Need suggestions for improving my HT setup

[funnyprogrammer]

Hi everyone,

I currently have my 5.1 setup in one of the bedrooms of my rented house. Recently, I bought an unfurnished house of the same series, and I have the option to do the wiring, painting, and mounting of my speakers.
Here’s what I have so far:
- AVR: X3800h
- LCR: Q Acoustics Concept 40 and QA Concept Centre
- Surrounds: QA 3020i
- Sub: SVS SB 1000 pro
Unfortunately, I can’t avoid cupboards from that room because I need them for storage. Instead, I’ll opt for sliding doors. I’ll also remove the dressing unit/mirror.
Currently, the surrounds are on speaker stands at ear height, but my recliners are blocking them. I can mount them on the wall a bit higher.
According to the building plan, the TV has to be on the door side, but due to the door opening, I set it up on the opposite wall. I considered removing the door and replacing it with a sliding door, but I thought it would be too much trouble.
I’m thinking of painting the room a light grey color.
I’m also planning to remove the recliners and add a sofa cum bed so that I can sit in the center of the room. This could create a multi-purpose room, eliminating the issue of the surrounds being blocked.
I’ve attached photos of my current setup and the room plan. Please let me know if there are any other changes I should make.

Thanks!

 

[arunkvivek]

I would move the rear speakers to the sides - place it just next to the sub and near the small wall right next to the door.

 

[funnyprogrammer]

I would move the rear speakers to the sides - place it just next to the sub and near the small wall right next to the door.

Initially, I tried them to the sides, and they were slightly less than 90 degrees to listening position and much closer to the ears. Will try again in similar position with Dirac.

 

[ajuvignesh]

If it is just 5.1 then surround speakers must be placed little higher.

 

[funnyprogrammer]

If it is just 5.1 then surround speakers must be placed little higher.

Higher in the current position or towards side at 80 degrees?

 

[karteek23]

Thick full wall to floor curtains all three sides can help as acoustics. Surrounds try changing position angle and heights slightly and check.

 

[funnyprogrammer]

Thick full wall to floor curtains all three sides can help as acoustics

Link please.

 

[Phew]

@funnyprogrammer If thats the router next to the amplifier please move that from there.

If the recliners can be moved out then you can get something similar made locally and ask them to make 2 cushions into 1 length of approx 50in(total length 60in) with a seat cushion depth of 28in or more and back rest height 30in. That ways you won't need to mount the surrounds on the wall and yet sit comfortably on the sofa with or without feet crossed on top.

 

[ajuvignesh]

Higher in the current position or towards side at 80 degrees?

Higher in the current position will be fine.

 

[funnyprogrammer]

If thats the router next to the amplifier please move that from there

Yes that’s the router. May I know why it has to be moved ? Currently I am using it to connect to Apple TV and PlayStation with Ethernet.

I do have Ikea sofa cum bed in the hall which I can move to this room.

https://www.ikea.com/in/en/p/friheten-corner-sofa-bed-with-storage-skiftebo-dark-grey-s09216755/

 

[Phew]

Friend who uses denon avr had shared in his initial days of use when the router is next to the amplifier it makes a faint constant humm it took him a while to understand, once the router was moved he was happy that its gone and so he shared with the rest in the group. I have not experienced any of that personally as I don't own an avr but thought about sharing it.

If the sofa cum bed fits in... then perfect.

 

[sandeepmohan]

I would get rid of those Q Acoustics as surrounds and get something compact which will be easier to mount. Those speakers are essentially stand mount speakers suitable as front mains. For Surrounds, they are excess and are wasted. Get a tiny Bose like jewel cube speaker and something thats quarter of the size of your existing Surrounds. Thats all you need. Easily wall mountable and even if they are not at ear level, you can angle them towards you, even if they are positioned a little higher. The biggest bonus is that you free up that floor space.

 

[arunkvivek]

Initially, I tried them to the sides, and they were slightly less than 90 degrees to listening position and much closer to the ears. Will try again in similar position with Dirac.

When 90 degrees cannot be achieved, getting the speakers slightly in front of the ears/head is better than having them behind IME.

 

[funnyprogrammer]

Those speakers are essentially stand mount speakers suitable as front mains. For Surrounds, they are excess and are wasted. Get a tiny Bose like jewel cube speaker and something thats quarter of the size of your existing Surrounds. Thats all you need

I can mount even these speakers and angle them using QA wall mount brackets. However, as you mentioned, these speakers have a higher depth compared to flat mount speakers. To my knowledge, there are no flat mount speakers available in QA. I’m not sure if changing the brand and series would be the ideal solution.

Q Acoustics 3000WB Wall Bracket

The Q Acoustics 3000WB - Wall Bracket is for 3010, 3020 and 3090C Speakers. The 3000WB Wall Bracket is a unique Tilt and Turn loudspeaker bracket.

hifimart.com

 

[sandeepmohan]

I’m not sure if changing the brand and series would be the ideal solution.

Its an effects channel. Not a main speaker. Sound signature isn't the concern. Any compact speaker will work.

 

[ajuvignesh]

When 90 degrees cannot be achieved, getting the speakers slightly in front of the ears/head is better than having them behind IME.

In my opinion, it has to be around 120 degrees from the center. Even 90 is okay okay. The speaker behind gives good ambiance effect.

 

[JrM1]

Hi everyone,

I currently have my 5.1 setup in one of the bedrooms of my rented house. Recently, I bought an unfurnished house of the same series, and I have the option to do the wiring, painting, and mounting of my speakers.
Here’s what I have so far:
- AVR: X3800h
- LCR: Q Acoustics Concept 40 and QA Concept Centre
- Surrounds: QA 3020i
- Sub: SVS SB 1000 pro
Unfortunately, I can’t avoid cupboards from that room because I need them for storage. Instead, I’ll opt for sliding doors. I’ll also remove the dressing unit/mirror.
Currently, the surrounds are on speaker stands at ear height, but my recliners are blocking them. I can mount them on the wall a bit higher.
According to the building plan, the TV has to be on the door side, but due to the door opening, I set it up on the opposite wall. I considered removing the door and replacing it with a sliding door, but I thought it would be too much trouble.
I’m thinking of painting the room a light grey color.
I’m also planning to remove the recliners and add a sofa cum bed so that I can sit in the center of the room. This could create a multi-purpose room, eliminating the issue of the surrounds being blocked.
I’ve attached photos of my current setup and the room plan. Please let me know if there are any other changes I should make.

Thanks!

Hi,

I think many members must have given very valuable suggestions, but I haven't gone through them all.
From your snaps what I observed based on that I have a few suggestions and sorry in case I am repeating any of the suggestions that others might have already given.

1. First of all, bring out the floor-standers (front speakers) at least 1 foot into the room away from the wall. They hardly have any room to breathe. This must be resulting in boomy bass and muffled mid.

2. Make sure the Center Channel is in the centre of both the front channel speakers.

3. The surrounds are very close to the wall and these are backported. Overall the surround placement is wrong.
Put them on a taller stand just beside you facing your ears from the side wall.
But you can't hang them on the wall as these are backported speakers. You have to keep it a minimum of 10 inches away from any wall.

4. The mirror might be a problem but I reckon you won't be able to do much there.
If possible place a small plant just in between the woofer and the mirror.

5. Another challenge I see is your back wall, if I am not wrong, you are seating just 1 foot or less from the back wall.
This must create the sound reflecting from the back wall as well.
I think you better put some paintings(canvas) or maybe a bookshelf or something like that. The idea is to fill the bookshelf with decorative items or books so that sound will not reflect much. Even a few canvas paintings (should not have any glass on the frame) will work.

Overall, your room is a tricky one as it looks like almost square shaped.
Square ones are difficult, the easiest one is rectangular if seated/set up on the longer side of the room.

All the best and cheers!!!

 

[funnyprogrammer]

Thank you for your suggestions.

The surrounds are very close to the wall and these are backported. Overall the surround placement is wrong.
Put them on a taller stand just beside you facing your ears from the side wall.
But you can't hang them on the wall as these are backported speakers. You have to keep it a minimum of 10 inches away from any wall.

I am planning to sell those and buy on wall speakers for surrounds. Yet to finalize on placement, i can place them at 85 degrees or 125 degrees.
For now I placed them at 85, Dirac is able to adjust levels properly and don't have much issue even though they are much closer to my ears.
According to dolby specs they should be little behind as i don't have rear surrounds.

The mirror might be a problem but I reckon you won't be able to do much there.

I won't be installing dressing unit/mirror in my new house. So this is not a concern, Will be moving in 3 months but room shape and size is exactly same.

Another challenge I see is your back wall, if I am not wrong, you are seating just 1 foot or less from the back wall.
This must create the sound reflecting from the back wall as well.
I think you better put some paintings(canvas) or maybe a bookshelf or something like that. The idea is to fill the bookshelf with decorative items or books so that sound will not reflect much. Even a few canvas paintings (should not have any glass on the frame) will work.

As of now I am sitting 2 feet from back wall, I can install custom absorbers on it.

Overall, your room is a tricky one as it looks like almost square shaped.
Square ones are difficult, the easiest one is rectangular if seated/set up on the longer side of the room.

Agree, it's a guest bedroom i converted into small HT.

First of all, bring out the floor-standers (front speakers) at least 1 foot into the room away from the wall. They hardly have any room to breathe. This must be resulting in boomy bass and muffled mid.

This part is tricky, i am getting different placement suggestions from different sites. In small rooms as we can't move 3 or 4 feet from front wall, it's better to move bit closer to wall and then add absorbers behind them to avoid SBIR. In my current setup there is huge dip between 100 to 200 Hz.

 

[insane79]

I would get rid of those Q Acoustics as surrounds and get something compact which will be easier to mount. Those speakers are essentially stand mount speakers suitable as front mains. For Surrounds, they are excess and are wasted. Get a tiny Bose like jewel cube speaker and something thats quarter of the size of your existing Surrounds. Thats all you need. Easily wall mountable and even if they are not at ear level, you can angle them towards you, even if they are positioned a little higher. The biggest bonus is that you free up that floor space.

I guess your more of a 2 channel guy, me too Surround effects in todays Movies/Shows is awesome. I think going for the tiny cube speakers u suggested for surrounds will be as good as not having anything, If doing a multichannel setup it has to be done right with surrounds that have some punch. In the Dolby Digital days i agree with what your saying but with Atmos & DTSX, the surround and height channels are very much in play for an immersive sound envelope.

 

[sandeepmohan]

If doing a multichannel setup it has to be done right with surrounds that have some punch. In the Dolby Digital days i agree with what your saying but with Atmos & DTSX, the surround and height channels are very much in play for an immersive sound envelope.

When you are redirecting most of the low frequency pass towards the sub woofer, what exactly are you going to benefit from a speaker like the QA3020i? Its an effects channel. You don't need a full blown speaker that can play down to 35hz for an effects channel. Atleast not to this level.

Also, by tiny cube speakers, I did not mean little Bose Jewel cubes or similar. It means smaller bookshelves. The 3020i's are as good as main speakers and as a result, overkill for Surround purposes.

There is no denying that the extra channels are in play with newer Surround technology. What is their purpose if they don't! If you really want "punch" from an effects channel, I'd argue that every speaker in the system needs to be the same as the front. In this example, there should be a Concept 40 for the Surround. Why compromise and buy a 3020i when the floor area that it takes is exactly the same as the Concept.