How do you set up a surround array? - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

wynterfire · 12-30-2005, 04:13 PM

I've been noticing people mentioning having an array of surround speakers and was curious as to how it's done.

Anybody want to help me out?

Iguana Man · 12-30-2005, 10:49 PM

I would think they biwire several of the 'surrounds' and just how much biwiring is needed would depend on the amp (5.1 or 7.1) and how many additional speakers you want to employ. In a 5.1 amp, I think you would take each wire that normally leads into it's rear speaker and split it off to additional speakers on that 'side'. If I'm correct, the only thing I would be concerned with is you cannot adjust the additional speakers db or distances individually. It would be the whole 'side' as one setting.

It would probably be easier and more flexible using a 7.1 chnl amp if my thinking above is correct.

Am I making sense?

***chlngr1970*** · 12-30-2005, 10:58 PM

Another way of doing it is to use the pre-amp outputs of the precessor, or receiver, and split the signal between however many amps you want for the number of speakers. Say, you want three speakers in your array. If you go 7.1 ( or 15.i as the cases may be

) you would use six two channel amps for the rears, and a three channel ( or another two channel and a monoblock ) for the front.

Hope this helps...

j

Sycho · 12-31-2005, 03:56 AM

i've been wanting to do this for a while, using a 6.1 prosessor and 3 stereo amps with 4 speakers per surround channel, plus a 3 channel amp for the mains. But hey, what do I know ah?

This is coming from the same guy who wants 5 front channels

MARVEL · 01-02-2006, 10:17 PM

I did mine like this(I have provided an illustrated pic): The white dots are the speakers that compose the left array. The Reciever is in a closet that is out of the photo. I have th line that comes off the reciever going to a sub that 1)provides a crossover so I run the speakers full range, 2)Shorten the distance and provide a power boost to compensate for the distance. From the sub the line goes to the first surround which is the upper left corner. Then I "daisy chained" the other two to it. The white line is the path of the cables back to the sub which lead to the reciever.

tomdkat · 01-04-2006, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARVEL

I did mine like this(I have provided an illustrated pic): .

Dude, the LEAST you could do is use the version of this image I posted in your HT thread so we could see the friggin speakers...

Peace...

Taxi · 01-04-2006, 01:26 AM

Are the speakers placed at different heights for a specific (audio) reason, or is it a purely cosmetic issue?

Pirate · 01-04-2006, 06:17 AM

Is this kind of this worth it if you only have one seating area? I can see using this if you have like seats in front of seats.

-PH

MARVEL · 01-04-2006, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Dude, the LEAST you could do is use the version of this image I posted in your HT thread so we could see the friggin speakers...

Peace...

Sorry tom, didn't see the pic til after I posted this one...

The reason I went with the speakers going up like I did is mainly cosmetic but I was trying to recreate a theater which did have stadium seating. I figured if it was gonna sound like a theater than I had to recreate one in detail.

Plus to no have a "gap" in the soundfield I measured the hight of the fronts and based the angle of the slope coming up to the back of the room to the rear ex surrounds since they can't be any lower. because of the closet ans bathroom in the back of the room.
There are chairs that sit farther up front in the room so when you sit there you are still sitting inside the soundfield.

sub780lime · 01-04-2006, 10:25 PM

is there any power and thus sound quality lose as the the connection progresses from speaker 1 to 2 and then to 3 ?

wynterfire · 01-05-2006, 10:18 AM

Isn't chaining together multiple speakers on one channel bad for the receiver? I thought that you run the risk of blowing the receiver because it has to work that much harder to drive the extra speakers you chain on the line. And I can't help but think that you would not get adequate power to the speakers, thus they will not sound as good.
I know at lower levels it should be fine, but when you start cranking it up, that's when you run risks.

I know you can use a pre-amp, but in my case I would only be using my receiver alone.

12-30-2005, 04:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
wynterfire Cynical Prick Join Date: May 2002 Location: Oldsmar, FL	How do you set up a surround array? I've been noticing people mentioning having an array of surround speakers and was curious as to how it's done. Anybody want to help me out? __________________ Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules

12-30-2005, 10:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Iguana Man Ex-BadHumor Man Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Jersey, USA	I would think they biwire several of the 'surrounds' and just how much biwiring is needed would depend on the amp (5.1 or 7.1) and how many additional speakers you want to employ. In a 5.1 amp, I think you would take each wire that normally leads into it's rear speaker and split it off to additional speakers on that 'side'. If I'm correct, the only thing I would be concerned with is you cannot adjust the additional speakers db or distances individually. It would be the whole 'side' as one setting. It would probably be easier and more flexible using a 7.1 chnl amp if my thinking above is correct. Am I making sense? __________________ Get outside and have fun! Nacho Website Focus

12-30-2005, 10:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
*chlngr1970* Producer/Admin Tenacious "OB" Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Spanaway Washington	Another way of doing it is to use the pre-amp outputs of the precessor, or receiver, and split the signal between however many amps you want for the number of speakers. Say, you want three speakers in your array. If you go 7.1 ( or 15.i as the cases may be ) you would use six two channel amps for the rears, and a three channel ( or another two channel and a monoblock ) for the front. Hope this helps... j __________________ "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return" Christian, Moulin Rouge

01-04-2006, 01:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
Taxi Admin Emeritus Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Orygun	Are the speakers placed at different heights for a specific (audio) reason, or is it a purely cosmetic issue? __________________ *Admin Emeritus* \| DDS#42 No, I am not back. Eschew obfuscation.

01-04-2006, 06:17 AM	#8 (permalink)
Pirate Moderator Emeritus Loves Yellow Subtitles Join Date: Jun 2003	Is this kind of this worth it if you only have one seating area? I can see using this if you have like seats in front of seats. -PH __________________ Early Adopting So You Don’t Have To.

12-31-2005, 03:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
Sycho I needs to show ID with a personal check Join Date: Dec 2003	i've been wanting to do this for a while, using a 6.1 prosessor and 3 stereo amps with 4 speakers per surround channel, plus a 3 channel amp for the mains. But hey, what do I know ah? This is coming from the same guy who wants 5 front channels

01-04-2006, 10:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
sub780lime Can't Spell Bilbo Join Date: May 2002 Location: A Galaxy Far Far Away	is there any power and thus sound quality lose as the the connection progresses from speaker 1 to 2 and then to 3 ? __________________ love comes and goes, but an avatar . . . that's forever. - Pirate

01-05-2006, 10:18 AM	#11 (permalink)
wynterfire Cynical Prick Join Date: May 2002 Location: Oldsmar, FL	Isn't chaining together multiple speakers on one channel bad for the receiver? I thought that you run the risk of blowing the receiver because it has to work that much harder to drive the extra speakers you chain on the line. And I can't help but think that you would not get adequate power to the speakers, thus they will not sound as good. I know at lower levels it should be fine, but when you start cranking it up, that's when you run risks. I know you can use a pre-amp, but in my case I would only be using my receiver alone. __________________ Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules

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