[floresjc]

Does anyone here use Salk all the way around for 5.1 or higher? Or do people mix in other brands for the rears with enjoyable results? A couple options I have been considering is using my old speakers for the back, or if I go with HT2, using ST for the back, or ST for both front and back. I'm just interested in what people have done.

Also, I'm curious as to whether anyone, in their lust for the best finish, has ordered different looking sets of speakers from Jim to use together. Like walnut in the front and bubinga in the back or any combination thereof. So many beautiful speakers, so little money to experiment with.

[jermmd]

I use my old Diva speakers for the surrounds. My HT3's and HTC are in the front. I have an ACI Maestro sub as well. No need to spend a lot of money on surrounds if you already have an extra pair of speakers unless the speakers you're replacing are worth a lot on the used market. My setup sounds superb on movies. I only listen to music in stereo so I can't really comment on music surround modes.

[zybar]

I have a 7.1 setup consisting of five SongTowers + a pair of Swan Diva Surround speakers + 2 DIY subs.

Three ST's are satin black and go behind my acoustically transparent screen.  The other two ST's are the used for one set of surround speakers and have the standard curly walnut finish.  I decided to go this route due to listening to more and more hi-rez, 5 channel Blu-ray concerts and movies.  Before buying the curly walnut ST's, I used a second set of Swan Diva surrounds.

In all setups, my family and I absolutely love our HT. 

With five ST's, it is an even better experience that I truly appreciate, but the rest of the family doesn't really notice.

You can't really go wrong with any of Jim's products and the mix and match approach can work while you save up funds.

George

[R Swerdlow]

… and now for a poor-man's version of George's HT…

I have a 5 channel set up with SongTowers as the main speakers, with a NHT SuperCenter speaker, and two NHT SuperZeros as rear channel speakers.  I only use the full surround system for movies, and I listen to music by 2-channel through the SongTowers.

I admit, since getting the SongTowers, the weak point is the center channel speaker.  I will eventually replace it with a SongCenter.  But the rear channel speakers do fine for movies, and I doubt that I will replace them.

I like your idea of getting Salk speakers in different finishes.  Why not collect them all !

[Bill@LakeGeorge]

Interesting, I am also using the Swan dipole surrounds with my HT3's and HTC surround movies and music is great especially with the new Oppo BDP-83.

[Philistine]

I'm using HT3's and a HTC at the front, for the rears I'm using a pair of Criterion's from Danny Ritchie.  The logic behind this is that they all share the Arum Cantus G2 ribbon tweeter, this constant should integrate them very well.  In practice the combination is perfect and they blend seamlessly. 

The other benefit is I have my two favorite speaker designers/builders (Danny & Jim/Dennis) in one system.    

[gthomas]

I have HT3s in front with an HTC.  Surrounds are a pair of HT1s.  My rears must be ceiling mounted so I use a pair of speakercraft aim8s.  I would like to have Jim build me a pair of speakers specially angled to hang from the ceiling for the rears, but $$$$$$$$$$:)  My subs are a pair of JL Audio F113s

[Crackinjahcs]

SongTower mains, SongCenter, SongSub, and SongSurround I's in a 5.1 configuration - all driven by an Onkyo TX-SR876.

[audiotom]

we need some photos for this thread
front and rear!

I have one Fathom F113 and can't imagine two paired with Jim's speakers!
nice

[ctviggen]

I use my old Diva speakers for the surrounds. My HT3's and HTC are in the front. I have an ACI Maestro sub as well. No need to spend a lot of money on surrounds if you already have an extra pair of speakers unless the speakers you're replacing are worth a lot on the used market. My setup sounds superb on movies. I only listen to music in stereo so I can't really comment on music surround modes.

Joe,

Do you have your center channel near the bottom of the screen?

I'm going to use my HT3s and HTC for the front, but am going to try to buy the Salk HT1s that are meant to be hung for the sides and will likely use my old Mirage speakers for the rears, until I can afford another pair of the HT1s. 

I've used a number of different speakers for the surrounds and have to say it's very hard to tell that the surrounds aren't matched to the fronts for movies. 

[haw1144]

Salk Song's all around 

[OgOgilby]

How about something like this setup:

http://www.royaldevice.com/custom.htm

[BoB/335]

How about something like this setup:

http://www.royaldevice.com/custom.htm

That should be in the DIY section!