Home Theater Schooling

[Xyster101]

I want to set up a surround sound in the living room. The room is big at 20'x25' with a 65" wall mounted TV on one end and a 8' window on the other.

I would like to do 5.1 with the rears in wall and possibly the fronts in wall if I can find good in wall speakers.

I was looking at the Onkyo TX-NR609 receiver but am open to other ideas. I would like the receiver to have:

 

optical in

HDMI (switching is best)

Internet with pandora would be nice

Droid remote app would be nice

 

I already ran wires in the wall for speakers and hook ups are on the right and left of the window.

I need to stay under $1,000 for it all, less is better. I currently have a DVD/Surround all in one unit that is ok, but no inputs, so it will go somewhere else. The TV speakers suck and Netflicks is very quiet and hard to hear.

 

http://www.adamdaley.com/max/house/lr1.jpg

 

http://www.adamdaley.com/max/house/lr.jpg

 

Pardon the mess. Plywood keeps dog off the couches. Cardboard is our fireplace doors (ordered new ones, house did not come with them).

[944s2]

To be honest this can be done, BUT.... some towers would sound really good in that big room, unfortunately IMO (repeat IMO) that would be all you would get for 1k, would be the two towers. You would still need at least 500 for a reciever and would not have a sub, center or 2 surrounds.

Again (IMO) When it comes to home theater if this is your main viewing room (which it looks like it is by the nice tv and size of room) I would start to piece together a system that will make you happy for a very long time, rather than by a sub-par system that may not be as reliable in the long run.

Personally with my taste I like the Klipsch RF 62 towers. Now this is only if you like horn speakers, (they can be a little more of an aquired taste and possibly a little harsher on the ears after extended listening periods.)

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-RF-62-Reference-Floorstanding-Speaker/dp/tech-data/B00415E7FE

But for the price they are often compared with the Paradigm Studio 100's which you will not be able to find for sale online for two reasons. 1. Paradigm only authorizes sale through store front dealers. 2. People like them and want to keep them. So you can find some used pairs on http://app.audiogon.com/ but none new on amazon. Either way they are about twice as much new and were made the same year as the RF 62's originals. (The link I gave you was for the new RF-62 II's)

 

I truly believe that with the awesome room you have if you take your 1k and start buying the pieces to put this system together, in the end you will be much happier. (and you may be able to get two great sounding towers and a receiver fairly quickly and enjoy without surround sound till you get the rest.)

 

My ideal system for under $3500

Towers:

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-RF-62-Reference-Floorstanding-Speaker/dp/B00415E7FE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

$480 each

 

Center:

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-RC-62-Center-Channel-Speaker/dp/B0040QS8R2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1328157557&sr=1-1

$550

 

Surrounds

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-RS-52-Black-Surround-Speaker/dp/B0041GI830/ref=pd_vtp_e_5

$400 Each

 

Sub

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-RW-12D-12-Subwoofer-Each/dp/B000UVWIO0

$425

Reciever....

Anything around $500 should power this nicely, Yamaha, Denon. etc.

Wiring $200

Total $3435

The system on Klipsch.com

http://www.klipsch.com/rf-62-ii-home-theater-system

The prices on Amazon fluctuate a lot sometimes and you can get good deals on this stuff.

 

But if you do have to stay under 1k some of their other systems can still be great.

http://www.klipsch.com/synergy

 

A good quote from the Amazon review...

"I couldn't be happier with this purchase and would strongly recommend the RF 62 II to anyone who is in the market to build a high quality home theater system without breaking the bank."

 

"You have to remember that speakers are an investment. Materials and construction may improve over time, but the core technology hasn't and probably won't. A great sounding speaker today, if treated well, will still be a great sounding speaker 20 years from now."

[Trouble Maker]

I don't think you need to spend that much. I probably spent around a grand and feel I have a nice system, especially for non-critical listening like watching TV or a movie. You are welcome to come over and listen to it. Unfortuantely (for you) I got the speakers on a deal, the company doesn't make them anymore and the new version are bigger and more expensive. So I can't suggest them since you can't buy them, but I will do some more research and see what I can find.

 

The one thing I would say is DO NOT buy Onkyo. I used to love them. I bought a very nice (expensive) Onkyo reciever when I was in college. It died 4-5 years later. DSP chip/board died. The most recent one I bough 'died' (no longer does HDMI switching due to a know issue with the board) about 6 months ago it was only ~2.5 years old at that point. Never again. 4-5 years through college I can deal with, I beat on that thing playing it for longer and louder than I should have, moved it dozens of times. The most recent one never gets played loud and was never moved. They just used shitty caps on that board (or had heat issues in that area). Anyways, something that should have been or maybe even was found during life cycle testing.

 

How much is the 609 going for, I can suggest something else?

 

I will likely Pioneer or Yamaha next.

 

All of the major companies have competitors around the same price points with similar features. IIRC the only big thing going for the Onkyo is 4K upscaling but it doesn't matter unless you want to spend $x0,000 on a display or projector.

 

Here is a good comparison for features and relative price. Keep in mind those are MSPR and just like they Onkyo the street prices are going to be less, especially since most of them are reaching the end of their product cycle.

http://www.audioholics.com/buying-guides/how-to-shop/2011-600-a-v-receiver-comparison-guide

[gbracing81]

Surround or no surround, looks like a pretty freakin sweet house. Can I come hang out? I can't see on the sofa, but on your loveseat the feet are turned around backwards.

[Not Brian]

Surround or no surround, looks like a pretty freakin sweet house. Can I come hang out? I can't see on the sofa, but on your loveseat the feet are turned around backwards.

 

iirc he started out tearing out a window for a bigger one and that entire room ended up being junk so he rebuilt the whole room.

 

xyster, what are you using optical for? I picked up a 500 watt receiver from Best Buy for like $200 and it sounds amazing. It was inexpensive because it only has HDMI connections - but HDMI is the best and it's all I use so win/win

[AudiOn19s]

Kevin's got a sub for sale that might get you going in the right direction on a budget.

http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100063

 

Buy the best center speaker you can afford, The front surrounds are also important but you can get away with something budget if you want to build up the system little by little some of the front towers can get really spendy pretty quick but you can buy *decent* speakers for reasonable money.

 

I've got an old Harman Kardon AVR that's sitting there since I upgraded this year I'd let go pretty cheap. 55w per channel, 7.1 surround capable, Logic 7, etc, but it doesn't have any HDMI inputs though so video needs to happen through component. I basically got to the point where I ran audio to the AVR and video directly to the TV. In all honesty with my new unit all of the video processing goes through the AVR now and I can't notice any difference, just easier from a wiring standpoint.

[SPL_Josh]

Line arrays

transmission lines

That is all

 

Built>bought

[Second Gen]

Look on CL local.. They have plenty of decent sets of speakers for a reasonable price.. Agreed though you probably need towers to get decent sound in a big room..

 

Nt mine, but has potential for you (Speakers only)

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/2800832889.html

 

Onkyo makes some great stuff and think this (Or something like it) would be great matched with the receiver above..

[Trouble Maker]

Agreed though you probably need towers to get decent sound in a big room.

 

This is probably true... that's a lot of volume to fill. Though it really depends on how 'loud' he wants to listen to movies/music. Most people don't even want to listen to 'reference level'.

 

Nt mine, but has potential for you (Speakers only)

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/2800832889.html

 

I think a friend of mine had these in college... at least the towers and he had a 5 channel setup so probably the same center and surounds. It was a nice setup... from what I remember. I think he still has it, 10 years later.

 

 

Onkyo makes some great stuff ...

 

NO! :no: Sorry, read my post above. I've had 2 die what I consider pre-mature deaths. I will 'bash' them until the day I die.

 

To the OP. If you are dead set on in-walls, I just ran across this company again.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/in-wall-speakers.html

They make some nice looking (sealed) in wall speakers. They even make a their 'mid-tower' (M22) in wall so it's a decent sized speaker. Any of their in-wall's will shoot your budget with a sub and speaker though.

I've never heard their speakers, but the online community raves about them. And IIRC they have a money back guarantee. Don't like them and send them back, you only pay for shipping.

 

While I'm not a big fan of in-wall speakers, it's not the worst solution for the fronts it's still a far better than a sound-bar or your TVs speakers. For the rears, especially with your room setup I would highly suggest some small bookshelf speakers mounted on the walls with some pivoting mounts. That way you can aim them towards the seats. I really wouldn't want to see you mount them in that back wall (far from the seats) or in the walls next to the seats (not at all pointed at the listening area).

[Trouble Maker]

Line arrays

transmission lines

That is all

 

Built>bought

 

IIRC the OP is a shop/woodworking instructor. If so, I would think this is definitely an option for him. I would suggest him to get a 'pre-built' solution so he doesn't have to bother with speaker design but can make himself some very nice enclosures.

 

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=302-853

 

Just to get an idea.

[TTQ B4U]

The one thing I would say is DO NOT buy Onkyo. I used to love them. I bought a very nice (expensive) Onkyo reciever when I was in college. It died 4-5 years later. DSP chip/board died. The most recent one I bough 'died' (no longer does HDMI switching due to a know issue with the board) about 6 months ago it was only ~2.5 years old at that point.

 

I have to disagree with this. I have 3 Onkyo units in my house and they are all driven hard and still doing well. The one in my garage gets beat on the most and it's still one of my favorites even though it's the oldest. IMO has the best set of listening modes even over my current Onkyo SR-805 in our great room.

 

IMO worth drive to check out the Paradigm line up at Genesis Audio. You might not be within budget, but you'll get the idea of what you can do with wall speakers. We have Paradigm connected to both our systems upstairs in the great room (towers) and in the theater room (wall mount) in our lower level. Both are 25 x 28 in size and let's just say volume and filling the house, not room, isn't a problem. Expand your budget, you won't regret it.

[GTPSS]

I have a TV room (28x16) with a 65in 3D TV and samsung 1000w 5.1. It fills the room up great!

 

I dont see the need to go much if any past that.

[Clifford Automotive]

Thanks Andy. The sub I have will rock your world, literally. I just dont have room for it where I am now. Maybe the next house.

 

Im in the middle of painting another truck so I will come back to this.

[SPL_Josh]

Ill agree with not buying onkyo. I've had one go bad after 1 year.

[Trouble Maker]

I have to disagree with this.

 

I have to disagree with you disagreeing. :fa:

 

So many of what I own had the same problem there are video how-to's on fixing them. https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=onkyo+tx-sr606+hdmi+board

IIRC it wasn't just the 606's that had the problem but this same HDMI board was used in multiple variations.

 

Maybe my old one was a fluke or I used it too hard. It's a general consensus that lately they stopped focusing on quality and focused on quantity (of mostly useless features).

 

At any rate, I spent $500 on my first one and $350 on my second one (MSRP much higher) to have them last a combined 6-7 years. I will never again buy one and I'm bound by my common sense to relay my story anywhere someone talks about buying one.

[Xyster101]

I don't think you need to spend that much. I probably spent around a grand and feel I have a nice system, especially for non-critical listening like watching TV or a movie. You are welcome to come over and listen to it. Unfortuantely (for you) I got the speakers on a deal, the company doesn't make them anymore and the new version are bigger and more expensive. So I can't suggest them since you can't buy them, but I will do some more research and see what I can find.

 

 

How much is the 609 going for, I can suggest something else?

 

I will likely Pioneer or Yamaha next.

 

 

 

That Onkyo is going for just under $400. I was also looking at a Harmin Karden for around $320 on super sale at Newegg. Thanks for the advice on parts.

 

 

Line arrays

transmission lines

That is all

 

Built>bought

 

I would assume this means that I make the enclosures myself? I could do this easily, but does it really save that much money? I would figure $40 a sheet for some MDF and then my time to build it. I would then have to put a decent finish on it.

 

These Paradigm speakers

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/2800832889.html

look nice, but I don't really want towers that large in the front. Plus the wif would not go for it. I never even thought of looking through craigslist. I used to work at Circuit City and speakers are marked up 50%, so I can't justify spending retail on them.

 

I have no problem upping the budget a little, maybe $1500-$2000, but I spent $1000 more on the TV then I should have. I should have gotten the 55", the 65" is too big (but the sale on it was great).

 

 

TroubleMaker: Good memory on my being a woodworker at Marysville High School. Here is the room before I bought the house:

 

http://www.adamdaley.com/max/house/01.jpg

 

Then I did this as the structure was a mess.

http://www.adamdaley.com/max/house/07.jpg

[Xyster101]

iirc he started out tearing out a window for a bigger one and that entire room ended up being junk so he rebuilt the whole room.

 

xyster, what are you using optical for? I picked up a 500 watt receiver from Best Buy for like $200 and it sounds amazing. It was inexpensive because it only has HDMI connections - but HDMI is the best and it's all I use so win/win

 

Good memory. The TV has optical audio out. It is a smart TV, so when we watch Netflicks or other streaming shows it comes right through the TV. I would be fine with only HDMI connections. What did you get?

[TTQ B4U]

These Paradigm speakers

http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/2800832889.html

look nice, but I don't really want towers that large in the front. Plus the wif would not go for it. I never even thought of looking through craigslist. I used to work at Circuit City and speakers are marked up 50%, so I can't justify spending retail on them.

 

I may have to contact that seller. There's not the same level as my studio series, they look like reference series, but even so, those are nice towers. LOL at him not knowing it. I might be able to steal them and put them in our sitting room upstairs. :gabe:

[Not Brian]

Good memory. The TV has optical audio out. It is a smart TV, so when we watch Netflicks or other streaming shows it comes right through the TV. I would be fine with only HDMI connections. What did you get?

 

I got a Denon AVR-1312 (It has an optical port)

 

http://www2.crutchfield.com.edgesuite.net/pix.crutchfield.com/products/2011/12/033/x033AV1312-F.jpeg

 

http://a248.e.akamai.net/pix.crutchfield.com/products/2011/12/033/x033AV1312-B.jpeg

 

 

 

 

 

 

My only complaint is how weird the volume display is... the range as you turn it up goes from -60 up to like -20. Some surround sounds aren't very "surroundy" but this one is amazing.

[Second Gen]

I have the Polk monitor series (60's and 50's and a CI3 with a Boston Acoustics 12' sub). This paired with a Sony running 100watts per channel (switching HDMI) into a 1080p projector. This looks / sounds great. I picked up the center, rears and a Polk 10" sub @ HHGreg for about $350 (Sold the sub). Assume you can pick up a similar setup with pretty good sound around your budet paired with a decent receiver. If interested in the model # of the Sony let me know and I will get it tonight @ home..

[Tshensley]

Hey Newegg.com is running a promotion sale for the Pioneer VSX-1021-k which is reguraly $549.99 for $299.99 with free shipping

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117395&Tpk=vsx%201021

 

Enter promo code

 

EMCNHNG22

[Radio Flyer1647545514]

Onkyo makes some great receivers. For music I have a pair of Klipsch floor speakers powered by an Onkyo.

 

There is a lot that goes into how a speaker performs. Pay attention to what you have in your room that can effect the sound.

 

Don't mix and match speakers.

[SPL_Josh]

Onkyo makes some great receivers.

Don't mix and match speakers.

 

lol

8ohms=8ohm:yuno:

you can mix and match whatever as long as the impedance isnt below minimum.

 

and Onkyo is junk...yes mad:fuuuu:

[AWW$HEEET]

Klipsch shit is nice

[cruizin01]

I definitely wouldn't recommend Inwalls with the budget you have. I would agree with the others, buy quality pieces here and there. You will be much happier in the end.