Guidance needed for first HT set-up

[bleedblue]

I finally convinced the Mrs. to let me put together our home theater and need some guidance around components and set-up. To make things a little more complicated, I'd also like to run my patio speakers off the same equipment. I think this can be done using Zone 2 on my receiver but I need some expert advice to ensure I don't mess it up.

Here is what I have so far.....

Home Theater Details:
- Room Size: 18'W x 21'D x 12'H
- Seating: ~17' from front screen
- Receiver: Pioneer VSX-51
- Center: B&W Cinema 6
- Front L/R: B&W CWM800
- Side L/R: B&W CWM650
- Rear L/R: B&W CWM650
- Sub: TBD

Outdoor Speaker Details:
- Distance from receiver ranges from 50' to 210'
- (4) Niles RS6Si Rock Speakers

Questions:
1. Does this speaker combination work for the HT?
2. If so, what sub works best with this speaker combination? (Doesn't need to be in-wall)
3. What additional components to I need to optimize performance of both the HT and to run four outdoor speakers off Zone 2?

I'm a beginner so please be patient.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[agarwalro]

Those speakers will work just fine.

What is the budget for a sub?

 

[bleedblue]

I'm a bit over budget already so I'd like to stay between $500-$600.

 

[sholling]

$600 for a sub for a 4300cuft room? I'd say a single Hsu Research VTF-3 MK4 (about $659 +100S&H) is about the bare minimum with two being a better idea to even out the bass. Of course you can always start with one and add the second later if you need it.

The other thing that concerns me distance between the speakers and the seating. Those speakers have a sensitivity of 89db (not bad at all) but you lose volume with distance. Hopefully someone with more experience than I have at those distances will chime in. 17' also doesn't give you much room for rear surrounds. Maybe move seating forward 3-4' or so?

I don't know about that receiver but most limit zone 2 to analog sources. I'd read the manual carefully to see if it meets your needs.

 

[bleedblue]

Thanks for the insight. I'll check out the Hsu sub. On the seating... Are you saying that the CWM650s are too much speaker for the space? I can definitely move seating if needed.

Can you expand on your comment about Zone 2 being analog?

 

[sholling]

Thanks for the insight. I'll check out the Hsu sub. On the seating... Are you saying that the CWM650s are too much speaker for the space? I can definitely move seating if needed.

Not too much speaker. The further away you are the more output you need from the speaker to reach a given volume. In other words given those speaker's specs and that receiver then at 3' away from the speakers the maximum volume to reach your ears would be a deafening 112db. By the time you get 10' away that's down to 102db. At 17 feet that's down to 97db. Of course we don't listen anywhere near that loud but it's nice to be able to hit 100db peaks for explosions and gunshots.

Can you expand on your comment about Zone 2 being analog?

You'll have to read the manual for details but a cursory look at that receiver's manual (page 13) states that with zone-2 "the selection of input devices is limited". You'll have to read fairly deeply to see what those limitations are. It also looks like your receiver will either power back surrounds or a zone-2 and not both. I did not read deeply enough to see if it has preouts to connect an external amplifier for a second zone.

 

[bleedblue]

Thanks for the clarification on both the distance and Zone 2.

I just spoke with a Pioneer rep. You're right, it's an either or option on Zone 2. I need to add a 4 channel amplifier to run the outdoor speakers. Do you have a recommendation on an amp?

 

[Crackerballer]

Before I respond with any input, tell us what color blue you bleed.

 

[sholling]

I just spoke with a Pioneer rep. You're right, it's an either or option on Zone 2. I need to add a 4 channel amplifier to run the outdoor speakers. Do you have a recommendation on an amp?

Most 4 decent channel amps will cost you more than just buying a second receiver for your outdoor speakers. Even a good used receiver might be fine to run the backyard speakers.

 

[agarwalro]

Do you have a recommendation on an amp?

Any two channel amp that has provision to connect two sets of speakers will do the job. Do you have a budget?

 

[bleedblue]

Dodger Blue. Not Carolina or Duke Blue...

 

[bleedblue]

I have a Pioneer VSX-821 that I hooked up for my kids in their game room. Would that work? If not, my budget is $300-$400.

 

[agarwalro]

I have a Pioneer VSX-821 that I hooked up for my kids in their game room. Would that work? If not, my budget is $300-$400.

I don't see why not, except your kids won't be too happy.

Alternately, the Audio Source 100 will be just fine for background music but don't expect it to rock an underground Dubstep party (but then the Niles won't anyway ).

Audio Source Stereo Power Amplifier Amp 100 in Component Amplifiers | JR.com

 

[bleedblue]

Thanks agarwalro. All I need to background music by the pool. I'll check it out.

 

[Crackerballer]

Dodger Blue. Not Carolina or Duke Blue...

Good, good. At least you are neutral. As far as the responses, everyone has you well covered.

That's a great deal on that AS100, and I have read great things about them. I was considering their mini/50 for my computer speakers before I ended up buying some powered monitors. It may be worth it to buy that amp just in case in the future you do want to add some larger speakers and want more than "background" music.

 

[bleedblue]

Thanks all for the help. I ordered the AS100.