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Where do I position 4 speakers for 3D stereo sound

My room is 22-15-8 feet. I have a pair of K-horns, and a pair of Lascalas. The K-horns are along the short wall facing outward using four foot false walls. The Lascalas are in the rear to provide a 3D effect. Both pairs are using separate Mark Levinson 334 amps. I am aware that these speakers are designed to be played loudly. However, when played at a low volume, they can create sound effortlessly, and without any distortion at all. My problem is how far back from the K-horns should the sweetspot be positioned,and where should the rear speakers be positioned
to provide the best 3D sound? If the sweetspot is ten feet from the K-horns, then all speakers will be equal distanced from the sweetspot. But is ten feet too close to the front speakers? If the sweetspot is moved back, will I be too close to the back speakers creating phase problems? In that case, should the rear speakers be reflected off the back wall, or side wall? With this in mind, the high frequencies from the tweeters will be lost? Does anybody have any ideas about this problem?
redwoodgarden
unsound
7,344 posts
 
In my very,very,very (did I mention how very) humble opinion you are embarking on an excericise in futility.
ezmeralda11
303 posts
 
"However, I have found that the effect is all up front."

This could be how it was recorded. High-fidelity (faithful to the source) is one thing, special effects are another. You're basically doing surround sound with music, some discs have far more material on them for this endeavor than others.

"Which processor would be best for creating spacial ambiance through only the rear speakers using today's technology?"

Depends on the recording. There are Dolby Surround Music only recordings. However, you'll probably get the most mileage with one of the generic matrixing type devices to turn two into four--I can't remember who did what off hand. It could add some neat effects, but I'm not sure you're necessarily going to step into a concert hall with it. Ambisonics requires 4 or 5 microphones to do a proper recording w/ ss music.
pbb
1,140 posts
 
You will have a rough time with the people here on the 'Gon with almost anything but two channel, analogue/vinyl tweaked out systems, being fed reconstituted power through special ac cords. So there I said it, again. Do I fell any better? No, not really. Briefly, just looked at the current issue of the British magazine "Hi-Fi +" on the newsstand today and, lo and behold, a new multi-channel decoder or enhancer or whatever ( I didn't actually read the article and was too cheap to buy the mag, preferring to spend my limited money on records instead) made by Dynavector. Interestingly, the ambiance channels seem to be on the sides of the room, somewhat next to the listening position, but, it seems, pointing forward, towards the main speakers. So, you see, your notion that, somehow, the sound would have more depth with four rather than two speakers, positioned fore and aft, actually makes so much sense that one of the most respected cartridge manufacturers has decided to come out with this type of product. I don't know what to tell you as to what may be available between what I have (and may put back in the system soon enough) which is no longer made and going the multi-channel SACD route, which may very well be premature. Since I have never been into 5.1 home theatre, the Dolby decoder, whatever it is thing, is a total unknown to me. Yes, I have lived through some kind of audiophile eclipse. So now, maybe, you can look up what Dynavector proposes, it might be the ticket for you, and don't let the buzzards get you down, it's your system to set up the way you enjoy it. The same nay Sayers would be saying nay about stereo if we set the clock back to mono days.
pbb
1,140 posts
 
Just took a look at the Dynavector site and, indeed , the additional channels face forward towards the main speakers. The system is called Super-Stereo. I don't know much more about it, but look it up. Seems you need propriatery speakers though. Cheers.
redwoodgarden OP
150 posts
 
Thanks for your suggestion, Pbb. I think you may have hit the mother load. I've spent hours today looking at the Dynavector website and was very pleased with their presentation. Hopefully I'll be able to use the Lascalas for the rear speakers. I'll check that out tomorrow.
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