Need advice for my first 5.1 system

[twertz]

Hello,

I am new to the forum and new to home audio systems. I have had a Samsung HTIB system for my old house which was ok for what it was. I recently moved to a bigger house and I would like to put together a quality system. I would say that it will be used for 50/50 for music and movies.

My living room is 18'x18'x10' it opens up into the kitchen(18'x10'x10') and dinning area (12'x12'x10') and to top it off i have stained/scored concrete for flooring. Not a good acoustic environment. We have a large area rug, a sofa and a large chair in the living room so its not to bad in there.

My budget is $2500-$3000 I am only interested in a 5.1 or 5.2 due to it being in my living area. I am really not interested in receivers that have different zones either. This is what I came up with.

Outlaw 975/5000
RBH R55TiR L/R
RBH R56CiR C
RBH R5BiR Surrounds
SVS PB2000 Sub

I was also considering doing a Dayton Ultimax 15" in a sealed box with a decent plate amp. I love DIY projects and could definetly tackle the task of building this box. However I am not confident that it will sound will be better than the SVS. Any opinions are welcome.

I would like to know if I am going overboard on the processor/amp for my speaker set up. Or if you all have any suggestions on receiver speaker combos that would out perform this that is within my budget. I want towers for the front L/R. I really like the ascend acoustic speaker due to the reviews but the wife doesnt like the way they look.

thanks for reading my post and for the suggestions.

 

[shadyJ]

I like what I read about the EMP speakers, so that looks like a good set. The SVS subs are fine, but I would switch that up to a Hsu VTF3 mk5, it costs a tad more but it will offer a lot more performance. In that room you will want a ported sub, not a sealed sub. A sealed sub will lose a lot of low end output, so not nearly as much deep bass for movies. If you wanted a DIY project, I would be looking at a ported subwoofer, either that or a sealed with a very high excursion 18" driver, like the Stereo Integrity HST18.

 

[herbu]

This is what I came up with.
Outlaw 975/5000

I'm curious... why did you go w/ 975/5000 instead of an AVR?

 

[TheWarrior]

I'm curious... why did you go w/ 975/5000 instead of an AVR?

Because the EMP Towers deserve some juice!

Twertz, just go and buy everything on your list, set it up, and add it to our system gallery with your comments on overall performance! You chose well, now go forth and enjoy!

 

[twertz]

Thanks for all the comments and advice.

I went with the outlaw combo because it has all the features I need for a 5.1 system and it has more power than I will probably need. If I could find an avr that would preform as well as the outlaw equipment I would be open. The only thing that I don't like about the outlaw is a lack auto eq and room setup.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Fine set-up for sure, and a huge step up from your HTiB, but if it were me I would seriously consider spending less on the pre and amp and more on the sub.

Yamaha RX-A2020 from http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamrxa2020bl/yamaha-rx-a2020-9.2-network-aventage-av-receiver-airplay/1.html
RBH R55TiR L/R
RBH R56CiR C
RBH R5BiR Surrounds
HSUVTF-15H MK2 http://hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-15hmk2.html

This was just off the top of my head.

That receiver will power those speakers just fine unless you like to make them scream. ...and it has more features that you may or may not need. I'd rather have them and not need them then need them and not have them. It's less money too that you can use to get a more powerful sub like the HSU I listed. Many have had a good experience with the factory refurbished items from accessories4less, you just have to decide if its for you or not. You can add more power by adding an external amp later if needed when money permits.

If you are good at DIY there are many excellent sub designs out there that will out perform the PB2000. That's no slight to SVS and there subs (I have SVS speakers and sub in my main system)...You can just save yourself a bunch of money with you supplying the labor.

 

[agarwalro]

Outlaw 975/5000
RBH R55TiR L/R
RBH R56CiR C
RBH R5BiR Surrounds
SVS PB2000 Sub

Well, someone's done their homework . Good picks all around.

For the sub also look at the Reaction Audio Gamma 15. http://reaction-audio.myshopify.com/collections/subwoofers/products/gamma-15

 

[herbu]

Because the EMP Towers deserve some juice!

Outlaw 5000 = 5 x 120w into 8 ohms
Denon X4000 = 7 x 125w into 8 ohms

So, still curious. Why the 975/5000 over an AVR? Especially when you say, "If I could find an avr that would preform as well as the outlaw equipment I would be open. The only thing that I don't like about the outlaw is a lack auto eq and room setup."

I'm not saying the Outlaw is bad... it's not. Just wondering.

 

[twertz]

Outlaw 5000 = 5 x 120w into 8 ohms
Denon X4000 = 7 x 125w into 8 ohms

So, still curious. Why the 975/5000 over an AVR? Especially when you say, "If I could find an avr that would preform as well as the outlaw equipment I would be open. The only thing that I don't like about the outlaw is a lack auto eq and room setup."

I'm not saying the Outlaw is bad... it's not. Just wondering.

I looked at the Yamaha RX-A2020 after it was suggested. I think I have changed my mind and I am going to give it a try. It seems to be a good unit and a better fit for my level of experience.

Thanks all for the suggestions

 

[TheWarrior]

Outlaw 5000 = 5 x 120w into 8 ohms
Denon X4000 = 7 x 125w into 8 ohms

So, still curious. Why the 975/5000 over an AVR? Especially when you say, "If I could find an avr that would preform as well as the outlaw equipment I would be open. The only thing that I don't like about the outlaw is a lack auto eq and room setup."

I'm not saying the Outlaw is bad... it's not. Just wondering.

120w with all channels driven, is the difference. Is that going to make the stereo louder? Not necessarily. But it means when you're listening with front tower speakers, and your movie has a very quiet scene followed by a loud one, your amp will have the juice stored up ready to power the speakers, where a standalone receiver might falter.