Bizzare Room-Home Theater Challenge-HELP

[IMKOG]

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and let me warn you all that this is not the best location to place a home theatre, but unfortunately it is the only option I have. This is my first post, and so far I haven't read anything that quite matches the unfortuanate situation I have. I am really going to need some help on this one. Before I get to the room, allow me to explain the gear I have to work with: Receiver - Denon 3805; Monitor - Sony 60 inch projection; DVP - Sony DVP-NS3100ES (has HDMI output); The speakers I have had for awhile, and I do still like them, but I am open to change / modification if absolutely necessary. They are: Center - CS175; Front 2- RT400; Rear - RT35; and the SUB - PSW120 (Yep, when you pull the covers the spekers are all back, not blue, and looks like a hockey puc next to them) Ready for the challenge..., a pencil sketch might help since the system will not accept my photos, says I can post them but times out, Sorry! Try to picture this! Keep in mind that the room is only 15 feet deep, and 10 feet wide, with a sloped exposed beam ceiling 9 feet to 12 feet. As you are looking at the TV and sitting on the couch, which is the width of the back wall, you have the back of a brick fire place to your right extending eight feet in front of you then open to the next room (yes the fire place is in the center of the house, go figure). To your left are a wall of windows then a door to the outside. The inner walls, and ceiling are wood tongue and groove 1" thick, and as I mentioned the ceiling is vaulted and open.
My main problem is going to be the rear satilite speakers. I, or should I say my couch, is literally againt the wall, so do I point those RT35 's straight forward??? and if so how high should they be; Or should I still have them facing each other even though sombody will be sitting right under them? Now don't laugh, but do you think I should even attempt using the 6.1 to 7.1 cabability of the Denon System for this size room? Would you even notice a difference here? If I do need another rear speaker what do you think would be best? Should I be thinking about recessed satelites? I just don't know and am baffeled, never had to deal with surround in a room this small before.Thanks for holding in there, I know this was likely very difficult to picture, and read. By the way any and all suggestions are welcome ... but...the room configuration can not be changed ... and moving is not an option ...even if it is tempting.

[BIZILL]

get you some fxi3's for side surround. set one on top of the fireplace or just before it (closer to your couch). perhaps move the couch away from the wall about 1 1/2 - 2 feet. get some speaker mounts and put the 7.1 surrounds there. or go recessed for the rears. just a suggestion to think about.

[Dennis Gardner]

I would run 5.1 and trade the 35i models for FX 300 bi/dipoles or similar models. These could be mounted over head and give better sourround options since your 35is would just be firing forward. 6 or 7 channel sound would be less desireable than the 5.1 for me, since the side speakers preferred locations are still behind the seating on the sides with therears directly behind the seating. Yours would require them to be forward of that and disturb front signals somewhat. Good 5 channel beats poor 6/7 anyday. Less than 5% of all DVDs have extended surround anyway, even today.

[Dennis Gardner]

BTW, your room problems aren't bizarre, they are normal. No living room is made to be the perfect theater.

Welcome to ClubPolk!!

[BIZILL]

Good 5 channel beats poor 6/7 anyday.

most definately.

[bpadget]

How long is the couch? Have you considered turning the setup 180 so the screen is where the couch is now and putting the couch next to the opening with walking space behind it?

[IMKOG]

How long is the couch? Have you considered turning the setup 180 so the screen is where the couch is now and putting the couch next to the opening with walking space behind it?

I wish I could, Couch is L-Shape Sectional, Part against the wall and part along the fireplace (9ft 8 inch couch with to answer the question). The so called fireplace is the back side and is essentially a floor to ceiling wall running for about 6 feet then drops down with a counter height stone and brick cabinet. All of this means the configuration can not be altered. :(

Therefore the problem is: with a couch pushed against the back wall... and the sides of a couch extending to the left and right walls, what to use for the rear channels??

I am trying to educate myself on some of the options other members posted earlier (THANKS FOLKS!), but I am open ... or should I say pleading ... for options. I may be able to move the couch 4 to six inches (not feet) off the back wall, but I do not know if this would be of any help. As the couch moves forward, it blocks off access to open the window and you can not walk around this thing.

OH... By the way ... the left side of the room is litterally a wall of windows. From the back wall there is possibly six inches and then the windows start (12 inches off the floor to just above head height). I do have some space over the windows if this may help?

[BIZILL]

then i'd go with dennis gardner's suggestion. or if you don't feel like spending money right now, i'd try mounting the rear speakers so that they face inward, toward each other. never hurts to give her a listen.

[IMKOG]

Many thanks BIZILL and DENNIS GARDNER!!! Looks like a good possibility. I would like to be able to put them overhead, it would definitely look cleaner. About how high do you think they should be placed? Still the just over head? ? I talked to one guy that made a recommendation, that I should mount this type of unit in the corner so that it projects down both walls (back and side), any merit to this idea?? The manuals all show the units with the ideal set-up with the couch forward off the wall, which as we know is my whole problem. Thanks Again!

[BIZILL]

the fxi's diagrams are 'ideal' locations. i'd guess the soundstage wouldn't suffer too much if you deviated from the suggested locations. and i'd just run 'em in bi-pole mode. if you go with direct radiating speakers, i'd just suggest to try placing the speakers all over the place and find whatever happy medium tickles your fancy. some here have great results with recessed speakers placed in the roof above the sitting locations, but i've never heard or tried this type of setup.