Importance of matching surrounds to fronts?

[ahcryky]

Just a general question. I was wondering how important it is to match the surrounds with your front 3 speakers. I recently purchased a pair of paradigm studio 40's and 570 center. In a perfect world I guess they would say to go with the adp-470's, salesman pushes the $1200 pair that aren't hooked up....... but will I notice a huge drop off with not using those, perhaps a version 2 or maybe another surround speaker from another company. If anyone has used a different surround with their paradigm fronts I would appreciate any feedback I could get on their experience with them.
Thanks
Jim

[George Bellefontaine]

Early on I used a mismatch, but you could tell a difference. I later matched all my speakers and it really was much better. All speakers sound the same now when I do a sound test. And some films where the sound of a car or truck crosses left to right, the sound doesn't change. Flyovers make a big difference, too, when all speakers are matched.

[ahcryky]

Early on I used a mismatch, but you could tell a difference. I later matched all my speakers and it really was much better. All speakers sound the same now when I do a sound test. And some films where the sound of a car or truck crosses left to right, the sound doesn't change. Flyovers make a big difference, too, when all speakers are matched.

Thanks George....... that makes sense.

[Azeke]

Jim,

I actually run Mirage speakers up front (omnipolar, front and centers), and DefTech (bipolar) speakers for the rear. This configuration works well for me after calibration, I believe because their polar technologies are closely related. I would just ensure that your front and center speakers are the same to ensure timbre matching, but it certainly would be great as George stated if all your speakers were matched.

Peace and blessings,

Azeke

[ahcryky]

Jim,

I actually run Mirage speakers up front (omnipolar, front and centers), and DefTech (bipolar) speakers for the rear. This configuration works well for me after calibration, I believe because their polar technologies are closely related. I would just ensure that your front and center speakers are the same to ensure timbre matching, but it certainly would be great as George stated if all your speakers were matched.

Peace and blessings,

Azeke

Azeke-
Thanks, did you do some kind of trial and error or is there a way to figure out what speakers would come close in tech for the paradigms (40's and 570) if I don't end up getting the adp 470's.
thanks
jim

[Azeke]

A little trial and error was involved, I had some older speakers laying around, however they didn't provide quite the acoustical impact I was looking for. I therefore became more diligent and began to check speaker specifications (wattage, cone sizes, etc.) and tried to closely match the speakers based on those specifications (and of course polar technology).

One of the best things to do is try find a simular setup to yours or a trial setup in your home, listening for yourself is the key. Your acoustical mileage may vary.

Peace and blessings,

Azeke

[Chris D]

I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend matching speakers. The MOST critical matching it your centers to mains. Since this is where the majority of sound happens in a theater, and most of the pans are mainly in the front, this is very important. But like George said, if you don't have surrounds matched to your fronts, you'll be able to tell, fairly easily, after some playing of surround material.

[ahcryky]

I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend matching speakers. The MOST critical matching it your centers to mains. Since this is where the majority of sound happens in a theater, and most of the pans are mainly in the front, this is very important. But like George said, if you don't have surrounds matched to your fronts, you'll be able to tell, fairly easily, after some playing of surround material.

Thanks, this becomes one of the more easier decisions in my HT upgrade now.......