Speakers For 12' X 12' Theater Room

cloudbaseracer · « **on:** 10 Dec 2008, 05:06 am »

Guys,

I am looking for help finding a great speaker setup for my theater room. It is small at roughly 12' X 12' but I would like to get get the best sound I can from the system. I currently use Emerald Physics CS2 for my 2 channel setup (living room) but I fear these would drastically overpower this small room. The problem that this causes is that I am accustomed to the excellent sound I get from the CS2 speakers and want something that can approximate this in my small theater room. Am I just out of luck getting good sound from such as small room? For your information the ceilings were about 12' high but I have lowered them to around 10'. This is new construction so I have no idea what to expect as I have never heard any system in this location. I have not applied any room treatment either. Not really sure of a budget. Mainly just want an open, accurate sound with great (not boomy) base. Is this available in a 7.1 system?

Thanks,

James

max190 · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 02:08 pm »

James
To get good feedback you really need to set a budget.
If you want coherent bass, then trapping is in order.
I would only do 5.1 in a room of that size.
Are you going the projector route?

MaxCast · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 02:15 pm »

Check this out
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=62478.0

Also, if you can do a little diy look at GR Research's Neo1&2's

I've never heard a HT in a room that size. You may want to consider a di/bi pole surround speaker.

woodsyi · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 02:24 pm »

Is there any way you can lengthen the room? 12' x 12' x 10' is going to be a nightmare acoustically.

cloudbaseracer · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 03:43 pm »

The room size is set in stone - literally. I do not really have a budget but I do not want to spend a huge amount of money so I am looking for any and all suggestions at this point. Of course, I am not opposed to buying used if needed. I have seen some of the PSB Platinum systems reviewed highly but have never heard them. The value that I get from the CS2's really spoils me when I envision replicating that sound quality for a similar budget. I plan on using a projector but not sure how this plays into the equation. Other than possibly that I do not really have a space large enough to get great picture size/quality?

MaxCast, Who makes a di/bi pole surround speaker that I should check out?

Thanks,

James

woodsyi · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 04:01 pm »

You may not have enough room for 7.1 if you want a projector. With a 40" to 50" panel you could probably fit in 7.1. Looking at the bright side, you at least avoided having 12'³. Also you don't need big LR speakers -- you can just get 7 monitors and a sub(s)

max190 · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 04:59 pm »

This would be a killer system in your room that comes in way under budget of your CS2's

Email I received from Mike Dzurko (ACI)
I am happy to present to you, the 12 days of Christmas at ACI:

1st) A wonderful family gift, a fantastic 5.1 system to enjoy for many years:

5 Emerald XLs in gorgeous Piano Black
1 Force XL powered sub in matching Piano Black

Consumer Direct, every day pricing totals $2999 plus S/H.... for the 12 days of Christmas only, starting right now*, wait, no, it's even better than that, even BETTER . . . .

$1999 plus S/H!

AND, if you are in need of wall mounts for your Emeralds, we'll include up to four of them FREE! Just add to the comments section of your online order.

620gold · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 05:18 pm »

I had this same problem with my room also, 12.9' x 12'. I eventually went with a very small floorstander by Silverline called the Prelude. They sell a matching center speaker and have a small standmount speaker that have received excellent reviews. I have the floorstanders only and can vouch for their effectiveness in a small room without overpowering it. They also go very low with bass you can not only hear but feel.

Other than that, Monitor Audio sells the RS6, another small floorstander that I've had the pleasure of listening to. And they sell all kinds of A/V setups.

Then you're left with standmounts, and there are all sorts of companies that make them.

woodsyi · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 06:23 pm »

Quote from: max190 on 10 Dec 2008, 04:59 pm

This would be a killer system in your room that comes in way under budget of your CS2's

Email I received from Mike Dzurko (ACI)
I am happy to present to you, the 12 days of Christmas at ACI:

1st) A wonderful family gift, a fantastic 5.1 system to enjoy for many years:

5 Emerald XLs in gorgeous Piano Black
1 Force XL powered sub in matching Piano Black

Consumer Direct, every day pricing totals $2999 plus S/H.... for the 12 days of Christmas only, starting right now*, wait, no, it's even better than that, even BETTER . . . .

$1999 plus S/H!

AND, if you are in need of wall mounts for your Emeralds, we'll include up to four of them FREE! Just add to the comments section of your online order.

Great deal! I was going to suggest Aperion but this is better.

ltr317 · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 06:24 pm »

I would second the ACI setup. The Emerald XLs are neutral sounding and you can tailor the tonality with your choice of electronics.

ajayrav · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 06:29 pm »

Third that! ACI speakers are special.....

Ajay

cloudbaseracer · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 07:27 pm »

The ACI's sure seem to get a lot of press here. I have not had a chance to see or addition them. Can you tell me how the Emerald XL compare with the Saphire XL? Have you guys compared the sound of the ACI speakers with something like the Usher BE-718? Just curious as that is such a highly acclaimed speaker, it would be good to get opinions.

So you guys suggest using a single Emerald XL as the center speaker? I have never had a 5.1 or 7.1 system but I see most using a "dedicated" center speaker set-up.

Thanks,

James

bpape · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 07:46 pm »

The Emeralds with a sub in that deal are a bargain.

The Sapphire XL's are something completely different though. In a 12x12 room (acoustical issues not withstanding), the Sapphires would be absolutely killer. They're capable of being essentially full range (extension into the 40's) and will handle pretty much anything you can throw at them.

3 Sapphires up front (Mike also makes a Sapphire XL center channel if you want) and Emeralds for surrounds is a very nice setup for sure. I've had a couple of my design customers use that configuration and it's a great setup.

Bryan

Brown · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 08:01 pm »

Ok guys don't shoot me but in video applications good sound is good enough. For that size room Bryans reccos are VG. For movies Bose makes some good enough speakers, Yes Bose. Ok Ok shoot me.

Brown · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 08:03 pm »

Ok guys don't shoot me but in video applications good sound is good enough. For that size room Brians reccos are VG. For movies bose makes some good enough speakers. Ok Ok shoot me.

MaxCast · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 08:12 pm »

Quote from: Brown on 10 Dec 2008, 08:03 pm

Ok guys don't shoot me but in video applications good sound is good enough. For that size room Brians reccos are VG. For movies bose makes some good enough speakers. Ok Ok shoot me.

max190 · « **Reply #16 on:** 10 Dec 2008, 09:56 pm »

Since you posted twice...

cloudbaseracer · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 04:06 am »

No interest in Bose. I have their headset for aviation but that is as far as it goes.

I guess at this point it is between the ACI and the GR Research.

James

warnerwh · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 04:50 am »

Be sure to put some bass traps in every corner. Guaranteed you'll be glad you did. There's some very inexpensive ways to do this if you need to.

cloudbaseracer · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 Dec 2008, 05:23 am »

I actually manufacture a wool padding that is used under carpeting. I plan on trying to use this on the walls as a dampener of sorts. I hope these will serve as a good substitute for the commercial products that are out there.

What ways do you know about that are inexpensive?

James