Surround speakers - Floor standing?

[Miggy]

Ever since one of my cats knocked over and destroyed my right surround speaker (had satellite speakers on stands), I've been having to use the center speaker from my computer 5.1 system as a temporary replacement. I've now decided I'm going to get new surround speakers.

I was wondering if anyone has used speakers like these for surround speakers. I was thinking of standing them up in the back corners instead of using the stands or wall-mounted satellite speakers.

Would they work as well as satellite speakers for use as the surround speakers (I don't mean comparing specific models, I mean in general).

Miggy, the Thief

[Ruined]

They should work fine... But wouldn't the smart thing be getting a lighter speaker you could mount on the wall? A cat would still be able to knock over a thin tower...

Here is a wall-mountable one that has a similar design as the one you are looking at:
PSB - Alpha CLR1 - Center/Bookshelf/Surround-Audio Advisor

[Miggy]

Yeah, wall-mounted speakers would be the way to go if it's an option. I won't go into why it might not be, other than to say it won't be up to me if holes are drilled into the wall.

The reason I thought those thin towers would work is that I could put them up in the corner, hopefully out of harm's way. Since you say they will work just fine as surround speakers (I didn't know if the sound would be coming from too low a position), then I know that will be an option. I'll just have to see how things go from a planning perspective.

Thanks!

Miggy, the Thief

[firestorm]

What are (were) your existing surrounds? I have bookshelves on something like 30" tall stands, which haven't been a problem with two cats. Our son has never knocked them over, although he tried on a couple occasions (came close enough I almost screwed the stands to the floor or wall). The speakers are reasonably heavy though, plus the stands have a fairly broad base and I have them up against the walls. I didn't get the carpet spikes with the stands (they were used), but those would make the stands considerably more stable.

Just trying to open up some other options. Stands can be pretty pricey though. But, there are other options, such as hollow stands that you could fill with marbles, kitty litter, or other heavy material. Then again, I was working with what I had (speaker wise) and you have the luxury (or perhaps curse?) of more options.

Almost forgot... I've only seen one system with floorstanders in the rear, but there's no practical reason that they wouldn't work. It seems that people generally put the "rears" up higher than the fronts though, and you'll loose that flexibility with floorstanders. Unfortunately, our friends were soon separated (and subsequently divorced) after they got the surround system, so I didn't get much time with it at all and much of that was music. It was a Sony system as well, so I was more focused on the general sonic differences between his system and mine. I merely noted the choice, which, IIRC, was simply because the towers cost the same as smaller speakers + stands.

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by Miggy

Would they work as well as satellite speakers for use as the surround speakers (I don't mean comparing specific models, I mean in general).

Miggy, the Thief

They seem tall, but I'd still say 'overall' they aren't tall enough. I believe in most rooms surrounds should be higher to do what they do best.

I'd also get rid of the cat. They are evil.

[Miggy]

Yeah, I think so, too, Iggy. I'll go for wall-mounting if at all possible.

While I'm on the subject, I'll also be getting into 7.1 around this same time. How are the two surround middle speakers usually placed? Spaced out evenly along the back wall? What I mean is this:

R-surround........ R-middle surround..........L-middle surround........ L-surround.

Or are the two middle surround speakers placed together?

I was guessing spaced out since it's supposed to provide better panning.

Miggy, the Thief

[PunkMunkey]

Originally Posted by Miggy

Yeah, I think so, too, Iggy. I'll go for wall-mounting if at all possible.

While I'm on the subject, I'll also be getting into 7.1 around this same time. How are the two surround middle speakers usually placed? Spaced out evenly along the back wall? What I mean is this:

R-surround........ R-middle surround..........L-middle surround........ L-surround.

Or are the two middle surround speakers placed together?

I was guessing spaced out since it's supposed to provide better panning.

Miggy, the Thief

Try it this way:

[Miggy]

Ohhhhhhh.. that's good, Punkmonkey. I'm going to save that pic.

That's one way that I envisioned it. Thanks!

Miggy, the Thief

[Miggy]

I'm going to really push for wall-mounted speakers, and assuming that's what I'm going to do, any recommendations on brand/model? I'd like to spend no more than $150 / pair for the 4 satellite speakers.

I was looking around at Best Buy today and saw a JBL pair that was 200 watts, but only 4" and limited range. There was a Yamaha that was 5 1/4" and more range, but only 100 watts. They were both within the target price and would look good mounted on the wall.

EDIT: Here are the JBL speakers I saw at Best Buy and at almost half the price!

Miggy, the Thief