Speaker Configuration

Posted by: PJT on 10 January 2006

Slowly sliding into the HT depths, I am planning the actual speaker configuration.

Due to room size and configuration, I want and need to use flush mounted speakers in the ceiling for rear and surrounds - with the 160mm KEF Ci series being recommended by my local dealer.

Interestingly enough, a 6.0 system (central rear, plus side surrounds) was his preferred configuration, using a pair of the KEF Ci speakers for each channel!

Has anyone tried this speaker configuration as opposed to 7.0?

BTW, main L+R will be my B&W Matrix III fed from a NAP250.
Looking at Denon 3805 processor. Bit more than I really want to spend, but with over $1k off is a reasonable bargain so to speak - albeit twice what I was initially lookin at.

Central spkr most likely a KEF to match the surrounds.
Posted on: 11 January 2006 by Frank Abela
PJT

Looks like you intend to break some of the sacrosanct rules of HT. When building a system it is recommended that your speakers should be timbrally matched closely. The easiest way to guarantee this is to have the full set (particularly the satellites) made by the same company and preferably from the same range. If this is not possible then you should go for brands which are known to work together. This is not the case for KEF and B&W who have quite different timbres.

Now if you can't stick with B&W all the way around, you should be able to find a B&W Centre speaker which suits, such as the LCR600. At least you'll now have the front half of the soundspace timbre-matched even if you do go for KEF Cis.

Talking of the KEF Cis, KEF make a motorised ceiling mounted speaker called the Ci200.QT which works well. That said, B&W also make surround ceiling mounted speakers. I'm thinking of the CCM 817, 628 or 618 to match your matrix speakers as closely as possible. For best quality results, you should use the separate in-ceiling back box. This guarantees the enclosure is correct for the speaker which is a usual failing of most in-wall/in-ceiling speakers.
Posted on: 12 January 2006 by JAB
You might also want to consider the B&W FPM range for centre &/or rears.
Posted on: 12 January 2006 by PJT
Frank, JAB, Thanks for the speaker brand info/warning but my local dealer is of the opinion that the B&W sound has changed significantly (brighter/more Americanised) and will still not get a good timbre match with what I have. My spkrs are @ 20 yrs old.
DynAudio is another brand to consider. I will listen to the n-Cent, but I really do want ceiling mounted rear surrounds.

Of course there is always the issue of wheter or not I use a spare NAP140 for either Centre or Rear duties as well.