LSi7 vs LSiFx for surround duty

[RobXant]

I'm looking to replace my worn Cambridge Soundworks sats that have been my surrounds with something a little better.

I'll probablly end up keeping them for the rear channel in a 7.1 setup, but in the meantime can you gents suggest whether the LSiFx surrounds will sound better than adding another set of LSi7s?

The only issue I have is that I cannot place the surrounds next to the sofa as this is an active walkway. They will be hanging on the wall about 4 feet behind the sofa. So, the rub is that the right surround has no wall adjacent to it. It opens into a hallway (Imagine a dogleg)...

So, I am just wondering if that LSiFx is going to be wasted, throwing the right side of that speaker out into space. While a simple LSi7 pointed forward would be cheaper, would it sound better than that fx in this application?

Also, what's the best place for the rears if the surrounds are on the back wall, too??

Here is a little chart-
7= Lsi7 (current)
S= Surrounds in question (5.1), LSiFx or LSi7??
R= Old speakers perhaps used as rear surrounds (7.1)



Thanks- Rob

[Sami]

You can't hang the surrounds from ceiling?

[RobXant]

How would I do that? Susspend them on wires down 3 feet?
Not only would the wife ****, I could see myself getting knocked cold during a refrigerator dash!

Rob

[Early B.]

Yeah, I agree with hanging the surrounds from the ceiling. Your layout doesn't really lend itself to a setup that comes close to optimizing 7.1. Consider sticking with 5.1. It'll sound just as good, probably better. But if 7.1 is what you're looking for, you can find plenty of ceiling mounted speaker brackets to fit your needs.

[jdhdiggs]

Ditto the above. 5.1 LSiFX for the backs.

If you REALLY must go 7.1, I'd use 7's all around to keep from muddying the sound fiels with 4 speakers on your back wall.

Simple note: If there are more speakers behind you than in front, you have issues...

[RobXant]

So sticking with a 5.1 setup, then would the LSiFx sound as good as it should, or is the LSi7 (mounted in the same place) the way to go?

Rob

[Sami]

Originally posted by RobXant
How would I do that? Susspend them on wires down 3 feet?

There are much better ways to do it than that. :)

Considering how high from the ear the surrounds should be, and how high they can be, I found that ceiling mount is more ideal in my room plan than wall mount.

[RobXant]

I really can't see mounting an LSiFx to the ceiling, so sticking with the 5.1... Will Fx or 7??

Rob

[Early B.]

Whether you go Lsi7 or LsiFx is not a straightforward answer. Just depends mainly on your listening preferences. For your room setup, I'd personally stick with 7's in the rear -- they're less expensive (the increased price for the LsiFx's is probably not worth the perceived benefit) and you maintain the best possible timbre match.