OK, noob question here. I'm a pretty accomplished woodworker and I'm doing a ton of custom work in my home theater. I'm planning on purchasing speaker kits to use as the 6 surround speakers in my theater.
My question is: can I modify the cabinet design to have angled side/rear panels to better fit into the spaces I have available for the speakers? The rear surrounds and front wide speakers would be angled 45-50 degrees towards the main listening position. Referring to the image below, the original design (on the left) would need 1' of space when placed next to a wall, while the redesign (on the right) would only require 9.5 inches. I would make the cabinet taller (adding to the space below the woofer) to accommodate the loss of volume caused by the angled sides.
The idea here is that the original design (on the left) would need 1' of space when placed next to a wall, while the redesign (on the right) would only require 9.5 inches.
So, am I inviting major problems by doing such a thing, or is this not something that can be attempted? Thanks for your replies.
My question is: can I modify the cabinet design to have angled side/rear panels to better fit into the spaces I have available for the speakers? The rear surrounds and front wide speakers would be angled 45-50 degrees towards the main listening position. Referring to the image below, the original design (on the left) would need 1' of space when placed next to a wall, while the redesign (on the right) would only require 9.5 inches. I would make the cabinet taller (adding to the space below the woofer) to accommodate the loss of volume caused by the angled sides.
The idea here is that the original design (on the left) would need 1' of space when placed next to a wall, while the redesign (on the right) would only require 9.5 inches.
So, am I inviting major problems by doing such a thing, or is this not something that can be attempted? Thanks for your replies.
Not really as long as the net volume (Vb) is the same and internal minimum damping is the same with top, one side and back where 'back' is both angled panels.
Are you going to EQ all speakers? Placing them close to boundaries changes the tonal balance. No problem, as long as you adjust it after installation. And of course wall reflections will cause comb filter effects, but that's probably not much of an issue for surround speakers.
Thanks for the replies! I really appreciate it. Yes, I'll be EQing using Audessy or Dirac (haven't settled on a receiver yet) and will also be lining any areas adjacent to the speakers with sound absorption material. Since they are surrounds, I don't think they need to be perfect, but I want to make sure that im not totally effing up the speaker if I angle the walls.
Yes, all things considered it should be OK. Give attention to proper internal absorption, and I like that you'll be using absorption on the room wall near them.