Do rear channels really matter that much?

[Bob Walters]

Most definitely....................but I wonder if the "age-old" "they must be identically balanced with the front 3 speakers" REALLY applies??????? Food for thought!

[kennyt]

Bob Walters,

I whole heartedly agree with that statement, at least in an ideal situation, and take it one further. Not only should you have the same speakers, but you need the same amps. I have tried it many ways and find that even within one makers line, different amps respond to the input signal differently causing the system to come into and out of balance depending on the volume/level of the passage. This is extremely annoying to me as I am constantly aware of the imbalance and it ruins my listening to the material, I end up listening to the faults in the system instead.

I have found several speaker makers that use identical drivers in the front, center and rears within a system (My Canton Vento's come to mind) and they can match up perfectly. I don't have the full sized surrounds in this setup, so I lack some bass from the rears, but this can be switched off to a sub and when well implemented can be almost unnoticable.

NOTE Almost.... I would still prefer the L/R of the front and back to be identical speakers.

[henry33]

Absolutely. I agree with David D. Have always had pretty much matched speakers all around, even since quad days when I had four of the Philips self-powered mini-monitors. Now have identical Von Schweikert VR-2s all around except their LCR center. But will probably soon upgrade the front L & R to VR-4 Jrs. which will still match well with the VR-2 surrounds. It's not just with discrete 5.1 - the soundfield is more seamless with ProLogic II as well, which I use frequently - even for my many Ambisonic UHJ recordings.

[Bob Walters]

kennyt,
Here's the rue.......SPACE!! Ideal vs compromise, unfortunately, rears its UGLY head every day. My own system & my installs call for it all the time. I use my own "stuff" as an ideal and then back off per client whim or stupidity or...........!!!!!!! But that's actually the real fun with this hobby/business.....so I'll live with it and have fun!!!!

[henry33]

Interesting about exactly matching amps. I noticed that my surround V.S. VR-2s didn't match my front VR-2s at all and figured it was because I have tube monoblocks in front with top garden-hose Kimber Kable, whereas using a solid state 200-watt amp on the surrounds with basic entry-level Kimber Kable and not bi-wired either. I then disconnected and threw out the chrome pieces linking the top and bottom crossover elements and replaced them with short lengths of basic Kimber Kable. Now the front and surround speakers sound alike! I couldn't believe it either.

[kennyt]

Remember henry33,

A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link!

Bob Walters,

I understand, and do in fact have some of my own space issues to deal with.... Fortunately the wife gives me free reign with my audio gear but I feel your pain!