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Hi guys.
In a few days, hopefully this week, I will take delivery of my new Beovision Avant 55". A year ago I sold(!) my Beovision 7-55, and not long after I started regretting it. So, hopefully, things are now set straight.
In my previous set-up I used the Beolab 4' for the back channel. They are still on my wall, and I will just reactivate them when hooking up the Avant. However the Avant comes with what is marketed as a monumental sound system for a TV, and even it's own sub.
My question: Will my set-up benefit from the addition of the S8 system (similar to BL 14 2.1), which will see the Avant system reduced to a center channel only, or is it just as well to go with only the Avant in front, and the BL 4's in the back? Less cable clustering of course, but that can be handled if I should go with the S8.
Any thoughts?
-takktakk
Hi -takktakk and welcome to Beoworld,
while waiting (?) for a statement from Geoff, please allow me a couple of comments.
In general - yes the S8 would be an compliment - a good one too (especially if you consider the price point) - for the Avant.
You not only get a potent subwoofer, you also get the possibility of having a dedicated '.1 channel' in your system.
And please do not think of the internal speakers system of the Avant as something, that is 'reduced to a center channel only', if you built a 5.1 system around it. Rather think of it as a 'now very capable center channel', when you watch 5.1 content (or let upmix).
By the way - there are many ways to configure the speakers of the Avant/the speakers connected to the Avant. You could even let the internal R/L speakers stay right and left channel, when you add the (S8) satelites as front speakers (letting the internal center speaker remain center) - if that is what you prefer.
Imo - don't hesitate to get the S8 - I am sure you won't regret it. There is no better way (in this price category) to improve the overall sound performance of an Avant than with this discrete set - especially when you already have the BL4's as rears installed.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Thank you Millemissen, for a detailed and well founded reply.
However it raises a question that I'm not quite sure of - and would like you to elaborate on if you please: If I keep the right and left channel on the Avant as just that, and still hook up the S8 satelites - what would their function be? Would they just double to enhance the front experience even more (and can they be set up like that?), or did you have another definition in mind for those in such a case?
My remark on "a center channel only" was just a matter of speech. I know that would be an awesome center.
On Geoff: Just saw him commenting the other day, and got that Tesla feeling. I do not expect him to contribute, but I would be thrilled if he would.
Thank you for your interest in my case. Feel free to comment further!
@takktakk,
Geoff might pop in some time.
But after all he has an important dayjob too
Yes, you could indeed use the satelites that way - to 'enhance' the fronts in the Avant - if you want.
It was just an example of the flexibility of the sound-engine working in the Avant.
For movies (especially the multichannelled) and tv I would prefer to use the internal speakers a the center and the satelites as the fronts. The center channel/speaker is the most important speaker, when it comes to sound from video!!!
You can make several different 'Speaker Groups' and assign them to a specific source (NetRadio, Spotify, TV, Bluray....)
I would make one for 2.1 audio with the internal speakers as L/R and the satelites as L/R too - what you called 'enhanced fronts' - for listening to music. Assing that to Spotify or whatever stereo source you have in order to let that start as default.
Note: if you watch a lot of Bluray's with a 7.1 soundtrack, you could also set them up as surround speakers (the ones on the side) keeping the inbuilt speakers as L/C/R.
Just try out all the possibilities to see what suits you best!
Howdy,
The S8 subwoofer will certainly be more capable at delivering low end than the Avant+BL4's - even if you play all the tricks you can in the Bass Management of the Avant (e.g. make the bass mono and send it to all loudspeakers).
Then the remaining question is what to do with the two S8 satellites and the two BL4's... There, you have a couple of options.
Option 1:
Option 2:
Option 2a:
Option 3:
Option 4
Option 5
Personally, if it were me, I'd try out Options 2 and 4 and see which of those I prefer. Although there's something about Option 5 that appeals to my instinct to try to be a better father by monitoring what my kids are listening to in the living room while I'm making dinner in the kitchen. Come to think of it... I might just try this. . .
Of course, as always, try these before drilling holes in your walls.
Cheers
-g
Thanks a lot both of you!
My room is so that I would have to put the speakers in front alongside the tv (could go a little wider), or on the back wall. This is due to one side being open towards more of the living room, and the other having windows.
I should have clarified. Does that rule out #2, or will I still have effect from doing that?
When i take the plunge on the Avant, i'll be using the Avant speaker to do Left, Centre and Right, and I'll use a Wireless Transmitter 1 with my 2 BL3's as rear.
The set up in the room is that if i used 2 additional speakers at the front , one, they couldn't fit, and two, they would look odd.
I would also like to throw a BL11 in the mix later on.
takktakk: My room is so that I would have to put the speakers in front alongside the tv (could go a little wider), or on the back wall. This is due to one side being open towards more of the living room, and the other having windows. I should have clarified. Does that rule out #2, or will I still have effect from doing that?
Try it out - but my initial reaction is that it's a little strange to have 5 front loudspeakers and 2 surrounds.
I'd probably go for one of the height options - or just replace the BL4's with the S8Sat's and move BL4's to another room.
-geoff
Thanks Geoff1
Are you by this implying that the S8 Satelites will do a better job as rear speakers than the BL 4's?
takktakk:Are you by this implying that the S8 Satelites will do a better job as rear speakers than the BL 4's?
I'm saying that the S8 sat's will "mate" to the S8 sub better - because they were sound-designed as a single package.
I don't know enough to have an opinion as to whether or not they make better surround speakers in general.
- geoff
As a final question from me, I am now considering two S8 systems to have those sat's all the way round. Also the BL4's are not shielded, and I've had some issues on that. Anyway, in such a scenario, to get four sat's - I would have to buy two systems. Do I then hook up two subs also, as I would have an extra on my hand - or stick with one?
Luckily the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) of the S8 sub design must be of the higher in the industry
-talk talk
Sorry about the signature. Damn you iOS autocorrect. And Java won't let me edit it. So - there...
takktakk:I am now considering two S8 systems to have those sat's all the way round. Also the BL4's are not shielded, and I've had some issues on that. Anyway, in such a scenario, to get four sat's - I would have to buy two systems. Do I then hook up two subs also, as I would have an extra on my hand - or stick with one?
Hi,
Of course, two subs are better than one. "More is better than nothin' - but nothin's better than 'more'." (- Madonna)
If you do this, then consider making one S8 comprise your Left Sub, Left Surround and Left Back (Or Left Front / Left Surround) and the other S8 looking after the Right side. This would result in making better use of your two sub's than if you made them Lf/Rf and Ls/Rs.
If your reason for thinking of two S8's to get 4 Sat's - I'm curious as to why you're not considering a BL14 instead?
Geoff Martin: If you do this, then consider making one S8 comprise your Left Sub, Left Surround and Left Back (Or Left Front / Left Surround) and the other S8 looking after the Right side. This would result in making better use of your two sub's than if you made them Lf/Rf and Ls/Rs. -g
I've sent you an email Geoff, to elaborate on your question.
This has been intersting for me, especially the details from Geoff on s8 set up options. I am going to add either the lab19 or the s8 to my set up. Will be sorting home demos in the next few weeks. Should be interesting.