"lighter duty" or higher output speaker for surround sound

Glenn S

Member
Thread Starter
Joined
Jan 6, 2018
Messages
25
Location
Beckely WV
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
av processor: Onkyo TX-SR706
Main Amp
main amp: ATI AT1506
Front Speakers
front L/R speakers: Chane A5rx-c
Center Channel Speaker
front center speaker: Chane A2.4
Surround Speakers
surround speakers side/rear: Pioneer in-wall
Subwoofers
subs (3): (1) DIY 15" sealed & (2) DIY 18" Fi IB
Video Display Device
tv: Panasonic TC-P55VT50 plasma
Remote Control
remote: Harmony 700
Earlier I posted this query in the Chane website forum but now think that I may get more thoughts here:

I'm thinking that I should get surround side/rear/height speakers that have high output capability (I already have Chane A1s for side/rear surrounds but still need to buy height speakers).

Or am I wrong and should go with Jon Lane's (Chane) decision of designing a surround speaker with limited output?

Jon wrote this concerning a new Chane surround sound speaker model:
-The A4.4 onwall surround/effects speaker we've all wanted. It'll be loosely based on the A1.4 but without the
SplitGap tech (don't need it for lighter duty) and in a much smaller cabinet.


To me, he is saying that surround sound speakers do not need to have high output capabilities because surround sound audio signals will not call for high output. Yes, in years past the surround effects signals have had limited specs (i.e. limited frequency response, limited output...), but my understanding is that with these new surround sound formats, all limitations have been removed, height speaker signals (ceiling speaker signals) now have full frequency and output range. So in practice if there is a helicopter hovering directly above you, all of that high output sound can be sent to the height speakers. I'm hoping that in the future more and more sound engineers will take advantage of these new surround sound specs.
 

Tony V.

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2017
Messages
1,063
Location
Edmonton, AB, Canada
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Onkyo TX RZ920
Main Amp
Samson Servo 600
Additional Amp
QSC MX1500
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Panasonic 220
Front Speakers
EV Sentry 500
Center Channel Speaker
EV Sentry 500
Surround Speakers
Mission 762
Surround Back Speakers
Mission 762
Subwoofers
SVS PB13u
Video Display Device
Panasonic AE 8000
Remote Control
Logitech 1100
Streaming Subscriptions
Denon DT 625 CD/Tape unit, Nintendo WiiU, and more
Well, I can tell you that movie soundtracks send full range sound to all channels (everything above 80hz) and a speaker that can't go down to at least 60hz your going to be missing something. I get it that some people simply set their crossovers higher and send mor to the sub but that is not the intention of the movie soundtrack engineers. Look at THX standards for example, all speakers must be capable of producing 20kHz to 80Hz at reference levels and the sub must be able to do everything below that.

I think a better full range bookshelf speaker would be an improvement
 

Glenn S

Member
Thread Starter
Joined
Jan 6, 2018
Messages
25
Location
Beckely WV
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
av processor: Onkyo TX-SR706
Main Amp
main amp: ATI AT1506
Front Speakers
front L/R speakers: Chane A5rx-c
Center Channel Speaker
front center speaker: Chane A2.4
Surround Speakers
surround speakers side/rear: Pioneer in-wall
Subwoofers
subs (3): (1) DIY 15" sealed & (2) DIY 18" Fi IB
Video Display Device
tv: Panasonic TC-P55VT50 plasma
Remote Control
remote: Harmony 700
Well, I can tell you that movie soundtracks send full range sound to all channels (everything above 80hz) and a speaker that can't go down to at least 60hz your going to be missing something.
I agree with everything except that what I meant by full range is literally full range (i.e. 0-20,000hz). Limiting the signal to cut off below 80hz is not full range.
And I read a response from Jon at Chane in which he suggests that if surround signals will have wider frequency response and higher output, then his new A4 should be avoided and instead use a higher output model such as the A1 or A2, which I was already thinking of using.
 
Last edited:

Todd Anderson

Editor / Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Jan 20, 2017
Messages
9,138
Location
Balt/Wash Metro
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP.24 MK2
Main Amp
Emotiva XPA-5
Additional Amp
Emotiva XPA Gen3 2.8 multichannel amp
Other Amp
Denon X8500H
Computer Audio
AudioEngine A2+
DAC
THX ONYX
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Kaleidescape TERRA, OPPO UDP-203, Panasonic UB9000
Front Speakers
GoldenEar Technology Triton One.R
Center Channel Speaker
GoldenEar Technology SuperCenter Reference
Surround Speakers
SVS Ultra Surround
Surround Back Speakers
SVS Ultra Bookshelf
Front Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Front, Top Mid-Front)
Rear Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Middle, Top Rear)
Subwoofers
dual SVS SB16s + dual PSA XS30s
Other Speakers or Equipment
Behringer 1124p; Aura Bass Shaker Pros; SuperSub X
Video Display Device
JVC NX7
Screen
Seymour Screen Excellence, Enlightor NEO AT Screen
Streaming Equipment
iFi Audio Zen Blue
Streaming Subscriptions
Qobuz, TIDAL, Spotify, ROON
Other Equipment
LG Electronics 65-inch B6 OLED, Sony 65-inch X900F, ZeroSurge 8R15W x 2, ZeroSurge 2R15W x 2
So, you're talking about dedicated subs for each multi-channel? Or towers at every multi-channel location?
 

Tony V.

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2017
Messages
1,063
Location
Edmonton, AB, Canada
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Onkyo TX RZ920
Main Amp
Samson Servo 600
Additional Amp
QSC MX1500
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Panasonic 220
Front Speakers
EV Sentry 500
Center Channel Speaker
EV Sentry 500
Surround Speakers
Mission 762
Surround Back Speakers
Mission 762
Subwoofers
SVS PB13u
Video Display Device
Panasonic AE 8000
Remote Control
Logitech 1100
Streaming Subscriptions
Denon DT 625 CD/Tape unit, Nintendo WiiU, and more
There are very few if any speakers than can play reference levels 20kHz- 20Hz, Certanly not clean output at that level, realistically a speaker that plays down to 80hz can still go lower but it puts a lot of undue stress on the driver.
 

Glenn S

Member
Thread Starter
Joined
Jan 6, 2018
Messages
25
Location
Beckely WV
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
av processor: Onkyo TX-SR706
Main Amp
main amp: ATI AT1506
Front Speakers
front L/R speakers: Chane A5rx-c
Center Channel Speaker
front center speaker: Chane A2.4
Surround Speakers
surround speakers side/rear: Pioneer in-wall
Subwoofers
subs (3): (1) DIY 15" sealed & (2) DIY 18" Fi IB
Video Display Device
tv: Panasonic TC-P55VT50 plasma
Remote Control
remote: Harmony 700
"..dedicated subs for each multi-channel?..."
Front L/R channel signals have always had the ability to have full range audio. It is up to the end user to decide how to deal with those full range signals (i.e. do you use individual full range speakers, or do you use separate subs to reproduce those low frequencies).
It would be the same for the surround speakers, with the new surround sound format allowing for full range signals, it would be up to the end user how to reproduce it.

But....
My original post has less to do about wanting a speaker to be able to play full range frequency, but more about, does a surround speaker need to have the ability to have high output (play loud with little distortion). Jon Lane (Chane) designed a specific surround speaker but it is for "lighter duty" than his A1 speaker. I was thinking that with the new surround sound specs, a surround sound speaker designed for "lighter duty" isn't good.
 

Tony V.

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 14, 2017
Messages
1,063
Location
Edmonton, AB, Canada
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Onkyo TX RZ920
Main Amp
Samson Servo 600
Additional Amp
QSC MX1500
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Panasonic 220
Front Speakers
EV Sentry 500
Center Channel Speaker
EV Sentry 500
Surround Speakers
Mission 762
Surround Back Speakers
Mission 762
Subwoofers
SVS PB13u
Video Display Device
Panasonic AE 8000
Remote Control
Logitech 1100
Streaming Subscriptions
Denon DT 625 CD/Tape unit, Nintendo WiiU, and more
Yes, surround channels do have full range sound sent to them so a speaker that is not capable of reproducing it will distort unless you set the crossover to the level that the speaker does not go into distortion. If you don't use a sub you will certainly be missing out on the full exsperience
 

Glenn S

Member
Thread Starter
Joined
Jan 6, 2018
Messages
25
Location
Beckely WV
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
av processor: Onkyo TX-SR706
Main Amp
main amp: ATI AT1506
Front Speakers
front L/R speakers: Chane A5rx-c
Center Channel Speaker
front center speaker: Chane A2.4
Surround Speakers
surround speakers side/rear: Pioneer in-wall
Subwoofers
subs (3): (1) DIY 15" sealed & (2) DIY 18" Fi IB
Video Display Device
tv: Panasonic TC-P55VT50 plasma
Remote Control
remote: Harmony 700
There are very few if any speakers than can play reference levels 20kHz- 20Hz,...
Yes, and I wouldn't want to hang a true full range speaker on my ceiling, I would want a speaker that has high output capability down to 60hz (such as the Chane A1), then I would pass the lower frequencies to a separate sub. I was hoping that Jon Lane was designing a wallmount surround speaker that had the output of the A1, but instead he designed a wallmount surround speaker for "lighter duty."
 

leecreek

Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2017
Messages
290
Location
Eastern North Carolina
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Yamaha 2030 HT, Yamaha 2092 Stereo
Additional Amp
Crown XLS 1502
Other Amp
Onyko 50 watt in shop
Front Speakers
Airmotive T2's
Center Channel Speaker
Chane A2.4
Surround Speakers
NHT Super 2's
Front Height Speakers
Polk LS/FX
Subwoofers
12'Cerwin Vega, BIC Formula12
Other Speakers or Equipment
NHT Super Ones, Heath AS-1373, 10" Yamaha AS ?
Video Display Device
Samsung Plasma
Screen
51"
Remote Control
Too many
Streaming Subscriptions
ART EQ355, BSR EQ-110X, Sony CFD-S50, Technics tt
I would guess Jon is referring to the surrounds duty cycle. Like % of the program. In as much as he is not putting in the split gap woofers in them. I am not sure tho.
 

Glenn S

Member
Thread Starter
Joined
Jan 6, 2018
Messages
25
Location
Beckely WV
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
av processor: Onkyo TX-SR706
Main Amp
main amp: ATI AT1506
Front Speakers
front L/R speakers: Chane A5rx-c
Center Channel Speaker
front center speaker: Chane A2.4
Surround Speakers
surround speakers side/rear: Pioneer in-wall
Subwoofers
subs (3): (1) DIY 15" sealed & (2) DIY 18" Fi IB
Video Display Device
tv: Panasonic TC-P55VT50 plasma
Remote Control
remote: Harmony 700
I would guess Jon is referring to the surrounds duty cycle.
The spiltgap woofer allows for higher output (higher SPL) with less distortion. Jon's new "lighter duty" A4 surround speaker was designed for smaller systems that produce less output, so the splitgap woofer was not needed.I listen to movies and music at reference levels so his new surround speaker may distort in my situation.
 

leecreek

Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2017
Messages
290
Location
Eastern North Carolina
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Yamaha 2030 HT, Yamaha 2092 Stereo
Additional Amp
Crown XLS 1502
Other Amp
Onyko 50 watt in shop
Front Speakers
Airmotive T2's
Center Channel Speaker
Chane A2.4
Surround Speakers
NHT Super 2's
Front Height Speakers
Polk LS/FX
Subwoofers
12'Cerwin Vega, BIC Formula12
Other Speakers or Equipment
NHT Super Ones, Heath AS-1373, 10" Yamaha AS ?
Video Display Device
Samsung Plasma
Screen
51"
Remote Control
Too many
Streaming Subscriptions
ART EQ355, BSR EQ-110X, Sony CFD-S50, Technics tt
You are misreading surround...and why I think he is calling them surrounds. HEAT dispersion.
 

Glenn S

Member
Thread Starter
Joined
Jan 6, 2018
Messages
25
Location
Beckely WV
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
av processor: Onkyo TX-SR706
Main Amp
main amp: ATI AT1506
Front Speakers
front L/R speakers: Chane A5rx-c
Center Channel Speaker
front center speaker: Chane A2.4
Surround Speakers
surround speakers side/rear: Pioneer in-wall
Subwoofers
subs (3): (1) DIY 15" sealed & (2) DIY 18" Fi IB
Video Display Device
tv: Panasonic TC-P55VT50 plasma
Remote Control
remote: Harmony 700
I believed you were referring to how often the speaker driver is being used, in that a surround speaker is used less often than a main speaker.
 

leecreek

Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2017
Messages
290
Location
Eastern North Carolina
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Yamaha 2030 HT, Yamaha 2092 Stereo
Additional Amp
Crown XLS 1502
Other Amp
Onyko 50 watt in shop
Front Speakers
Airmotive T2's
Center Channel Speaker
Chane A2.4
Surround Speakers
NHT Super 2's
Front Height Speakers
Polk LS/FX
Subwoofers
12'Cerwin Vega, BIC Formula12
Other Speakers or Equipment
NHT Super Ones, Heath AS-1373, 10" Yamaha AS ?
Video Display Device
Samsung Plasma
Screen
51"
Remote Control
Too many
Streaming Subscriptions
ART EQ355, BSR EQ-110X, Sony CFD-S50, Technics tt
Since surround duty is 10-20% compared to the main front 3, I think he is giving a lower cost alternative for a surround speaker is all. A lot of people will not put large amounts of money to a low use item. I do expect them to be high quality as, so far as I have seen, as the rest of his offerings.
 

Jon Lane

Member
Joined
May 2, 2017
Messages
7
Hi Guys,

The answer is probably simpler than we think at first. The A4.4 is a 5.25"-based two-way speaker, meaning it's in the same acoustical size class as any other 5.25" speaker and has the same approximate, average bandwidth and sensitivity and thermal limits. We use good parts so you could conceivably goose that up 10 or 15 percent but it's still a 5.25" and delivers what you'd expect from the size and category.

The A1.4, on the other hand, is a 5.25"-based two-way speaker that has SplitGap (XBL^2) woofer tech. According to the inventors, SplitGap approximately doubles the available linear output of a woofer, therefore the A1.4 is roughly twice as acoustically equipped as a conventional 5.25" speaker. The A4.4 is in the same approximate class as a conventional 5.25" speaker, of which there are hundreds on the market to choose from.

If a 5.25" surround speaker is suitable, the A4.4 is suitable. If it's not, step up one clear notch to the A1.4, which probably hundreds of people have flown for rears and effects channels. If that's not enough, move to the A2.4, which happens to have about four times the clean output of a single 5.25", conventionally-woofered speaker. Folks have used them in small clubs, music departments, dedicated five-channel rooms; you-name-it.

We should put "lighter-duty" into that context. If you need more surround/effects channel output than even an A2.4 (and if you prefer a Chane brand on it) you could wait out some of our future offerings. But in the Chane A line, which is all about being compact and offering performance value in the usual 5-6", appliance store speaker category, the A4.4 makes sense as a companion for anything up to our A5.4 floor speaker when they're used reasonably - say, in mixed-use residential rooms. Surround channels aren't going to tax it any more than they will another 5.25" system in the same approximate use context.

Higher outputs can certainly employ our other models, expanding the options. Full-bore dedicated rooms - in which we actually have seen the A5 from time to time - may need more but they may need more everywhere. I personally hadn't thought to put them there but many of our users just know more about that than I do...
 

Glenn S

Member
Thread Starter
Joined
Jan 6, 2018
Messages
25
Location
Beckely WV
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
av processor: Onkyo TX-SR706
Main Amp
main amp: ATI AT1506
Front Speakers
front L/R speakers: Chane A5rx-c
Center Channel Speaker
front center speaker: Chane A2.4
Surround Speakers
surround speakers side/rear: Pioneer in-wall
Subwoofers
subs (3): (1) DIY 15" sealed & (2) DIY 18" Fi IB
Video Display Device
tv: Panasonic TC-P55VT50 plasma
Remote Control
remote: Harmony 700
My wife let me hang four A1rx-cs on the walls for surround sound. It's so much better than the in-ceiling speakers that I have been using for years. Because the sound quality is so much better, I have been trying out surround sound music. Great!
 

Sonnie

Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Messages
5,055
Location
Alabama
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP Elite 24 MK3 Processor
Main Amp
McIntosh MC1.25KW Monoblock Amps
Additional Amp
StormAudio PA 16 MK3
Computer Audio
Intel NUC w/ Roon ROCK
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Panasonic UB9000 4K UHD Player (for media discs)
Front Speakers
RTJ 410
Center Channel Speaker
MartinLogan Focus C-18
Front Wide Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT
Surround Speakers
JTR Neosis 210RT
Surround Back Speakers
JTR Neosis 210RT
Front Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Rear Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Subwoofers
JTR Captivator 2400 x6
Other Speakers or Equipment
VTI Amp Stands for the Monoblocks
Video Display Device
Sony 98X90L
Remote Control
Universal MX-890
Streaming Equipment
FireCube for movies and Lenova Carbon X1 for Roon
Streaming Subscriptions
Lifetime Roon Subscription
Tidal
qobuz
Netflix
Amazon Prime
Satellite System
Dish Joey 4K
Other Equipment
Zero Surge 8R15W-1 | Salamander Synergy Equipment Stand
Most surrounds will be fine as lighter output speakers, as typically you'll cross those over at 80Hz anyway (my in-ceiling height speakers are crossed over at 100Hz). I would much rather my subs handle that low frequency information... as they are much more capable, are tuned to handle the low frequencies better, and will play those low frequencies much louder than my surrounds will. The only speakers I may occasionally cross over a bit lower are my two front main speakers, and it just all depends on which one I have connected and what frequency they blend best with the subwoofer.

I also don't think there is near as much low frequency information sent to surround speakers ... as most of that is send to the .1 LFE channel, which would be send to the subwoofer (up to 120Hz).
 

Glenn S

Member
Thread Starter
Joined
Jan 6, 2018
Messages
25
Location
Beckely WV
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
av processor: Onkyo TX-SR706
Main Amp
main amp: ATI AT1506
Front Speakers
front L/R speakers: Chane A5rx-c
Center Channel Speaker
front center speaker: Chane A2.4
Surround Speakers
surround speakers side/rear: Pioneer in-wall
Subwoofers
subs (3): (1) DIY 15" sealed & (2) DIY 18" Fi IB
Video Display Device
tv: Panasonic TC-P55VT50 plasma
Remote Control
remote: Harmony 700
Most surrounds will be fine as lighter output speakers, as typically you'll cross those over at 80Hz anyway ... I would much rather my subs handle that low frequency information....
Yes, I cross over at 80hz.
I don't want the split gap woofer for lower freq output, I want the split gap woofer for higher SPL output with less distortion.
 

Sonnie

Senior Admin
Staff member
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Messages
5,055
Location
Alabama
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP Elite 24 MK3 Processor
Main Amp
McIntosh MC1.25KW Monoblock Amps
Additional Amp
StormAudio PA 16 MK3
Computer Audio
Intel NUC w/ Roon ROCK
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Panasonic UB9000 4K UHD Player (for media discs)
Front Speakers
RTJ 410
Center Channel Speaker
MartinLogan Focus C-18
Front Wide Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT
Surround Speakers
JTR Neosis 210RT
Surround Back Speakers
JTR Neosis 210RT
Front Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Rear Height Speakers
JTR Neosis 110HT-SL
Subwoofers
JTR Captivator 2400 x6
Other Speakers or Equipment
VTI Amp Stands for the Monoblocks
Video Display Device
Sony 98X90L
Remote Control
Universal MX-890
Streaming Equipment
FireCube for movies and Lenova Carbon X1 for Roon
Streaming Subscriptions
Lifetime Roon Subscription
Tidal
qobuz
Netflix
Amazon Prime
Satellite System
Dish Joey 4K
Other Equipment
Zero Surge 8R15W-1 | Salamander Synergy Equipment Stand
There is no reason you shouldn't be able to play it as loud as you can stand with that 5.25" driver if you cross it over at 80Hz.... it would be fine. But hey... get whatever makes you feel better and more confident in your system. I am absolutely 100% certain Jon will sell you either one. I was merely trying to give you "more thoughts" that you asked for. :T
 

Glenn S

Member
Thread Starter
Joined
Jan 6, 2018
Messages
25
Location
Beckely WV
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
av processor: Onkyo TX-SR706
Main Amp
main amp: ATI AT1506
Front Speakers
front L/R speakers: Chane A5rx-c
Center Channel Speaker
front center speaker: Chane A2.4
Surround Speakers
surround speakers side/rear: Pioneer in-wall
Subwoofers
subs (3): (1) DIY 15" sealed & (2) DIY 18" Fi IB
Video Display Device
tv: Panasonic TC-P55VT50 plasma
Remote Control
remote: Harmony 700
There is no reason you shouldn't be able to play it as loud as you can stand with that 5.25" driver if you cross it over at 80Hz.... it would be fine.
Thanks for your input (your first speaker shootout is how I ended up with Chane, thank you for that also).
For the Atmos ceiling speakers it'll probably end up being whichever speaker box looks less intrusive.
 

Matthew J Poes

AV Addict
Joined
Oct 18, 2017
Messages
1,903
There is no reason you shouldn't be able to play it as loud as you can stand with that 5.25" driver if you cross it over at 80Hz.... it would be fine. But hey... get whatever makes you feel better and more confident in your system. I am absolutely 100% certain Jon will sell you either one. I was merely trying to give you "more thoughts" that you asked for. :T

I've attempted to look into this. I don't personally have the ability to strip out the audio soundtrack of movies so I've had to use files people sent to me, but...it seems like new soundtracks, especially ATMOS based soundtracks, actually have fairly full range effect channels. Not so much the overhead, but the side and rear. Not always down to 20hz per say (music surround was in fact full range), but lots below 100hz. For now I think that bass management is a sufficient means to handle this, but it seems that there is a push toward higher dynamic range and wider bandwidth effect speakers. In Cinema's a lot of effect speakers have 10" to 15" woofers that are able to operate full range, and it is not unheard of to have subwoofers in the side walls or back of the cinema (rather than just up front) to augment the surrounds. This is not how home cinema is done at all. Bass is non-directional as long as it sits well below 150hz, but there is this grey area between say 80hz and 150hz where research suggests that it depends on the circumstances and individual. When Thom chose 80hz for THX it was because it fell 2 standard deviations below the accepted standard at which bass became non-directional to humans. Since then the research has continued to get mucky, and while nothing suggests bass is direction at or below 80hz, it is no longer accepted that above that point is also non-directional (nor did the original research actually show that nobody could detect direction below 150hz). I've also found that there are directional cues to the bass that are above those frequencies that can make it worthwhile to be able to operate the surrounds cleanly a little lower. There is also some benefit to bass smoothness if you can operate the surrounds with LF content mixed in down to around 50hz or so. This is becoming a more common/feasible idea with upcoming processing. This is precisely why I bought the surrounds I bought and am in the process of switching them in. To do that, a 5" woofer won't play loud enough, so I have a 10" instead.
 

Eric SVL

Member
Joined
May 1, 2017
Messages
173
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Denon AVR-X4500H
Main Amp
Hypex NCore NC252MP
Computer Audio
iLoud MTM
DAC
Micca OriGen G2
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Sony PS3, PS4
Front Speakers
Buchardt S400
Surround Speakers
Polk LSiM 702
Front Height Speakers
Focal Chorus OD 706 V
Rear Height Speakers
Focal Chorus OD 706 V
Subwoofers
Rythmik
Other Speakers or Equipment
ELAC Debut Reference DFR52
Screen
Samsung PN64H5000
Streaming Equipment
Google Chromecast
Streaming Subscriptions
GIK Tri-Traps
The only problem with the A1.4 for wall and ceiling use is its form factor. It just sticks really far out into a small room. I think that is where the A4.4 comes in. It would be nice to not have to compromise, though.
 

Glenn S

Member
Thread Starter
Joined
Jan 6, 2018
Messages
25
Location
Beckely WV
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
av processor: Onkyo TX-SR706
Main Amp
main amp: ATI AT1506
Front Speakers
front L/R speakers: Chane A5rx-c
Center Channel Speaker
front center speaker: Chane A2.4
Surround Speakers
surround speakers side/rear: Pioneer in-wall
Subwoofers
subs (3): (1) DIY 15" sealed & (2) DIY 18" Fi IB
Video Display Device
tv: Panasonic TC-P55VT50 plasma
Remote Control
remote: Harmony 700
Yes, I was hoping for a wall mountable form factor similar to the JBL L820 or the JBL Studio 210.

Thanks for your input, especially noting surround music. Because my previous surround speakers didn't have great high output capabilities (limited frequency response and dynamic range) I never cared much for surround music, but now using the high output capabilities of the Chane A1s, surround music is so much more enveloping and powerful.

Thanks for the perspective that your new A4 isn't light duty, it's just not as capable as the A1, but still in the same class as any other speaker/driver of it's size.
Again I'll add my thanks to you for your amazing products.
 

Matthew J Poes

AV Addict
Joined
Oct 18, 2017
Messages
1,903
Yes, I was hoping for a wall mountable form factor similar to the JBL L820 or the JBL Studio 210.


Thanks for your input, especially noting surround music. Because my previous surround speakers didn't have great high output capabilities (limited frequency response and dynamic range) I never cared much for surround music, but now using the high output capabilities of the Chane A1s, surround music is so much more enveloping and powerful.

Thanks for the perspective that your new A4 isn't light duty, it's just not as capable as the A1, but still in the same class as any other speaker/driver of it's size.
Again I'll add my thanks to you for your amazing products.

Yeah I think surround music has gotten a bad rap largely because most people’s systems were inadequate for its reproduction. A lot of people have pretty bad surround speakers. No wonder they think surround music sounds bad!

From a purely technical and theoretical standpoint, surround music is far superior to stereo. I can argue against surround music with the best of them, but all else being equal, a 2-channel system can’t fully and accurately reproduce a live musical event realistically. It relies on the rooms natural acoustics to fill in acoustic cues that we normally get from the musical events natural (or artificially added) acoustic space. Since our rooms natural acoustics are usually far different from where the music is supposed to have originated, it doesn’t do a very good job of recreating the sense of envelopment and spaciousness of the original event. However a surround system can reproduce all of these cues (if encoded on the disc) making it far more accurate.
 

danzilla31

Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2017
Messages
77
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Denon X4400H
Main Amp
2 Crown XLS Drive Core 1002
Additional Amp
Emotiva UPA-7
Front Speakers
SVS Prime Towers
Center Channel Speaker
SVS Prime Towers
Surround Speakers
Elan Theaterpointsthp650sl
Surround Back Speakers
Elan Theaterpointsthp650sl
Front Height Speakers
RSL C34E's
Rear Height Speakers
RSL C34E's
Subwoofers
DUAL SVS PB 4000's
Video Display Device
Projector
Screen
120 inch fixed frame custom built screen
So, you're talking about dedicated subs for each multi-channel? Or towers at every multi-channel location?
This is a good thread here. I used to fall into the camp of surround and heights could be not lower quality per se. But since they were lighter duty they didn't have as much to do so buy something cost effective then cross it over high enough and let er rip!

Till the new formats came out and I brought home Blade Runner 2049. That was an eye opening experience for me. That bass pulse when Ryan Goslings character walks up to that statue in Vegas? There's three of them. Well let's just say your really missing out if you don't have surrounds that can hit hard down to at least 80 Hz preferably 60 Hz.

There was a lot more content in that movie just like that and in other new movies on the new formats as well. That new movie Annihlation with Natalie Portman. Crazy demanding soundtrack with all the channels getting used at times pretty heavily

It changed my sound signature I'm now moving to all towers in my base 7 in the near future and thankfully my heights c34e's can go down to 80hz and were originally designed for music playback atmos type of content is easy for them

I worried at first about towers as surrounds being more localizable but realized with these new formats being object based and directional to the point they encourage a monopole design over dipole or bipole in a lot of situations that could very well end up being a good thing

Good topic a lot of great viewpoints on this!
 

Kerry Armes

Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2019
Messages
25
A tower speaker won't localize anymore than a surround. The only differences in the designs are that surrounds would normally be placed close to a wall so most manufacturers would design less baffle step into the crossover.
 
Top Bottom