Surround Sound

[admin_exported]

I'm looking at getting surround sound but because of the layout of the room, positoning the rear surround speakers would not work effectively. I have seen 2.1 surround and front stage systems ( 5.1 but all speakers at front) and was wondering how effective these work and sound as opposed to the conventional 5.1 setup.

 

[professorhat]

My experience has been that these systems are not particularly effective at reproducing surround sound. Although I haven't heard it personally, WHF's review of the Yamaha YSP-4100 soundbar does indicate it to be one of the better attempts at achieving this, though it's quite pricey - not sure what budget you have in mind?

Are you sure you couldn't fit some small speakers in somewhere - wall mounted might be an option? Something like the Q Acoustics Q-AV system which has very small, flat rear speakers which can be put pretty much anywhere thanks to the wide dispersion they can produce might work?

 

[scene]

Why is your room unsuitable for a 5.1 setup?

I ask, as if it's because of some odd shape, then this may impact the effectiveness of a 2.1 virtual surround system as these often (always?) rely on bouncing the sound of walls to get the 5.1 effect.

Though having said all this, I'm with the professor and think that surely you can fit in rear speakers somewhere:
- on a side wall
- on stands near the seating position (think Cabasse or Kef eggs)
- using wireless rear speakers (if the issue is where to put the cables) with the above two options