My complete new build, what else do i need?

[AParsh]

Hey guys,
Building a complete new set up from scratch going into a new house I bought that should be completed at the end of August. I've gotten a lot of good advice so far, just wanted to post everything I bought for a final approval from the experts .

• Display: UN75HU8550FXZA (http://www.samsung.com/us/video/tvs/UN75HU8550FXZA)
• Mains: Ascend CMT340SE
• Center: Ascend CMT340SE Center
• Surrounds: Ascend CBM170SE
• Receiver: Denon AVR-X4000
• Blu-Ray player: Samsung BD-HM59CZA
• Sub: HSU Research VTF-15H MK2 (pickig up this week, might get 2).
• Main Speaker stands: Bell'O (not ordered yet)
• Surround speaker mounts: Videosecu MS56B - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000X9O8SI?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages02
• Wall Mount: Samsung Slim wall mount (was included free with the TV)
• Speaker cable: Cable Matters 12AWG 100ft http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BWSCXT0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages02
• Banana Plugs: Sewell 12pair http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006U3O566?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages02
• Subwoofer cable (wall plate to sub): Mediabridge Ultra 4ft http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041OOF4I?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages02
• Subwoofer cable (wall plate to receiver): Mediabridge Ultra 4ft http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041OOF4I?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages02
• Subwoofer cable (wall plate to wall plate): Cable matters 10ft http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041OOF4I?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages02
• Receiver wall plate: 3gang 7.2 w/ 3x HDMI http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OJ457AQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages02
• Receiver wall plate bracket: onQ/Legrand 3gang bracket http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0034XRLG6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00
• Left / Right wall plates: I havent ordered these yet because i havnt found what i want. I'm looking for something that has 1x Subwoofer RCA + 4x banana binding speaker posts (1 sub + 2 speakers per plate). This monoprice plate would be great if it was 1 gang and the right side was removed - http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=109&cp_id=10425&cs_id=1042503&p_id=4012&seq=1&format=2
• HDMI cables - bunch of Amazon basics in various sizes http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0052SCU8U?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s02
• Cable management: Wirewold CMK50 (bought 4 of these) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015EDVVU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages01

The plan i have going now is to run 1 HDMI cable from the TV down the wall to the receiver area, and then connect everything to the receiver. Install the large 3gang wall plate behind the receiver and run cables through the wall to left and right equidistant to the 1 gang wall plates that will be behind the subs (assuming i get 2). the L/R speakers will also connect to the same wall plate as the subs, and the surrounds will connect to this 1gang wall plate as well, but will go into the wiremold kit, ran to the far left / right corners, then along the ceiling to the wall mounts in the back of the room. I'l paint these wiremold kits the same color as the walls.

Thoughts? What am I missing? Are any of the ideas bad or have better ideas? Should i skip some of the things I bought above and replace them with different components?

Thanks!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Have you considered a Universal Remote control or you (or more importantly family) ok with operating 4 remotes?

 

[AParsh]

Have you considered a Universal Remote control or you (or more importantly family) ok with operating 4 remotes?

Shoot i forgot to write that in here! I had been looking at something like a logitech Smart control

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Control-Smartphone-Simple/dp/B00BQ5RYI4/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1436204927&sr=1-8&keywords=logitech+harmony&refinements=p_89:Logitech

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Shoot i forgot to write that in here! I had been looking at something like a logitech Smart control

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Control-Smartphone-Simple/dp/B00BQ5RYI4/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1436204927&sr=1-8&keywords=logitech+harmony&refinements=p_89:Logitech

I have mixed feelings about Harmony remotes. I used to have 880 which failed (buttons wont press) exactly after 1 1/2 years. It was a VERY widespread issue and logitech choose to ignore it.
Also, despite initial setup is quite simple, any advanced tweaking is a major PITA with Harmony software

Tbh: Still haven't found one I really love (and easy to program) but build quality of URC remotes is head and shoulders above Logitech.

 

[AParsh]

So looking online at the user manual for this TV it seems that the main Samsung remote does have universal features. With that said, it may be the smartest option to stick with this remote since it does have the really cool "magic wand" features already built in.

 

[big O]

since that receiver has preamps, add a real amp or 3 and the sound quality will be noticeably improved.

i say three because many times its cheaper two buy 3x stereo amps than to buy 1x 5 channel amp, and it gives you more variety to play with the sound of each channel, as every amp will sound different.

 

[AParsh]

since that receiver has preamps, add a real amp or 3 and the sound quality will be noticeably improved.

i say three because many times its cheaper two buy 3x stereo amps than to buy 1x 5 channel amp, and it gives you more variety to play with the sound of each channel, as every amp will sound different.

Will the Audyssey MultEQ XT32 from my AVR-X4000 work just as effectively for tuning with amped speakers as it will with speakers connected directly to the receiver?

 

[fuzz092888]

1) You could save a couple bucks by swapping the mediabridge cables for Monoprice cables.

2) Again, using Monoprice brand vs wiremold would have saved a few bucks.

3) Harmony remotes have been so~so for me in the past, but I have to say the Harmony Ultimate home has been awesome.

4) Any thought to a Roku or Amazon Fire TV?

5) YMMV, but I hate the Samsung remotes.

6)

Will the Audyssey MultEQ XT32 from my AVR-X4000 work just as effectively for tuning with amped speakers as it will with speakers connected directly to the receiver?

Yep. I don't love Audyssey for speakers, but it does do a great job with subs. I have to say I've been able to better it with MiniDSP units, but only with a ton of time and effort, for a result that wasn't head and shoulders "better", but with a little more custom tune.

 

[AParsh]

4) Any thought to a Roku or Amazon Fire TV?

I do have a Fire TV stick already, a chromecast, and a HTPC if needed.
I like the fire tv stick the best, need to fiddle with the settings and my network to get movie files streaming from my NAS to the TV.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I do have a Fire TV stick already, a chromecast, and a HTPC if needed.
I like the fire tv stick the best, need to fiddle with the settings and my network to get movie files streaming from my NAS to the TV.

You have only two options: sideload Kodi (aka XBMC) which is not very elegant, but works, and option b) which I prefer it - using Plex client
it's occasionally the free app of the day on amazon app market, otherwise $5 purchase

 

[AParsh]

yeah i have both plex and kodi installed, just havent put the time/effort into getting it all configured properly. I end up just being lazy and just moving the file onto flash drive and then to the laptop connected to the TV. Not elegant, but it always works.

 

[big O]

Will the Audyssey MultEQ XT32 from my AVR-X4000 work just as effectively for tuning with amped speakers as it will with speakers connected directly to the receiver?

Im not sure so I'll go along with the answer already posted,bbut with a good amp you may find little need for eq. I've been able to change out amps to get a different sound and I find the higher quality of the sound just needs less eq.

I have removed all eq from my sound for the time being even though I have a high quality 11 channel,fully configurable eq. Good speakers,good amp,decent room =not feeling the need for eq

 

[AParsh]

But...buying amps is going to run me a lot more $$$ right?

 

[PENG]

But...buying amps is going to run me a lot more $$$ right?

Not if you go with an Emotiva 2 or 3 channel amp. Is it too late to exchange the X4000 for a 4520?
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavr4520ci/denon-avr-4520ci-denon-s-flagship-home-theater-receiver-150wpc/1.html

They did go for $999.99 new occasionally in the recent past.

 

[agarwalro]

since that receiver has preamps, add a real amp or 3 and the sound quality will be noticeably improved.

i say three because many times its cheaper two buy 3x stereo amps than to buy 1x 5 channel amp, and it gives you more variety to play with the sound of each channel, as every amp will sound different.

I'd say, no need for external amps with the CMT 340. They're fairly efficient.

 

[big O]

But...buying amps is going to run me a lot more $$$ right?

Not if you buy used. Have you checked ebay.

2 channel class ab amps start at $50 to 500. I bought a kenwood sovereign mx5000 last year for 40 on cl.class ab stereo amp 130 wpc or bridgable into 270 watts mono .it weighs about 40 lbs and puts the sound quality of my denon and sony receivers to shame.

I also own a soundcraftsmen pcr800 2x 200w at 8 ohms,or 300 at 4 ohms, that sounds even better then the kenwood and also weighs about 40 lbs. It set me back 80.

And these are the mid end amps.

These types of deals are available all the time. I scratch my head how they can fit a preamp, 7 channel amp,tuner,etc into a package that weighs 27 lbs when the average preamp itself is over 15 lbs and the average 2 channel amp is over 30lbs. Something to think about

 

[slipperybidness]

AParsh---Start with an AVR and only consider external amps if you can't get the output that you need in your room. In other words--don't try to solve a problem if you don't have the problem to begin with.

Post#8--I have used both Media Bridge and Monoprice cables.

Personally, I absolutely prefer the Media Bridge brand.

Monoprice will typically get the job done just as good as any other brand. My complaint with Monoprice RCAs is that they always seem kind of a tight fit on my gear. Not all gear, but more often than not, Monoprice is a pain to get connected correctly without damaging something.

To be completely fair and nit-pick on Media Bridge--They do tend to be a bit bulkier than needed. If you have gear placed in a tight spot, then it might be an issue or you may need to also buy some 90 degree RCA adapters.

 

[big O]

slippery,

i think youll agree with me that the amplifier is not about the sound output, but about the sound quality.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I've bought both Sewell & BJC locking banana plugs to terminate wires from Kimber, BJC, Monoprice, and others. I unequivocally prefer BJC locking Banana plugs.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

But...buying amps is going to run me a lot more $$$ right?

You can always add amps later if needed. Most people won't even need amps for 5.1, 7.1, especially for speakers with sensitivity of 90dB/w/m.

Having more watts isn't going to do anything to improve sound quality unless your speakers require it.