Family Room 7.1 Sound system / LCD Upgrade

[pete_c]

My sister asked me to help her with her family room sound system.

She is looking to replace her TV with a 42" LCD as that is all that will fit in the corner where her current TV is. She is also looking to add 7.1 surround.

I've attached a drawing. Its not to scale but gives an idea of what is there.

For sound I can get to all of the walls via the semi unfinished basement.

The concerns with the room is the large picture window and the two openings; one to the kitchen and one to the 2nd family room. So far my suggestions have been to either install the speakers relating to the best sound for the listener creating a non symetrical installation or create a symetrical installation and adjust volumes balance accordingly.

Looking for suggestions.

 

[ericvic]

That is going to be a tough install and you will have to pick which watching location is going to get the best sound.

You could look at stand mounted speakers beside the TV and behind the sofa. My room was a bit easier layout but I did have to make some compromises in rear speaker location.

Eric

 

[pete_c]

Thanks Eric.

Yes its still sitting like that She wanted to get a "furniture pit" and I suggested that that wouldn't really fix the layout. Its kind of difficult with the large picture window and two openings in the room.

Difficult decision and I've left it to her and my brother-in-law. My family room was kind of rectangular in shape and I designated a square viewing area; putting a pair of speakers in the ceiling center rear,another pair of external speakers in the rear square section of the room more in sync with seating that with the entire room footprint.

 

[jwilson56]

Have you considered using a sound bar in place of a 7.1 setup? Some of them are pretty nice and might sound better than scattered speakers in such a room as this

 

[JeffCharger]

I have a similar layout to what you're trying to do for your sister... although mine is only 5.1. While there is a lot of theory you can read on this, the furniture layout and other room constraints force you to compromise. In my experience, the compromise isn't bad. I would suggest that you place the front speakers symetrically around the TV. If they aren't equa-distance from the TV, then it doesn't sound natural. The rears don't seem to be as difficult or noticeable if a little out of "perfect".

That being said, there is certainly an optimal seating position. Those who care about the sound tend to grab those seats, and those who don't, don't seem to notice the difference! That only works of course if the # in each group can be accommodated!

Good luck!

 

[pete_c]

In the beginning of said endeavor they had two small towers on either side of the TV.

A little more backround. I think part of the following are some issues.

- my brother-in-law is partially deaf today (funny he's my age and was my room mate in college for a year). He used to listen to Hendrix at full volume with these Koss headsets until the middle of the morning - actually put him to sleep. So today when he's listening to music (which he likes) the volume is set to his comfort level (high). Today he cannot discern where the sound is coming from anymore. He has multiple "big box" speakers strategically placed where they do the most good for him. (currently corners in the "media room" and adjacent "fireplace" room).
- a "test" - they were over last Sunday for dinner. I currently have a 7.1 setup but still using 5.1. I played a piece of Peal Harbor trying to adjust the surround sound for optimal listening. It seemed most effective cranking the center and the two sets of rear speakers (one being above their heads - working better than the rear speakers).

The room has been designated at the music / video media room. I'm thinking maybe keeping the "big box" speakers for now for music only. He's very attached to his Klipsch speakers. For just MM playback maybe using a sound bar in front (towers still use up too much space on either side of the future LCD). For just MM audio (5.1/7.1) maybe using strategically placed ceiling mounted center and center rear speakers so as to blend a bit more with the room.

 

[Dave X10]

My sister asked me to help her with her family room sound system. She is looking to replace her TV with a 42" LCD as that is all that will fit in the corner where her current TV is.

I'd stop right there. Other than using headsets... there is no way to distribute sound around that sort of seating arrangement.

Of course you want to be helpful.. and that's great. Your sister knows you have a big heart. And [that you] will do your best to preserve the living room seating she wants... yet give them the sound system everyone wants. But the technology just isn't there... it can't be done. The "center bar" with the favorite "tower speakers" added in will give them a satisfactory viewing (listening?) experience. But with that seating arrangment... it can't be a really good media room. The seating really does matter.

 

[pete_c]

Thanks Dave.

Initially I told her that it would be difficult because of the seating arrangment.

So she looked at purchasing a pit. I "suggested" that a pit wouldn't make the room any better for viewing an LCD and listening to MM. (IE: its just the two of them in a 5000 plus sf house).

I also suggested that they check out some of the local big box stores that do custom installations. The results haven't been too good. (extremely expensive with no meat).

In my last home and before I finished the basement I turned one of the larger bedrooms into a media room.

They currently have a study nearby that is 2/3 the size of the room in question which could become a MM room and another family room adjacent to this one - except it has an "oversized" fireplace in it. I'm not going to suggest the living room but that could work too. Thats about 3 times bigger than the family room - but its only used for Christmas etc.

Yes ideally watching TV for my brother-in-law has been to crank the volume or read lips. He refuses to get a hearing aid. Local adjacent to the TV sound sans 7.1 (5.1) may be the only solution.

 

[tmbrown97]

I have to ask - what's a furniture pit?