Full range rear speakers


I am interested in others opinions who have tried HT setups with rear full range speakers verses "book shelf" speakers.

All direct radiating speakers. Was the extra money worth the over all effect, i.e.. more presence in the rear, or just roll the small speakers lows off to the subs and call it even?

Thanks
Marty
marty9876

Showing 1 response by subaruguru

Hi. I just demoed a 1/2 dozen rear surround full-range wall-mountable speakers, and was shocked that most of them, while sounding quite nice in free-space, sounded thick, muffled, and awry once boundary-compensation filled them in on the wall! The PSB and JM Labs especially had their nice signatures ruined by wall-mounting...yet they're geometry and intent is clearly that of wall-mounting! How ridiculous. Finally I stumbled upon the Boston Acoustics VR-MX rear surrounds, and was delighted...especially after chatiing with their designer, who heartily reinforced that he "of course compensated in the crossover and bass alignment" for boundary-loading. Sheesh!
So be VERY careful to audition your favorites up on the wall!