KelvinS1965
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Since I'm getting such a great response without my rear subs connected, I decided to try an experiment tonight: I removed the IW28S and used the existing wiring (and the two channels on my iNuke) to run surround backs. I realise the holes are a bit low down, but it was more a proof of concept really.
I couldn't be done with the time and pain of running another Dirac calibration, so I just used my Dirac OFF setting and balanced all the speakers manually using an Atmos test disc and trusty SPL meter. I had to borrow my older M&K K5 (monopole) and K4 (Tripole) from my conservatory system, but I was surprised how well they blended with the much more expensive S150T side surrounds.
Once the levels were matched, there wasn't a huge change in tone as the test (pink?) noise from the disc went from side to rear surround. I suppose our hearing is less sensitive from behind and they are quite close to the MLP, so don't need as much power as my front MPS300 4.5 metres away.
An M&K K5 looking a bit lost in the hole for an IW28S subwoofer:
An M&K K4 Tripole in the other hole:
I listened to the usual Atmos test disc clips, like 'Amaze' and 'Leaf', plus the film clips like Mad Max. I could go into the Arcam menu and switch the surround back speakers on or off and replay the clips for comparison: Some were more obvious (and of course I was paying more attention listening for it), but I think it added a bit of 'space' behind, rather than the sound seeming to sweep through my head ('Leaf' in particular).
The K4 and K5 were pretty much the same level, so I didn't have to keep changing the speaker levels once I'd done the initial set up with the SPL meter. I did make sure I turned off the amp each time I swapped speakers though as I didn't want any nasty accidents.
I was pleasantly surprised that the monopole K5 seems to work better as a surround back than the Tripole K4. I'm going to have another session tomorrow night just to be sure, but it'll make the eventual speaker purchase easier and cheaper if I can get away with a monopole.
MK Sound have recently announced an in wall version of the S150T Tripole surround speaker, but it's priced around 60% more than the IW85 that uses very similar (if not the same) drivers as the 'front' of my existing on wall S150T side surrounds. So for now the IW85 is looking favourite, given that the much cheaper K5 sounded pretty close in timbre and that was without Dirac too, which should narrow things further.
I might even run with the IW85 behind the existing IW28S grilles that I've sprayed to match the current wallpaper. Then relocate the IW85 each side of the window as seen in this (previously posted) photo, level with the S150T, each side of the blind. That job will have to wait until we redecorate though:
I also received some small rubber pads I ordered to put under the sofa's feet. These serve two purposes: To stop the sofa sliding on the Oak floor (starting to cause scratches after all my work sanding the flooring). Secondly it helps isolate the sofa from the solid floor, so the new Buttkicker works more effectively, so I can turn it down a few clicks and still have the same effect as it's not trying to shake the concrete house floor beneath.
Only about £12 for a box, but looks like I got the last set:
Rubber Base Pads - 10cm x 10cm x 1cm (3.9" x 3.9" x 0.39") - Pack of 24: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools
Close up under the sofa:
Will have a try of some more clips tomorrow night before I put the speakers back in the conservatory (the TV sounds horrible out there now!).
I couldn't be done with the time and pain of running another Dirac calibration, so I just used my Dirac OFF setting and balanced all the speakers manually using an Atmos test disc and trusty SPL meter. I had to borrow my older M&K K5 (monopole) and K4 (Tripole) from my conservatory system, but I was surprised how well they blended with the much more expensive S150T side surrounds.
Once the levels were matched, there wasn't a huge change in tone as the test (pink?) noise from the disc went from side to rear surround. I suppose our hearing is less sensitive from behind and they are quite close to the MLP, so don't need as much power as my front MPS300 4.5 metres away.
An M&K K5 looking a bit lost in the hole for an IW28S subwoofer:
An M&K K4 Tripole in the other hole:
I listened to the usual Atmos test disc clips, like 'Amaze' and 'Leaf', plus the film clips like Mad Max. I could go into the Arcam menu and switch the surround back speakers on or off and replay the clips for comparison: Some were more obvious (and of course I was paying more attention listening for it), but I think it added a bit of 'space' behind, rather than the sound seeming to sweep through my head ('Leaf' in particular).
The K4 and K5 were pretty much the same level, so I didn't have to keep changing the speaker levels once I'd done the initial set up with the SPL meter. I did make sure I turned off the amp each time I swapped speakers though as I didn't want any nasty accidents.
I was pleasantly surprised that the monopole K5 seems to work better as a surround back than the Tripole K4. I'm going to have another session tomorrow night just to be sure, but it'll make the eventual speaker purchase easier and cheaper if I can get away with a monopole.
MK Sound have recently announced an in wall version of the S150T Tripole surround speaker, but it's priced around 60% more than the IW85 that uses very similar (if not the same) drivers as the 'front' of my existing on wall S150T side surrounds. So for now the IW85 is looking favourite, given that the much cheaper K5 sounded pretty close in timbre and that was without Dirac too, which should narrow things further.
I might even run with the IW85 behind the existing IW28S grilles that I've sprayed to match the current wallpaper. Then relocate the IW85 each side of the window as seen in this (previously posted) photo, level with the S150T, each side of the blind. That job will have to wait until we redecorate though:
I also received some small rubber pads I ordered to put under the sofa's feet. These serve two purposes: To stop the sofa sliding on the Oak floor (starting to cause scratches after all my work sanding the flooring). Secondly it helps isolate the sofa from the solid floor, so the new Buttkicker works more effectively, so I can turn it down a few clicks and still have the same effect as it's not trying to shake the concrete house floor beneath.
Only about £12 for a box, but looks like I got the last set:
Rubber Base Pads - 10cm x 10cm x 1cm (3.9" x 3.9" x 0.39") - Pack of 24: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools
Close up under the sofa:
Will have a try of some more clips tomorrow night before I put the speakers back in the conservatory (the TV sounds horrible out there now!).
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