I'm sure I'm not alone in the struggle of finding a reasonable compromise between a well balanced setup that also meets the aesthetic and budgetary requirements of a discerning spouse, so I'm hoping I can gleam some wisdom from those able warriors that have fought that battle before me. I currently own a 3.1 setup, two front L/R HTR 7000s spaced roughly 10' apart, a SuperSat 60c center, SuperSub X, and Integra DRX 3.3. My setup is relatively modest and I'm not looking to break the bank, but I should have a little disposable income in the next month or two and would really like to add some surrounds to the mix. Some additional constraints / issues: My room is approximately 18' L x 15' W with the couch along the back wall (yeah, no arguing that one), 8ft ceilings, and the install has to be in-wall or in-ceiling, nothing visible. Also, I'd also like to leave the door open for adding Atmos down the line (probably 5.1.2 when all is said and done). My original thought was to get a couple of 650's and point the tweeters at the back wall to try and bounce it and cheat the sound coming from behind/ear level, but then I thought maybe throwing some in-ceiling 7000s directed at the MLP would be a better option. Then I saw a different post where someone suggested MPX's instead. 7000s are definitely at the highest end of my budget, MPX's are do-able, as are 650's. Was also thinking about 650's for the atmos's down the line. Would love to get you thoughts on best hardware and placement options. Thanks in advance for helping out a noob!

Hi nerdBrain

Welcome to the forum. Interesting moniker! I suspect you have a lot of talents to offer on this forum.

I'm having a bit of problem envisioning your potential listening area and options therein. Are your fronts and center near the front of the 18' long wall, and the main listening position (the couch?) at the far end? More detail would be helpful.

A couple thoughts. If you want to preserve future options for an Atmos height speaker addition, it's best to keep the surrounds you add presenting at ear level. MPX's would be a good choIce in that case. Positioning on a side wall is the best option if the MLP is the couch right at the back wall I would think. Adding two 650's later in ceiling as height speakers would get you to the 5.1.2 setup you envision. Again, positioning them as what would be the top middle heights if your MLP is against the back wall would probably mean getting them close to your back couch. Please advise if I'm misinterpreting your setup options.

Every room has it's challenges, and there are always some workarounds. And yes it's worth it to get to full Atmos surround!!!

Rick

Hi rjohn79395,

Thanks for the friendly welcome and quick reply! Let me try my best to clarify my setup.

My fronts and center are along the 15' wall, with my couch along the opposite 15' wall, i.e. the MLP is 18' away from my front sound stage. Unfortunately, my side walls, i.e. the 18' walls, aren't really options for in-wall installs as the left side from the MLP is open to the dining room and the right side is all exterior doors and windows. Which leaves the rear wall behind the couch and the ceiling for install options. Additionally, my daughter's bedroom is directly behind the rear wall (its a small house), so I have some concerns about installing the MPX's in those walls unless I got the backboxes as well. Would putting the MPX's in the ceiling make sense? Or does that kinda kill the option for decent Atmos down the line?

I also attached a rough sketch of my floorplan to hopefully illustrate better. Thanks again!

Hi

Interesting problem.... Maybe HTR 7000's as surrounds ceiling mounted 9-12' in front of couch and outboard as far as possible to present side surround sound at ear level (kind of backward from usual position in back of MLP), and 650's later as heights ceiling mounted closer in to the couch??? Don't know as that would give a convincing surround effect though.

Moderator Dude may have some clever options....

Good luck with your project!

Rick

Thanks for the suggestion. I was thinking about having the 7000's inline rather than in front of the MLP but outboard as much as possible as you suggested. I'm still interested in possibly doing the MXP's in the rear wall at ear level, especially if that's going to provide better imaging, but would definitely need confirmation there wouldn't be any sound bleed through the wall with the back boxes installed. Also don't know where exactly to put them to get a decent angle for the MLP since they'd be pointing out into the room. I'd almost need something like the 7000's in the rear wall

Would surface mounted SuperSats be another option, aesthetically or otherwise? They could be placed at or near the rear corners and maybe angled toward the listening position. That would give you some separation and imaging for the limited distances involved.

Just thinking out loud ....