OK, an update after breaking in the T1's for 100 hrs:

I've settled in on settings for music, and for tv/dvd's.

For music: I've played with all sorts of combinations, from T1's only to the T1 front/T2 rear/SCXL combination. ALL sound great, but I have to say, the T1's and T2's at 0 db gain, and the SCXL at -5db in enhanced stereo mode is just AWESOME! I know this doesn't jive with conventional wisdom that 2 channel music should be fronts only, but WOW!, does it sound great! I've listened to all sorts of car stereo systems (all play all speakers, not just fronts), including the top of the line Mercedes S550's Burmester 13 speaker system (not mine), with rear firing speakers in the front seatbacks so that all positions hear the soundstage in front, and NOTHING I've heard, ever, sounds better than T1's front, T2's rear, and SCXL center. I've adjusted the sound levels so that the SCXL, at -5db, just adds a litttle richness to the already great phantom center from the T1's without changing perfect L/R/center balance (Wayne, we've exchanged notes on adding the center channel to music), and the T2 rears, when I'm seated midway between fronts and rears, aren't really detectable, but just give the music a little more 3d effect but leave the sound stage in front. Those 5 speakers playing together are just mesmerizing.. they blend together perfectly.. you really can't tell where the speakers are . Sometimes I get tears in my eyes, other times goosebumps. I've been on a search for years and years to find audio perfection, whether in cars or at home, and now I've found it.

For tv/DVD: The fronts and center are all at 0 db gain, and that seems about right. The four Triton towers, all with LFE, really can push any bass.. thunder, guns firing, etc. It all just explodes out. It rivals anything I've heard in theatres or elsewhere. Having bass come from 4 sources seems to really balance it, though the T1's are king here.

When I called GE earlier for advice on whether to purchase T1's and use my T2's as rears, Sandy himself (yes THE Sandy) came to the phone and offered advice. I know I got lucky, I'm sure Sandy's got lots of other things to do, and can't possibly deal with all the technical questions that come GE's way, but that so represented to me what GE is all about.

Wayne, I'm with you, GE speakers are tops, so matter how you match and use them!

(Sandy, ever thought of making car stereo speakers? Your speakers will play with ANYBODY's!)

Rick

Hey Rick,
That is a great report, I couldn't be happier for you!!!!!
Thanks also for the kind words!!!
i noticed that you are running all your Triton Towers with LFE connections. I am too.
Triton Ones in the front and T 2s as surrounds, MAN, you are making me DROOL with envy!!!!!!!
And with the SC XL that must sound really awesome!!!!!
What are you using to make your enhanced stereo? Is that something NAD does, or are you using the Dolby PL2 or DTS Neo 6 Music?
Just wondered what sounds the best to you with your surround sound stereo?
Did you ever try a RCA Living Stereo 3 channel recording of classical? Maybe that is too weird, some people don't get classical.
Anyway, thanks for the report and keep them coming, You are THE MAN!!!!!
Respect for building a system like that!!!!
God Bless,
Wayne

Hi, Wayne

Thanks for the feedback! I'll bet your system rocks also, with T 2's, 3's, 7's, SC X, Forcefield sub, etc.!

Re setting up enhanced stereo, yes, NAD has a listening option called enhanced stereo. I just played with center channel and surround gain/volume until I was satisfied I had preserved the soundstage made by the fronts, but had added some richness and depth with the center and surround channels. My listening test was that the volume on the center and sourrounds couldn't be loud enough to make the location of those speakers intrude or distract from the front soundstage. I could have started with NEO: 6 music and done the same thing, I guess. Once I had settings I liked, I just linked those to NAD av input pre-sets, so the right speaker settings came on for the different modes (tv/DVD, CD, music streaming, etc.), plus I have other pre-sets I can switch to, like fronts only, pure stereo, or add the rear INVISA 525's (the former INVISA surrounds are for now disconnected, replaced by the T 2's, and awaiting maybe resurfacing in an ATMOS mode some day).

I was pretty happy that I had created the bee's knee's audio system in my car by upgrading to Alpine speakers with silk dome tweeters, Boston Acoustics sub, upgraded amp, etc. until I began installing GE speakers in my home (I still enjoy the car stereo, but it can't keep up with the GE system). I guess my experimenting with multi channels in home systems comes from doing the same in car systems, and always with the same objective: enhance, but don't distract from, the front soundstage.

Re RCA living stereo 3 channel stuff, no I haven't tried that yet, but will. Based on stuff I've come across in the forums, I have purchased some reference recordings (Requiem, RR-57CD, Pictures at an Exhibition, RR-79CD and others), and love the detail and depth I hear.

Happy listening!

Rick

Good stuff Rick!!!
I need to try something like what you did. I almost never listen to P.O.S. (poor old stereo) anymore. I really enjoy surround sound and Blu-ray concerts are the BEST!!!!!
TACET makes some really fun surround classical recordings where all 5 speakers need to be the same volume, and you, the listener are sitting right in the middle of the performers. One such recording which I really like is Franz Shubert's Octet in F Major on DVD-Audio, pictured below. This is a wonderful recording and you will be right in the middle of the players.
This is fun, enjoy,
God Bless,
Wayne

Wayne, thanks for the heads up about TACET DVD recordings... I've added their web site to my favorites and will order soon... lots of good stuff there, and in formats that let me play in surround mode!

Rick

I just found a bunch of TACET DVD recordings on AMAZON, including Schubert's "Octet in F major". I just ordered it... can't wait to get immersed in that surround experience!

Thanks, Wayne! You get a gold star for all your contributions on this forum!

Rick