Podcast Summary: Home Theater Geeks 474: My Home Theater: Speakers

Release Date: March 20, 2025

In episode 474 of Home Theater Geeks hosted by Scott Wilkinson, the spotlight is on speaker selection and placement within a home theater setup. Scott welcomes back Anthony Grimani, an electrical engineer specializing in audio, electronics, acoustics, and speaker design, who provides expert insights into optimizing a home theater's sound system. This comprehensive discussion delves into the intricacies of speaker design, amplifier selection, installation challenges, and the calibration process to achieve an immersive audio experience.

1. Introduction to the Episode

Timestamp: 00:00 – 01:29

Scott Wilkinson kicks off the episode by introducing Anthony Grimani, highlighting Anthony's expertise and affiliations with Grimani Systems Company, PMI Engineering, and MSR Acoustics. The focus of the episode is set on the speakers that Anthony recommended for Scott's home theater, building anticipation for an in-depth exploration of speaker technology and setup.

2. Speaker Selection

Timestamp: 07:25 – 10:34

Scott discusses his choice of the Grimani Rixos system, specifically opting for the small (S) speakers suited for his compact room. Anthony explains the rationale behind selecting smaller speakers, emphasizing their ability to provide sufficient sound pressure levels without overwhelming the space.

Scott Wilkinson [07:25]: "Which, because it's a relatively small room, we went with... we chose the S, the small, because it's a small room."

Anthony Grimani [09:35]: "We figured out, given how far you are from the speaker, how loud you want to listen and actually gave you quite a bit of headroom over that, that you would be fine with the small size speaker."

Anthony further elaborates on the design features, noting the use of high-quality European-made dome tweeters integrated into waveguides to enhance sound dispersion.

Anthony Grimani [10:14]: "It's made by Audax, has enough sensitivity and when it's loaded in that waveguide, which gives it a little bit more headroom, actually quite a bit more headroom."

3. Speaker Placement and Room Acoustics

Timestamp: 02:55 – 19:15

Anthony and Scott delve into the challenges of placing speakers in a non-ideal room layout—one that is open to a kitchen and lacks dedicated acoustical space. Anthony refers to such setups as "media lounges," requiring creative solutions to replicate a true cinematic experience.

Anthony Grimani [03:46]: "We're trying to do is to reproduce the picture and sound that the director intended... not just observing it."

They discuss the importance of speaker angles, heights, and the compromises made to accommodate room constraints, such as positioning surround speakers on the ceiling instead of walls to maintain a cohesive sound field.

Anthony Grimani [06:16]: "Knowing that the target is this, how can we do something different that is close enough on the target."

4. Amplifier Selection and Configuration

Timestamp: 25:52 – 35:31

The conversation shifts to the amplifiers powering the speakers. Scott showcases Powersoft Meto M324A+ rack-mounted Class D amplifiers used in his setup. Anthony explains the advantages of using active speakers with external amplifiers, highlighting the benefits of digital signal processing (DSP) for precise crossover management and power distribution.

Anthony Grimani [28:07]: "They sound audiophile... we couldn't tell the difference between one of these and... recognizable brands of amplifiers."

Scott praises the amps' ability to maintain consistent power ratings across different speaker loads, enhancing overall system performance.

Anthony Grimani [32:49]: "You get a lot more sound pressure level from that."

The duo discusses the concept of bi-amping, where multiple channels drive individual drivers within a speaker, maximizing efficiency and sound clarity.

Scott Wilkinson [33:18]: "Each channel is driving one driver in the speaker... it's bi-amping."

5. Wiring and Installation

Timestamp: 37:10 – 42:38

Scott details the meticulous wiring process, aided by Grimani Systems' provided diagrams ensuring a clean and organized installation. He credits Greg Wint and his assistant Mark from Wint Audio Video Solutions for their professional installation work in Santa Cruz.

Scott Wilkinson [40:17]: "We have to put little connectors at the ends of the bare wires because the amps have a kind of a special connector."

Anthony emphasizes the importance of clear wiring diagrams to simplify installation and reduce potential errors.

Anthony Grimani [38:11]: "Everybody is happy because there's a reference. This is what you do."

6. Calibration Process

Timestamp: 42:38 – 52:45

Anthony visits Scott to perform the calibration, using Room EQ Wizard software and multiple microphones to fine-tune the speaker outputs. They discuss the balance between technical measurements and subjective listening to achieve an optimal sound profile.

Anthony Grimani [44:15]: "I'm using what's Room EQ Wizard... it's a free download, but please give a donation."

The calibration involves adjusting equalization bands to match target curves, followed by personalized tweaks based on listening tests to ensure dialogue clarity and overall sound comfort.

Anthony Grimani [49:21]: "The sound's going to be really edgy and uncomfortable... the target curve is a good average."

7. Overcoming Installation Challenges

Timestamp: 53:25 – 58:17

Scott and Anthony address the unique challenges posed by the room's layout, such as placing surround and overhead speakers on the ceiling instead of walls. Anthony explains the use of waveguides to spread sound more evenly, preventing the audio from seeming overly height-centric despite unconventional placement.

Anthony Grimani [55:03]: "With this waveguide, we actually splay it out to be much wider."

Scott highlights the aesthetic and practical decisions made to maintain sound quality without compromising the room's design.

Scott Wilkinson [59:21]: "We put the front, left and right speakers down below where they normally would go... for continuity."

8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: 60:28 – End

As the episode wraps up, Anthony provides listeners with resources to explore his work further, including his company's website and design services. They briefly touch on upcoming topics, such as acoustical treatments, promising listeners more expert advice in future episodes.

Anthony Grimani [60:28]: "You can find me either on an airplane, on my way somewhere... www.grimani.tv."

Scott thanks Anthony for his invaluable contributions and encourages listeners to engage with future content and support the podcast through Club TWiT for an ad-free experience.

Key Takeaways

• Speaker Selection: Choosing appropriately sized speakers based on room dimensions ensures optimal sound pressure levels without overpowering the space.
• Active Speakers with External Amps: Utilizing external Class D amplifiers with DSP capabilities enhances sound clarity and system flexibility.
• Creative Speaker Placement: Adapting traditional speaker placement strategies to accommodate unique room layouts maintains a cohesive and immersive audio environment.
• Precision Calibration: Combining technical measurements with subjective listening fine-tunes the sound system to both objective standards and personal preferences.
• Professional Installation: Detailed wiring diagrams and professional installers ensure a clean, organized, and high-performing home theater setup.

Notable Quotes:

• Anthony Grimani [03:46]: "We're trying to do is to reproduce the picture and sound that the director intended... not just observing it."

• Scott Wilkinson [07:25]: "Because it's a relatively small room, we went with... we chose the S, the small, because it's a small room."

• Anthony Grimani [28:07]: "They sound audiophile... we couldn't tell the difference between one of these and... recognizable brands of amplifiers."

• Anthony Grimani [44:15]: "I'm using what's Room EQ Wizard... it's a free download, but please give a donation."

• Anthony Grimani [55:03]: "With this waveguide, we actually splay it out to be much wider."

This episode serves as a valuable resource for home theater enthusiasts seeking expert advice on speaker systems, offering a blend of technical knowledge and practical installation strategies to elevate their audio experience.