Domesticating the former-bachelor audiophile

[TLS Guy]

A 40 inch TV over the fireplace will look very small. Also, it not good for your neck to be looking up that high. A TV as well as the speakers should be eye level for TV and ear level for the speakers. See if you can relocate the TV.

Also, keep your equipment for the HT in the basement.

I don't think there is an absolute requirement for it to be in the basement, but your other comments are on target.

A dedicated room however is a huge advantage.

[lsiberian]

I don't think there is an absolute requirement for it to be in the basement, but your other comments are on target.

A dedicated room however is a huge advantage.

I personally use the living room for my setup and run my wires under a nice rug. I realize sound is never ideal in this type of setup, but it's still way better than any HTIB. I think any space should be given the best sound possible regardless of function. Certainly that pair of speakers will do the job fantastically.

[AcuDefTechGuy]

My starting point would be something like a pair of NHT Superzeros and either NHT's matching 8" sub, or SVS SB12-NSD (or comparable).
(budget would be approx $1000 for a pair of speakers and the sub)

Nothing wrong with that.

I would get 2 NHT Absolute Zero ($400 delivered) + 1 Rythmik FV12 (~ $565 delivered).

The Absolute Zero’s listening-window response (a five-point average of axial and +/–15-degree horizontal and vertical responses) measures +0.94/–0.82 decibels from 200 hertz to 10 kilohertz. The –3-dB point is at 83 Hz, and the –6-dB point is at 72 Hz. Impedance reaches a minimum of 5.19 ohms at 192 Hz and a phase angle of –46.25 degrees at 111 Hz.

It's going to be almost impossible to beat that "+0.94/–0.82 decibels" response at any price points.

http://www.hometheater.com/content/n...-labs-measures

[klaberte]

Thanks for the great suggestions!

I note that several of the suggested speakers have rear ports, and are on the order of 9" deep. Since my mantle is 9" deep, my assumption is that those speakers will huff and puff, and no one will be happy. Aren't I better off with a sealed NHT or Intimus 4B, or similar? Note, I will have a subwoofer, probably crossed around 80-100 Hz.

[klaberte]

A 40 inch TV over the fireplace will look very small. Also, it not good for your neck to be looking up that high. A TV as well as the speakers should be eye level for TV and ear level for the speakers. See if you can relocate the TV.

Also, keep your equipment for the HT in the basement.

So, here is a picture of the room (we don't yet own the house, so sadly, the beautiful pictured furniture belongs to the seller, and isn't staying)

dl.dropbox.com/u/5722618/familyroom.JPG

As you can see, the options are above the fireplace, or in the corner. I have always been told that the corner is bad option for speaker placement, but am willing to be advised differently.

So, corner (with speaker location suggestions), or over fireplace?

[klaberte]

In my opinion, no. I own the Orbs and the Minx, so there is some perspective to that statement. The Minx speakers, with that incredible BMR driver, sound amazing, with imaging and detail that's belies their diminutive size. But they lack depth in the midrange. The Orbs suffer the same depth issue, and don't have anywhere near the soundstage of the Minx.




A few potential satellites to consider are:

• Aperion Audio Intimus 5B
• Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE or HTM-200 SE
• Emotiva XRM 4.1
• XTZ 93.22 or 95.24
• Crystal Acoustics TX-B1
• Source Loudspeakers 1.4 CF

A couple of subwoofers you could match with those satellites are:

• Simply Sound Audio Rumba 12
• HSU VTF-1
• Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus
• Rythmik FV-12
• BIC PL-200
• Energy V-SW10

I tried to provide a wide variation of size and price, in order to give you a bunch of possible combinations.

I note that you do not include my original speakers, namely the NHT superzeros, or a svs sealed subwoofer. Do you think your suggestions are superior, or did you just not duplicate what I had written?

[zieglj01]

If you are going to place the TV above the fireplace, to excercise your
neck and eyes - then front ported or sealed on the mantle. Also look
at flat panel, or on-wall type speakers..

[theJman]

then front ported or sealed on the mantle. Also look at flat panel, or on-wall type speakers..

+1

The port needs to have space, so rear ported is not a good idea in your case.

[jonnythan]

I would move the TV to the wall on the right opposite the window.

TV above a fireplace is 100% unacceptable, and TV in a corner is only slightly better than that.

[lsiberian]

Thanks for the great suggestions!

I note that several of the suggested speakers have rear ports, and are on the order of 9" deep. Since my mantle is 9" deep, my assumption is that those speakers will huff and puff, and no one will be happy. Aren't I better off with a sealed NHT or Intimus 4B, or similar? Note, I will have a subwoofer, probably crossed around 80-100 Hz.

I typically prefer sealed speakers, but if you are putting them next to the wall you need to ask and make sure no Baffle Compensation is included. A good indicator can be sensitivity. I strongly encourage you put a nice art covered treatment behind the speakers. gik acoustics offers some options for this.