The Pro's and Con's of Satellite, Bookself and Floor stand..

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

In article <tcnr41h0q8afa4e6p3aj3e7brhugpalmjg@4ax.com>,
Brian <bclark@es.co.nz> wrote:

> Thanks for your replies to my past questions which I find helpful.
>
> I have a choice of three types of speakers - Satelite, Bookself and
> Floor standing. I'd be interested in knowing what I'd gain or lose in
> each of these speaker types.
>
> Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I've been told in the past:
> Satelite speakers are good for imaging and better suited to surround
> sound movies. They are less suited to HiFi music
>
> Bookself speakers are useful for a small room as they take up less
> space but they can lack in bass.
>
> Floor standing speakers offer better sound than the other two types of
> speakers. They are good for dealing with bass.
>
> Like I said correct me if I'm wrong as I value comments from other
> people that have more knowledge in this area than myself.
>
> Regards Brian
>

The categories are not so distinct. You can mix configurations to get
the best sound for your room.

Smaller speakers have the advantage of being easier to place in the
perfect position. Larger speakers have the advantage of better low
frequency imaging and clarity in a large room. A subwoofer to pick up
where the other speakers leave off is always nice.

Don't be afraid to stray from traditional configurations. You can use
multiple subwoofers if the main speakers must be small but they leave
holes in the midbass. You can add wall mounted satellites to fill parts
of a room where the mids and tweeters of floor speakers can't reach.

Rear speakers are typically small because surround sound carries little
low frequency content. Larger rear speakers are nice if your amp can
play stereo music into the front and rear speakers simultaneously.

Don't bolt anything in or trim the wires until you've played with it for
a while and feel confident that it sounds right. If the sound is harsh
or hallow, try moving things around to change acoustic reflections.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

In article <dp9t41laef0n7b157kmnea6ek5ad2of744@4ax.com>,
Brian <bclark@es.co.nz> wrote:

[snip]
> Thanks Kevin for the advice.
> Can altering a graphic equaliser have much effect or is changing
> speaker positions more effective.?

An EQ is more for adjusting your personal tonal tastes or fixing those
from a half-deaf recording producer. Speaker placement is more about
the stereo image and avoiding unpleasant reflections. A bad reflection
can sound like there's drinking glass near one ear. Sometimes
reflections are good, making your room sound larger. It's all personal
taste.

> Would bookself speakers be suitable for midbass?

Should be. Check the specs.

> Regards Brian

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

In article <JvOdneRb1rjicdPfRVn-gg@comcast.com>,
<normanstrong@comcast.net> wrote:

> "Brian" <bclark@es.co.nz> wrote in message
> news:tcnr41h0q8afa4e6p3aj3e7brhugpalmjg@4ax.com...
> > Thanks for your replies to my past questions which I find helpful.
> >
> > I have a choice of three types of speakers - Satelite, Bookself and
> > Floor standing. I'd be interested in knowing what I'd gain or lose in
> > each of these speaker types.
> >
> > Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I've been told in the past:
> > Satelite speakers are good for imaging and better suited to surround
> > sound movies. They are less suited to HiFi music
> >
> > Bookself speakers are useful for a small room as they take up less
> > space but they can lack in bass.
> >
> > Floor standing speakers offer better sound than the other two types of
> > speakers. They are good for dealing with bass.
>
> Bass response is what makes a speaker large and expensive. If a speaker
> didn't have to reproduce anything from 100Hz down, it would be much smaller
> and cheaper. Bass is also non-directional, so it makes economic sense to
> confine the bass to a single speaker placed in the best possible position.
> That position is usually the corner of the room, out of sight, thus reducing
> impact on the room decor. For all these reasons, I generally recommend a
> subwoofer and satellite system, using quality satellites.
>
> Norm Strong

Directional placement decreases gradually with frequency. A 100Hz
crossover can work if the satellites are near the subwoofer but it's
much too high for one sub a large room.

I had to lower the crossover to 40Hz before the sub in my apartment quit
being distracting. I would have needed a second sub if my floor
speakers didn't cover the low-end well. My work cubicle has small
bookshelf speakers and a crossover at about 90Hz. That's more than
enough for it.

Archived from groups: rec.audio.tech (More info?)

"Brian" <bclark@es.co.nz> wrote in message
news:tcnr41h0q8afa4e6p3aj3e7brhugpalmjg@4ax.com
> Thanks for your replies to my past questions which I find helpful.
>
> I have a choice of three types of speakers - Satelite, Bookself and
> Floor standing. I'd be interested in knowing what I'd gain or lose
in
> each of these speaker types.
>
> Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I've been told in the past:
> Satellite speakers are good for imaging and better suited to
surround
> sound movies. They are less suited to HiFi music

Horsefeathers - if you are talking about a speaker system composed of
properly-configured smaller satellite speakers and a well-matched
subwoofer. Trouble is, not all satellite systems are well-done. One of
the more common failings is a woofer that doesn't high enough, and
satellites that don't go low enough. The results is a big hole in the
bass. Not good.

> Bookself speakers are useful for a small room as they take up less
> space but they can lack in bass.

True.

> Floor standing speakers offer better sound than the other two types
of
> speakers. They are good for dealing with bass.

Just standing on the floor is significant, but it is not magical. If
you take a speaker that sounds bad and package it as a floor-standing
speaker, it will probably still sound bad.

> Like I said correct me if I'm wrong as I value comments from other
> people that have more knowledge in this area than myself.