Help me surprise my wife

[Rainman85]

Hi guys! I have an old Sony 5.1 system right now and we've been OK with it for about 6 years, but I want to upgrade because my wife is all about that base during movies. So for her birthday I want to surprise her with a new system (not necessarily new) that will thump her off the couch, if possible. We watch movies mainly. TV shows have become unbearable lately.

A few things to know - I'm not a smart man, as in actually functionally slow, not just kidding about it I have down syndrome. I will definitely screw it up if i don't ask followup questions and make sure I have the right idea.

I also have a hard time hearing voices in movies sometimes so any boost to that would be great, but not 100 percent necessary. i'm just happy sitting on the couch and spending time with her. The last thing to know is that we will be running off of a fire tv, and TIvo roamio, and out to the receiver. Th tv is this one.

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Amazon.com: INSIGNIA NS-50DF710NA21 50-inch Smart 4K UHD - Fire TV, Released 2020 : Amazon Devices & Accessories

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I've got it run through a sony home theater system now with a 6" woofer and four 2" satellites. With one 9" center channel. I was thinking about a Denon 1600, but I don't want to buy stuff without real advise.

One more thing to know, I can do woodworking with my dad. I could build something for the sub if it would be better than buying one.
My budget is $600 (Got a donation from my dad)

Thank you for your time!


edited because I saw these questions on another post:
Do you already have anything? Any speakers? One 6" sub and four 3" satellites (rf, lf, rr, lr), one 9" center.
Do you have any preferences to any speakers or lines? No, and used is ok
Are you all about that bass or do you just want something netural? Do you like it bright or not? Wife likes base, I would like to have voices be more hearable, but as long as shes happy i'm happy.
How loud do you listen typically? 120 decibles according to my app on my phone
What do you think your listening distance is going to be from your speakers? About 25 feet to the satellites, 15 to the center
One row of seating or more? Just one couch
Do you want atmos or not? I dont think we would notice.
IAlso is sound normalization is possible for it too so things are about the same level? This would be nice.

 

[lovinthehd]

I'd say your first move is probably speakers and a sub....maybe an avr but you might make do with the Sony for now (what model of Sony 5.1 is it?). How are speakers 25 ft from your couch when the center is 15? That's a fairly long distance for a small speaker to perform at, too. 15 isn't bad but 25 is a lot....especially for 120dB which sounds too high at a guess for your speakers....let alone your ears.

You can adjust the level of the center channel up a bit, might help with dialog. Some Denon avrs have an Audyssey Dialog Enhancer feature, too.

 

[MalVeauX]

Hi,

Great project!

Is the Sony system a receiver with speakers or is it a proprietary home-theater-in-a-box type thing? A model number would help. A big part of this will be how you power some speakers in the first place. So if the Sony's system is not a stand alone receiver, you may have to look into getting a new receiver.

From there, since you're coming from a 6" sub and satellites, basically some larger bookshelf speakers with 6.5" drivers or similar will probably do similar performance. And that means any 10" or larger subwoofer will be a big upgrade for your area.

I think your measurements might need clarification. 25 feet is a huge room. Try to re-measure things from where you would sit, your listening position, to the front face of the speakers and report back. It will help a lot.

There are inexpensive things that can probably be made to fit into this budget and they will be better than what you're used to. However, I will also say that it's possible that you may want to keep your expectations to be for a new receiver, two new left and right speakers and a new sub woofer, and then budget and later on buy a new center and surrounds when you can. Basically build a good 2.1 setup that can expand later when budget allows. Or re-use some satellites you have as surrounds, if they can be used (not sure based on their terminations of the wire, or if they use proprietary connection; if so you can cut those off and re-wire them to banana plugs easily).

Very best,

 

[Pogre]

I can hide in the bushes outside your house and wait for your wife to come home then jump out and yell "SURPRISE!"

 

[Rainman85]

Thank you guys! My system is a Sony STR-K665P 5.1 that came with the speakers. Heres one on ebay.

Sony STR-K665P 5.1 Channel Surround Sound AM/FM Stereo Receiver Tested | eBay

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i dont mind reusing what I can from this setup, The satellites seem good enough, but I don't know whats good so I might be wrong. I really want her to say "wow, did you hear when Thor hit that shield????" and really shock her. (example)

I will measure everything exactly when she is gone in a little bit and let you guys know. Thank you for helping me! This is going to be awesome!

 

[Rainman85]

I can hide in the bushes outside your house and wait for your wife to come home then jump out and yell "SURPRISE!"

hahahahahahaa! She might pepper spray you and then we would invite you in for dinner to say we are sorry!

 

[MalVeauX]

Thank you guys! My system is a Sony STR-K665P 5.1 that came with the speakers. Heres one on ebay.

Sony STR-K665P 5.1 Channel Surround Sound AM/FM Stereo Receiver Tested | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Sony STR-K665P 5.1 Channel Surround Sound AM/FM Stereo Receiver Tested at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

i dont mind reusing what I can from this setup, The satellites seem good enough, but I don't know whats good so I might be wrong. I really want her to say "wow, did you hear when Thor hit that shield????" and really shock her.

I will measure everything exactly when she is gone in a little bit and let you guys know. Thank you for helping me! This is going to be awesome!

Hi,

That STR-K665P receiver will still work for this. The connections are standard. Bare ware inserts and is clamped down. This is good news because it means you can use any speakers on that receiver and they will work. Nothing is proprietary there, so you can use what you want. The only thing that is different is that your receiver also powers its subwoofer, as those are high level posts. So you'll have to have a new subwoofer that accepts high level inputs, which is fine, its just a minor detail that limits a few options, but can still work.

Here's an option that will work with your receiver:

Center:

MTX 6C:

Home

MTX Monitor 6C Dual 6-1/2" 2-Way MTM Center Channel SpeakerThe Monitor 6C is a top performing center channel speaker designed to complete any home theater. As one of four models in the completely redesigned Monitor series, the Monitor 6C is timbre matched to the rest of the family and easily...

www.parts-express.com

Left & Right Fronts (these come as a pair, so get two sets and you have 4 total speakers for surrounds):

MTX 5i's

Home

MTX Monitor 5i 5-1/4" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker PairMTX's power-packed Monitor 5i will surprise you with a sound that is larger than what would be expected from a speaker this size. A ported enclosure design squeezes out every last drop of bass from the 5-1/4" polypropylene woofer. Incredible...

www.parts-express.com

Sub: BIC F-12 (it has high level input)

CLEARANCE BIC Formula F-12 12" 475 Watt Subwoofer

BIC Formula F-12 12" 475 Watt SubwooferThe BIC Formula F-12 powered subwoofer incorporates a high current 475 watt peak amplifier featuring BASH technology in combination with a 12" injection molded long-throw woofer. A patented BIC "Venturi" vent eliminates port noise that is often heard from...

www.parts-express.com

They will wire to your receiver just like your other speakers. For the sub, you use the sub output posts on your receiver and plug them into the respective +/- terminals on the high level input posts on the back of the BIC F12 sub. Then adjust cross over to what you want it to be (80hz~100hz for example) and adjust its gain to your liking.

Just under $600.

Very best,

 

[Rainman85]

MalVeauX I will read your post and look at those links. I got the measurements though they are 19 feet from seat to right front, 17 feet from seat to left front, and 13 feet to center. The back speakers are about 12 and 15 feet on each side. All of them are by the ceiling in the corners. I had to guess a little on the back ones because they are over lamps and end tables but that is pretty close.

thank you all!

 

[NINaudio]

I just looked at the manual and that is a home theater in a box type system. I am in agreement with @lovinthehd that there is no way you are getting 120 dB at the listening position with those. The speakers that Mal suggested will definitely be a step up in terms of sound quality.

 

[lovinthehd]

I just looked at the manual and that is a home theater in a box type system. I am in agreement with @lovinthehd that there is no way you are getting 120 dB at the listening position with those. The speakers that Mal suggested will definitely be a step up in terms of sound quality.

I'd not even expect them to do 120dB at 1m....at least anything listenable....

@Rainman85 if you do get new speakers do you need to put them in the same places? Any chances of moving them or placing them on stands, that sort of thing that might have some WAF (wifey acceptance factor) issues?

 

[Rainman85]

I'd not even expect them to do 120dB at 1m....at least anything listenable....

@Rainman85 if you do get new speakers do you need to put them in the same places? Any chances of moving them or placing them on stands, that sort of thing that might have some WAF (wifey acceptance factor) issues?

I dont think I could put them on stands and her like it much. I used an app to see my decibles. I will try another app and see. Its pretty loud though. Give me a few minutes until she is gone again

 

[lovinthehd]

I dont think I could put them on stands and her like it much. I used an app to see my decibles. I will try another app and see. Its pretty loud though. Give me a few minutes until she is gone again

The mic on your phone could be more an issue than the app....

What kind of mounts do your current speakers utilize?

 

[Rainman85]

guys this is like a spy movie I cant help laughing because every time she leaves the room I turn it up to "movie mode" and it's loud then she says "Turn that down!" and I just laugh and say say I love you honey!!! hahahaha! she is going to be so happy.
The new decible meter says 82 decibles the way things are right now.

 

[Rainman85]

The mic on your phone could be more an issue than the app....

What kind of mounts do your current speakers utilize?

My mountings now are little plastic L looking things

 

[afterlife2]

Get some bass shakers! Sit down honey! Surprise

 

[lovinthehd]

Get some bass shakers! Sit down honey! Surprise

That is a good thought but running a speaker wire to the couch can be hard WAF-wise (worked out on mine where I could hide it altogether due rugs/walls in proximity to one end of the couch....

 

[lovinthehd]

My mountings now are little plastic L looking things

Then for larger/heavier speakers you'll very likely need new mounting hardware as well.

 

[Kingnoob]

you just missed infinity sale
So your budget is main mystery...

Any bookshelves / towers will destroy those satellites which get loud but tons of distortion make them seem louder . I have some sats not Being used there jamo.. only good in tiny rooms .

Polk Audio TSi200 (Black)

Bookshelf speakers

www.crutchfield.com

Airmotiv C1+ Center Channel Loudspeaker

The Airmotiv C1+ is a three-way center channel loudspeaker that delivers a superb listening experience with surround sound music and movies. The Airmotiv C1+ combines exceptional accuracy, amazing precision and detail retrieval, and unsurpassed smoothness - all in one truly great sounding...

emotiva.com

 

[Kingnoob]

cheaper option

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[MrBoat]

A few things to know - I'm not a smart man, as in actually functionally slow, not just kidding about it I have down syndrome. I will definitely screw it up if i don't ask followup questions and make sure I have the right idea.

Not a smart man? Yet you post a question cleaner than most millennials can, and you didn't have to use any memes to get your point across. You're doing alright. They can't even get it right these days talking-to-text their way through a 4 word sentence.

If you like doing woodwork with your dad, DIY subs are fun and satisfying to build. I built my first Ultimax for less than your budget, including the amp to power it. You can look around here at speaker and sub kits from Parts Express, and there are other forums about the net that have a lot of information on building and proven designs.