QuestionThank you very much...One last thingy though. I got an equalizer with lots of inputs and outputs, will that work for a 5:1 input, then just put it into right and left? Thanks again, -Admiral N
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Followup To
Question -
Hey I have 3 S-CR3000-Q pioneer speakers, 1 left 1 right and 1 center. I also have 2 Modulaire 2250 Realistic speakers from an old tape/stereo combo. Is there a way I can wire these 5 speakers together in surround sound, even though I don't have a subwoofer? Thanks. Admiral N
Answer -
Dear Admiral,
Ahoy?
Surround sound depends on a receiver that distributes the sound among the five speakers. If you do not have a receiver with "5.1" (five speakers plus a subwoofer) capability, then you need to acquire one. That's the first step.
Once you have a receiver that is surround sound capable, it's a simple matter to connect each speaker (two front channel, once center channel, and two surround channels) to the appropriate speaker output on the rear panel of the receiver.
Although the surround sound "experience" presumes a subwoofer, subs are *mostly* deployed in movies for earthquakes, explosions, rumbling star cruisers, and the like. About 95% of the movie's sound information will come from the front channel speakers. The center channel is generally used for dialog reinforcement. Surround channels are for ambient effects, spatial cues, etc. All this means is that you can indeed enjoy surround sound without a subwoofer. Good front channel speakers with a frequency response down to 50-65Hz will take care of all but the extreme lowest bass.
However, although your Pioneer model is no longer manufactured, and Pioneer's web site publishes only the barest specifications for its successor model, the S-CR400-K, judging from the size of the drivers (4"), I doubt if you're going to get *any* sounds much below 80Hz, and that's a stretch. Bottom line: if you want all those deep bass sounds, you're probably going need a subwoofer. This is a question of taste.
As far as the suitability of the Modulaire speakers for surround duties is concerned, they should be fine.
Good luck! And thanks for choosing allexperts.com.
Kindest regards,
Kevin
AnswerDear Admiral,
It depends on what you use the equalizer for. In the case of your system, I'd suggest that its best use is for bass reinforcement with the front channel speakers. However, don't be mislead: an equalizer is not going to produce bass that the speakers can't. It will simply accent the lower frequencies so the bass coming from the speakers is more apparent.
I'd have to know what kind of equalizer you have and what kinds of inputs and outputs it's equipped with. I'd also have to know what kind of preamplifier inputs and outputs your receiver has. (A receiver has three sections or stages: the power amplifier, which sends the audio signal to the speakers; the preamplifier, which is pretty much a switch box, enabling you to choose which signal you want to listen to; and the tuner or radio.) Generally, you want equalizers to be input at the preamp stage, and most 5.1 receivers have a "preamp in/preamp out" circuit designed to do just that. If you can provide more specific information, I can better respond to your question.
You didn't ask but...as a rule I'm in favor of NO equalization. Equalizers should only be used to compensate for room anomalies (bass standing waves, a dead spot, odd configurations, and so on). They shouldn't be used to compensate for weaknesses in loudspeakers, which unfortunately, is their most common use. Unless your room is not squared, or if it has some attributes which truly prevent you from hearing the sound you want to hear (no highs; no lows), and the phenomenon is not the fault of the loudspeakers, then I'd suggest that you don't need it. In any event, I suggest you put everything together first without the equalizer and see if the sound isn't pretty much what you expect. Then connect the equalizer and see if it makes a positive difference in the sound.
Kindest regards,
Kevin
