Thanks again for your suggestions and comments.
@BlueWizard
Yes… I think it can be provided as you say and called ‘all channel stereo’
Surely either of the two AVR systems I mentioned could drive 6 speakers?
Perhaps an AVR is the best solution in your situation, and with £1000 to spend on the Amp, it might be the best choice. Plus there is a added degree of versatility with an AVR.
The room is 7m x 11m. Sound system will be at one end of the room…. But located near one corner of the 7m wall rather than in the centre of it. Surely it does not matter the exact location of the system... and just try to have equal length of spear cable to each speaker?
The location can matter depending on how the final system is configured. If you want to watch video on this system, the 6 speakers along the sides are not going to work well. I envisioned, two larger speakers at the Front with the equipment and potentially a TV, and then two smaller speakers at the sides mounted on the wall. So, it this configuration, where the System and the Front Speakers are does matter.
Because the volume will be typically low… I don’t want a loud sound from 4 speakers in order to carry to all parts of the room. I thought that lower volume through 6 speakers would give a more even spread of sound at lower volume?
It would give more even sound, but it is really necessary. I think 4 speakers would be more than enough, but when I said and say that, I was thinking of Stereo. With an AVR and the potential to watch movies, then 6 speakers is probably more ideal, but they have to be placed as I prevously described - Larger Speakers in front potentially with a Subwoofer, then smaller speakers at the side and rear.
AIso I would like the sound volume to be reasonably equal in most parts of the room, I assume it would be best to have 6 same size speakers?
It is OK to want that, but the question is what will it take to accomplish it? Like I said, in a similar but slightly narrower room, I am able to do it with TWO speakers. So, if you choose Stereo, most likely FOUR speakers would fill the room nicely. Though with an AV Receiver, most likely 6 is the best choice, but that would not be for filling the room, it would be more for proper presentation of Movie Sound.
I plan to mount each speaker from the wall at height approx. 2.5 metres from the floor.
I think for proper Stereo or Surround, you want Main speakers on the floor in front, and then Satellite Speakers along the side. Perhaps I am misreading, but I'm getting some sense that you might be implying 6 speakers along the sides.
Again, this is one of the reasons that the equipment/front speaker location in the room matters. It has to be placed so you get proper imaging from both Stereo Music, and from Surround Sound.
If I have 4 speakers close to 4 corners of the room, and 2 speakers half way on the 11m wall, surely it does not matter where the sound system itself is located?
This can be done, but I think less than ideal. But it is workable. To some extent where things can be placed will depend on things like Door, Windows, Fireplaced, and the general layout of the furniture.
I want reasonably equal sound through the room… and not better sound at the front and less at the rear.
I think you might be over estimating the size of the room and the capability of speakers. I have a room that is 35ft long (10.7m), I typically sit 25ft (7.6m) from the speakers, and a single pair of large (2x8") speakers has no trouble filling that space, though my space is only 16ft wide (4.9m). And this is at somewhat modest casual listening levels.
You have to take a System approach were every decision effect every other aspect of the system, sometimes in small ways, sometimes in large ways. As I said, with a AVR used at times as a Surround Sound System, likely 6 speaker is a good choice. But I have no doubt that if you pick a Stereo System, four speaker would be more than enough to fill that room uniformly.
When I said approx. €900 I meant for the AVR system. The speakers could be extra. Both system I mentioned above can be bought under €1,000 I believe.
I'm thinking you will need at least £1000 for 6 speakers in a Surround system, and potentially another £300 to £500 if you want a Subwoofer.
However, more likely you will be in the roughly £2000 to £2500 range depending on what we decide for the final configuration.
So, in very generalized numbers, I'm thinking £2000 to £3500 for the final system.
But I am inclined to ask more about the room. In my head I'm picturing a very sparse small ball room rather than a lounge, that is, a room more dedicated to entertaining than a general lounge. Of course I could be wrong, but that's the vision that pops into my head.
However, if this is more like a lounge or second lounge in your house, how else will the room be used? Will you really be watching Movies in this room with any regularity? Again this matters relative to the placement of the equipment in the room. If you plan to actually watch movies, then it has to be setup to accommodate that. It has to be somewhat symmetrical including the Video Screen. But if this is a room dedicated purely toward more Party Entertainment, then perhaps there is room for compromise.
For example, for Party Entertainment, you want the speakers spread more evenly in the room. However, for actually Movie watching, you want the speakers placed relative to the Prime Seating location. They call it Surround Sound because you are surrounded by sound, which means the speakers surround the Prime Seating location, which is different than the more even distribution for a Party Room.
Even for combined Movie/Music system, likely two side speakers would work. Though in saying two side speakers, what I'm really saying is a 5.0 or 5.1 Movie system. With four speaker, two on each side, we are talking more of a 7.0 or 7.1 Movie system. But again, those speaker would surround the Prime Seating Area and not necessarily encompass the entire room.
However, for primarily Music listening and Parties, Four (2xpair) Stereo Speakers would be more than enough.
So, there are some subtle details that matter in the final choices.
Steve/bluewizard