Is Full-size speakers for L-R Rears advisable?


I’m slowly upgrading my Stereo setup to HT.

Currently, I’ve full-size (FS) Tyler Acoustics Linbrook System II speakers for LR connected to Luxman M-900u Amplifier (150W @8 Ohm) & matching Center speaker (unused). To match sonically, I’m considering buying a pair of either bookshelf or similar/ better FS speakers from the same brand (Tyler Acoustic).

The questions I have are:

1.) Will a pair of FS rear eliminate the need for a dedicated Subwoofer or it would be better to get a dedicated Subwoofer & buy either a pair of bookshelf or FS speakers for Rears?

2.) If I get a dedicated Subwoofer, getting a FS speakers for rear will make any difference compared to Bookshelf speakers?
3.) Will I notice any positive difference if I buy more expensive fullsize pairs from Tyler & use them as Front LR & move the existing Linbrook System II pairs to Rear or it’s always better to keep the LRC with the same model/ series?
4.) Since they’ll be connected to a separate Amp anyways, does it matter if the Front & Rear speakers have different impedance (8 vs. 4 Ohms)?
5.) How should I drive the remaining 3 channels? Should I get 2 pairs of Stereo Amps (one will remain unused) or buy 3 Mono Amps?
6.) Does Amplifier’s Power Output wattage also have to exactly match for all the 5 channels or it can be close (+/- 50 Watts)?

7.) Do the Amps also have to be from the same brand? 


LRC: Linbrook System II
Frequency Response: 32-25k
Sensitivity: 89db
Impedance: 8 ohm
Power: 30-250wpc

hitsofmisses

1 No FS for the rear will not replace a subwoofer.

2 The majority of information comes from the LRC channels. So the need for FS rear speakers is not as necessary. That is not to say that a FS won’t hurt. Remember the old adage nothing replaces displacement.

3 use your best speakers for your fronts.
4 probably not.
5 dealers choice. Depends on the situation.

6 no.
7 no.

1&2 - A subwoofer is especially useful between 16Hz and 40 Hz or so.  The full answer depends on the in-room response of the speakers.  HOWEVER - If you don't use full sized speakers for the surrounds their bass will have to go somewhere.  Having full sized surrounds can reduce the load on the sub and L/R depending on how they are set up.   There's also something to be said for having multiple bass sources being better for overall bass reproduction.

3 -  This is really up to your hearing.  Are the more expensive speakers actually wroth the ask to your ears?

 

Generally speaking, I've mixed LCR speakers with different drivers but they were all very smooth performers.  If you end up with the same tweeter and similar midwoofer from the same maker you should be OK.  The room correction software should be able to help match below there.

4 - No

5 - You could get a multichannel amp.  Bryston for instance makes a configurable HT amp you can put 3 channels or more into, Parasound makes at least one 3-channel amplifier.  I'm sure others do as well.

6 -  Not at all, but they should all have meters.... <grin>  Just kidding.  You can use your current amp meters as a guide of how much you'll actually use.  Sadly, the surround speakers are more or less effect speakers and rarely have continuous usage.   Many HT receivers have surround amps that are significantly less powerful than the fronts, so this can be a guide.

You can go nuts with this, but if your priority is 2-channel and you just want a very good HT setup integrated into it without blowing big $$$ this is what I’d recommend. You can just use monitors for the rear speakers as the surround signal carries mostly ambient info so extended bass really isn’t necessary, and I’m also of the opinion that you needn’t spend $$$ on them as again they just mainly reproduce ambient sounds. Something like a $479 pair of Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 monitors are plenty sufficient and you’d be better off putting remaining funds toward other things. Speaking of, you absolutely need a sub for truly involving HT, and I’d recommend something like a Rhythmik F12 that is an excellent performer and will get you down to like 14Hz, and as they sell direct it’s a great value as well.  If you want to spend less something like an SVS SB2000 or SB3000 would also be fine for HT.  Unless you really wanna shoot the lights out on HT I’d just get a good AVR and use that for HT processing and for powering the center/surround speakers. I really like the Yamaha Aventage AVRs for sound quality and reliability, but if you want to up it a level and spend more you could go with Anthem. Integrating this seamlessly into your 2-channel system (switching between 2-channel and HT by pushing one button with the AVR completely out of the signal path for 2-channel) is very easy, but if you’re unfamiliar with how to do it just ask and I’ll go into detail. Incidentally, what stereo preamp are you using now? If it has a HT bypass it makes it easier but still very simple using any line level input if it doesn’t. Don’t sweat power/impedance differences as you’ll correct for that by setting individual speaker volume levels with the AVR. Hope this helps.

A lot of folks don't realize how much bass info is available from the rear channels, at least on a well-engineered surround soundtrack.  I've got a horn-loaded JBL stage monitor with two 15" woofers (combined L+R rear channels via mixer), and get as much bass from good recordings as from L-R front channels.

The original surround sound standard does not include a need for FS speakers for anything other than LR.  All other speakers were 200hz and up. This has been carried through for decades now in the cinemas. Bass has always been handled by sub-woofers. 

The only thing I can add here to the otherwise excellent responses is that rears should be used mainly for ambience and are not meant to carry the load.  Monitor size speakers should be adequate for this.  TBH I have never heard a system that uses floorstanders as rears, so I can’t really justify my claims with experience 

I have full size speakers for front and rear.wih dsp my denon avr 110 has the microphone that evens it all out.atmos is great.some music recording now are in atmos.they have self prowered subs.with class d 1500 watts each.class d is where it's at now for base speakers.the home theater stuff now is better than the theater.16 Chanel sound who needs stero.that should get it going.enjoy the search.with the dsp it's able to control time delay gain ie volumn  lessing the effects of different amplifiers.alot of these processors for home theater have xlr out the back so you can use internal amp or shut that channel off and use external amp.this makes it better for the front and center channel that require more wattage than the rest of the surrounds.you can even set it for stero mode only