Speakers and other equipment recommendations for first home theater

[manitobaguy]

I'm in Canada, and renovating my basement and will have a dedicated home theater room (finally!). Room will be 18' x 19', with double doors at the back. Use will be 90% movies, 10% music.

I'm looking at in-wall and in-ceiling speakers for a 5.1.4 setup, possibly doing 7.1.4 or 7.2.4 at a later date.

I'm interested in Triad bronze speakers. My total speaker budget is around $6,000 CAD, and 3 Triad Bronze LCR in-wall speakers are $3200 from a local dealer. Add in 2 Bronze Surrounds and it's $5,100.

1. Is it reasonable to get the three Triad Bronze LCR for the front, and then go with something cheaper for the surrounds and 4 overhead speakers? Or is it going to be too difficult to find a good match?

2. The dealer I spoke with suggested using 4 Definitive Technology di6.5str for the overhead speakers as he bought a bunch of them and is charging $200 each. I'm not sure about them as they are a stereo speaker - will that cause issues when using them as Atmos/overhead speakers?

3. I have an Onkyo TX-NR787 - will it be able to drive the 4-ohm LCR Triad speakers decently? I have an AC Infinity cooler for it, so heat shouldn't be an issue. I plan on upgrading the receiver in a year or two - will the Onkyo be okay to use in the meantime?

I have an Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Compact sub that I'll replace at a later date (have my eye on an HSU ULS-15 MK2 (or two!) when I can afford it!)

Sorry for so many questions - seems the more I research and learn, the more questions I have! Thanks for reading!

 

[Gmoney]

You should be all good to go, I would recommend room treatments. Yes your Onkyo will drive those well. Welcome to AH!

 

[lovinthehd]

Whether your avr amps are sufficient will more depend on the levels you listen at and at what distance, altho low impedance speakers and avrs at high levels might not work out so well, you're likely quite fine otherwise...you can use an spl calculator like this to help give you an idea of needs http://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html

 

[manitobaguy]

Whether your avr amps are sufficient will more depend on the levels you listen at and at what distance, altho low impedance speakers and avrs at high levels might not work out so well, you're likely quite fine otherwise...you can use an spl calculator like this to help give you an idea of needs http://myhometheater.homestead.com/splcalculator.html

I think I used the right numbers and it looks to be okay. I don’t tend to listen too loudly so hopefully it works out.

And for anyone else wondering, someone from Definitive Technology told me that the di6.5str speaker is not good for Atmos because it’s a stereo speaker (left and right in a single speaker). So I’ll need to find other Atmos speakers, open to suggestions that would match well with the Triad Bronze speakers. Thanks!

 

[mazersteven]

I would use Paradigm over Def Tech

 

[lovinthehd]

In Canada I'd probably think about supporting PSB or Paradigm.....or Funk! Triad being from my state of Oregon ain't bad either

 

[DigitalDawn]

What are the total room dimensions (WDH)?

Also a floorplan with seating would be extremely helpful. It can be hand-drawn.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would do 5.2.4 for that room size.

In general, since you are doing the entire system, I would do the same brand for 100% of the speakers if possible. Why? Because I am OCD.

Which brand? I think any of those brands you mentioned will sound good.

Call your RBH dealer in Canada and see what kind of deal they have to offer for an all-RBH In-Wall/In-ceiling 5.2.4 system.

Also call KEF and Monitor Audio dealers in Canada for In-Wall/In-ceiling.

 

[manitobaguy]

What are the total room dimensions (WDH)?

Also a floorplan with seating would be extremely helpful. It can be hand-drawn.

The room is 19' x 18' x 7'4" (W x D x H).

Floor plan:

There may end up being another chair or two on the right side, still deciding on that. It's worth noting that the room will be used for home theater purposes, but also as a kid's play room, general hang-out and chill type of spot.

 

[manitobaguy]

Call your RBH dealer in Canada and see what kind of deal they have to offer for an all-RBH In-Wall/In-ceiling 5.2.4 system.

Also call KEF and Monitor Audio dealers in Canada for In-Wall/In-ceiling.

Thanks, I'll do some more research into those brands and make some calls and see what kind of deals are available.

 

[DigitalDawn]

I will tell you this. Your dealer is way overcharging you for Triad. MSRP price for Bronze LCRs (all models) is $650 each US. MSRP for Bronze Surrounds is $550 each US. Just thought you should know.

The Bronze surrounds pair very nicely with the Bronze LCRs.

 

[manitobaguy]

I will tell you this. Your dealer is way overcharging you for Triad. MSRP price for Bronze LCRs (all models) is $650 each US. MSRP for Bronze Surrounds is $550 each US. Just thought you should know.

The Bronze surrounds pair very nicely with the Bronze LCRs.

Thank you for the info on MSRP, that's really helpful!

A bit more detail: the dealer is charging $860 CAD for Bronze LCR, which sounds about in-line with $650 USD (is maybe $20 too high). But then he's also adding in $90 CAD per speaker for a "Triad New Construction Bracket" - is that a normal charge? And then we have 14% sales tax here too, on top of those prices.

For the Bronze surrounds, he's quoting $740 CAD each, but then an additional $90 CAD each for the construction brackets again.

Would I be correct in assuming that MSRP for these speakers is like MSRP for most audio/video gear, in that there's some room for negotiating there, similar to how no one really pays MSRP for a tv, for example?

Also, is there any chance of getting MSRP amounts for the entire Triad Bronze line-up? I'd love to know what the in-ceiling speakers cost (for Atmos overheads), and the subs, etc.

Thanks!

 

[DigitalDawn]

I thought I figured in the exchange rate. I might have old rate info.

It's up to each Triad dealer to decide what they want to charge for accessories. I created a Triad Speaker Matching Chart that has pricing for most Triad speakers. Email me and I will send it to you.