Building first home theater

[alouelle]

Hello,

I am building my first home theater and quite new to the audio world.

I am building a set up for movies and music.

I presently have two Klipsch R-620F speakers purchased two years ago.

I wanted to upgrade my set up with the following items;

- Klipsch R-52C Center Channel Speaker
- Klipsch R-41M Reference Bass-Reflex Design Bookshelf Speakers
- Klipsch R-100SW Powered 10″ Subwoofer

My question is are my R-620F speakers still comparable to the new R-620F on the market now? Can i keep them with these new purchases or should I also change the speakers?

Also would a Onkyo TX-NR696 7.2 Channel 4K Ultra HD Network AV Receiver be good for this set up?

Thank you for helping !!

 

[-Jim-]

Yes, the R-620F speakers you buy today will be the same as you bought 4 years ago. Folks here typically don't care much for Onkyo Receivers as they had serious reliability problems a few years back. Stick to Denon, Marantz, or Sony IMHO.

 

[alouelle]

Yes, the R-620F speakers you buy today will be the same as you bought 4 years ago. Folks here typically don't care much for Onkyo Receivers as they had serious reliability problems a few years back. Stick to Denon, Marantz, or Sony IMHO.

Thank you for your response Jim,

If I go with one of the makes you mentioned could I look for a receiver with equal RMS per channel as my R-620F speakers or is it safer to go with a receiver 10% more than the speakers? Because I see the receiver over 100w/channel get much more expensive

 

[-Jim-]

Please don't get confused (as most newbies do) between maximum power ratings published by Speaker OEMs and Receiver OEMs output specs.

Your Klipsch R-620F speakers (partial specs below) don't need a lot of power to make a lot of sound as their sensitivity is higher than "average".

• frequency response: 38-21,000 Hz (±3dB)
• impedance: 8 ohms compatible
• sensitivity: 96 dB
• power handling: up to 100 watts RMS (400 watts peak)

Standards dictate the sensitivity is the sound output (in dB) when a 2.83 volt signal is applied (1 watt at 8 ohms) when measured at 1 meter (on axis) away from the speaker.

But enough "Geek Speak". The bottom line is what you want is clean non-distorted output from a receiver into your speakers at all times. Just because an amplifier (or Receiver) is rated at 100 watts before it starts to distort, doesn't mean you will want to get to those sound levels. When a speaker starts sounding bad at high volumes, it usually means the amplifier (or Receiver) is starting to send a distorted output and the operator should turn down the volume before damage occurs.

As for a Receiver, please advise what size room you are putting the system in (LxWxH). Is this going to be a Theater type seating or ? If the former you'll probably want dual subs. Most here always recommend dual subs, regardless. By the way, most here will advise their are better subs out there than the Klipsch R-100SW Powered 10″ Subwoofer for about the same $.

The most important is probably what's the Budget for a Receiver? Is Dolby Atmos capability a future need? A Receiver rated at 100 watts per channel (with low distortion numbers) will be fine for your system.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[Trebdp83]

The Onkyo TX-NR696 is a fine receiver. I like mine very much. It is a 2019 model. So, anybody interested in HDMI 2.1 features might have a look at the new 2021 models.

 

[alouelle]

Please don't get confused (as most newbies do) between maximum power ratings published by Speaker OEMs and Receiver OEMs output specs.

Your Klipsch R-620F speakers (partial specs below) don't need a lot of power to make a lot of sound as their sensitivity is higher than "average".

• frequency response: 38-21,000 Hz (±3dB)
• impedance: 8 ohms compatible
• sensitivity: 96 dB
• power handling: up to 100 watts RMS (400 watts peak)

Standards dictate the sensitivity is the sound output (in dB) when a 2.83 volt signal is applied (1 watt at 8 ohms) when measured at 1 meter (on axis) away from the speaker.

But enough "Geek Speak". The bottom line is what you want is clean non-distorted output from a receiver into your speakers at all times. Just because an amplifier (or Receiver) is rated at 100 watts before it starts to distort, doesn't mean you will want to get to those sound levels. When a speaker starts sounding bad at high volumes, it usually means the amplifier (or Receiver) is starting to send a distorted output and the operator should turn down the volume before damage occurs.

As for a Receiver, please advise what size room you are putting the system in (LxWxH). Is this going to be a Theater type seating or ? If the former you'll probably want dual subs. Most here always recommend dual subs, regardless. By the way, most here will advise their are better subs out there than the Klipsch R-100SW Powered 10″ Subwoofer for about the same $.

The most important is probably what's the Budget for a Receiver? Is Dolby Atmos capability a future need? A Receiver rated at 100 watts per channel (with low distortion numbers) will be fine for your system.

I hope this is helpful.

That was very helpful!

My room is actually 11 feet x 12.5 feet x 7.5 feet (LxWxH), it is indeed for a theater type seating.

I was looking for a receiver at the cost of close to 1k or under.

And yes I would like to have dolby atmos in the future!

 

[Verdinut]

Yes, the R-620F speakers you buy today will be the same as you bought 4 years ago. Folks here typically don't care much for Onkyo Receivers as they had serious reliability problems a few years back. Stick to Denon, Marantz, or Sony IMHO.

Why not add Yamaha in that list too? It's reported as being the most reliable brand.

 

[Trebdp83]

Yamaha's 2020 models are glitchy little buggers. 2021 Aventage models haven't hit the ground running yet and no one can say yet either way. 2019 Aventage model owners don't seem to have any complaints. Those are some nice units. If one is interested in Atmos, a 9.1 receiver would be a better choice than a 7.1 unit but that will take one over a $1,000 budget. There's a Denon X6500H(2018 model) around here for sale if one is interested in the used market. It's $900 with 11.2 capability.

 

[-Jim-]

That was very helpful!

My room is actually 11 feet x 12.5 feet x 7.5 feet (LxWxH), it is indeed for a theater type seating.

I was looking for a receiver at the cost of close to 1k or under.

And yes I would like to have dolby atmos in the future!

Like most (all?) of us, our desires often don't fit our cash flow. The used Denon X6500H would be a great choice (maybe you could haggle!) but some folks worry about buying used with no warranty. I suggest you keep an eye on Accessories4Less (assuming you are in the USA) as they often have great sales (usually near Holidays & Black Friday) and even offer extended warranties (up to 3 years!) on receivers as most are Factory Refurbished units.

Pre-wire for Atmos if at all possible, even if there is only an inkling that you might go there.

I think you'll need far more sub capacity than a single 10 inch can provide. Perhaps you could buy one 12 inch sub initially and add a second when funds are available.

 

[alouelle]

Like most (all?) of us, our desires often don't fit our cash flow. The used Denon X6500H would be a great choice (maybe you could haggle!) but some folks worry about buying used with no warranty. I suggest you keep an eye on Accessories4Less (assuming you are in the USA) as they often have great sales (usually near Holidays & Black Friday) and even offer extended warranties (up to 3 years!) on receivers as most are Factory Refurbished units.

Pre-wire for Atmos if at all possible, even if there is only an inkling that you might go there.

I think you'll need far more sub capacity than a single 10 inch can provide. Perhaps you could buy one 12 inch sub initially and add a second when funds are available.

Cool thank you so much for your time Jim well appreciate!

 

[Eppie]

Yes, keep your mains and get matching center and surrounds. 11x12.5 is not that large so a couple intermediate subs should do fine. We typically recommend two subwoofers as it smooths out the response between different seating positions so that one seat is not particularly boomy or lacking in bass. As mentioned, you could start with one with plans to add a second later.

I had a Klipsch 10" and it failed after only a couple of years. I then switched to SVS and noticed a huge improvement. A couple of SVS PB-1000 Pro subwoofers would do nicely in a room that size or move up to the PB-2000 Pro if you really like the low effects or listen to music with deep bass. Most people underestimate the importance of good subwoofers. There are other good options like REL or Hsu as well depending on where you're located. You don't have to stick with Klipsch all around unless your fixated on those copper cones.

Amplification depends upon your seating distance and how loud you like it. As Jim mentioned, the Klipsch speakers have a relatively high sensitivity so they get loud with less power than some other brands. The extra amp power gives you more headroom though so that the system handles those big transients better so in general try and get as much power as you can afford. At 96dB sensitivity anything over 100W / channel will get pretty loud and your seating distance will not be too great so I don't imagine that power will be that big of issue. Look more towards the kind of features you may need.

 

[alouelle]

Yes, keep your mains and get matching center and surrounds. 11x12.5 is not that large so a couple intermediate subs should do fine. We typically recommend two subwoofers as it smooths out the response between different seating positions so that one seat is not particularly boomy or lacking in bass. As mentioned, you could start with one with plans to add a second later.

I had a Klipsch 10" and it failed after only a couple of years. I then switched to SVS and noticed a huge improvement. A couple of SVS PB-1000 Pro subwoofers would do nicely in a room that size or move up to the PB-2000 Pro if you really like the low effects or listen to music with deep bass. Most people underestimate the importance of good subwoofers. There are other good options like REL or Hsu as well depending on where you're located. You don't have to stick with Klipsch all around unless your fixated on those copper cones.

Amplification depends upon your seating distance and how loud you like it. As Jim mentioned, the Klipsch speakers have a relatively high sensitivity so they get loud with less power than some other brands. The extra amp power gives you more headroom though so that the system handles those big transients better so in general try and get as much power as you can afford. At 96dB sensitivity anything over 100W / channel will get pretty loud and your seating distance will not be too great so I don't imagine that power will be that big of issue. Look more towards the kind of features you may need.

Appreciate all this info! Thanks so much

 

[CajunLB]

What is your subwoofer budget? The Dayton Audio sub 1200/1500 gets recommended often when the budget gets tight.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...

And yes I would like to have dolby atmos in the future!

How large is your video screen? Where will your primary listening position will be? How far from the back wall?
Not sure how well the Atmos will fit in such a small space. Just a thought.

 

[alouelle]

How large is your video screen? Where will your primary listening position will be? How far from the back wall?
Not sure how well the Atmos will fit in such a small space. Just a thought.

70" I am approximately 7 to 9' away from the screen depending on the position on the couch...

The couch is next to the wall so 2 feet away..

I have a bigger room but this room is the darkest I have :s if you think I cannot build a Dolby Atmos what would you suggest?

 

[mtrycrafts]

70" I am approximately 7 to 9' away from the screen depending on the position on the couch...

The couch is next to the wall so 2 feet away..

I have a bigger room but this room is the darkest I have :s if you think I cannot build a Dolby Atmos what would you suggest?

With that couch against or almost so against the back wall, a nice 5.1 or 5.2 setup would be best but that is just my opinion. If one want 4 Atmos ceiling speakers, the rears needs to be a number of feet behind you per Dolby. Not sure the effect of just 2 ceiling forward of the listener would do.
Same with the rear surrounds even more so. Side back speakers would be your surrounds as that should not be even with shoulders and even back some, again per Dolby. This can still be immersive.

 

[Eppie]

With that couch against or almost so against the back wall, a nice 5.1 or 5.2 setup would be best but that is just my opinion. If one want 4 Atmos ceiling speakers, the rears needs to be a number of feet behind you per Dolby. Not sure the effect of just 2 ceiling forward of the listener would do.
Same with the rear surrounds even more so. Side back speakers would be your surrounds as that should not be forward of shoulders and even back some, again per Dolby. This can still be immersive.

Some good points there. It can be helpful to look up the AVR manual on-line as they often have pictures of various setups that are supported. Here is a link to the NR696. There are several images showing supported setups and the recommended angles relative to the listener.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Some good points there. It can be helpful to look up the AVR manual on-line as they often have pictures of various setups that are supported. Here is a link to the NR696. There are several images showing supported setups and the recommended angles relative to the listener.

Yes, indeed.
All those have the listener a good distance away from the back wall. His seems to be at or almost against it.

 

[Eppie]

Yes, indeed.
All those have the listener a good distance away from the back wall. His seems to be at or almost against it.

That's the problem I have. Only 12' of depth so not really enough room to move the couch away from the wall to get the surrounds in behind. I ended up mounting the surrounds in the ceiling as far back as I could. Not ideal but still gives the surround effect. It's more like having rear height speaker but my AVR only supports front heights with wide and rear surrounds.

If the op has a certain speaker setup in mind, he needs to find an AVR to match. If the AVR choice comes first, then he should look at the supported setups and see what suits the room best.