AudioAficionado.org - 2 channel bedroom system converted to 5.1 Surround...

I’ve been remiss on updating on my audio adventures for the last few months. I have however, been pretty busy.

For many years, I’ve wanted to somehow get a surround setup up and running in my home. However, each of my systems presented real problems in achieving this.
The first (and biggest) problem has been the ability, (or lack of) to situate my TV screen between the “front” speakers. My main (living room) system, simply would
present too many challenges and/or unacceptable compromises to do such a conversion. My office system’s configuration makes it similarly impossible. The same held
true with my Florida room system.

That leaves my bedroom system, which did in fact (already) meet the first criteria-the TV screen is located between the front speakers. So, with this being the only system
I own that even remotely lent itself to a theater setup, I have for the last few years pondered what the best way might be to accomplish it. I realized that I already had the
basic building blocks-decent, though small (JBL 4401) front speakers, an HD television, and a basic room arrangement that would work. In addition, I had a little over a year
ago added a JL Audio E110 subwoofer to the fold.

In the earlier stages of my thinking, I thought I would just get a fairly budget surround receiver (perhaps a Marantz) center and surround speakers, and be done with it.
Perhaps I could still utilize my beloved vintage McIntosh MC2125 amplifier for the front channels. Then there was what type of center and surround speakers to use? Should
I hang them from the walls? Should I mount them in the walls and/or ceiling? I didn’t want to visually clutter up the room with hanging speakers. On the other hand, I’d had
zero experience with in wall or in ceiling speakers.

As I considered the electronics, I knew that, deep down inside, I was going to want to go with McIntosh. But, these units are large! Especially in terms of depth-they are all
at least 17 inches (or more) deep. The shelf where my existing McIntosh MX117 Tuner-preamp and MC2125 amplifier resided is only 14-1/2” deep. My rack/shelf was not subject
to change. I had been very impressed with the performance of Dan’s (aka jdandy) McIntosh MX120 theater processor in his studio HT system. But man, is that thing big!

After much trepidation, I decided that McIntosh, in spite of its size challenges, is still the way to go. I was okay with the height of the MX120, and I was fairly confident I could
make it work with the depth, though it would be tight. The only multi-channel McIntosh amplifier that could work for me from the physical size standpoint would be the
MC206-a six channel (120W x 6) amplifier.

It took a bit of searching, and making offers, but I succeeded in procuring a like-new MX120 processor, and an MC206 amplifier. Both from eBay. The seller of the amplifier was
actually a McIntosh dealer. He advised that the amp had been gone through, tested, lamps replaced, and so on. The shipment was delayed until he could procure a shipping carton
from McIntosh in Binghamton. (wise decision).

After a seemingly long wait, my McIntosh components arrived, and they are beauties...

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Next, I turned my attention to the center and surround speakers. I’m really in unchartered waters now. I decided to go with In-wall/In-ceiling speakers, in the interest of a clean
looking room post-install. The JBL In-wall and In-ceiling speakers had captured my attention. The JBL studio series are offered in 6-inch and 8-inch, 2-way models. I opted for the
smaller models, in to more closely match my 4401 monitors, which are a 2-way model with a 6-inch woofer. Despite their small size, I’ve always been impressed with its capabilities.
(I also use two of these in my office system, with a JL Audio E112 subwoofer). As it turned out, the option of in-wall for the surround speakers had to be ruled out. (one wall had block
wall behind it, the other had a bedroom medicine chest behind the wall). So, the final decision was made for a JBL Studio 6IW speaker for the center channel, and (2) JBL Studio 6IC
speakers for the surrounds. The in-wall and in-ceiling designs are essentially identical, with the ceiling versions being round, vs. rectangular as is the in-wall version.

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Then of course I needed to place a pretty sizable cable order with Ivan. The speaker wiring would be routed through the walls and attic, with wall connection plates. Thus a clean installation
would be achieved with essentially no visible wiring. I would also upgrade the speaker cables for the existing fronts. I ordered I think 28 meters of WW Solstice cables from Ivan, along with
a number of other needed cables to complete the installation.

With all the essentials finally in hand, the initial installation was completed. I started at around 10AM on a Saturday morning, and went to bed around 3AM the following Sunday morning.
Running wiring through the walls and attic is never fun!The next day, after muddling my way through the MX120 setup (with some phone support from Dan), I was finally getting my first
listening/viewing sessions in. All the work and expense had paid off in spades…I was quite surprised (and still am) at the kind of performance the system is delivering. BIG sound from a
seemingly “modest” surround setup. The placement of the surround speakers in the ceiling turned out a winner. And, the performance of the JBL Studio 6 series In-wall and in-celing speakers
did not disappoint. While I was completely confident about the McIntosh electronics and JL subwoofer, I was essentially “betting the whole farm” on these speakers. They turned out to be the
perfect choice.

As these things go, one thing leads to another. It wasn’t long before I began considering the benefits of a second subwoofer, on the other side of the room. So, Ivan was soon shipping me a second
JL Audio E110 subwoofer, and I set about having bases made for both subwoofers. One base is larger than the other, to kind of fill up a corner cubby hole in the bedroom as you first walk in. The larger
base also allows for some decorative items to set things off nicely.

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Then, what story would be complete without Dan putting up a thread on his new 4K Sony televisions, and an Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player. This story wouldn’t have been, so in came a new
Sony XBR-49X900E 49 inch 4K UHD TV, and an Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player.

Here are some shots of the completed installation:

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I am absolutely thrilled with the end results of this conversion. Surround sound is a very fun ride indeed. The performance of the system itself has me floored-it performs well
beyond my expectations. The seemingly small size of the loudspeaker systems belies what the system is actually capable of. The dual JL Audio subwoofers without a doubt
contribute to the overall power of the system, but the smaller JBLs, all of them...are doing a fantastic job.

As a footnote....although this 5.1 channel rig is probably all I will ever need, I did allow for, and marked locations for, 2 more rear surrounds, should I ever decide to expand the system to 7.1.

Thanks for sharing in my continued journeys!