Large room enclosed on right open on left thoughts on speakers. Subwoofer and receiver recommendations

[jdubs79]

I will be setting up an Atmos home theater in my basement and was looking for some recommendations. The system will be used mostly for movies and not much music. The room is pretty large (probably around 1000 sq ft or so) and only option for the home theater involves having a wall on the right side with it being totally open to the rest of the basement on the left. I am not an audiophile by any means, but at the same time I still want a great sounding system. here is what I have come up with

Receiver Denon AVR-X4700H or 3700, I am told the increased wattage of the 4700 may result in cleaner sound but I'm not sure if it is a worthwhile upgrade
Left/Right Channel - Paradigm Founder40B
Center - Paradigm - Founders70LCR
Atmos Ceiling - 2 Paradigm P65R
Sides and rears - 4 Paradigm P80A
Subwoofer - here is where I am not really sure what I want to do. I have an old Klipsch RW12D that I could keep and integrate into the system, but I was also considering one SVS SB-3000 or dual RSL Speedwoofer 10S MKII. Being that the room is open I am leaning toward Dual RSL Speedwoofers.

Is the above a good system? Would love to hear everyone's thoughts on the Receiver and subwoofer situation. Unless I am making a huge mistake with the paradigm speakers I think I should be good with those.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jdubs79]

Bumping this

 

[shadyJ]

I am not hugely impressed by the Founder 70LCR. The Founder 40B might be OK. The Paradigm Premier 500C is a better center than the Founder 70LCR, and much cheaper.

The subs are fine performers for small subs, but if you can handle a larger sub, you can get way more bang for the buck. Look at Monoprice, Hsu, Outlaw Audio. The Denons are good receivers, you can't go wrong with either.

 

[-Jim-]

Hi @jdubs79 . To really gain interest and assistance from most of the team here, is to post a sketch of your proposed room along with primary seating position, door and window openings, proposed speaker locations, ceiling height and if it's vaulted or flat, any restrictions like a fireplace that can't be moved, is it all finished, etc. Nothing fancy, just draw it out on a piece of white paper with dimensions to the nearest inch, if you don't have any software to do it. Then take a photo of it with your phone and post it here. A photo of the HT area could also be helpful. You could use different colors for speakers, TV / Screen , etc. To gain alternate equipment recommendations, most would like to see what Budget limitations you are working with.

The Denons power wise only differ by 20 watts /per channel (125 vs 105) which you normally wouldn't notice. The AVR-X4700H just has more features than the 3700. @shadyJ isn't steering you wrong on the speakers. Remember speakers can look great but sound bad. Appearance doesn't correlate to great sound. (Lipstick on a Pig!)

I hope this is helpful.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I think it would be helpful if you took a few photos, and put a rough sketch of your room together so you can get some better feedback on what you are looking to achieve. If you have heard the speakers and are really happy with them, then that's great, but with a several thousand dollar budget for audio... geez, you better have a REALLY good TV or projector to go with it!... Anyway, with a solid budget for audio, you really want to have spent time listening to different options. I still struggle with the concept of dropping a lot of money for in-ceiling/wall speakers when they don't have a nice back box to go with it and there are really inexpensive options that sound nearly as good.

ie: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=34198

If you are going to drop $1,000+ for in-ceiling speakers, you should get a cheap pair first to see how they compare.

 

[jdubs79]

Thanks for the replies!

For the TV I am going with the Sony 83" A90J. I have the 65" and love it, so I don't think I can go wrong with the larger one.

This is all being done with a basement remodel, so I have the blueprints all ready. You can take a look at the movie area at https://prnt.sc/HEaf3m86HEkB. The TV will be against the wall in front of the couch.

@shadyJ, that is a good point about the Center channel. I was led to believe the Founder's series has a much warmer/neutral tone than the premier series and my only concern would be mixing the two. I'm also not sure about larger subs as I've always enjoyed the sound of smaller subs a bit more, although I'm sure tech has changed since I formed that opinion over 20 years ago. I'm also still debating sub placement, but am thinking against the couch on the long side to the left and somewhere under the bar behind the couch on the right. Or perhaps I should reverse it since most people will likely be sitting on the other side of the bar?

Appreciate all the input!

 

[jdubs79]

Also ceiling height is 8 feet, but there will be soffits (the dotted lines) that will bring the height down to 7ft or so in that area.

 

[-Jim-]

@jdubs79 Thanks for the drawing. You win this week's award for a straight forward timely response!

Now you just need to mark it where you are thinking the speakers are going, TV location (E2A4?), and answer the rest of the questions. Positioning the LCR, rears and Atmos, should be routine but the side surrounds could be a bit of a challenge with the sectional up against the wall.

 

[jdubs79]

I love awards thanks! I just ate a cookie to celebrate.

yes the TV is going in E2A4, all of the speakers are getting installed professionally and I don't have it mapped out, but I am confident the installer knows what he is doing. I was thinking about placing the subs where the red boxes are. https://prnt.sc/R7wFBOn5ic8h. Not sure if putting the sub under the bar area is a great idea. If I do this there will be a half wall between the couch and the sub. It could also go in the back corner where it says "H6".

If I missed any questions or you need more info please let me know.

 

[jdubs79]

Also @jim you mentioned the sectional is up against a wall. This is only a half wall as there is seating there and people seated behind it at the bar area will also be able to view the TV.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I will say, that I haven't built out my basement yet, but one thing I am doing with a somewhat similar setup, is I am building a partial wall section pretty specifically to house in-wall or on-wall speakers on both sides of the theater. This also will provide separation from the theater space and the game room space of the theater. I will also be putting a soffit around my theater to help with that separate space, without putting a full 'wall' into place. - Just an idea/consideration. My space will have two rows of seating and I don't have windows in the theater space (or behind it).

Solid drawings! Really helpful to give people an idea of what is going on and I think you will get a fair bit of feedback.

 

[jdubs79]

I will say, that I haven't built out my basement yet, but one thing I am doing with a somewhat similar setup, is I am building a partial wall section pretty specifically to house in-wall or on-wall speakers on both sides of the theater. This also will provide separation from the theater space and the game room space of the theater. I will also be putting a soffit around my theater to help with that separate space, without putting a full 'wall' into place. - Just an idea/consideration. My space will have two rows of seating and I don't have windows in the theater space (or behind it).

Solid drawings! Really helpful to give people an idea of what is going on and I think you will get a fair bit of feedback.

My wife would never go for that. She may go for speaker stands with a lot of cajoling, but I would have serious concerns with that as well as our house has become a big hangout space for my kids and they may knock it over.

 

[shadyJ]

Thanks for the replies!

For the TV I am going with the Sony 83" A90J. I have the 65" and love it, so I don't think I can go wrong with the larger one.

This is all being done with a basement remodel, so I have the blueprints all ready. You can take a look at the movie area at https://prnt.sc/HEaf3m86HEkB. The TV will be against the wall in front of the couch.

@shadyJ, that is a good point about the Center channel. I was led to believe the Founder's series has a much warmer/neutral tone than the premier series and my only concern would be mixing the two. I'm also not sure about larger subs as I've always enjoyed the sound of smaller subs a bit more, although I'm sure tech has changed since I formed that opinion over 20 years ago. I'm also still debating sub placement, but am thinking against the couch on the long side to the left and somewhere under the bar behind the couch on the right. Or perhaps I should reverse it since most people will likely be sitting on the other side of the bar?

Appreciate all the input!

The Founder's series center speaker is not more warm or neutral, it just has a weird response. The Premier series centers have a consistent response.

As for subs, the only difference between large subs and small subs is that small subs can not produce deep bass very well. Regarding placement, I couldn't tell you the best spot. I would suggest that when you get the subs, just experiment with placement to see what locations sound best to you.

 

[jdubs79]

Thanks,

Any downside in getting the 600c instead or is it too big considering the bookshelves?

 

[shadyJ]

Thanks,

Any downside in getting the 600c instead or is it too big considering the bookshelves?

It's not too big for the bookshelf speakers. Keep in mind that I don't think it will necessarily be better than the 500C, it will just have more bass extension which you may not even take advantage of since you will be using a subwoofer.

 

[jdubs79]

It's not too big for the bookshelf speakers. Keep in mind that I don't think it will necessarily be better than the 500C, it will just have more bass extension which you may not even take advantage of since you will be using a subwoofer.

Thanks, you have been extremely helpful! I also just noticed that there is a pillar to the right of the couch next to where it says "C15" would this be a good place to put a surround channel or is this too far forward? We would also put one on the wall opposite. If we do this would there be a benefit to putting an additional two left and right surround channels on the ceiling behind the couch to even out the sound stage?

 

[-Jim-]

C15 is too far forward IMHO. Following the Specs you really want side surrounds to be at ear level when seated - straight out from your ears or slightly behind. Having them a bit higher works. If you are going to Atmos , you really need this difference in height. I'd probably put the side surrounds on the bar on the right side and a bracket on the left.

You can put in 4 Atmos speakers with two behind the Couch between the bar and the back wall. (They'll be great for parties when you play background music too.)

Think about getting a wireless Sub kit so you can move the Sub to find the best location after it's built.

 

[jdubs79]

Think about getting a wireless Sub kit so you can move the Sub to find the best location after it's built.

I don't Wireless sub won't work unfortunately because the receiver will be on a separate room quite far away.

Also @shadyJ, you mentioned a couple subs, I was looking at them and am curious if you think the outlaw audio Ultra x12 or the Monoprice M12 V2 would be better for watching movies in the space?

 

[jdubs79]

I was also looking at the SVS SB 3000, but that is a bit pricier.

 

[shadyJ]

Thanks, you have been extremely helpful! I also just noticed that there is a pillar to the right of the couch next to where it says "C15" would this be a good place to put a surround channel or is this too far forward? We would also put one on the wall opposite. If we do this would there be a benefit to putting an additional two left and right surround channels on the ceiling behind the couch to even out the sound stage?

I think the C15 pillar would be too close for surround speakers. The opposite wall is very close as well. If I were you, I would skip the side surrounds and just do back surrounds. If I were you, I might just do a 5.1.2 system with two rear surrounds and two Atmos height channels in the ceiling over the sofa.

I don't Wireless sub won't work unfortunately because the receiver will be on a separate room quite far away.

Also @shadyJ, you mentioned a couple subs, I was looking at them and am curious if you think the outlaw audio Ultra x12 or the Monoprice M12 V2 would be better for watching movies in the space?

The Monoprice 12 would have a bit more powerful deep bass, but other than that they should be pretty close in performance. Keep in mind that the Monoprice 12 is a bear to handle. It is large and very heavy. The Outlaw is large and heavy too, but you will absolutely need two people to get the Monoprice 12 into place, but you might be able to handle the Outlaw by yourself (although it would still be smart to team lift that one as well). If you need to move the Monoprice 12 up or down a staircase, you will need a dolly of some kind.