Help with Home Theater and Music Setup!

[MentalVirus]

All,

I am trying to plan out a home theater/music system for my house. I have a second story loft area that is going to be a combination of a home theater and a game room. The area is approx. 18’ x 35’, open to the first story on one side and a vaulted ceiling.

I have attempted to choose the equipment that I would like to use and would like to get input on whether it seems like a reasonable combination and some details on HOW to seup/connect/wire some of the system. I am looking to set up the system as a 5.1 with the option of going to a 7.1 in the future if I feel it’s worth it. Here is a list of the equipment that I am currently looking to purchase:

AV Receiver: Yamaha RX-V675 7.2
(105 W per channel (8 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.9% THD, 2 ch driven) 90 W per channel (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.09% THD, 2 ch driven)

Floor Speakers: (2) Cerwin Vega XLS-215
Power Capacity: 500 watts (Peak )
Sensitivity in SPL: 95.3 dB (@ 8 ohms @ 1 meter full)
Impedance: 6 ohms

Center Speaker: Cerwin Vega XLS-6C

Rear Surround Speakers: Cerwin (2) Vega XLS-6
Power Capacity: 125 watts (Peak )
Sensitivity in SPL: 85 dB (@ 8 ohms @ 1 meter full)
Impedance: 6 ohms

Amp: Crown XLS 1500, 2 Channel, 525W @ 4 Ohms/Channel (300W @ 8ohms/Channel)

My main question, if this setup seems reasonable, is about hooking up the amp to the XLS-215 speakers. I would like to use the XLS-215 speakers in a 5.1 surround setup and have them act as the front channels and subs. These speakers have separate hookups on the back with jumper straps to connect the two sets of inputs. IF I want to use these in the manor I stated, should I separate the inputs? Using the midrange/tweeter inputs as the front channels being powered by the AV Receiver and the subs connected to the Crown amplifier? OR, should the whole speaker be connected to the amplifier? I don’t know the best way of going about using these loud speakers with an amplifier and as part of a 5.1 system. I’m thinking connect one ‘front’ channel to each of the mid/tweeters connections from the receiver to the speakers, then use one of the two “Subwoofer Pre Outs” on the back of the receiver to run to the amp and then from the amp to each of the sub hookups on the speakers.

I apologize if this is too verbose, or not enough info or very elementary but I’m looking to buy this stuff asap and just want to make sure I’m not getting components that I shouldn’t be! I greatly appreciate input from some more experienced people here!

Thank you for any input on this setup!

 

[MentalVirus]

I think I can make this a little more clear and condense. These are the speakers that I want to use but I am open to other options for the AV Receiver and an amplifier. I need help knowing how to incorporate these Cerwin Vega XLS-215 3-way loud speakers into a 5.1 system and include an amplifier. It will also be used for listening to music.

 

[agarwalro]

All,

I am trying to plan out a home theater/music system for my house. I have a second story loft area that is going to be a combination of a home theater and a game room. The area is approx. 18’ x 35’, open to the first story on one side and a vaulted ceiling.

I have attempted to choose the equipment that I would like to use and would like to get input on whether it seems like a reasonable combination and some details on HOW to seup/connect/wire some of the system. I am looking to set up the system as a 5.1 with the option of going to a 7.1 in the future if I feel it’s worth it. Here is a list of the equipment that I am currently looking to purchase:

AV Receiver: Yamaha RX-V675 7.2
(105 W per channel (8 ohms, 1 kHz, 0.9% THD, 2 ch driven) 90 W per channel (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.09% THD, 2 ch driven)

Floor Speakers: (2) Cerwin Vega XLS-215
Power Capacity: 500 watts (Peak )
Sensitivity in SPL: 95.3 dB (@ 8 ohms @ 1 meter full)
Impedance: 6 ohms

Center Speaker: Cerwin Vega XLS-6C

Rear Surround Speakers: Cerwin (2) Vega XLS-6
Power Capacity: 125 watts (Peak )
Sensitivity in SPL: 85 dB (@ 8 ohms @ 1 meter full)
Impedance: 6 ohms

Amp: Crown XLS 1500, 2 Channel, 525W @ 4 Ohms/Channel (300W @ 8ohms/Channel)

My main question, if this setup seems reasonable, is about hooking up the amp to the XLS-215 speakers. I would like to use the XLS-215 speakers in a 5.1 surround setup and have them act as the front channels and subs. These speakers have separate hookups on the back with jumper straps to connect the two sets of inputs. IF I want to use these in the manor I stated, should I separate the inputs? Using the midrange/tweeter inputs as the front channels being powered by the AV Receiver and the subs connected to the Crown amplifier? OR, should the whole speaker be connected to the amplifier? I don’t know the best way of going about using these loud speakers with an amplifier and as part of a 5.1 system. I’m thinking connect one ‘front’ channel to each of the mid/tweeters connections from the receiver to the speakers, then use one of the two “Subwoofer Pre Outs” on the back of the receiver to run to the amp and then from the amp to each of the sub hookups on the speakers.

I apologize if this is too verbose, or not enough info or very elementary but I’m looking to buy this stuff asap and just want to make sure I’m not getting components that I shouldn’t be! I greatly appreciate input from some more experienced people here!

Thank you for any input on this setup!

I don't see any issues with your selections or your intended use. If anything, for a large open space, you have made a good choice picking efficient speakers which can take a lot of power.

To connect the 215, leave the jumpers in place. Connect the Yamaha Front L, R pre-outs to the Crown and then from amp to respective speaker.

Definitely plan on adding one or two big subs eventually.

 

[MentalVirus]

agarwalro, thank you for your reply! Concerning your statement "Connect the Yamaha Front L, R pre-outs to the Crown and then from amp to respective speaker", is this possible with the Yamaha RX V675? Does it have 'pre-outs' for the font channels? It see that the back has 'sub woofer' pre outs but all of the other channels have the normal outputs which I don't believe can be used to run to an amp? Am I missing something, would I need a different receiver that does have them or another piece of equipment between the receiver and amp etc.?

Tried to add a picture of the back but it wont let me since I don't have more than 6 posts...


Also, I don't necessarily doubt you, but I am surprised by thinking that I will want to add 1 or 2 big subs? I was thinking that (4) 15" woofers in the XLS-215 speakers would be enough to make it feel like you're getting hit with a sledge hammer already! Is it that you think I would want/need more bass or to get a lower frequency response?

Also, I guess if I use this set up, it's not technically a 5.1 because there is no dedicated, stand alone sub!?! Is this an issue at all with setting up the surround sound?

Thank you!

 

[agarwalro]

Good catch! That specific Yamaha does not have pre-outs for main speakers. Dang it! That means to use the Crown as proposed earlier, you will need to pick a different receiver. Specifically, any receiver with pre-outs will be good enough. Don't get hung up on brand, pick whichever has the most features you see yourself using and of course, best price.

The space is big as it is, then one side is open to the lower level. This is a bass hog space. The 215 may pump enough bass for music, but, for movies, you may need to add subs. Best it to try it yourself. If you are happy with the bass, forget the subs.

Not having subs is not an issue. The receiver will redirect the LFE channel (the x.1) to the main L, R speakers when you set the receiver up.

 

[MentalVirus]

Great, thanks for the info. I will look at some other options for the receiver. Another general question. When set up in a 5.1 configuration, what happens when you go to strickly listening to music with that setup? Does it go to stereo and only use the loud speakers? Does it go to a 2.1 and use the loud speakers and sub? Does it use all of the speakers in the system? Is this something that you specifically chose and set up to be the way you want it? What is typical for this kind of setup?

Thanks much!

 

[agarwalro]

The receiver automatically decides what speakers to play based on the input signal and your settings. If you set it to play only those speakers for which there is signal, meaning, no processing like "all channel stereo" or Dolby ProLogic, it will only play 2.0 music to the Main L, R speakers (and, sub if present with bass management enabled).

 

[MentalVirus]

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply agarwalro. These are the little details that had me starting to bang my head into the wall. It all makes sense and seems pretty straight forward now. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't completely out in left field and I feel much more confident now...

 

[agarwalro]

You're welcome man! Have fun setting things up and then enjoy the fruits of your efforts. Some of us on AH are so OCD about AV that we forget the fun part, kicking back and letting the setup play without critiquing it or tweaking it or finding a cause for the next upgrade.