New House - Building HT advise?

[jfdawson]

All,

looking for a little advise. I'm building a house, and in the new house I'm getting a Media Room ( 13w x 24L x 18h with vaulted ceilings ). The TV wall will be against the 13 ft wall. The room will have no windows, so it's completely enclosed. The new house will not be completed until November 1st, so I have time to research and shop. I'm working on about a $12,000 budget.

I'm planning to buy Plasma and big. Planning to put the either the new Pioneer Elite 60" 1080p ( est $7500 ) or Samsung 6374 ( $5500 ) or Samsung 5884 ( $4700 ). Given the choices here... what do you suggest????

Blue Ray and/or HD DVD? I''m not sure here. 1080p/24 to take advantage of my TV's ability. and since the cost of HD DVD's are going cheap, I may have both.

As for Reciever, I'm considering either the Denon 4308ci or 3808ci or Pioneer Elite vsx94. My house has "wireless" 802.11b/g, but I will not have an Ethernet drop in the media room, so

Question, What exactly will wireless option on the Denon 4308 give me? I have a PC with iTunes ( 22gb of music ) and iPod with USB doc. I guess what I'd like to know is.. will the Denon be able to accept a wireless signal from the PC to be able to project a) music b) movies that are downloaded or c) is it simply a way to update firmware and features of the receiver for later? or am I better off buying the AppleTV and going cheaper on receiver?

Next, Speakers. Right now the room is pre-wired for a 5.1 system. 2 front speaker drops about 5ft high on the wall at about 1 ft IN on each side of the 13ft wall. Not married to wall speakers for the fronts, so considering nice Floor speakers instead set at the front corners.


Next, Surrounds. drops are at 10ft high at about 15ft from the TV wall, with nothing on the back wall ( and at this point, no ability to add rear drops ), so planning to maybe use floor standing for the rears unless I you think I need to mount them up high or can I leave it off the plans altogether?

Next, Sub? confused here.. I see SVS had been discussed but have not heard this.. is it too much for my set up? which model will work? don't need to feel the bass 2 blocks away, so what will work and not cost me a fortune?

Considering Definitive Technologies for all the speakers because they sell them at best buy and it's convenient for me to listen and see. I prefer to buy Internet to save on taxes ( 8.25% ).

I know this is a lot, but I'd love to hear what people think?

Thanks!

 

[Adam]

jfdawson, welcome to the forum!

I'm Denon ignorant, so I can't help you there. I just have some comments/suggestions.

1. Because you have the chance to prewire the house, you may want to consider wiring it for 7.1. You may not want those extra surround speakers now, but perhaps in the future. Also, you could consider running at least one line-level cable (75 Ohm coax should work find) to the rear of the room. That way, you could place a subwoofer back there without needing to run any extra wires.

2. Aperion Audio, an internet-direct company, offers a 30-day no-risk audition period for their speakers (they'll pay shipping both ways if you return them). Really nice looking, in my opinion. There are other options, too, of course...even Crutchfield is good for regular speaker lines, with free shipping both ways if you spend over $250 (or have a coupon).

3. I just got my first SVS sub last week. I really like it, and I think that their customer service is phenomenal. I recommend them without reservation. People here also like Hsu subs, among others. Aperion also sells subs with the same no-risk deal, both in speaker packages and separately.

Adam

 

[gus6464]

All,

As for Reciever, I'm considering either the Denon 4308ci or 3808ci or Pioneer Elite vsx94. My house has "wireless" 802.11b/g, but I will not have an Ethernet drop in the media room, so

Question, What exactly will wireless option on the Denon 4308 give me? I have a PC with iTunes ( 22gb of music ) and iPod with USB doc. I guess what I'd like to know is.. will the Denon be able to accept a wireless signal from the PC to be able to project a) music b) movies that are downloaded or c) is it simply a way to update firmware and features of the receiver for later? or am I better off buying the AppleTV and going cheaper on receiver?

I use airport express for my music streaming to our living room. Works like a charm and it's a very cheap solution. What I did was re-rip all my wife's cds into lossless format and keep them on the pc. Then I got the airport express and got a miniplug to toslink cable from monoprice and connected the airport express to the receiver via toslink. We have gotten very good music quality by just re-ripping everything in lossless. Then you can control what music the receiver plays with any laptop in the house that has itunes and all you have to do is share the main pc's music library in the network. Also if you have an iphone there is this neat little app called remote buddy that lets you control your entire music collection on any pc in the house to any source you want. Just think of it as a wireless touchscreen itunes remote. You don't need an expensive receiver with ethernet to do what you want as any receiver with toslink will do.

miniplug to toslink cable http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&cs_id=1022902&p_id=1571&seq=1&format=2&style=

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Next, Speakers. Right now the room is pre-wired for a 5.1 system. 2 front speaker drops about 5ft high on the wall at about 1 ft IN on each side of the 13ft wall. Not married to wall speakers for the fronts, so considering nice Floor speakers instead set at the front corners.

You always want to try and get the tweeters as close to ear level as you can. So maybe lower that drop some.

Next, Sub? confused here.. I see SVS had been discussed but have not heard this.. is it too much for my set up? which model will work? don't need to feel the bass 2 blocks away, so what will work and not cost me a fortune?

For a room that big, do yourself justice and get more sub than you think you need. SVS and Hsu Research will both be happy to help over the phone about what model you need. Think about the SVS PC-13 Ultra, or the Hsu Reasearch VTF-3 HO Turbo (Thats what I have).

Considering Definitive Technologies for all the speakers because they sell them at best buy and it's convenient for me to listen and see. I prefer to buy Internet to save on taxes ( 8.25% ).

Try some speakers now, through the internet only retailers, they will give you 30 days in home, and you just pay shipping back. Look at av123.com, Ascend, Axiom, Aperion Audio, etc. I have a pair of Aperion Towers in beautiful piano black, and never knew they existed till Adam suggested them.

Most of all, have fun!

 

[zumbo]

Well, MB Quart doesn't offer a return policy, but they are superior to the other brands mentioned. I use floor standers, front and rear.

In-walls ranging from 5.25"-8":
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-2512040-5351637?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=mb+quart+alexxa+in+walls

Floor standing:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-2512040-5351637?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=mb+quart+alexxa+floorstanding&Go.x=11&Go.y=15

Center:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-2512040-5351637?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=mb+quart+alexxa+center&Go.x=11&Go.y=6

Bookshelf:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-2512040-5351637?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=mb+quart+alexxa+bookshelf&Go.x=4&Go.y=8

Subs are pricey, and are not going to outperform SV or HSU for the money.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-2512040-5351637?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=mb+quart+alexxa+subwoofer

Brands I would recommend to audition locally would be B&W, Focal/JM Lab, and Dynaudio.

http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/

http://www.focal.tm.fr/accueil_en.htm

http://www.dynaudio.com/flash-index.php

Subs to audition:
http://home.jlaudio.com/

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Well, MB Quart doesn't offer a return policy, but they are superior to the other brands mentioned.

Thats a rather bold statement to make.

 

[Adam]

Thats a rather bold statement to make.

Indeed! Speaker preference is very subjective, so there's no way to make such a blanket statement about sound "quality."

zumbo, can you back up your statement, if even based solely on build quality?

 

[gus6464]

Since you won't be getting your house until nov. 1st you can wait and give the new Yamaha RX-V1800 a try as it will be out by then. Speakers are more important than electronics so you should spend the most that you can on them. That Yamaha has 1080p upconvert through HDMI and supports the new HD audio formats. Save over $1000 and spend it on speakers.

 

[zumbo]

Indeed! Speaker preference is very subjective, so there's no way to make such a blanket statement about sound "quality."

zumbo, can you back up your statement, if even based solely on build quality?

The product speaks for itself. These are not China made entry/mid-level speakers made from cheap materials. MB Quart is a top-shelf company. These speakers wouldn't even be considered to be compared to the low/mid-end speakers recommended here. The OP is building a 12k system, not a 2k system.

I did add other brands, of similar quality, to my previous post to audition.

http://www.mbquart.com/en/produkte/home/

 

[mazersteven]

Just because a produce comes from China does not mean it's of cheap quality, or craftsmanship. China's production, and quality control is increasingly becoming a bench mark for others to follow. And this is in all industries.

 

[Adam]

zumbo, I'm glad that you like MB. I'm not knocking the brand, but I do not think that they outclass every other speaker brand mentioned here. Just my opinion, as it is yours that they do.

The OP is building a 12k system, not a 2k system.

True, but that's 12k for the whole system. Have you looked at the other stuff that's on the list of things to buy? There might only be about 2k left for speakers.

 

[zumbo]

Just because a produce comes from China does not mean it's of cheap quality, or craftsmanship. China's production, and quality control is increasingly becoming a bench mark for others to follow. And this is in all industries.

I understand. That is why the US has a recall on cat food, toothpaste, catfish, baby toys, and etc.

Speaking of China's produce, I believe that has been recalled too.

 

[zumbo]

zumbo, I'm glad that you like MB. I'm not knocking the brand, but I do not think that they outclass every other speaker brand mentioned here. Just my opinion, as it is yours that they do.

Speakers mentioned:
av123.com, Ascend, Axiom, and Aperion Audio.

Yes,they do. They are in another class. Much like BMW and Mercedes outclass Chevy and Ford.

True, but that's 12k for the whole system. Have you looked at the other stuff that's on the list of things to buy? There might only be about 2k left for speakers.

That is why I listed a bookshelf option as well. It would take around 3k and up for a decent bookshelf system from the brands I mentioned. My floor standers are $1699.99 a pair. Older models, but still available.

 

[gus6464]

My speakers were made in China!!!! And I love them.

 

[mazersteven]

I understand. That is why the US has a recall on cat food, toothpaste, catfish, baby toys, and etc.

Speaking of China's produce, I believe that has been recalled too.

Oops I meant product not produce.

You'll be driving a China built car in a year over a Toyota, Honda or any other make.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

In the '70's my Father, a WWII vet HATED Japanese built cars. But before he died he had the chance to drive a top of the line Mazda, and he was impressed. Times are changing.

My sub and speakers were DESIGNED in America, but built in China. Lower cost, but excellent build quality. Dr Hsu's subs are rock solid, and my Aperions in piano black look like a Steinway Grand.

 

[zumbo]

Oops I meant product not produce.

You'll be driving a China built car in a year over a Toyota, Honda or any other make.

Nope. I drive Toyota trucks. I will continue to drive them. And, MADE IN USA now!

 

[zumbo]

My sub and speakers were DESIGNED in America, but built in China. Lower cost, but excellent build quality. Dr Hsu's subs are rock solid, and my Aperions in piano black look like a Steinway Grand.

So, you support American companies sending our jobs to China?

I try my best not to.

To try and get this back on track, my speakers were handmade in Germany by the engineers who designed them. It cost more this way, but company passion is what you get.

Handmade passion. You can hear it.
http://www.mbquart.com/en/unternehmen/produktion.php

 

[Adam]

So, you support American companies sending our jobs to China?

I try my best not to.

To try and get this back on track, my speakers were handmade in Germany by the engineers who designed them. It cost more this way, but company passion is what you get.

Handmade passion. You can hear it.
http://www.mbquart.com/en/unternehmen/produktion.php

Ahhh, nothing says supporting American companies like buying products handmade in Germany.

 

[zumbo]

Ahhh, nothing says supporting American companies like buying products handmade in Germany.

LOL! That was a reply to the speakers designed in America, and made in China.

My sub and speakers were DESIGNED in America, but built in China.

So, you support American companies sending our jobs to China?

I try my best not to.

I believe German products are superior to American. I believe in any company who tries not to outsource jobs for profit. I am not a fan of outsourcing to China.