Setting up four speakers for stereo?

Hi,
I'm thinking about setting up a four speaker system which consist of 2 m50tis and 2 alesis m1 active monitors. How would this be done properly in order to preserve a correct stereo image?

Stbean

To get the best stereo imaging, you should stick with using only two speakers: one for the left channel and one for the right channel. Using two speakers for each channel -- even if they are identical speakers -- introduces all sorts of problems.

That shouldn't stop you from experimenting though.

I'd start by stacking the speakers on top of each other so you have a jumbo tower on each side. Align the drivers vertically and make sure they are in the same plane (i.e. align the fronts of the speakers). You might also try turning the top speakers upside down so that the tweeters remain close to your ear level. The last thing to consider is calibtating the speakers separately to ensure that the lower speaker is not louder than the upper speaker (or vice versa).

Also, depending on whether you'd like sound coming from 4 sources instead of 2, consider Pro Logic II. There've been a number of discussions about it recently, with an overall positive bent.

Is it not good to run 4 speakers through two channels because it overloads your amp or because it screws up imaging?

Mainly because it sounds like crap. If you've got decent speakers, you shouldn't need to do this.

What about if you place the "B" speakers behind you to give it a fuller sound?

If you have the capability, you could wire the M50's on the A side and the Alesis on the B side then run them in A+B mode. Just an idea to prevent from connecting them in series or parallel (whichever halves the resistance load causing strain on your amp rather than adding the resistances)...

Just another perspective...

WhatFurrer

One of our members (Hawkson101) was going for that scheme and was greatly disappointed. I suggest you go back and do a search on 4 M22s and H/K 525. You should find some interesting material there.

Ahhh..I'm probably confusing everyone, hehe..
You see, the monitors I have are powered monitors.
My Cd player is connected to to the reciever but I also have a tape out running into a mixer which the monitors are connected to. So basically the volumes of the m50s and the m1s are independent of eachother. Well, I often switch between the m50s and the m1s when im monitoring my music. Each have thier own advantages and disadvantages, the m1s cleary have an advantage on the lower end whereas the highs of the m50s are so crisp. Anyways sometimes I find myself adujusting the levels just enough when both speaker sets are running to achieve a very rich sound..basically tryting to get the best of both speakers and it seems to sound alot fuller..better? I dont know. To my ears its bliss. It may be messing up the stereo image though thats why I was wondering whats the best way to position if trying this unconventional method.

SB, what you're discussing is of course a recognized way of listening to 2-channel material; many receivers have a provision for "all-channel-stereo","5-channel stereo", etc. This is ordinarily only suggested for situations such as listening while moving around in the house or where a number of people(e.g. at a party)are in different areas and it helps in giving some sound in these areas. True stereo imaging isn't possible with the same sound coming from in front and behind, and many(most?)people don't care for the effect. However, if you enjoy it, that's your choice of course.

"SB, what you're discussing is of course a recognized way of listening to 2-channel material; many receivers have a provision for "all-channel-stereo","5-channel stereo", etc. This is ordinarily only suggested for situations such as listening while moving around in the house or where a number of people(e.g. at a party)are in different areas and it helps in giving some sound in these areas. True stereo imaging isn't possible with the same sound coming from in front and behind, and many(most?)people don't care for the effect. However, if you enjoy it, that's your choice of course."

Yes, you are right. Most of the music I listen to is techno/electronica/dance music. With this type of music lots of satisfaction comes from being surrouunded in the music and feeling it...you know, like when your in the middle of a club with high quality sound system..The panning of instruments and their space in stereofield is kindof irrelevant. When I'm making music its different, I only stick to 2 speakers running at once. Maybe I should make my listening room into a mini club/dancefloor =P.