Suggestions on 7.1 setup, Please?

[thekaptn]

Ok, I know this is one of the most annoying questions for a forum, but I am just having a headache trying to figure out what to get as my next surround sound system. In the past I have rocked the Onkyo 7.1 in a box, but that was a while ago and I am looking to step up to a meaner and cleaner. I have read the 3k and 5k suggested systems on this site, but It doesn't help me for the fact that I am wanting to run in-wall and in-ceiling.

To start off I am looking to add on to my existing setup which is as follows:

Sony 52XBR4 LCD TV
PS3
XBOX 360
AppleTV
Tivo Series3

In this I am hoping to setup a 7.1 sound system to truly make use of blu-ray trueHD and MA tracks, while sounding phenomenally better than what a HTIB would sound.

The room is 14'x18', with an open awning behind where we will be sitting.

I am wanting to go Towers for the front, In-Walls for the Surround L/R, and In-Ceiling for the Back Surround L/R. The speakers I have been looking at are the klipsch CDT-2800-C for the ceiling. As far as the rest, I am all open to suggestions.

As far as the receiver goes, I am in between the Denon AVR-2308CI and Onkyo SR-876, I am leaning towards the 876 for it's use of the HQV Reon-VX and the 4 HDMI ports.

Pretty much if you had $2.5-3K for a receiver and Speakers, What would you do?

Thanks in advance.

 

[corey]

My thought is to focus on your front 3 speakers. Start by eliminating as many as you can. If your front L&R need to be close to your front wall, then rear ported speakers might not be on your list. How large a center would work for you? Don't look at L&R's that match with centers you can't use.

 

[Midcow2]

some ideas to consider.

Definitive Technolgy and Speakercraft make exceelltn In-wall and Ceiling speakers.

Determine first how much you have to spend.


Cory, is correct the front and center speakers are your most important and they should match to maintain timbre (seamless front sound). It is also important to audition the speakers with the type of music or DVDs you will be listening too. (also I would conectrate most of your money here).

The rears and other surround speakers are just for enhancement and do not need to match. An excellent in-ceiling speaker is the Defintive Technology.
http://www.definitivetech.com/Products/Inwall/default.aspx
I have two pair UIWBPs in the ceiling as front and rear surrounds.

The subwoofer can be added later and does not need to match; believe it or not there are some very good in-wall subwoofers.; J L Audio makes an excelelent one: JL Audio Fathom IWS http://home.jlaudio.com/jlaudio_pages.php?page_id=42


Good Luck!

MidCow2

 

[thekaptn]

Thanks Guys!

Thanks midcow2 and corey for the insightful thoughts on things that I didn't really consider.

Midcow2, I am quite impressed with Definitive's product line, but the price seemed a little too steep for me for the surrounds.

As per suggestion from user Grunt, I visited axiom's website.

So here is what I am thinking...

Onkyo TX-SR876
Axiom Pair W3 In-Wall Speakers (I like the reviews and the even though it protrudes out, I really like the look that they should deliver)
Axiom QS4 Surrounds (Not in-ceiling, but there is a 1' section of the ceiling that comes down that I think these would fit nicely on.
Axiom EP175 Powered Subwoofer
Axiom VP100 Center or Definitive Tech Mythos Seven
Axiom M50v2 or Definitive Tech Mythos Five

1) Would this be a good setup for enjoying movies and music?
2) Am I lowballing with the receiver?
3) What would you change about it?

 

[Midcow2]

Your solution looks good!

Thanks midcow2 and corey for the insightful thoughts on things that I didn't really consider.

Midcow2, I am quite impressed with Definitive's product line, but the price seemed a little too steep for me for the surrounds.

As per suggestion from user Grunt, I visited axiom's website.

So here is what I am thinking...

Onkyo TX-SR876
Axiom Pair W3 In-Wall Speakers (I like the reviews and the even though it protrudes out, I really like the look that they should deliver)
Axiom QS4 Surrounds (Not in-ceiling, but there is a 1' section of the ceiling that comes down that I think these would fit nicely on.
Axiom EP175 Powered Subwoofer
Axiom VP100 Center or Definitive Tech Mythos Seven
Axiom M50v2 or Definitive Tech Mythos Five

1) Would this be a good setup for enjoying movies and music?
2) Am I lowballing with the receiver?
3) What would you change about it?

1) It would be good. You might consider a subwoofer. I really like SVS or Hsu but, they are expensive. A very good inexpensive sub is the Dayton SUB120-Ht for $155 from Part Express http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=Dayton+120+HT+sub&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title Allso for movies and Tv the center speaker is very importnat, because that is where your voice dialog comes from; go with Def Tech Mythos Seven center. I agree completely with not using expensive speakers for surrounds; your choice will work fine.

2) No, Onkyo makes very good receivers. TX-SR876 is a nice one!
3) See above ;think about an inexpensvie, yet good sub and go with the Def Tech Mythos Seven center.

Good luck!

MidCow2

 

[zhimbo]

Onkyo TX-SR876
Axiom Pair W3 In-Wall Speakers (I like the reviews and the even though it protrudes out, I really like the look that they should deliver)
Axiom QS4 Surrounds (Not in-ceiling, but there is a 1' section of the ceiling that comes down that I think these would fit nicely on.
Axiom EP175 Powered Subwoofer
Axiom VP100 Center or Definitive Tech Mythos Seven
Axiom M50v2 or Definitive Tech Mythos Five

Axiom subs have their fans, but even they will typically steer you away from the low end of their line. Not that they're "bad", but at that price point ($500-$600) there are a ton of better performing subs.

 

[thekaptn]

Thanks Guys!

Well, after going off of your suggestions I just ordered the following

Onkyo TX-SR876
2 x Def Tech Mythos 5 Tower L/R
1 x Def Tech Mythos 7 Center
2 x Axiom W3 In-Walls
2 x Axiom QS4 Surrounds
1 x Dayton SUB-120 Subwoofer

Hopefully when I get back from work next Monday I am going to have a lot of goodies waiting for me to install!

Thanks for all the suggestions and information!

Awesome forum and people!

 

[AVRat]

A little late to the party, oh well!

Even those Klipsch are more than necessary for surrounds.

Ascend Acoustics CMT-340/CMT-340C w/stands - $938 shipped
Def Tech UIW BP - $500 (negotiate)
Def Tech UIW 63 - $240 (negotiate)

SVS PB12-NSD. - ~$700

Total - $2378

 

[lsiberian]

Well, after going off of your suggestions I just ordered the following

Onkyo TX-SR876
2 x Def Tech Mythos 5 Tower L/R
1 x Def Tech Mythos 7 Center
2 x Axiom W3 In-Walls
2 x Axiom QS4 Surrounds
1 x Dayton SUB-120 Subwoofer

Hopefully when I get back from work next Monday I am going to have a lot of goodies waiting for me to install!

Thanks for all the suggestions and information!

Awesome forum and people!

Be aware that the SUB-120 can be boomy if placed improperly. So make sure you do a crawl test. It will be worth your effort.

 

[Midcow2]

Hope you enjoy your system

Be aware that the SUB-120 can be boomy if placed improperly. So make sure you do a crawl test. It will be worth your effort.

Isberian,

Very good point. OP try different sub locations until you find one that sounds best to you, i.e not boomy

OP hope you enjoy your system it is

 

[thekaptn]

Thanks for the advice on the crawl test, this is information that I haven't heard before and I am very grateful for every tid bit that everyone has tossed in. I hope to be uploading some pictures and experiences with this system soon.

Once hooked up I am planning on running the Audyssey MultEQ XT to tune the speakers. Do y'all think that I should do it myself or use the Audyssey?

 

[lsiberian]

Thanks for the advice on the crawl test, this is information that I haven't heard before and I am very grateful for every tid bit that everyone has tossed in. I hope to be uploading some pictures and experiences with this system soon.

Once hooked up I am planning on running the Audyssey MultEQ XT to tune the speakers. Do y'all think that I should do it myself or use the Audyssey?

The reason I bring it up is mainly because I have a Dayton sub and it's very placement finicky. I have found the best spot for me is about halfway in between my rear surrounds. Along the back wall. Also make sure to set the crossover no more than 100 hz. Preferably 80 hz. I notice anything above 100 makes the sub boomy. It seems to be perfect at 80. I usually can't tell what direction the sub is in. Even if you loose a bit of frequency I think the 80 hz setting is still the best.

You should definitely run the multi-eq after you setup the sub properly.

You will want to run as many areas as possible and use a tripod if you have one. If not I found some skinny long boxes to work too. LOL. I think the guideline positions are as follows

1:Middle of seating area(middle seat of couch) Middle of love seat)

2:2 ft left of first postion(aka the left seat on a 3 seat couch, The over the arm on a love seat)

3:2 ft right of first position(inverse the above)

4:2 ft in front of first position

5:2 ft to the left of 4th position.

6:2 ft to the right of 4th position.

7:2 ft behind 1st postion.

8:2 ft to the left of 7th position.

9:2 ft to the right of 7th position.

the audyssey engineer said to use as many of these positions in order as possible. He also said to make sure nothing is in between the speaker and your head. he said not to set the eq for side chairs.

All the above positions should be taken at around your seating ear height. Measure your upper leg and subtract from your heat and that should get you close enough.

If you live in an apartment do this on a saturday afternoon. Because the Auto EQ noises are very loud on many systems.

You really only want to do it once because it is very annoying so make sure to get your placements as perfect as possible first. I think there is a tool to help with that. The eq can do wonders though.

If you can consider draping the windows(make sure to look for dust free stuff) Windows can reak havoc on the auto eq.