Table of Contents
Advertisement
Genelec has worked very hard to have an efficient system that has appropriately specified amplifiers
AND has very low distortion. More subwoofers can be added to increase the maximum SPL of the bottom
end of the frequency response in a larger system. See Table 1 for details about multiple subwoofers.
For an even lower distortion, just add more subwoofers to the Home Theater. For example, adding a
second subwoofer to a system allows the input sensitivity to be decreased by 6 dB so each subwoofer
plays 6 dB quieter but the overall level in the room is the same. This will reduce the distortion by more
than 6 dB for the same replay level, as distortion is non-linear with respect to SPL. Using two smaller
subwoofers instead of one large unit may also be preferable for space reasons. See Table 1 for details
about multiple subwoofers.
2.8
System Building - How to Mix and Match
Now is a good point to discuss selection of an entire system. If one adheres to some of the basic guide-
lines set by Dolby Laboratories, DTS and other standardization organizations, then the best possible
configuration is 5 identical loudspeakers all around for 100% timbre matching. Of course, this is not
always practical but as 5.1 music has become more available, this aspect of system design becomes
more important and therefore common practice.
In Section 2.10, Selecting the Right Model, there is a table which can be used to find which loud-
speaker model is appropriate for a given room volume and listening distance. Some suggested side
and rear loudspeaker solutions are given but the final choice will also be based on the listening pref-
erences of the customer (what program material they prefer and how loud they play it), the space
available in which to place the loudspeaker enclosure and budget. The AIW25 and AIW26 In-Wall
loudspeakers have many applications even together with quite large Genelec models, however they
will need to be used in multiples to fill large rooms.
7.1 systems are becoming more common in Home Theater, so sides as well as rear channels are almost
the norm. Multiple loudspeakers are suitable in very large 7.1 systems too, so a set of 8 x AIW26 could
be used in a very large system.
2.9
How Room Acoustics Can Affect Model Selection
Room acoustics is an area of Home Theater that is often overlooked. It is important and challenging but
with some consideration, a good sound can be the result. There is insufficient space in this document to
explain all the issues associated with good room acoustics so two extremes are presented below that
may influence the selection of one model over another:
•
If the room is heavily damped (thick carpeting, heavy curtains and lots of upholstered
furniture) there will be a loss of energy in the midrange frequencies. On the positive side, it
should be remembered that an absorptive room usually results in more accurate imaging.
If there is any doubt in the choice between two models based on the listening distance or
room volume then select the larger model that offers a higher maximum SPL output.
•
Conversely, if the room is minimally furnished and has many hard surfaces with little
absorption (although that would be a rarity in a dedicated home theater), then it may be
possible to step down a model in the range. Such a room will tend to be highly reflective and
support the loudspeakers' output, so some adjustment of the Room Response Controls will be
necessary - see Section 4.2.2 Using the Room Response Controls. Contrary to the
well-damped room, the imaging will be rather diffuse.
There is more on room acoustics in Section 5 Room Construction and Acoustics.
10
Advertisement
Table of Contents
