First surround sound setup - EVER

[Joseph Tillman]

Hello everyone!

I'm a newbie here and I'm getting ready to begin setting up a (hopefully) 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos compatible system in my living room. My end goal is to have the following: Front left tower, center, front right tower, sub, back left bookshelf on stand (?), back right bookshelf on stand (?), two ceiling mounted speakers. Right now I do not even have a receiver. Because I am not going to be able to purchase all of this equipment at once, could I start with just a receiver and center channel? Or should I do receiver and front L/front R first? I am also looking for an affordable (< $600) receiver that supports Dolby Atmos, suggestions?

Thanks!!

 

[Pogre]

This receiver will give you atmos capabilities and is a very good receiver. Audyssey MultEQ XT32 with SubEQ is great for helping with your bass and room correction in general. I've bought from AC4L a few times now and haven't had any problems. Their refurbs are certified and what I've gotten was pretty much brand spanking new.

If your budget is tight (you only mentioned a budget for a receiver) and you're getting a sub(s) either way, you could consider a nice set of bookshelf speakers for your front l/r, which is what I'd get first, before a center channel.

 

[zieglj01]

If you are on a tight budget, then this Denon will work and has Atmos
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrs920w/denon-avr-s920w-7.2-ch-x-90-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html

You want towers for the front -- Cambridge SX80
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cambsx80blka/cambridge-audio-sx80-6.5-3-way-floorstanding-speaker-black-pair/1.html

However, I would go with a bookshelf and center -- shift them to surrounds later

Bookshelf SX60 -- will have some good bass
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cambsx60bla/cambridge-audio-sx60-6.5-bookshelf-speakers-black-pair/1.html

Center SX70
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cambsx70blka/cambridge-audio-sx70-4-3-way-center-channel-speaker-black/1.html

 

[Pogre]

If you are on a tight budget, then this Denon will work and has Atmos
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrs920w/denon-avr-s920w-7.2-ch-x-90-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html

$300 for a 920? Holy crap. Which version of Audyssey does it have?

 

[2channel lover]

Hello everyone!

I'm a newbie here and I'm getting ready to begin setting up a (hopefully) 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos compatible system in my living room. My end goal is to have the following: Front left tower, center, front right tower, sub, back left bookshelf on stand (?), back right bookshelf on stand (?), two ceiling mounted speakers. Right now I do not even have a receiver. Because I am not going to be able to purchase all of this equipment at once, could I start with just a receiver and center channel? Or should I do receiver and front L/front R first? I am also looking for an affordable (< $600) receiver that supports Dolby Atmos, suggestions?

Thanks!!

It sounds like movies will be a significant use for the system. Being a living room, I would probably classify it as a midsize space...if it's open to other adjacent rooms, you probably need to consider it no less than a mid size room.

I'm a tower guy myself, but in this case, I would start with book shelf spkrs and a AVR...then add the sub and 3 more book shelf spkrs for the cc and surrounds when funds allow. Instead of towers, consider adding a second sub for added balance with bass....a mega sub and great placement will suffice unless it's a huge room, but two I know you will like.

Good luck with it...fun times.

 

[Joseph Tillman]

It sounds like movies will be a significant use for the system. Being a living room, I would probably classify it as a midsize space...if it's open to other adjacent rooms, you probably need to consider it no less than a mid size room.

I'm a tower guy myself, but in this case, I would start with book shelf spkrs and a AVR...then add the sub and 3 more book shelf spkrs for the cc and surrounds when funds allow. Instead of towers, consider adding a second sub for added balance with bass....a mega sub and great placement will suffice unless it's a huge room, but two I know you will like.

Good luck with it...fun times.

Thanks! What do you mean by "cc"? Sorry if that's a dumb question, ha!

 

[Joseph Tillman]

If you are on a tight budget, then this Denon will work and has Atmos
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrs920w/denon-avr-s920w-7.2-ch-x-90-watts-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html

You want towers for the front -- Cambridge SX80
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cambsx80blka/cambridge-audio-sx80-6.5-3-way-floorstanding-speaker-black-pair/1.html

However, I would go with a bookshelf and center -- shift them to surrounds later

Bookshelf SX60 -- will have some good bass
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cambsx60bla/cambridge-audio-sx60-6.5-bookshelf-speakers-black-pair/1.html

Center SX70
https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/cambsx70blka/cambridge-audio-sx70-4-3-way-center-channel-speaker-black/1.html

Excellent! So I could start with the bookshelves, then when budget allows, replace those with towers in the front, move the two bookshelves behind for surround on stands?

 

[Pogre]

Excellent! So I could start with the bookshelves, then when budget allows, replace those with towers in the front, move the two bookshelves behind for surround on stands?

That's a great plan. Cc is center channel. Not a dumb question.

 

[2channel lover]

Excellent! So I could start with the bookshelves, then when budget allows, replace those with towers in the front, move the two bookshelves behind for surround on stands?

With the right book shelf/sub combo you could be content for years, but again, I'm a tower guy so that works for me.

Pogre cleaned that up for me, but cc = center channel as he mentioned.

If you go book shelf speakers all the way around, LCR and surrounds you don't need to buy a specific center channel speaker...just matching speakers across the LCR.

When you go to move the book shelfs to the rear in favor of towers later, you might need to rethink the book shelf being used as a center channel unless it's from the same brand.

 

[Pogre]

With the right book shelf/sub combo you could be content for years, but again, I'm a tower guy so that works for me.

Pogre cleaned that up for me, but cc = center channel as he mentioned.

If you go book shelf speakers all the way around, LCR and surrounds you don't need to buy a specific center channel speaker...just matching speakers across the LCR.

When you go to move the book shelfs to the rear in favor of towers later, you might need to rethink the book shelf being used as a center channel unless it's from the same brand.

Yup. If he keeps it in the family like I did, that bookshelf will still make an excellent center channel.

 

[zieglj01]

$300 for a 920? Which version of Audyssey does it have?

It has Audyssey MultEQ

However per Denon you can use the Audyssey MultEQ Editor app -- to view and adjust settings for detailed tuning - allowing you to customize the sound more precisely to the specific problems in your room, and tailor the sound to your personal preferences. With this comprehensive app, you can harness the power of Audyssey MultEQ to take total control of the way your home cinema sounds.

 

[zieglj01]

Excellent! So I could start with the bookshelves, then when budget allows, replace those with towers in the front, move the two bookshelves behind for surround on stands?

Bingo!

 

[Pogre]

It has Audyssey MultEQ

However per Denon you can use the Audyssey MultEQ Editor app -- to view and adjust settings for detailed tuning - allowing you to customize the sound more precisely to the specific problems in your room, and tailor the sound to your personal preferences. With this comprehensive app, you can harness the power of Audyssey MultEQ to take total control of the way your home cinema sounds.

Heh. You haven't followed my Audyssey App Editor thread...

Harness power indeed.

 

[3db]

The importance of a cc is far overated IMHO. Start with two good speakers, left and right, move to surrounds, and finally the center channel. Thats how I started both my systems. There is a caveat however. The caveat is this: as long as your listening positions dont go beyond 20 to 25 degrees off center, then the center channel can be the last speaker you need to buy. Angles greater than that will need to be evaluated by you. If polarization towards the left or right speaker (dependent on setup ) doesnt bother you, then fof go the center channel until after ghe surrounds are purchased. If it does bother you, then get the center channel 2nd, and the surrounds last.

 

[shadyJ]

The importance of a cc is far overated IMHO. Start with two good speakers, left and right, move to surrounds, and finally the center channel. Thats how I started both my systems. There is a caveat however. The caveat is this: as long as your listening positions dont go beyond 20 to 25 degrees off center, then the center channel can be the last speaker you need to buy. Angles greater than that will need to be evaluated by you. If polarization towards the left or right speaker (dependent on setup ) doesnt bother you, then fof go the center channel until after ghe surrounds are purchased. If it does bother you, then get the center channel 2nd, and the surrounds last.

Get constant directivity speakers that have a narrow dispersion pattern, you you can still get nice center imaging even off axis without a center if you use time-intensity trading toe-in. That really does work well.

 

[zieglj01]

Heh. You haven't followed my Audyssey App Editor thread...

Harness power indeed.

I do not dance with Audyssey.

 

[Joseph Tillman]

Very helpful guys! The other thing is placement: Hopefully this attached image makes sense (my photo editing and drawing skills are horrendous). Basically, the couch is a little to the right of the TV. Would I need to angle the speakers to my right a little? Or should the sound be?fine.

 

[Joseph Tillman]

Very helpful guys! The other thing is placement: Hopefully this attached image makes sense (my photo editing and drawing skills are horrendous). Basically, the couch is a little to the right of the TV. Would I need to angle the speakers to my right a little? Or should the sound be?fine.

also, we just moved in last weekend so the TV isn't mounted. If there's a spot you think would be better let me know (above the fireplace?).

 

[everettT]

Very helpful guys! The other thing is placement: Hopefully this attached image makes sense (my photo editing and drawing skills are horrendous). Basically, the couch is a little to the right of the TV. Would I need to angle the speakers to my right a little? Or should the sound be?fine.

It depends on which Speakers you choose, but toeing them is something you can play with easily

 

[lovinthehd]

Very helpful guys! The other thing is placement: Hopefully this attached image makes sense (my photo editing and drawing skills are horrendous). Basically, the couch is a little to the right of the TV. Would I need to angle the speakers to my right a little? Or should the sound be?fine.

also, we just moved in last weekend so the TV isn't mounted. If there's a spot you think would be better let me know (above the fireplace?).

How about another picture or two for an idea of the whole room? That wall you plan to put the tv/speakers on looks a little narrow to me; consider the distance between left/right speakers and your primary seat should form an equilateral triangle. I wouldn't want to look up above a fireplace, prefer my set to be centered to my eyes, just as your speakers' tweeters should be at ear height. Hopefully you'll have a nice carpet on that floor to reduce reflectivity, too.