Recommendation for Height Speakers - Forum
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Recommendation for Height Speakers
lordi, modified 5 Years ago.
Recommendation for Height Speakers
Youngling Posts: 4 Join Date: 9/16/17 Recent PostsHello Genelec Community,
recently we bought a surround setup for our livingroom: 3x8351 (LCR) and 2x8330 (SL&R).
It sounds really awesome! The best buy we ever did. Now we are thinking about an update to Auro 3D and/or Dolby Atmos/dts:x. The room is quite small: 16,5 m². Are the 8320 (rear and front heights) potent enough to match the 8351 as front heights or would the 8330 the better buy?
It is also possible to change the 8330 from the rear to the front heights. In that case the 8320 would be installed as surround L&R and height L&R. Do the 8320 have enough power for surround and rear height channels?
Thank you for your answers in advance.
Michael
manutal, modified 5 Years ago.
RE: Recommendation for Height Speakers
Jedi Knight Posts: 180 Join Date: 4/25/14 Recent PostsHi!
Sounds good.
Go for the Dolby Atmos speaker positioning, forget Auro3d.
I would go for the 8330 for the Atmos speakers, or maybe 8331 if you have the funds :)
I have 4x 8351 in my ceiling xD
lordi, modified 5 Years ago.
RE: Recommendation for Height Speakers
Youngling Posts: 4 Join Date: 9/16/17 Recent PostsHi manutal,
thanks for your reply!
Ceiling mounted speakers are no choice for our livingroom. The speakers must be wall mounted. This is the compromise I've to live with.
8351 as heights are far too big for the small room with only 16,5m² and so are the 8331's. With 5x8351 (or 3x8351 and 2x8331) on the wall the livingroom would look like a mastering studio or a cinema - that's not our intention. There's definitly not enought space for that setup. So I have to go with the 8320's or the 8330's. The visibility ("optical seize") of the speakers is the reason why I started this thread. The 8320's are unflashy and the smallest solution would be the best for our needs - but we would consider the 8330 if it fits better in our setup.
What I like to know is, if there's a big difference between these speakers (8320/8330) at relatively short listening distances? The front heights would be mounted at a distance of 3,2m, the rear heights of 2,8m from the sweetspot. The 8330's fit the rear channels very well. They are placed 2,1m away from the sweetspot. Maybe the 8320's would be enough?
I didn't listen to an Atmos or Auro setup yet, so I don't know how much power the height should have. An other question is the frequency range of the height channels and if a fullrange speaker is required for that usage.
Best regards,
Michael
manutal, modified 5 Years ago.
RE: Recommendation for Height Speakers
Jedi Knight Posts: 180 Join Date: 4/25/14 Recent PostsAh, ok. Then the Auro3D speaker layout maybe a solution because of the height speaker positioning. But I guess you know where you want to put the height speakers already? Would be nice with some pictures of the room.
You have probably noticed that the 8320 only have analog a input, no digital. But I guess your using a analog signal anyway?
I had 4x 8330's in my ceiling before going nuts and upgraded to the 8351's. The 8330 worked really good too imo, nothing to complain about.
My room is about the same size as yours but this is really deticated to a cinema or listening room. I have 16 genelecs in a 360x390x260 room ^^:D
The 8330 would match better to your 8351 than the 8320. Thats one of the biggest reason I would go for 3's. but I bet you wouldnt be disapointed with the 2's either.
I have the option of getting the low freq cut of to any hz so I like to run my genelecs at pretty much full range and let the subwoofers do the rest. What sort of preamp/AVamp do you have?
The low height is nothing to worry about, Genelecs are designed for near imaging. the 8320 & 8330 work best at 1-1.5m distance.
lordi, modified 5 Years ago.
RE: Recommendation for Height Speakers
Youngling Posts: 4 Join Date: 9/16/17 Recent PostsHi manutal,
the preamp is the Marantz AV7703 and, yes, I'm using the analog signal. It's the easiest way for me. But an all digital setup would be much more interesting and maybe in future I'll go that way. In that case the 8330's would be the better choise, because of the digital inputs.
As you write, the 8330's would be the better match for the 8351. It's probably true. And probably it would be better not to mix too many different types of speakers. 3x8351 and 6x8330 seem to be a consistent setup. Okay, I will go for this. Thanks for your help!
We want to place the height speakers as recommended by Marantz. The alternative Atmos/Auro setups are rather similar (FHR, FHL, RHR, RHL). https://marantz-uk.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4563/~/compatibility-of-auro-3d-and-dolby-atmos-speaker-configurations
It's a compromise, I know. If it won't work, we've to try another setup.
16 Genelecs are a huge system. In a dedicated cinema room it's truly great!
Our room's dimensions are ca. 4,69m x 3,41m x 2,60m. (Only 16m² and not 16,5m² as I remembered...) It's too small to place an adequate subwoofer like the 7370. The optical impact would be too much. But fortunately the 8351's produce enough bass for our needs. Our neighbours would be glad to hear that, too. ;-) Because it's an old building with wooden floors and ceilings and it is badly soundproofed.
Best regards,
Michael
manutal, modified 5 Years ago.
RE: Recommendation for Height Speakers
Jedi Knight Posts: 180 Join Date: 4/25/14 Recent PostsI think your making a good choice with the 8330!
A subwoofer would bring something extra for sure especially in movies with LFE, but you can always add one later (7370,7380) if wanted/needed :)
Have a great time upgrading! If theres anything else just ask , glad to help! I had the same "problem" years ago :)
Best Regards,
Anders
lordi, modified 5 Years ago.
RE: Recommendation for Height Speakers
Youngling Posts: 4 Join Date: 9/16/17 Recent PostsHi Anders,
thanks alot for your help! I very appriciate it!
Best Regards,
Michael
manutal, modified 5 Years ago.
RE: Recommendation for Height Speakers
Jedi Knight Posts: 180 Join Date: 4/25/14 Recent PostsNo problem mate!
If theres anything else, just ask, glad to help. And if theres nothing else I hope youll enjoy your new Genelecs, welcome to the reference sound family ^^ :)