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Should I build (2 or 3) 4Pi Mains? [message #69287] Fri, 02 September 2011 02:57 Go to next message
Maxjr is currently offline  Maxjr
Messages: 57
Registered: August 2011
Baron
I'm in the process of deciding how many 4Pi mains to build for my home theater. I can't decide between two or three. I can't wait to hear everyones opinions Smile building two will definitely be cheaper, so how much better will it sound with a 4Pi center channel?
Re: Should I build Two or Three 4Pi Mains? [message #69290 is a reply to message #69287] Fri, 02 September 2011 07:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
petew is currently offline  petew
Messages: 63
Registered: June 2011
Location: Albuquerque, NM USA
Viscount
Give us some specifics about your room and other gear. Are you using a projector? What size is your room? How many seats?

Phantom center works well, but anyone sitting way off axis will not get the "effect". The fours have a wide sweet spot, so depending on the specifics of your setup, two may work great.
Re: Should I build Two or Three 4Pi Mains? [message #69303 is a reply to message #69290] Fri, 02 September 2011 15:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Maxjr is currently offline  Maxjr
Messages: 57
Registered: August 2011
Baron
petew wrote on Fri, 02 September 2011 07:15
Give us some specifics about your room and other gear. Are you using a projector? What size is your room? How many seats?

Phantom center works well, but anyone sitting way off axis will not get the "effect". The fours have a wide sweet spot, so depending on the specifics of your setup, two may work great.


I currently have my theater setup in my living room. I have a 50" plasma, and two couches, but will be remodeling later this year and do a DIY screen with projector and individual seats. I will probably have six seats as there is normally only three of us that watch movies together on a regular basis. My room is 19' x 22' x 10'.

Do you think two 4Pis will work while I use the plasma, and add a third when I do the projector setup? I don't foresee the seating positions ever being really wide (probably 2 rows of 3 seats). Maybe I won't even see the benefit of a center with narrow setup?
Re: Should I build Two or Three 4Pi Mains? [message #69306 is a reply to message #69303] Fri, 02 September 2011 22:59 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Wayne Parham is currently offline  Wayne Parham
Messages: 18682
Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)

Our plasma TV is 50" also. The speakers are outside that, angled in as described in the "High-Fidelity Uniform-Directivity Loudspeakers" whitepaper. There is absolutely no need for a center channel using this setup. Personally, I wouldn't even consider a center channel unless the seperation between R/L channels was greater than 20 feet.

index.php?t=getfile&id=445


Re: Should I build Two or Three 4Pi Mains? [message #69307 is a reply to message #69306] Fri, 02 September 2011 23:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
tom-m is currently offline  tom-m
Messages: 56
Registered: December 2009
Location: Texas
Baron
In my opinion, I would build 4 speakers, and buy a vintage Marantz quadraphonic receiver to power them. Cool
A fully retro system!
Re: Should I build Two or Three 4Pi Mains? [message #69308 is a reply to message #69306] Sat, 03 September 2011 00:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Maxjr is currently offline  Maxjr
Messages: 57
Registered: August 2011
Baron
Wayne Parham wrote on Fri, 02 September 2011 22:59

Our plasma TV is 50" also. The speakers are outside that, angled in as described in the "High-Fidelity Uniform-Directivity Loudspeakers" whitepaper. There is absolutely no need for a center channel using this setup. Personally, I wouldn't even consider a center channel unless the seperation between R/L channels was greater than 20 feet.

index.php?t=getfile&id=445





Thank you for the clear and succinct response, Wayne! I'm happy to hear this and only build two as that will reduce the costs by 50% ! I need to rereading that Hi-Fi Uniform Directivity Loudspeaker whitepaper again. Very Happy
Re: Should I build Two or Three 4Pi Mains? [message #69312 is a reply to message #69308] Sat, 03 September 2011 08:16 Go to previous message
Danny is currently offline  Danny
Messages: 195
Registered: September 2010
Master
Wow, that's a great room! It's like that spot was just made for your setup there. And the lighting and view are just awesome!
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