Matching surrounds to N3S Speakers

WC · « **on:** 12 Jul 2011, 02:35 pm »

I have decided to go with N3S sepakers for my front three speakers. The problem is with the surrounds. Due to windows on one side and a bar/entry staircase on the other side, I don't have a place to mount or place traditional box speakers and still achieve a WAF. So if I want surrounds, I need to install in-ceiling mounted speakers. I know that I won't get a perfect tonal match, but is there something that will work good enough?

srb · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 Jul 2011, 02:55 pm »

BG makes a PD-6Ci ceiling speaker that uses the same BG Neo3PDR tweeter.
http://www.bgcorp.com/PDFs/PD-6Ci-literature.pdf

Steve

Danny Richie · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 Jul 2011, 03:02 pm »

I have your solution.

Traditional ceiling mounted speakers will always sound like sound coming straight down at you from the ceiling. Even worse if it is right over your head. These are not really good solutions.

Try our A/V-1RS: http://www.gr-research.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=113

This is typically a wall mounted design that was designed to mount with the center of the tweeter located 16" from the ceiling. They create a large non-localized sound field that is exactly what you want for surround speakers.

In the same manor they work equally well mounted to the ceiling and aimed at the rear wall. Just mount the tweeter 16" from the rear wall just like if it were wall mounted. You get the same large non-localized sound field that is ideal for rear surrounds.

WC · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 Jul 2011, 03:32 pm »

Steve,

Those look like they would work Ok.

Danny,

The A/V-1RS would be difficult to mount to the ceiling. I have a suspended ceiling. I may take some pictures later to show the issues I have by trying to put in surrounds.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Jul 2011, 03:35 pm »

I suspended ceiling in your home? That is unusual. And yes that would make it more challenging to mount. It needs to be pretty solid. At least it will be easy to run the wires to it.

WC · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Jul 2011, 04:14 pm »

Yea, it is the only room in the house with the suspended ceiling. A lot of utilities run through there, so the original builders may have thought it was a good idea. The wire runs won't be an issue.

django11 · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 Jul 2011, 12:52 am »

If you are handy and have a minimum of tools you could fairly easily put a piece of wood ( plywood would be good) above the location on the ceiling where you want to mount speakers. The piece of wood needs to straddle two runners and then you will have to add an additional piece of wood between the first piece and the ceiling tile. You can then screw through the tile into the plywood. If the tile is not rigid you might have to cut out a small piece underneath the speaker mount and replace it with ... another piece of wood

. You might also have to add additinal wire bracing to the runners depending on speaker weight and the location existing wires. Sounds more complicated then it is...

WC · « **Reply #7 on:** 29 Sep 2011, 01:51 am »

Danny,

I know that I could put in an N3 tower as surrounds and it would match sonically. How would it work as a surround? What about the OB-3? Or the X-omni (I know they use a different tweeter, but they are more economical)

?

Danny Richie · « **Reply #8 on:** 29 Sep 2011, 03:16 am »

Quote from: WC on 29 Sep 2011, 01:51 am

Danny,

I know that I could put in an N3 tower as surrounds and it would match sonically. How would it work as a surround? What about the OB-3? Or the X-omni (I know they use a different tweeter, but they are more economical) ?

What you are really asking is not a speaker question but a room related question.

The N3 will not only match, but will work great as surrounds. However, ideally you want to be as far away from the surround speakers as from your main speakers. But in reality most people don't have that much space. This is why speakers like the omni designs really help out.

WC · « **Reply #9 on:** 29 Sep 2011, 03:46 am »

Front speakers are 8 ft apart and 8 ft from the listening position. Surrounds would be 4.5 to 8 ft away from the listening positions depending on location of the people on the couch. So a speaker like the omni style would be better?

mlbrand · « **Reply #10 on:** 29 Sep 2011, 03:48 am »

Just put your N3S on stands to use them as side surrounds like I did!

WC · « **Reply #11 on:** 29 Sep 2011, 04:22 am »

Not real sure they would stay upright on stands. I have two boys aged 6 and 1. Need I say more....

Danny Richie · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 Sep 2011, 01:10 pm »

Quote from: WC on 29 Sep 2011, 03:46 am

Front speakers are 8 ft apart and 8 ft from the listening position. Surrounds would be 4.5 to 8 ft away from the listening positions depending on location of the people on the couch. So a speaker like the omni style would be better?

You could go either way.

A N3 with the transmission line opening exiting out the front could be placed near the wall.

Any of our omni designs really need to be at least 3 feet from any wall.

So it just really depends on where you can place them.

Outofthewoods · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 Sep 2011, 12:11 am »

Hey WC,

Have you considered picking up a pair of these?

Best,

Ruben

Quote from: Danny on 28 Sep 2011, 06:27 pm

The Carnegie Acoustics CSB1

These speakers sell through a dealer network of brick and mortar stores for an already low price of $899 a pair. They now have a few of these that are B stock and discounted to only $549 a pair.

All cabinets are gloss black and look excellent.

I highly recommend these and guarantee you'll be really happy with them.

Visit their web site here for more details: http://www.carnegieacoustics.com/#/home/

If interested please contact me for details as to why these are B stock or call Cecil Fannin at (606) 922-0313 to order them.

jparkhur · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 Sep 2011, 12:14 am »

WHOOOOO, with three boys of my own that could be all out war with them dragging each other around and riding the Rotts through the house. When your dogs are bigger than your kids watch out. With that said, a deal like that you may not be able to pass up. A great speaker, even if it has a dent or two in after your kids knock them over.... Would still sound good....

JP

Outofthewoods · « **Reply #15 on:** 30 Sep 2011, 12:24 am »

Floor-stander or stand-mounts attached to their stands, if you can't keep your kids off 'em they're going over regardless.

Best,

Ruben

WC · « **Reply #16 on:** 30 Sep 2011, 04:03 am »

Don't have the money to spend on new speakers right now. Just sort of planning for the future. I really think I want to build my own speakers. I just hope mine will look presentable compared to the ones Rueben makes.

The N3's sort of work with my current space much better than OB and V series speakers due to their wall spacing requirements.

Danny, what effect would raising or lowering the height of the N3 have? It would be effectively changing the length of the port, right?

Danny Richie · « **Reply #17 on:** 30 Sep 2011, 02:21 pm »

Quote from: WC on 30 Sep 2011, 04:03 am

Don't have the money to spend on new speakers right now. Just sort of planning for the future. I really think I want to build my own speakers. I just hope mine will look presentable compared to the ones Rueben makes.

The N3's sort of work with my current space much better than OB and V series speakers due to their wall spacing requirements.

Danny, what effect would raising or lowering the height of the N3 have? It would be effectively changing the length of the port, right?

Making it taller is easy. You just add sheets of MDF below the TL exit.

You can make it slightly shorter by moving the drivers down an inch or so, but you have to leave all of the TL in tack. This reduced air space will shift the tuning frequency from 40Hz to 43Hz or something.

WC · « **Reply #18 on:** 30 Sep 2011, 02:37 pm »

If the port is located on the front, does any of the baffling change inside the speaker?

Danny Richie · « **Reply #19 on:** 30 Sep 2011, 02:59 pm »

Quote from: WC on 30 Sep 2011, 02:37 pm

If the port is located on the front, does any of the baffling change inside the speaker?

You take all of the bracing that makes the TL and flip flop them all to make the exit out the front. Or you could look at it as flip flopping all of the drivers to the other side of the box. Same thing...