Biamping or Atmos with unused 7.1 channels

[blueblenny]

DTR20.

 

"The Reference Series RB-25 bookshelf loudspeaker was first introduced in 2003 and manufactured by Klipsch until 2006. "

 

  so far so good.

 

they are less wattage, that is my main concern... or are there others I am not aware of?

[Scrappydue]

You need to STOP worrying about wattage. It's a reference bookshelf vs a synergy. It will be better. I have RB-25 in my bedroom. They aren't bad speakers at all. Not very deep so having them on the wall isn't bad at all 

[blueblenny]

Thanks Scrappy,  That is why I was asking.     I thought it would be, i figure double checking with those with more wisdom than I can same me from making dumb mistakes.     

[blueblenny]

Ok,

 

So I wanted to give an update to my project, and ask some where to turn advice..

 

First, I was able to add a second sub (An RW-12D to match the RW10D I already have), and am very happy.    With the room, they are both  on the Left, not ideal, but it is a limitation of the space.   the 10" is close to the listener, and the 12" drives most of the the power.

 

Secondly, I got a Marantz 7009 that promptly died 2 days after turning it on.  Marantz replaced it with a 7010 since I apparently got the last of the 7009s in stock.   I love how much nicer this receiver sounds than my old Yamaha did driving the towers.   I do have the mains bi-amped now, and am going to try it both ways back and forth as I dial it in.  As long as I have enough channels, I figure it doesn't hurt.  

 

Now I am just not getting the ceiling bounce Atmos depth that I really want, and it is far to subtle, maybe my ears don't hear the HRTF the same way other people might, maybe I just don't like the bouncy compromise like I hoped I would.     This has led me to think that for at least my room, I want to put a speaker set up there.   Problem #569 that I have encountered in this setup it is an old plaster house, and I am not being successful at convincing the wife that holes in the wall and ceiling is ok... I want her to enjoy the system too, and not just grudgingly see the destruction.

 

So I guess my last option to add on Atmos they way I want to is to put down firing height speakers right under the crown molding... almost in the Auro 3D top layer configuration.  

 

I can re-purpose the pair of the 140SAs that I can mount up high, and they would cover the main listening position from a vertical standpoint, but it would be difficult to aim them Left and Right with the keyhole hanger.    Also, they have a very narrow angle of sound coming off of them, as well as non flat EQ- the Patented Dolby HRTF/ Head Related Transfer Function - "a rise at 7 kHz of 5 dB followed by a drop of 7 dB at 12 kHz".   

 

Would the 140SA be an ok option for the height channel, mounted as a down firing speaker, or would something in the RP240S/ RS-41 II with Wide Dispersion Technology be a better choice?   If I don't use the 140a I would need something with the threaded insert, so I can angle it down the way I want to.  I have a pair of the 140s, so not having to sell them is a nice option, but I am not married to keeping them it if is a far inferior option.

 

I will add a back height channel at some point in the future. so one option is the 140s up front (up high) and something else in the back.

 

I am really only trying to get a 2-3 seat listening area covered.  

 

 

 

Thanks!

and many thanks to MetropolisLakOutfitters for helping me get this far on the project.   Great guy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[rebuy]

With Very Efficient Speakers like Klipsch--I personally think Bi-amping with a Receiver

is a waste of time and a waste of Power from the receiver.

Maybe in Less Efficient Speakers bi amping is a good idea.

Anyway when you bi-amp with a AVR since you are using an extra 2 channels

you are reducing power to ALL the speakers in the sound system.

If you're worried about bi-amping use the supplied jumped bars that came

with the speakers and hook the speakers up to the upper terminal.

Just my 2 cents.

[Scrappydue]

19 minutes ago, blueblenny said:

As long as I have enough channels, I figure it doesn't hurt.

just so you know, this can do more harm than good if you are running all your channels on the receiver only. 

[wvu80]

3 minutes ago, Scrappydue said:

just so you know, this can do more harm than good if you are running all your channels on the receiver only. 

 

Agree.

 

I know it seems like you have unused channels being wasted but let your ears be your guide.  I find whenever I try to use every channel I don't like the sound because it is a little more dull, ie, no dynamic headroom.  I prefer less speakers but getting more "pop" out of the ones I have.

 

If you like to experiment like I do, try it both ways.  See what you like.

[blueblenny]

Like I said, I am trying it both ways.      I am usually only cranking it biamped in stereo mode + the sub for music listening... well aware of the under powered AVRs.  I don't notice a huge difference now, but I have not tested it against my most dynamic recordings yet.    So my "can't hurt"  really I should have said, " I am not under powering my speakers to damage them, and an experimenting just to see, but will probably use the extra channels for ATMOS and side surrounds in the future." 

 

Down the road I may get a separate power amp for my mains, especially once I add in a few extra rooms to the setup..

 

The main question i had was the 140SA   and if that is a ok choice as a height speaker.

 

 

[blueblenny]

That said, 2 channel listening, and recording is still a passion of mine. 

 

If it is classical, I am sometimes turning off the sub some of the time, and just running the towers.  

 

it is funny, My studio monitors I think show me more of what is happening in the mix, my Klipsch make it sound better and more natural, if that makes sense.    Some of the violin tones I have recorded  on Neuman KM184s *reallly* shine on the Klipsch.