I have that setup right now and it works just fine. Give'r a try. If it doesn't work, stick with 5.1.

Take a look at my setup. It's 18'x27', 8' ceilings. M22's do very well. The QS8's are very forgiving. I'd suggested trying for a 5.1. If you want 6.1 or 7.1, you can add later. You can use the savings to upgrade the components, DVDs, CDs, etc.

oldskoolboarder

Thanks for your input guys. I think I need to just bite the bullet and do my setup downstairs. I have a big basement I can use a part of it for my TV. The space is 12'x18'. I was hoping to maybe use the living room, but I don't think thats gonna happen.

I have noticed with my QS8's that it doesnt make to much difference where the are. They disperse the sound due to their design. That does not mean you dont have any distinction in sound. I actually have mine on the ceiling a tad behind the listening position. I think I have to much sound radiation from the cathedral ceiling, but life is about compromise. I wasn't about to give up the pool table in the basement though .

In your setup I would move the rears toward the corner more and flush mount them on the wall. The tweeters will send it to your listening area just fine.

If its a choice between a living room and a HT room downstairs... Use the upstairs for the living room, it looks cozy with the fireplace, and build a HT down.

Well this isn't that hard. Put the couch on the south side of the room (based on the picture). On side facing on side facing east. Pushed out a little so that it doesn't block any of the doors. Solves all of your problems.

-BigK35-