Wiring Speakers to HIFI and Surround

Party_Animal

Can anyone help? I've just bought some new floor mounted speakers which are supposed to be ok for both HiFi and front speakers for surround. I've connected to HiFi, superb ( haven't biwired yet but planning to at weekend) I have a 5 1 surround system and understood I could use the new speakers as front speakers. There's nothing in the instructions. Do I just connect the cable from the surround amp to the terminals on the new speaker? If so will it drown out the rear and centre speakers as the new speakers are much more powerful than the existing surround ones?
Thanks in advance

basill

I have rather an elderly 5.1 system, it has a test mode where it makes a series of test sounds and you can set the relative volume of all the speakers. I have read about more modern systems which can almost set themselves up!

I expect yours will have a similar facility, if you post the model another owner might be able to help.

B

fwor

As basill says, these days even cheap surround amps are usually supplied with a microphone that you place where your normal listening position is, and it will alter the channel volumes for optimum balance.

Sorry to state what may be obvious, but you can't have the output of both amps connected to one set of speakers at the same time, even if one amp is switched off.

BTW - don't expect too much of the bi-wiring! I tried it on mine and couldn't hear any significant difference. Bi-amping was a different matter, though.

Tickdick00

fwor wrote: »

As basill says, these days even cheap surround amps are usually supplied with a microphone that you place where your normal listening position is, and it will alter the channel volumes for optimum balance.

Sorry to state what may be obvious, but you can't have the output of both amps connected to one set of speakers at the same time, even if one amp is switched off.

BTW - don't expect too much of the bi-wiring! I tried it on mine and couldn't hear any significant difference. Bi-amping was a different matter, though.

I agree with Fwor - don't try and run two amps off the same speakers or else you will end up with some very expensive plant stands!:eek:

Your local hifi shop might have a sound pressure meter you can borrow ( for a small fee) this can be used to set up the system if the surround amp doesnt have a built in microphone.

Also, dont be tempted to crank up the rear volume - it simply doesn't give the "right" sound. Rear speakers are only supposed to "fill in". Try it with various films - you'll soon realise if you've got it wrong!

Good luck!

Party_Animal

Thanks, so its ok to use the speakers for either as long as I only have one amp connected at once and biwiring doesn't make that much difference.
The surround is a Phillips LX 700 and the speakers are Accoustic Energy Linear 3.
Thanks again.