Hello everyone,

I need some ideas for a home cinema room.

At present the room is pretty much an open book.

It measures approx 5M x 4M (15.5 x 13 ft)

Two of the adjacent walls are external with central windows.

The existing electronics are: Tag AV32R processor, Tag DVD32R Dvd and 2 x 100X5 power amp.(7.1 sys)
I don't really see any point in changing the electronics at this stage.

His previous speakers were B&W CDM series (we need something that sounds a fair amount better than these in order to justify the change).

The clients only real requirements are for a projector with 7ft screen with a plasma fitted behind the screen.

His other concerns are a good looking discreet installation but not at the expense of sound quality.

To give you an idea the client has listened to the M&K S150P (active speakers) speakers and loved them.

The problem is they look horrible and just won't suit the room.

I was thinking of housing the speakers in a cabinet but all the installations I have heard like this all seem to compromise on sound.

Another alternative might be a false wall or on-wall speakers.

I would appreciate anyones suggestions on the above and if anyone has heard a really good discreet installation.
What are your opinions on the best speaker positions / heights along the front.

Any sound treatment can be carried out if necessary to optimise the performance at this stage.

Thanks

Chris.

Ya want something really spectacular? Tripple Stack the S150P's

I dont care how ugly they look, I have yet to hear a theater that comes close. Currently, M&K only has 2 systems on the books with this Configuration, and I have a Bracket system for the tripple stack that works fantastic (The client we did it for designed the bracket system and now has CAD drawings so he can reproduce it.)

For a little added Ammo, James Cameron is one of the 2 that has this triple stack array...... (Not my guy, My guy is in Chicago.......)

Impaqt,

I don't mean to sound ignorant but how exactly does this work?

Anytime you stack, or in this case, triple stack a speaker you run the risk of phase, cancelation, and equalization problems. In the system I did, we used a Krell HTS, which has a pretty good parameric EQ built in, but we are going to be installing an AudioControl DIVA into the system shortly to help correct other room based anomolies.

The 150P has both an Input and a Buffered output for chaining speakers in a Stacked configuration. So you just go from Preamp, to Speaker 1, Speaker 1 to Speaker 2, and Speaker 2 to Speaker 3.

The mounting system that was designed for this application is basically a 1 1/2" Pole that is mounted between the Ceiling and floor. Then there are 3 donuts that attach to the pole and are secured with set screws. The ST brackets were not available then, so custom pan/tilt mounts were designed and machined to attach to the donuts, and I feel the ones we got are a bit more solid than the M&K counterparts. We then used the standard M&K L Brackets to attach the speaker to the custom pivot mount.

Right, Left, and Center use this Tripple stack array (Center is behind a 140" Accoustically transparent Stewart screen) 6 SS150's provide Side and rear Channel and 8 15" Subs running off Carver amplifiers provide the Bass Response.

Keep in mind this Theater is Aprox 1500 Square feet, with a Vaulted ceiling peaking at about 15-16 feet.

We were able to achive over 115Db of Sound Pressure, and it was crystal clear. I would challenge anyone to a better sounding theater with less than 30K in the speaker system.

I would assume your an M&K dealer, so you should know that the S150 In-Wall is available now as well. I would think that someone could design a way to get a triple stack array in the way and still design the wall to offer some pan and tilt compensation (Maybe three separate boxes mounted into the wall on some sort of threaded rod system so that you could get 5-7 degrees of tile in any direction)

The B&W's are great audio speakers, but I find them quite lacking for Theater Impact.

Thanks for that Impaqt,

We have been an M&K dealer for a few years now and
I was definitely looking at the S150 in-wall as an option - have you tried these yet?

My only concern was how to get the best performance out of them as the main in-walls we tend to use are Triad which are completely enclosed.
The M&Ks don't appear to be.

In your opinion should I maybe move back to the Triad in-walls as I know these sound great or perservere with the M&Ks?

Agree with you on the B&Ws - really a hifi speaker.

Thanks again for your help.

Chris

The Triads are good too.... and I have yet to use the In-wall S150's.

Go to www.bayaudio.com and look at the PRO LCR Active Speakers. I like M&K and have nothing bad to say about them but you should find a local Bay Audio dealer and check these out.