Best Speaker Configuration

[Guest]

I have a Pioneer VSX-322 receiver with HD Digital TV box, Laptop and Blu-Ray player attached through HDMI to the TV. No problems with the video.

My room is only about 9' by 12' and I don't have much room so my speakers are small.
I am currently using 2 x Sony SS-SR88 at the front with a Sony SS-CT381 center.
Behind me I have 2 Wharfedale Modus Cubes connected as Surround Back speakers through a Mitsubishi M-P04 Pre Amp and a Mitsubishi M-A04 Power Amp. I am using the Surround Back connections to give me more control of the volume and tone.
I do not (at this stage) have a Sub-Woofer.

I tend to listen to music as much as I watch TV and Blu-Ray. My receiver gives a lot of options for audio processing (including Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby PLIIX, NE06, Stereo, ALC Stereo etc).

I would like to hear opinions on whether my speaker configuration could be improved using the existing speakers. I have been told that as I listen to a lot of music, I should get floor-standing speakers for the front. I could probably manage to do this.

 

[americanaudiophile]

First thing is that since you are only using 5 speakers having surround backs is incorrect. Your receiver should be configured for 5.0 channels and the surrounds should be connected to the receiver directly rather than through the surround backs/preamp/amp. You are not getting the correct surround processing if you have surround backs without surround "sides" 5 channels is usually fine for a small room.
Second you should use the speakers that you think are best in the front. Since you don't have a center for the Wharfedales there would be a downside since the center won't match.
Upgrading the front three speakers or adding a powered sub would be the first steps to improving the sound quality. Visit an audio store near you and do some listening to determine what speakers you like.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your advice.

I have swapped the rear and front speakers and reconfigured the rears to 'normal' surround, doing away with the Pre Amp etc.
Because the volume from the rears became too high I have also moved my seating forward about 3' from the rears (they were only about 6" behind me and 6' apart).
Balance is much better now.

I am looking at getting a pair of 2nd hand Wharfedale CRS 3 speakers to use at the front and moving the Modus Cubes back to the rear. Purchasing a sub-woofer is also in the pipeline.