CM1's ALL AROUND?

Yes I am in a semi-small room. Maybe 20 feet x 30 feet. Although I am portioning only half that as my living room but it opens to the kitchen and dining area.

I do have a sub-woofer JBL SP150. Not the best. Sorry forgot to say that.

The CM1's I am getting are new actually but last years model as they are priced almost 35-40% less.

Should I go bigger in the front and push the CM1's to the back? That might get costly!

Yes- Get floor standers for the mains speakers and you room acoustically is still large.

Take a look at this article, especially the last comment. All identical speakers is the absolute best for a multi-channel system, theater or audio. A sound may move through the room in anyway imaginable, or be fixed at any place in the room, therefore any two or more speakers may be used to create the sound.

Looking at the picture in Matching Front and Surround Speakers, it is obvious that the jet would sound exactly the same, front or rear in the room, with all identical speakers. Using a timbre matched system, like CM7 front and CM1 rear, should be extremely close, but still not exactly the same. One reason some use larger fronts is for also playing 2 channel audio only, but they are not necessary for multi-channel. That said, I would use CM1's front and rear, and look toward upgrading the subwoofer, as a better sub would definitely be beneficial in that size room.

Great articles Tls49! I think I will go this route. The CM1's are strong enough for my room and I really like it's sound. So CM1's all the way around for a 5.1.

I'll look to upgrade the sub as well but may need to put my focus on the AV Receiver next. My Yamaha is over 15 years old.

Thanks for the input everyone!

Love the CM1s myself. Mine are S2's and in my office system. Actually listening to them right now. Find them to be very musical, neutral, with surprisingly nice bass for their size. Am about to move and reconfiguring my 2 systems. They are about to go on Audiogon for sale. Let me know if you are interested. Would be just what I need to get around to taking pictures and putting them up for sale.