Rear speaker advice please

Posted by: Richard Adams on 18 December 2007

Good evening all, and I hope you don't mind me picking your collective brains for some surround speaker advice.

I have recently added to my 2 channel system and am looking to develop a full 5.1 surround system. I don't watch many movies, possibly 1 - 2 per week. My current set up is Naim CDS3/555PS/552/500 into Neat MF9s. I have recently added a DVD5, AV2, NAPV 175 and Neat Motive C centre speaker. I may possibly upgrade the centre channel to NAP 145 and Neat MFC but can't really justify the cost at over £5k at present.

I'm currently using a pair of Monitor Audio 20SEs for rear speaker at present. However these are a bit large for rear speakers and not a great sonic match. Ideally I would like some smaller speakers that I could wall mount that would be a better match sonically.

Any thoughts as to what would work? I had though about the smaller Neat Motives but not sure it these can be wall mounted. How do you think n-Sats would work? I do have an old CB Nap 250 I could wheel out if that would improve sound quality.

Many thanks

Richard

Posted on: 18 December 2007 by PJT

Richard,

Consistencey and balance is still the rule. In other words keep to the Neats if you want to keep the MK9's.
Saying that, how about going for the centre channel first! Why not use the CB250 to power a good centre channel. Then for FILM effects, basically anything can be used as rears until it is time to do it properly. This is what I have done on a smaller scale (NAP140/n-Cent). Currently the rears are crappy old agibng Tamon spkrs from my varsity days - hell even half the rubber compound has persihed around the woofer. For films this works fine. But it is of course dire for music dvd's.

How about talking to your dealer for a comparison. Personally it was the right direction for my system in my room.

Pete

Posted on: 28 December 2007 by Flame

I'll second what PJT has said regarding balance. Look at Neat's smaller speakers and keep in ming that u can always get brackets for wall mounting. Many companies provide these brackets and your dealer should have some suggestions. I've had my fair share of experimentation with surround sound and the rear channels are the most forgiving. I've had speakers there on coffee tables, stands and wall mounts as well. Never ever sounded bad with either.

Regards

Posted on: 29 December 2007 by Mr Underhill

Richard,

Just to add some confusion!

I would agree absolutely with PJT & Flame w.r.t. consistency for the front speakers; personally I'm not too dogmatic about rears.

For the last three years I have been using ART speakers on the front with Linn Kans for rears (just couldn't bear to part with them after twenty years!). I do listen to DVD-A surround and have never noted any adverse effect - which I did continually with an unmatched centre speaker.

You state that they are not an ideal match, can you hear the mis-match?

If you are using your DVD5 for DVD-A duties full size rears are NOT a disadvantage.

As always, if you have the chance it is worth borrowing the speakers and listening for yourself you can then decide if the investment is worthwhile; You may even end up keeping the MAs.

M

Posted on: 17 January 2008 by Richard Adams

Hi M

I've kept the Monitor Audio MA20SEs as I can't bear to part with these either. Interestingly though I do have a pair of Linn Kans in my office as well. How do these work as rears, I've heard some mixed reports?

As far as the mismatch is concerned, the sound of the MAs is completely different from the Neats and when music is play through them then I can hear a difference, but for movies they perform admirably. I hardly ever listen to DVD-As, I only have 2 and it's not a format I'm going to explore at present. So AV priorities are uppermost.

I think what I'm trying to say in a not too eloquent manner is that my partner doesn't want 2 pairs of big speakers in the living room.

Within my set-up what would work well as a small stand mount or wall mounted rear speaker?

I'll try the Kans as a first step

TIA

Richard