Here is a list of monitors that can be used for surround. Almost any speaker/monitor can be used but for professional results you should use high-quality near field or large field (full range) studio monitors. It is important to have all 5 main speakers be of the same type and manufacture. This is mainly because of the timbre changes that occurs while panning/listening from different monitor types. Another important thing is to use a large enough speaker for your studio. With near-fields you need to be sure that they aren't too far away from you listening position.

If you can afford it, full range (20Hz to 20kHz) speakers are the best way to go. The reason for this is you can mix your songs/movie without having to use bass management (other than LFE channel being properly calibrated). Many home sound engineer's can't afford 5 full range speakers or the space to mount them.

Genelec Inc.
7 Tech Circle, Natick
Mass. 01760, USA
Telephone (508) 652 0900

Genelec has a handy speaker guide that helps to select the proper speaker size and listening distance for your studio. For near fields the Genelec 1029A bi-amped speaker is a great choice for surround sound. You'll have to use their 7050A Subwoofer for 20Hz to 20kHz full range compliance. Check the Speaker guide to see which speaker is best for your situation. They don't mind at all if you call them on the phone to ask questions.

Alesis
12555 Jefferson Boulevard Suite 285
Los Angeles, CA 90066 USA
Telephone (310) 821-5000

Alesis Studio Monitors

The Alesis ProActive 5.1 is really a good consumer product. I would say that using 5 of the ProLinear 720 monitors would be much better for mixing in 5.1 surround. The ProActive speaker system is great for watching movies and listening to music. It will work for mixing in surround but I think they are underpowered. This would be a great system for small studios or if all you can afford for your complete speaker/monitoring system is under $400.00.

The Alesis ProLinear 720/820 Monitors are good choices for Surround. You'll need to get a subwoofer and bass management system to be able to use them. The Tannoy, Event, Genelec, and Mackie subwoofers would work with these monitors.

Mackie
16220 Wood-Red Rd. N.E.
Woodinville, WA 98072 USA
U.S.A: 800-898-3211
International: 425-487-4333 Mackie Studio Monitors The Mackie HR824 and HR624 are excellent studio monitors for surround sound studios. They are powered monitors and can be used with bass management and has a complementary subwoofer. The HR824's frequency response is pretty flat from 39Hz to 22kHz. Both the HR824/HR624 are very transparent and neutral sounding. They allow you to listen longer without your ears becoming fatigued.

Using five HR824 studio monitors with the Mackie HRS150 active subwoofer has a 15" downward firing woofer plus it has two side-firing 12-inch passive radiators that move even more air. This sub or the HRS120 sub would work with either of the HR Studio monitors.