The differences between AV and stereo speakers?

[captain starlight]

Hi all,

 

This may be a naive question but one that has been puzzling me a bit recently.   Is there any technical or audio difference between a normal pair of stereo speakers when compared to the front and rear speakers in an AV setup?

 

I’m aware of the potential differences in the front center channel and of course the sub woofer ( and I am not referring to the sound bars) but I am referring to the actual front left and right speakers, and the rear left and right speakers of a home cinema speaker package?  Are they the same as a normal set of stereo speakers for music systems?

 

the reason I ask, is that I have an amazing set of PSB A5 hooked up to the dying NAD stereo amp.  This is in my basement (I already have a high end system in my separate dedicated stereo room).  I am now contemplating putting an AV receiver in to replace the dying NAD amp and use this second room (basement) as a movie room - coupled to my newly purchased and first 4K screen.   So instead of forking out for a complete cinema speaker package (which seems to run into the thousands of $), could I instead,, keep my A5s in this room as the front speakers, get a complementary set of PSB A3s for the rear and some form of sub woofer and front centre as well.

 

Would this work for movies instead of getting a specifically packaged cinema speaker system?  FWIW I will also be playing SACDs in this room as well.

 

thanks

 

 

[Satanica]

Yes, it will work. You don't need subwoofer(s) (but I recommend you do) and you don't need a centre speaker (your choice).

[almikel]

On 22/11/2024 at 8:04 AM, captain starlight said:

This may be a naive question but one that has been puzzling me a bit recently.   Is there any technical or audio difference between a normal pair of stereo speakers when compared to the front and rear speakers in an AV setup?

Hi Graham,

 

I generally agree with @Satanica, with some additional comments

On 22/11/2024 at 8:04 AM, captain starlight said:

I am referring to the actual front left and right speakers, and the rear left and right speakers of a home cinema speaker package?  Are they the same as a normal set of stereo speakers for music systems?

It totally depends on how much you spend - I'm not familiar with the PSB A5 speakers.

 

Generally you'd have to go a fair way up in cost for the speakers in a home cinema package to be as good as a normal set of stereo speakers.

If your PSB A5 speakers are decent, they'll be fine as front left and right speakers in a home cinema setup.

 

The rear speakers in a home cinema setup are not as critical as the front speakers.

I would always add a sub.

 

cheers,

Mike