I know this thread is a little dated, but I'm considering Chorus I/II, Forte II, and Quartets for a 5.1 system and there are a couple interesting aspects I see in this thread. At this point I'm going to try my Chorus I + II for my fronts (one of each per side in parallel), both Forte II in parallel as the center, and the Quartets in rear. I'd look at upgrading to 7.1 at some point in the future. My impression also was that the CII and FII in particular matched well since they both have active cones and tractrix horns. I was more concerned that the CI and CII might not be as compatible as fronts, but I've seen others do it. My other concern is using the Quartets (or any other with rear-facing bass), since I won't have a rear wall. The other configuration I'm considering is a 7.1 with the CII as the fronts, one (or two) Forte II as the center, the CI as the rears, and the Quartets as the surrounds (thanks wuzzer!).

Any comments on these two setups? Any recommendations on power amp configurations? I won't have the budget to go big on the amps at this stage.

Unfortunately, I'm not in a good position to evaluate the sound myself at this point. That's why I'm looking for some input. I'm still running my H/K 220 avr, and I just don't think it comes close do doing these speakers justice. I'll be upgrading soon, but I also anticipate needing a power amp on at least the fronts and center.

Thanks,

Mike

By the way, this endeavor started with planning to use my KG4s as fronts along with my old 5.1 quintet (not Quartet) surround system. So at this rate I'll end up with stacked KHorn fronts, a bank of La Scalas for centers and...what the heck...let's mirror that in the back!!

I'd rather see you run the front speakers in a series connection rather than parallel.  A series connection will result in a 16 ohm nominal impedence that the receiver will see so you'll have to turn the volume up a bit for the same output but it'll be a lot easier for your receiver to drive.

If you do run dual Fortes as fronts make sure to put them as close to each other as possible to lessen the comb filtering and other sound distortions that using two center speakers will cause.

Are you recommending a series config for the centers as well as the fronts? I thought it was a no-no to run speakers in series, since the variable load of one speaker would cause problems for the other. Is there any danger of damaging the speakers or avr in this config? Assuming I address the underpowered avr in the future, would the parallel config be the preferred approach? The reason I ask is that I'm wiring my wall now (no drywall yet), and I want to get it right the first time...even if I run them differently for a while.

If they are in parallel, do you know if I could run one wire in the wall (10 gauge) and split at the speakers, or would I need to run wires from both speakers back to the avr?

Mike

mness4:

Are you recommending a series config for the centers as well as the fronts? I thought it was a no-no to run speakers in series, since the variable load of one speaker would cause problems for the other. Is there any danger of damaging the speakers or avr in this config? Assuming I address the underpowered avr in the future, would the parallel config be the preferred approach? The reason I ask is that I'm wiring my wall now (no drywall yet), and I want to get it right the first time...even if I run them differently for a while.

 

If they are in parallel, do you know if I could run one wire in the wall (10 gauge) and split at the speakers, or would I need to run wires from both speakers back to the avr?

 

Mike

 

I would think the bigger danger would be presenting too low an impedance (if in parallel) to the AVR.  Regarding installation, you could run both speaker inputs to a panel on the wall that would allow you to wire either series or parallel (via jumper connections) after installation depending on your AVR capabilities/preferences. 

 My dad has a pile of cheap AVRs that he has blown out channels by wiring multiple zones in parallel (sometimes up to 3-4 ).  I finally was able to convince him that this was a bad idea.

 

I like the jumper idea. What would you run in the wall back to the avr in that case? My preference would be to run one wire for both parallel speakers (or series, obviously) but I don't know if one 10 gauge wire would be adequate.

Mike

mness4:

I like the jumper idea. What would you run in the wall back to the avr in that case? My preference would be to run one wire for both parallel speakers (or series, obviously) but I don't know if one 10 gauge wire would be adequate.

 

Mike

 

The simplest and most flexible would be to put a wall plate with 3 pairs of terminals near the center speakers.  Run one pair directly to each speaker and one pair to the AVR (which presumably will have it's own wall plate).  This would allow just about any series/parallel hookup needed with a few inches of jumper wire at the center plate.

I think 10 ga is overkill unless your AVR is at your neighbors house   12 should be fine