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Post by JKCashin on Jun 1, 2020 21:36:21 GMT -5
I already know the answer to this, but what the heck... let's discuss how bad my idea is.
I have 4 speakers I bought years ago for installation in a HT setup that never happened. I have two Polk RC 60i round in-ceiling speakers, and two rectangular Polk RC85i in wall. They have been sitting in the boxes since I bought them 5 years ago... so rather than waste them, I was thinking of using them as the 4 height speakers... should I stick with matching speakers or will I really notice the difference?
Jamie
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Post by ttocs on Jun 1, 2020 21:55:37 GMT -5
The more all the speakers match, the better the experience.
But, I get it. You've got something now that'll get'cha goin'. Unfortunately, neither the tweeter nor the woofer are the same size or series. Again, but, if you're thinking that you're going to be replacing them later, then - have at it.
I guess I should ask - would these be used for ATMOS Tops? or Front and Rear Heights ala dts? As Front Heights and Rear Heights I can't believe that anyone would even know the difference. But as Tops, then it's more probable that "a" sound will move between them so matching is more important.
The most cohesive experience I've had in someone's personal theater was 8 years ago with a 5.1 system using all the same model floor speakers, and it was a great experience!
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Post by davidl81 on Jun 1, 2020 22:01:00 GMT -5
So would you “hear” a difference with using them for heights, most likely not. But the issue I see is that with in wall speakers it becomes fairly permanently installed. Once you cut a square hole in the ceiling you will not be replacing that with a round speaker etc.
I would suggest selling one pair on eBay and buying another set of the one you keep. That way they match and you won’t drive yourself crazy trying to figure out if you hear a difference.
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Post by JKCashin on Jun 2, 2020 0:16:16 GMT -5
The more all the speakers match, the better the experience. But, I get it. You've got something now that'll get'cha goin'. Unfortunately, neither the tweeter nor the woofer are the same size or series. Again, but, if you're thinking that you're going to be replacing them later, then - have at it. I guess I should ask - would these be used for ATMOS Tops? or Front and Rear Heights ala dts? As Front Heights and Rear Heights I can't believe that anyone would even know the difference. But as Tops, then it's more probable that "a" sound will move between them so matching is more important. The most cohesive experience I've had in someone's personal theater was 8 years ago with a 5.1 system using all the same model floor speakers, and it was a great experience! Actually I am not sure... you see I have yet to find any good documentation on how to set up the speakers. Is there such a think as Atmos heights? Or do they have to be ceiling? Still struggling with finding info on that. |
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Post by JKCashin on Jun 2, 2020 0:17:05 GMT -5
So would you “hear” a difference with using them for heights, most likely not. But the issue I see is that with in wall speakers it becomes fairly permanently installed. Once you cut a square hole in the ceiling you will not be replacing that with a round speaker etc. I would suggest selling one pair on eBay and buying another set of the one you keep. That way they match and you won’t drive yourself crazy trying to figure out if you hear a difference. Or sell both and buy something else. Thing is these are speakers I already have. |
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Post by ttocs on Jun 2, 2020 0:34:56 GMT -5
Actually I am not sure... you see I have yet to find any good documentation on how to set up the speakers. Is there such a think as Atmos heights? Or do they have to be ceiling? Still struggling with finding info on that. Dolby ATMOS "can" use Heights in their x.x.6 and x.x.8 configurations. But for the x.x.2 and x.x.4 configurations the speakers that are ceiling mounted are called Tops. Dolby Speaker Setup guides: www.dolby.com/us/en/speaker-setup-guides/index.html |
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Post by JKCashin on Jun 2, 2020 1:19:30 GMT -5
Thanks for the link to the guides..... what I was looking for is basically the 11.1.8, without anything behing the rear seat, so this:  (I have crossed out the ones I won't use) But I need to consider how I want DTS-X set up too.... Jamie |
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Post by JKCashin on Jun 2, 2020 1:28:52 GMT -5
My primary source of material is Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video. They both support Atmos.... so that simplifies my life.
One of the speakers I have is an in-wall speaker, so I think I will use it for the front elevation
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Post by Gary Cook on Jun 2, 2020 16:13:59 GMT -5
Thanks for the link to the guides..... what I was looking for is basically the 11.1.8, without anything behing the rear seat, so this: View Attachment(I have crossed out the ones I won't use) But I need to consider how I want DTS-X set up too.... Jamie So basically 9.1.4. In that set up I would have the rears at the sides of the lounge, with the sides around half way to the front. I found that without rears the 4 overheads (ceilings) and the front wides give way too much front sound staging bias. It’s not “surround sound“ anymore, all the sound effects come at you from in front of your listening position. I strongly suggesting trying the various layouts before you cut holes that are hard to fill when they are in the wrong places. FWIW that same layout works for DTS-X and Auro, just be aware of the naming convention differences. Cheers Gary |
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Post by SteveH on Jun 2, 2020 16:47:30 GMT -5
So would you “hear” a difference with using them for heights, most likely not. But the issue I see is that with in wall speakers it becomes fairly permanently installed. Once you cut a square hole in the ceiling you will not be replacing that with a round speaker etc. I would suggest selling one pair on eBay and buying another set of the one you keep. That way they match and you won’t drive yourself crazy trying to figure out if you hear a difference. I would have to agree with keeping all of the Atmos speakers the same for sound and cosmetics. When you look at the ceiling, it is uniform. No matter what you choose, you will definitely be impressed with Atmos, it adds a totally new dimension to your listening experience and it will not sound bad because you have never had Atmos before. What makes it even better is when the entire family can watch movies with kick-ass audio on the couch in their pajamas instead of having to go to the movie theater. You will be their hero! Enjoy your new listening experience!!! |
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DYohn
Emo VIPs 
Posts: 18,349
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Post by DYohn on Jun 2, 2020 17:02:10 GMT -5
My front Atmos speakers do not match anything else in my system and it's fine.
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Post by Gary Cook on Jun 2, 2020 17:06:16 GMT -5
The easy answer is to try them, side by side, play some mono music and see if you can can hear any difference. Because in the end it's only your ears that matter.
Cheers
Gary
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Post by JKCashin on Jun 2, 2020 18:18:48 GMT -5
"Trying them", as some are suggesting, is a bit of a problem, since they're in-wall/in-ceiling. If they were bookshelf, then yeah, no problem.
I've veen thinking of going heeights (elevation) instead of in-ceiling... and beating around the idea of selling some of my speakers to replace them with proper boxes.
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Post by Gary Cook on Jun 3, 2020 15:24:39 GMT -5
"Trying them", as some are suggesting, is a bit of a problem, since they're in-wall/in-ceiling. If they were bookshelf, then yeah, no problem. I've veen thinking of going heeights (elevation) instead of in-ceiling... and beating around the idea of selling some of my speakers to replace them with proper boxes. Is the problem with “trying them” about location? Or that they are infinite baffle when mounted in the ceiling? If the former then my suggestion was regarding their sound signature being the same or different. Location doesn’t matter for the test listening, personally I would try them as LF and RF with mono music to ensure that they get plenty of sound to compare. If the latter, most of the sound differences (if there are any) will come from the tweeters, so baffling is next to irrelevant in regards to how tweeters sound. After that, if I was concerned about mid range differences, then I would use a couple of sheets of cardboard, the larger the better, and cut out holes in them with scissors to sit the speakers in. Then rest them almost upright on a vertical surface, dining table chair legs are my go to choice, which gives a reasonable infinite baffle comparison. FWIW when I’m comparing drivers for use in an enclosure then shoe boxes do a reasonable simulation. I occasionally stick on old T shirt in each box as a deadener if I need a bit of extra volume. What I am looking for is not not sound quality but noticeable differences in sound signature, so it doesn’t matter if they don’t sound “good”, just as long as they sound the same. If I can’t pick any noticeable sound signature differences with the above tests using music then I am pretty confident that as ceiling speakers I wouldn’t be able to hear any differences for movies. Cheers Gary |
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Post by JKCashin on Jun 3, 2020 18:06:23 GMT -5
Exactly what I needed.... yes, it's about the infinite baffle situation. OK, well since I have them I may as well try them, right?
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Post by Gary Cook on Jun 3, 2020 23:08:13 GMT -5
Exactly what I needed.... yes, it's about the infinite baffle situation. OK, well since I have them I may as well try them, right? Hell, yes. Cheers Gary |
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