Building new home with theater room

[In2bator]

greetings. Thanks in advance for any help!

I am building a house which will have a theater room measuring approx 12' wide and 23' deep. The budget is somewhat limited, as the rest of the house is so far over budget. It will be used for movies and video games, not music. There will be a 110" projector screen (Optoma 27). I have a receiver already which I will use (Yamaha RX-V671), so I need to buy speakers. I want in-wall speakers, and have always liked the sound of Polk Audio products, and the A/V installer has made some recommendations. I wanted to run his choices by you all to see what you think.

Front speakers Polk V65 x2 $160/pr at HHGregg
Center speaker Polk V65 as well, $80
Rear speakers Polk V60, $99 on Amazon
Sub PSW-111 $178 on Amazon

I don't like not having an actual center channel speaker, but he says that it will timbre match the fronts the best if it is the same speaker. Not sure I'm believing that. I'm concerned about the ability of the fronts and subwoofer to fill that big of a room. In all, the total price for his recommended speakers including installation labor, parts, and wiring, is about $1300. Seems a bit steep to me, but I have no experience wi what it should cost.

Any input as to which speakers you would recommend for that size room and where to buy them/how much to pay for them, I would like to buy them myself to get them for cheaper than he can.

Thanks so much!

Edit - I should add that I'm thinking of a PSW505 for the sub; 255c- RT for the center, and I have no idea which for the fronts. Also, I see the VT60 at some stores, and have no idea why it is cheaper than the V60, but the One of those 2 should be OK for the in-ceiling rears.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

I don't like not having an actual center channel speaker, but he says that it will timbre match the fronts the best if it is the same speaker. Not sure I'm believing that.

He’s right about that. Think about it – what would sonically match the left and right speakers better than a third one just like them? Traditional woofer-tweeter-woofer center speakers are not designed for optimal performance, but mainly for appearances – i.e. a slim profile. Play something like a pink noise signal and move from one position to another on the couch you’ll hear the timbre (tone) of the speaker change. In other words, they’ll sound slightly different at each seating position. You won’t get that if your center channel is a regular speaker with tweeter over woofer.

For the sub, both are relatively low end, as are Polk subs in general. I’d recommend one of SVS or HSU’s cheaper subs if you’re budget limited, or worst-case the Dayton SUB-1200.
Review

As far as the installation price, that’s impossible to ascertain via the net without a site visit. Some houses are relatively easy to retro-wire, others are nightmares. Much of what makes-or-breaks ease of installation is attic access.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[ARES24]

I am simply going to re-submit old adages, in-wall speakers are far more expensive to attain comparable sound. And if budget is an issue, go piece mail. Fronts, then sub, then center, then surrounds....

 

[herbu]

It will be used for movies and video games... In all, the total price for his recommended speakers including installation labor, parts, and wiring, is about $1300.

I have an opinion. You'll never be happy with the "theater" you describe.

I would simply have the speaker wires installed in-wall. Decide where your control center, (AVR, amp(s), bluray player, etc), will be. Have speaker wires run from there to your best 7.2 positions. That's all for the "installer".

Then talk to us about equipment like AVR, speakers, amp(s), subwoofers, BDPs, etc. I think we can get you started on a system you will like A LOT better than what you describe. You won't be able to do the whole thing at once, but you can start with something adequate and grow your system as the budget allows.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I'm in agreement on this with others.

I'm not sure why you would build a theater with in-walls vs. floor standing speakers if you could avoid it and if the space is somewhat dedicated. If you have the receiver, projector, and screen, you should consider placement of everything and if it is all appropriate and laid out properly.

But, I would definitely go for floor standing speakers that fill the space with audio the way that I would want them to.

If that means I only buy two speakers, and maybe a subwoofer to get myself going, then that's what I would do. Maybe hold off on the sub until that's in the budget.

In-wall and in-ceiling speakers have their time and place, but this doesn't sound like it, and you aren't likely to be thrilled by what you have.

 

[Diesel57]

Any issues that may occur in the walls or ceilings of your home can be costly and a small or large inconvenience, a floor setup with what ever issues you may encounter provides you with options without calling a contractor or a technician, you can get all the support you need right here for a floor setup......CHEERS

 

[In2bator]

Thanks for the input, everyone! If I went with floor standing, would it look strange with the projector image directly on the wall (instead of a drop down screen) and the front speakers coming out a couple of feet on either side?

 

[TheWarrior]

This is an audio forum, of course we like our speakers out on display!

But I do hope you didn't splurge for a high gloss finish, the speakers would reflect everything from the pj!

 

[Pogre]

I would never go with in wall unless there was absolutely no choice. I like my speakers to sound good. looks are secondary.

 

[herbu]

would it look strange with the projector image directly on the wall (instead of a drop down screen) and the front speakers coming out a couple of feet on either side?

"Strange"?!?! It would look GLORIOUS!!! More especially with a couple big subwoofers to boot.