Can in wall speakers replace my nOrh SM 6.1's?

johnnyBgood · « **on:** 25 Aug 2004, 11:37 pm »

I currently have 2 nOrh Sm 6.1's, with an adire rava powered by an outlaw 1050. I am extremely happy with the setup. However, for room design reasons, in wall speakers would be desirable, replacing the nOrh's, which take up alot of room. My question is, can i get the kind of sound quality i have come to love with the nOrh's with in wall speakers? I wouldn't want to spend more than the 6.1's cost me, which was $600.

Thanks!

JackStraw · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 Aug 2004, 11:43 pm »

nOrh's definitely take up a lot of room.

I'd recommend considering the ACI Emerald On-Wall. I have a pair and I'm very happy with them. I haven't heard any in-wall speakers that can come close to them. See ACI's new forum here at AudioCircle, or more info at ACI's web site :

http://www.audioc.com/speakers/Emonwall/index.htm

I see that they are $100 over your $600 budget, but I thought that it would be worth the suggestion anyhow.

johnnyBgood · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 Aug 2004, 03:39 pm »

thanks for the response, I would spend the $800 ($700 + $100 for wood finish). I notice these are on-wall, rather than in-wall. Is this an advantage because in-wall speakers may not sound right after installing, and can't be repositioned? Are there other reasons that on-wall would be better?

Marbles · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Aug 2004, 03:41 pm »

Having a smaller baffle of the on wall should help it with imaging. With the in wall, the whole wall becomes the baffle.

JackStraw · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Aug 2004, 04:06 pm »

Quote from: Marbles

Having a smaller baffle of the on wall should help it with imaging. With the in wall, the whole wall becomes the baffle.

That's definitely one factor. Another is that the Emerald On-Wall has two bottom ports that were designed to take advantage of on-wall placement to reinforce the bass. While the page that I linked above lists a -3dB point of 65Hz, in room response will definitely be better as long as there is wall below the speaker ports. My (admittedly crude) work with an SPL meter (and correction factors) showed solid response to 50Hz.

The Emerald's are pretty flexible in terms of vertical placement as well, and yes being able to move them is a significant bonus.

ACI has a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, see http://www.audioc.com/aboutaci/warranty.htm

I'm no ACI salesman, just a satisfied customer. I encourage you to ask for more info in the ACI forum, MikeD is a great guy.

Andrikos · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Aug 2004, 05:35 pm »

Why don't you try and mount the 6.1's from the ceiling pointing at you?
THat should save space AND money while still enjoying the nOrh sound...

Just a couple of cents your way...

johnnyBgood · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Aug 2004, 01:30 am »

I don't think the ceiling mount would work, simply because ot the size of the 6.1's. Does anyone have direct experience with both the nOrh's and the ACI's?

Marbles · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Aug 2004, 01:36 am »

I have direct experience hanging the wood nOrh 9.0 from my ceiling as rears in my previous Ref HT system. It works out well.

When I gave my daughter the choice of several speakers for her bedroom, including marble mini column 9.0's, her choice was the wood 9.0's because she liked their shape and that they could be hung from her ceiling.

johnnyBgood · « **Reply #8 on:** 31 Aug 2004, 04:16 pm »

I just don't think they would look right in my room. Have you heard the the ACI's -do they sound as good as the nOrh's?

Marbles · « **Reply #9 on:** 31 Aug 2004, 04:17 pm »

I have not heard any ACI speaker.

johnnyBgood · « **Reply #10 on:** 31 Aug 2004, 10:14 pm »

After getting over my initial resistance, I'm now intrigued by the idea of hanging the nOrh's from my ceiling. It's a 12' ceiling with wood beams. How did you do it?

Andrikos · « **Reply #11 on:** 31 Aug 2004, 11:30 pm »

See?
I knew you would come around.

Obviously, you have to find the rafters using a stud finder and stick a few hooks both in your speakers (3 would probably do) and the ceiling.
Make sure speakers (tweeters) are inline with the listeners (you can use a laser level for this) when you use chain or any other type of rope to hang'em...

Marbles · « **Reply #12 on:** 1 Sep 2004, 12:06 am »

Quote from: Andrikos

See?
I knew you would come around.
Obviously, you have to find the rafters using a stud finder and stick a few hooks both in your speakers (3 would probably do) and the ceiling.
Make sure speakers (tweeters) are inline with the listeners (you can use a laser level for this) when you use chain or any other type of rope to hang'em...

No need to put hooks in the speakers.

From this picture on norhs website, I had black canvas straps made. I unscrewed the reubber feet and screwed them back in with the screws going into the straps. On the ends of the straps I sewed "D" rings. I then used "Eye" screws into my ceiling studs and used a short chain and "s" hooks to link them.

With the height of your ceiling, I might use doubled 30LB fishing line instead of the chain and "s" hooks.

johnnyBgood · « **Reply #13 on:** 4 Sep 2004, 05:30 pm »

thanks for the input. Since the speakers are heavy I will probably use steel cable. Any ideas on how to hide the speaker cable? I could probably put it in the wall, but perhaps there is an easier way?