Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Surround speaker/amp reccomendations wanted.

This is topic Surround speaker/amp reccomendations wanted. in forum Digital Cinema Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=16;t=001793

Posted by Adam Fraser (Member # 1074) on 02-16-2014, 11:33 AM:

We are looking into replacing our 25 year old Altec surround speakers that are beginning to dry rot, and are just past their useful life. It is an old 75v system with an old Altec 9444A amplifier.

Current stage speakers are JBL, 4000 Series (don't remember exact model number but they have 2 15" drivers and a large compression horn) replaced in the late 90's. They still seem to perform well and sound good.

Auditorium is just under 100' long by 54' wide. Current speaker placement is 5 on each side, about 16 feet apart.

Looking for speaker and amplifier recommendations so I have some baseline knowledge when I begin talking to our tech.

Picture for reference.

Posted by Steve Moore (Member # 4753) on 02-16-2014, 12:01 PM:

Depends on budget, i guess; JBL 8340A (or the older models 8330 i think) and qsc amps are the only experience i have over here in our cinemas and they work and have lasted fine for years.

I guess they will be wired for left, right, rear left and right, so getting an even number of speakers on each channel for series and paralleling for the impedance makes life easier; and amps with plenty of headroom.

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 02-16-2014, 12:12 PM:

What fader setting do you usually run your films at?

Posted by Adam Fraser (Member # 1074) on 02-16-2014, 12:19 PM:

Fader setting is usually around 5. USL JSD 80 processor.

Edit: There currently is a 6th speaker on each side in a useless location, though new ones could be moved.

Posted by Mike Frese (Member # 4361) on 02-16-2014, 12:50 PM:

I have been very happy with the JBL 8330s and 8340s (the older style). I have sent you an email about units that I do not need anymore.

I would only choose QSC DCA amps. I sold some last year on eBay and they were bought within 2 hours!

Posted by Steve Moore (Member # 4753) on 02-16-2014, 01:01 PM:

I like the wood beams in there, not seen one like that before... the modern black speakers wont match your decor!

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 02-16-2014, 01:07 PM:

We got the newer QSC surround speakers about 15 months ago and we're very happy with them. Mark G. might be able to chime in here with the model number. All our amps are QSC as well.

I like the QSC surrounds because they're "purpose built" for cinema use. They're wedge shaped so you don't have to worry about angle brackets. I think the surrounds we had before were basically re-purposed home stereo speakers, or at least they looked that way.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 02-16-2014, 01:41 PM:

I only sell and install QSC speakers and amps any more. Simply put they are built the best, last the longest and give the most bang for the buck. JBL and Crown have literally gone down the tubes since they became Harmonized... The build quality of JBL cabinets is absolutely atrocious to say the least and I refuse to sell crap.

By the way... Your theater and Sun Valley Opera House look a lot alike. Open beans and such. Beautiful construction!

Mark

Posted by Adam Fraser (Member # 1074) on 02-16-2014, 02:09 PM:

Thanks for the compliments and information everyone. I will look into the QSC and JBL surrounds and get some quotes.

We are approaching our 73rd year of continuous operation in May.

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 02-16-2014, 02:56 PM:

If you never go above 5 you won't need 8340A, 8320 are possibly enough or QSC 8101. This is without doing exact calculations of course, which is always required.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 02-16-2014, 05:01 PM:

Also, if you don't know for sure if your dealer can do the calculations or if you're scratching your head wondering then properly then QSC will gladly do them for you.

As for surrounds... too many are better then just enough or too few. And go for at least a three way system. Your theater isn't so wide that it wouldn't cover adaquately.

Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 02-16-2014, 05:14 PM:

You can never have too many surrounds. Back 2/3 of the theatre only. Louis

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 02-16-2014, 06:17 PM:

The QSC DCA amp series for sure. Also, the DCA 1644 0r 1824 four channel will go down to 2 Ohms each channel so one amp will do all 4 surround zones.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 02-16-2014, 07:48 PM:

What's the depth of that room?

Posted by Sam D. Chavez (Member # 1841) on 02-16-2014, 08:27 PM:

I believe he said 100 Ft.

Posted by Adam Fraser (Member # 1074) on 02-16-2014, 08:45 PM:

109' Porthole to screen, there is a 12' tall wall about 15' in from the porthole separating a lobby behind the auditorium. So the effective auditorium depth is around 94' + or -.

Posted by Jarod Reddig (Member # 6363) on 02-26-2014, 12:19 AM:

Have you made a decision yet?

Posted by Adam Fraser (Member # 1074) on 03-03-2014, 07:10 PM:

I am still looking into it, these suggestions have helped a lot. If it fits into the budget for the summer season it will get done.

We try to do two big projects each year. This year involves some roof improvements, along with this sound upgrade.