Hello! I need some advice for an eventual 5.1 (or 7.1) near-field set-up. I'm using audioengine A5 as desktop speakers and want to up the audio game as I convert my PC to a HTPC (connected to OLED TV). After looking at various forums, I really want the Sierra 2EX!
The room is a multi-use open concept long rectangle (40 feet by 12 feet). The area I can work with is 8 feet by 12 feet near the middle of room. The 8 feet sides have walls. The 12 feet sides just open into either sides of the 40 by 12 room. The listening position will between 4 and 6 feet from the screen/fronts. Usage will be 70% movies/games and 30% music (classical mostly). I only need good sound for the sweet spot and a large/wide sound stage is not important.
I'm planning on the current set up: Ascend Sierra-2EX fronts & center, Rythmic L12. Will be using Denon receiver. I will add the surrounds once my 3.1 is set-up.
A few questions I have:
- Will there be any issues with the listening position being 4 feet from speakers? LP can be moved back to 5 or 6 feet for movies but quite a bit of time will be spent in the nearer position.
- Will being in such a large room be an issue even if all I want to do is fill my listening position with good sound? Or will room dynamics make that hard to achieve?
- I don't see any pics of the 2EX center - do they come with RAAL ribbon? I ask because Horizon speaker comes with an upgrade option (or is that because Horizons can be used a RL fronts?)
- Can i use the horizon as my center with 2EX?
I currently have an audioengine A5 and I like how well it performs. They are active powered so moving to a 5.1 setup wont be as clean as using 5 passives. Also, I'm assuming 2EX will be huge upgrade to the A5s. However, if nearfield listening won't do full justice to the Sierra 2EX, I would like to considered other options.
Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks!