How large should my rears be?

[rblnr]

unless all you are dealing with is home theater

which is 99.9% of multichannel use, even on this forum, so I made the assumption the OP was referring to soundtracks. Yes, for music it's somewhat different, but if you have matched drivers all around, you can do extremely well with smaller rears for MC music too.

To illustrate, I played the Beach scene beginning to Saving Private Ryan the other day, and it seemed I could have a bit more pronounced gunfire behind me

I'd look at the cover settings/balance first, correctly set the 52s should handle gunfire just fine.

 

[Dr_jitsu]

Most rears in the USA are way TOO large but not to worry. The FDA is all over this one.

True, the best, I hear, are in Brazil.....shapely but not too fat.

 

[ted_b]

which is 99.9% of multichannel use, even on this forum, so I made the assumption the OP was referring to soundtracks. Yes, for music it's somewhat different, but if you have matched drivers all around, you can do extremely well with smaller rears for MC music too..

Sorry, but I though this forum was about "WHATS BEST". All this talk on here about great cost-no-object transducers like Magicos, Wilsons, YG, Rockport, etc and then we get to multichannel music and it's "this will do"? (OK, off my soapbox).

My serious point was that the OP should not be dissuaded from looking for full range surrounds in a Whats Best forum....

 

[Dr_jitsu]

Well, I called up Vanns to buy the 82's.....was put on hold for 22 minutes.

When I called back, they were closed.

 

[RBFC]

Sorry, but I though this forum was about "WHATS BEST". All this talk on here about great cost-no-object transducers like Magicos, Wilsons, YG, Rockport, etc and then we get to multichannel music and it's "this will do"? (OK, off my soapbox).

My serious point was that the OP should not be dissuaded from looking for full range surrounds in a Whats Best forum....

Sometimes, I guess we have to discuss "What's Best at my Price Point?"

NO argument that fully matched speakers are the ideal.

Lee

 

[audioguy]

I went from full range rear speakers (Dunlavy SC IV-As) to SC-Is, changed the crossover and can hear ZERO difference. They have an identical sonic signature. And that applies to SACD music and movie soundtracks.

But that's just me!

 

[RBFC]

I went from full range rear speakers (Dunlavy SC IV-As) to SC-Is, changed the crossover and can hear ZERO difference. They have an identical sonic signature. And that applies to SACD music and movie soundtracks.

But that's just me!

Is it possible that the "standards" for surround speaker setup were outlined BEFORE the advent of today's more sophisticated bass management, EQ, and level adjustment functions came to be?

Lee

 

[Dr_jitsu]

What do you guys think of running Hereseys as my rears? There are some used for sale locally. Also, there are some Klipshorns and a guy w/ Lascalas that he says he can customize however I want (he can use Crites parts, which are highly regarded).

If I got the Klipschorns I would run them w/ my 64 as the front stage, then run my RF-7's in the rear. Would I be able to run my 82's as front wide, or would they not timbre match the Klipschorns?

Also, there are a set (4) of RF-3's which are older versions that are similar to the RF-82 (the 3's may be a bit higher quality) for sale locally. They are in excellent shape and the seller wants $1K for all 4.

 

[rblnr]

Sometimes, I guess we have to discuss "What's Best at my Price Point?"

NO argument that fully matched speakers are the ideal.

Yes.

But again, for movies which seems to be the OPs use for them, I think there's little difference. It often assumed for home mixes that the rears are small.

 

[RBFC]

Provided your rear speakers (for movies, to simplify the discussion) have sufficient power response and sufficient frequency response to slightly below the crossover frequency, I don't see how much could be lacking. Of course, this presupposes proper placement in the sound field.

Lee

 

[Dr_jitsu]

There are also some KL-525-THX Bookshelf speakers for sale...these are very large bookshelfs, and I could just put them on the divider between my living room and Kitchen, which is fairly optimal.

I would then get rid of the RB51's I have and keep the rf-52's. Would there be timbre problems? Just spoke w/ the owner, he also has some CF-2's

 

[Grainger49]

Addressing your question, the volume output is a result of your power/speaker sensitivity/room size/listening preferences. I suspect the Klipsch are sensitive enough at 98dBW (Hoocie Mamma!). The Onkyo might not give enough sustained current to them, maybe it does. I'm just saying that the speakers might not be the problem. If they are, it is the frequency response. But.... there is always a but isn't there, you don't hear much behind you, as Gregadd pointed out. That is why your ears point forward, sort of. The "oomph" comes from the other speakers.

Get a buddy to schlepp some different speakers over to your place, ply him with alcohol, and listen.

 

[audioguy]

If your issue is punch with your existing configuration, my guess would NOT be rear speakers or amps. My guess is either the integration of the subs with the mains and/or the combined frequency response of the subs.

I have 4 subs in a much smaller space than yours and also had slam/punch issues and had way more than enough power. Once I got everything integrated properly, problem solved !!!

 

[JackD201]

Wouldn't it be funny if the problem was that Doc Jitsu watches movies in a high backed seat or slumped on a couch?

Seriously Doc, need more data here. What seems to be missing again? Is it articulation, even surround field coverage, dynamics or any other thing.

First thing I'd do is make sure all the rears are aimed squarely at the viewing, listening position if you aren't using bipoles.