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Is Full-size speakers for L-R Rears advisable?

I’m slowly upgrading my Stereo setup to HT.

Currently, I’ve full-size (FS) Tyler Acoustics Linbrook System II speakers for LR connected to Luxman M-900u Amplifier (150W @8 Ohm) & matching Center speaker (unused). To match sonically, I’m considering buying a pair of either bookshelf or similar/ better FS speakers from the same brand (Tyler Acoustic).

The questions I have are:

1.) Will a pair of FS rear eliminate the need for a dedicated Subwoofer or it would be better to get a dedicated Subwoofer & buy either a pair of bookshelf or FS speakers for Rears?

2.) If I get a dedicated Subwoofer, getting a FS speakers for rear will make any difference compared to Bookshelf speakers?
3.) Will I notice any positive difference if I buy more expensive fullsize pairs from Tyler & use them as Front LR & move the existing Linbrook System II pairs to Rear or it’s always better to keep the LRC with the same model/ series?
4.) Since they’ll be connected to a separate Amp anyways, does it matter if the Front & Rear speakers have different impedance (8 vs. 4 Ohms)?
5.) How should I drive the remaining 3 channels? Should I get 2 pairs of Stereo Amps (one will remain unused) or buy 3 Mono Amps?
6.) Does Amplifier’s Power Output wattage also have to exactly match for all the 5 channels or it can be close (+/- 50 Watts)?

7.) Do the Amps also have to be from the same brand? 


LRC: Linbrook System II
Frequency Response: 32-25k
Sensitivity: 89db
Impedance: 8 ohm
Power: 30-250wpc

hitsofmisses
fatdaddy2
535 posts
 

A lot of folks don't realize how much bass info is available from the rear channels, at least on a well-engineered surround soundtrack.  I've got a horn-loaded JBL stage monitor with two 15" woofers (combined L+R rear channels via mixer), and get as much bass from good recordings as from L-R front channels.

pcolvin
29 posts
 

The original surround sound standard does not include a need for FS speakers for anything other than LR.  All other speakers were 200hz and up. This has been carried through for decades now in the cinemas. Bass has always been handled by sub-woofers. 

mahler123
4,034 posts
 

The only thing I can add here to the otherwise excellent responses is that rears should be used mainly for ambience and are not meant to carry the load.  Monitor size speakers should be adequate for this.  TBH I have never heard a system that uses floorstanders as rears, so I can’t really justify my claims with experience 

mark200mph
854 posts
 

I have full size speakers for front and rear.wih dsp my denon avr 110 has the microphone that evens it all out.atmos is great.some music recording now are in atmos.they have self prowered subs.with class d 1500 watts each.class d is where it's at now for base speakers.the home theater stuff now is better than the theater.16 Chanel sound who needs stero.that should get it going.enjoy the search.with the dsp it's able to control time delay gain ie volumn  lessing the effects of different amplifiers.alot of these processors for home theater have xlr out the back so you can use internal amp or shut that channel off and use external amp.this makes it better for the front and center channel that require more wattage than the rest of the surrounds.you can even set it for stero mode only

plain_fan's avatar
plain_fan
26 posts
 

I have full range spears at each of the corners (FL/FR/RL/RR) which was a decision made to support the multichannel SACD format which does spec full range rears.

With that said, I have never once wished that I had smaller speakers in the rears.

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