If one is good; then 2 is better?

[fshan]

The reason I ask is because I have the yamaha HTR 5840 receiver @ 85 watts per channel. I have rt10's for the front, cs250s center and rt5's as surround and back. I love the sound so much that I don't want another system. The only upgrade I could think of (be it good or bad) is this: If one of everything sounds this good, then 2 of everything must sound twice as good! Anyway this was my rationale so Yes I now have another pair of rt10's , another cs250s, and another pair of rt5's. If I am going to hook these up, can't I just wire them in parallel with my existing speakers and switch my receiver to 4 ohms? What do you think? The receiver manual says that if I use the 4 ohm setting then the fronts must be 4 ohms or higher (which they will) , and the center/surround speakers must be 6 ohms or higher (which they won't). Should I use a high watt 2 ohm resistor before the center and rears to be safe? Or will it be ok?

[StopherJJ1980]

I can't (or just wont) go into why this is a bad idea idea because Im up late and have had quite a few beers and am too lazy to explain it right now. Im sure you are a nice intelligent guy, but this whole idea is just plain dumb. Just dont do it :)

Im sure someone else will explain why in a reply in a bit.

[nebborjk]

This idea won't work, or at least be worth it.

Assuming the AVR functions properly, where are you going to place the second pair of speakers? Beside one another, not a good idea. You'll be just be mucking up the sound field.

Also assuming that the sound field is to your liking what are you gaining? At most 3db (doubling of the power will yield a 3db increase)

If your goal is high volume levels why not keep the yamaha and use it as a pre. Then experiment with different separate amps. You never know, you might find something that you like even better.

[heiney9]

Nothing wrong with thinking outside the box. But what you are proposing will not work. Multiple speakers hooked up to the same output in very close proximity to each other tend to really mess up the sound field and cause nodes which cancel out frequencies, especially lower freq. Trust us this is NOT a good idea if you want to have anything resembling good dynamics and a realistic soundstage and a more natural presentation of music.

I have a friend who unsucessfully tried to create his own "wall of sound" and his 7.1 system sounds very flat and lifeless and lacks dynamics. Since he has a Polk PSW650 it slams, but for all the speakers he has it sounds terrible compared to other properly set-up multi-channel systems.

His system consists of

2-main speakers(sitting on top of the passive subs) mains and subs hooked to the same output
2-passive subs (which cancel out the main speaks)
1-powered sub (hooked to the sub-output on AVR)
2- center channels (stacked) why ??? (hooked the same center ch output)
5- rear surround speakers (2 on the right 2 on the left 1 directly behind)
plus most times he leaves the big screen speakers on as well.

Talk about a big jumbled mess...plays loud though!

I've tried to subtly steer him in the right direction, but he likes the way it sounds so he's happy.

H9

P.s. Nothing wrong with experimenting. Sounds like you are going to spend a lot of coin in doubling up on your speaks so, just be aware it may not give the results you expect and your wallet will be hurting ;)

[dkg999]

I have made double center channels and two subs work very nicely in my HT system. Beyond that I believe the benefits of doubling the other channels start to rapidly diminish, or go negative per the previous post. Looks like with another HTR purchase you have a nice second system for another part of the house.

[heiney9]

I have made double center channels and two subs work very nicely in my HT system. Beyond that I believe the benefits of doubling the other channels start to rapidly diminish, or go negative per the previous post. Looks like with another HTR purchase you have a nice second system for another part of the house.

I am not saying some doubling can't be done. You, Doug, are educated on proper set-up and have real world experience and understanding. I know lots of people here have more than 1 sub for their HT. The point I was making regarding my friend is that he has his mains and 2 passive subs hooked to the same output (no bass management). They are also stacked which does nothing but hurt the sound by canceling low freq. His whole approach is incorrect, IMO. But as I say he's happy with it. If he only knew how much better it can get.

H9

[lanion]

The problem is you arn't plugging your speakers into two recievers at the same time.

(wait, actually, don't try that).

[dkg999]

heiney9 - I was actually trying to support your comments and offer a suggestion where with proper set-up some doubling might work. I don't think I did such a good job with the message! Sorry!

[heiney9]

heiney9 - I was actually trying to support your comments and offer a suggestion where with proper set-up some doubling might work. I don't think I did such a good job with the message! Sorry!

You did fine Doug :) . I was also trying to support your view as I know you are into this hobby as much as the rest of us. So I agree with you and your set-up, but I just wanted to point out to Fshan the problems that could/will likely occur if he is not careful.

H9

[sickicw]

If you are going to try this i would do the following...
1) get a pre-amp or reciever with pre outs
2) buy some external amps (quite a few to make this really work)
3) make sure the doubled speakers are not close to each other and mabee even at different distances to the listining area.
4) might have to buy some external equalizers.

..anyhoo, i never tried this, but im sure it can be done (movie theaters do it). The only problem is it might cost you a lot of money, that would be better spend on better equipment.

[heiney9]

Yes, by all means if your listening room is as big as a movie theater do it! ;) .

[lanion]

The one thing I have thought of doing is just adding in more side surround channels to a 7.1 set up. Just have the side surrounds split into two speakers on each side, or 4, so you have 9.1 or 11.1, etc, then adjust output accordingly.

[dkg999]

Once you are seriously entertaining the multiple side surrounds, etc., you might want to look into commercial sound systems. I believe that Klipsch, JBL, and DBX all offer various price points in these types of systems. If you have a big enough HT room, then this might be the way to go.

Just my humble opinion, but .......... I have a 7.1 system with dual front centers (above and below my widescreen monitor), dual SVS sub-woofers (one in the left front, one in the right rear) and RTi70 front L/R, FXi5 side surrounds, and FXi3 rear surrounds. When properly set up (or even close to being properly set up) it leaves little to be desired! I live in an apt, so I don't even listen at high SPL's, and this little system will still amaze you. I would concentrate on setting up what you have as a base system the best way, and most accurately calibrated as possible. Then see where you still feel the need to make improvements.

[fshan]

I'm going to set the rt10 right on top of the existing ones, the center on top of the center and the rears on top upside down. I have them and I'm going to try it to see. won't everything be in phase anyway? I just need to know if I will blow up my receiver is all. Thank you all for your opinions tho. cause I really do appreciate it. I'm not looking for more "loudness" just thought I would get more "fullness". I don't know. gonna try it. will I blow it up?

[fshan]

Also if I understand you correctly, 2 drivers and 2 tweeters in the same cabinet would work but not if they are in different cabinets? (Just trying to understand here)

[sickicw]

yea, I wouldn't hook em up to your receiver. Most recievers cant take 4 ohms loads very well. it wont "blow it up" if you dont turn it up very loud. if you really want to experiment with this, you will need a bigger amp.