New to Home Theater Need Advice

A

Arvont

Audiophyte
Hey all,

Newbie here looking for some advice and expertise after researching on my own for a few weeks and not coming to a decision!

Just moved into a new house that’s already wired for 5.1 and I could just really use some advice on what would work best for my set up. There are 3 outlets in the ceiling (front left, back right and back left) and 3 outlets on floor/wall (front left presumably for center channel, front right, and back left presumably for sub). The set up doesn’t seem perfect but something I’m committed to sticking to at the wife’s request. Given this set up, it seems like finding satellite speakers that can be wall mounted is probably the way to go Is that correct? If so, any recommendations in the
500-1500 range?

Couple additional questions:
  • The outlets are pin connectors should I find speakers with pin connections or do something like have pin connectors on one end and more standard speaker wiring on the other?
  • Any recommendations on how to handle the center channel given it’s wired on the left side? The TV is also on the left side (again strange wiring in built in) so not sure how best to approach. Not looking for perfection just something serviceable that sounds nicer than a soundbar and takes advantage of the wiring.
Will attach some pictures for reference in case it’s helpful.

Thanks for helping a newbie like me out.

6EA5F1B8-FA93-4537-A855-16016BFA3C22.jpeg

wiring behind tv
F20D2BA4-74D1-4F9F-8A4B-EBB395B29DEC.jpeg

Front left
7BF2E628-BB83-4CA6-AFCD-706CC2B09DAD.jpeg

Front left
1A658BC2-47E3-41A7-AA31-F1DDC26191E0.jpeg

Front right
FCE3EE7C-AEE6-4A9B-AD12-ECD1919C0F09.jpeg

Back right
ECE81AF5-4108-47E1-A440-ED3BE58EB641.jpeg

Back left
B4D51F20-354A-40A0-992E-A7056CF7B8AE.jpeg

front
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
Just my Opinion. I would forget what's there now and Start Over
 
A

Arvont

Audiophyte
Just my Opinion. I would forget what's there now and Start Over
Yeah, I feel you but because we’re renting we’re trying to make minimal changes, so will need to either go with something wireless given the size of the room or stick with the way it’s wired.
 
S

shadyJ

Speaker of the House
Staff member
First of all, that fireplace is just killing your chance of having a good display. It forces the display to be too high, at least for a system that is symmetrical with the room. There is also nowhere to put a center speaker. If it is possible, I would advise an asymmetrical audio/video system for the contours of that room if possible. I'm guessing that it isn't possible.

You might just skip the center and get some good front left/right speakers.
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
First of all, that fireplace is just killing your chance of having a good display. It forces the display to be too high, at least for a system that is symmetrical with the room. There is also nowhere to put a center speaker.
TV is to the Left of Fireplace. I think he's almost better off having TV above fireplace and Titling it down. Then two Bookshelf speakers could go on Shelving Left and Right

B4D51F20-354A-40A0-992E-A7056CF7B8AE.jpeg
 
A

Arvont

Audiophyte
First of all, that fireplace is just killing your chance of having a good display. It forces the display to be too high, at least for a system that is symmetrical with the room. There is also nowhere to put a center speaker. If it is possible, I would advise an asymmetrical audio/video system for the contours of that room if possible. I'm guessing that it isn't possible.

You might just skip the center and get some good front left/right speakers.
Im not entirely surewhat you mean about an asymmetrical set up but most likely no can do. The fireplace is only the start of it by the way. The built ins are covering all of the inputs and power so even if the fireplace were a decent height the hookups would be prohibitive without drilling some holes in the built in or leaving the built in partially open so cabling can run. The owner definitely designed the built ins and wiring for form over function.

Would you recommend two standing floor speakers in the front and two satellites in the back in that case?
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Audioholic Jedi
Im not entirely surewhat you mean about an asymmetrical set up but most likely no can do. The fireplace is only the start of it by the way. The built ins are covering all of the inputs and power so even if the fireplace were a decent height the hookups would be prohibitive without drilling some holes in the built in or leaving the built in partially open so cabling can run. The owner definitely designed the built ins and wiring for form over function.

Would you recommend two standing floor speakers in the front and two satellites in the back in that case?
That is an absolutely impossible situation. You really can only do a 2.1 system with that. Even then you don't have room for any decent commercial speakers I know of. That really does require a custom design and speaker build for aesthetic reasons. You might just have to be content with a really good sound bar above the TV and a sub. Then call it a day.

That challenge would force me to get very creative to produce anything decent. I'm totally unaware of any speakers off the shelf that would do justice to sonics and aesthetics.
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
How about these instead of a Sound Bar

Klipsch Fives
 
S

shadyJ

Speaker of the House
Staff member
Im not entirely surewhat you mean about an asymmetrical set up but most likely no can do. The fireplace is only the start of it by the way. The built ins are covering all of the inputs and power so even if the fireplace were a decent height the hookups would be prohibitive without drilling some holes in the built in or leaving the built in partially open so cabling can run. The owner definitely designed the built ins and wiring for form over function.

Would you recommend two standing floor speakers in the front and two satellites in the back in that case?
Two floor standards and a couple satellite speakers wouldn't be bad. There looks to be some decent affordable floor standards at accessories4less.
 
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