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Author Topic: Surround speaker/amp reccomendations wanted. Adam Fraser Master Film Handler Posts: 499 From: Houghton Lake, MI, USA Registered: Dec 2001 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Steve Moore Expert Film Handler Posts: 211 From: Leeds, West Yorks, UK Registered: Apr 2008 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Marco Giustini Film God Posts: 2713 From: Reading, UK Registered: Nov 2007 posted 02-16-2014 12:12 PM                     What fader setting do you usually run your films at?  |  IP: Logged Adam Fraser Master Film Handler Posts: 499 From: Houghton Lake, MI, USA Registered: Dec 2001 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Mike Frese Master Film Handler Posts: 465 From: Holts Summit, MO Registered: Jun 2007 posted 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!  |  IP: Logged Steve Moore Expert Film Handler Posts: 211 From: Leeds, West Yorks, UK Registered: Apr 2008 posted 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!  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 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  |  IP: Logged Adam Fraser Master Film Handler Posts: 499 From: Houghton Lake, MI, USA Registered: Dec 2001 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Marco Giustini Film God Posts: 2713 From: Reading, UK Registered: Nov 2007 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Louis Bornwasser Film God Posts: 4441 From: prospect ky usa Registered: Mar 2005 posted 02-16-2014 05:14 PM                        You can never have too many surrounds. Back 2/3 of the theatre only. Louis  |  IP: Logged Sam D. Chavez Film God Posts: 2153 From: Martinez, CA USA Registered: Aug 2003 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 02-16-2014 07:48 PM                     What's the depth of that room?  |  IP: Logged Sam D. Chavez Film God Posts: 2153 From: Martinez, CA USA Registered: Aug 2003 posted 02-16-2014 08:27 PM                       I believe he said 100 Ft.  |  IP: Logged

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