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I Have a Problem...

This is where you can discuss your homework, family, just about anything, make strange sounds and otherwise discuss things which are really not related to the Lancer-series. Yes that means you can discuss other games.

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Esquilax

Post Thu Apr 22, 2004 2:15 am

I Have a Problem...

...just one I hear you ask? As some of you may recall, I am attempting to put a nice receiver and speaker package together in order to get some good quality sound while gaming. The problem is that I have been thinking about this for weeks and I cannot figure out how I'm going to organise the speakers in my room. Please consider the picture (approximately to scale);

Basically, I cannot fit the speakers into a square because there is nothing to rest them on. The three front speakers (left, right, and centre) would be fine on the shelf and table to either side of the desk, but what about the two rear speakers? The only place to put them would be on stands (my family would trip over them), or place them at the rear of the room on the two bedsisde tables. The problem with this would be that they would be in danger of being knocked over, and the cables would be underfoot, even in I ran them under the bed. The final problem is that I would have to ramp up the volume on the rear speakers in order to achieve a good balance, and higher volumes often lead to higher distortion. Additionally, I like to play late at night, so loud music, etc would not be a good idea. Also, at this stage, a proper receiver and speaker setup is not cost effective, and thus I need another option.

One option is to get some nice Logitech Z-680's or something, but then the same problem evidences itself; where to put the rear speakers. The cords probably would not be long enough to reach the three metres or so to the bedside tables, and there is still the balance issue. This leads me to one inescapable conclusion; headphones.

Now it is well-known that headphones can produce excellent sound quality and fidelity, but it is less well-known that a pair of stereo headphones offer a decent form of surround sound. Therefore, I am considering purchasing some really good quality headphones such as the Sennheiser 280 Pro's, as they should provide excellent quality, and also offer 3D sound positioning, and some form of surround sound.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Sorry about the large post, but this has been driving me nuts for weeks!

Edited by - esquilax on 4/22/2004 3:22:28 AM

Arania

Post Thu Apr 22, 2004 2:22 am

you could try a VERY radical approach by mounting the two rear speakers on the back of your chair, along with mouseboard and keabord on each armrest respectivley, but i dont expect you to take this approach.

Next best bet is to mount the speakers on wall brackets around the room and run the cabling along the walls or through them.

Apart from that, i can only suggest a smaller speaker system or a headset so that you take up less space...

Esquilax

Post Thu Apr 22, 2004 2:25 am

Thanks, Arania. I have considered bolting them to the chair, but it's a bit too radical for me. I also considered wall-mounted speakers, but they are expensive, and the rear wall is even further away from the desk than the bedside tables!

Note: The above post now has graphics!

H.Q. Victor

Post Thu Apr 22, 2004 2:27 am

Depending on the size of the real speakers, they make stands that hold them about 3' off the floor and canbe positioned almost anywhere. As for the wires, a small wire cover, rubber item wire run through ussuall in officeds for threshold, to hide and hold the wires. or, maount them on the wall behind on small brackets that swivel. Also seen this done. Either will work. Problems? what problems

Esquilax

Post Thu Apr 22, 2004 2:41 am

Mmm, the stands might work, but the only phone in the house in on my desk, and the family are accident prone; not to mention the dog who sleeps on my bed and under the desk! Still, they may be the way to go. So it would be about $475 for some Z-680's, which Mustang swears by, and about $40 each for the stands (or so imagine). $555? Mmm, it seems a bit excessive, don't you think? Some good quality headphones would be $279 (RRP $349). Problems, Final? Many of them .

mustang

Post Thu Apr 22, 2004 3:08 am

The difficult but most appropriate solution would be to hang them from your walls and run your wires through your cieling and wall cavaties.

Tawakalna

Post Thu Apr 22, 2004 3:23 am

wall mounted brackets for your speakers, being up in the air reduces bass reverb through your floor, thus giving clearer sound and better surround effects. Available from all good DIY stores (get the AVF mid-range ones, I designed them so I know they're good!) about £25-00 (don't buy Haropa)

and it isn't difficult, the bracketes come with full fitting instructions (by me) so that even really stupid people can't get it wrong. Takes about 15mins per bracket even on a ahrd wall. if you can fix it into wood, like into a joist, then you're laughing.



Edited by - Tawakalna on 4/22/2004 4:35:15 AM

Indy11

Post Thu Apr 22, 2004 6:14 am

Wow. That's a lot of furniture in a room for someone who's over 6'. How do you move about?

Piano.... do you still play or is it something that can be got rid of? If mentioned it in a prior thread, I didn't see it or don't remember.

Piano also is a rather good sound box resource. If the room truly is fairly close to scale, I suppose you're configured about as well as can be... The fireplace gets in the way. Does it work or can you use it for floor space at this point?

I think you need to get rid of some your assets in that room or multifunction a little more. For example, get an All in Wonder card and render the TV obsolete (assuming your monitor is suitably large enough) Make your PC a total media center and free up some space.

I would see if I could move the bed to the wall next to the doorway, headboard to the wall but not jammed up against the wall right angle to it, and place the Comp/Desk in front of and spilling into the fireplace hearth if its a dead fireplace. Make use of the mantle for the L-C-R speakers and place the other two "rear" in the hearth. Not quite 3D but pretty good sounding, especially with the the hearth "cave." Piano should fit where the old comp/desk was. TV has been replaced by your total media center PC station (two comps, right?).

I know, its crazy, but you asked for ideas so here's a little "something different."

Esquilax

Post Thu Apr 22, 2004 4:44 pm

Mustang - I would ordinarily consider that, but as it's the family house, I would be in danger of immediate execution if I attempted anything like that .

Taw - The only problem with such a scheme is that I can't place the brackets on the walls because of the fact that the left side of the room has wall-to-wall bookshelves. I could place them on the shelves, but then they'd be on a 90+ degree angle, and I do not know whether or not that is a good idea (in terms of correct sound localisation). You designed wall brackets? *Assumes British accent* What's all this about then?

Indy - The bed seems to take up most of the room. It's a KS because they are the only beds long enough for me . I played the piano once, but there is nowehere else to put it, so I'm stuck with it . As for the fireplace, it is fully functional, so I shouldn't really place anything in front of it (Winter is coming ). Thanks for the suggestions Indy, however the headboard is bolted to the wall, so the bed can't actually be moved, so everything is pretty much stuck where it is .

Thanks for all of the suggestions though; I hate being so difficult! It's times like this when I wish I had a full-time job so that I could get my own place!

Eh_Steve

Post Thu Apr 22, 2004 4:55 pm

I'm no handyman or speakers expert, but would it be possible to mount them from the cieling? It would also add an element of style to the room and save floor space. You could also have to duck, being 6', but that's about it.

In cities no one is quiet but many are lonely.
In the country, people are quiet but few are lonely.
(Geoffrey F. Fisher)
Wisdom of the web

mustang

Post Thu Apr 22, 2004 5:04 pm

Mustang - I would ordinarily consider that, but as it's the family house, I would be in danger of immediate execution if I attempted anything like that .


Just promise to putty up the holes when you move out......it's not like you'll actually have to do it when you go. Just give em the ol' "Yeah, I'll get around to that"

Esquilax

Post Thu Apr 22, 2004 5:28 pm

Ah, if it were only that simple Mustang running the cables behind the walls would solve part of the problem, but the Powers That Be would never allow it. Thanks! I feel younger now .

Steve - Thanks, I hadn't considered that, but I have the same problem as the above; the family wouldn't allow it .

Edit: I have decided to risk it, and purchase some Logitech Z-680's. I will worry about where to place the speakers when I pick them up tomorrow. Hopefully, everything will work out .

Edited by - esquilax on 4/23/2004 2:57:24 AM

Indy11

Post Fri Apr 23, 2004 12:06 pm

@Esqy

What's the going rate for a young single guy such as yourself to rent in your area? I only ask because it is so expensive here and I like to be jealous

freighter fighter

Post Fri Apr 23, 2004 3:08 pm

indy, you might want to rephrase that, it sounds a bit dodgy

Indy11

Post Fri Apr 23, 2004 4:10 pm

@ff Oh.

Thanks.

@Esqy

How much is rental for your own place in your area.... meaning for fresh out with first job, starting salary-ish budget.

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