Forum Members - Please Review My Set Up and Comment

[HarryBackanass]

All, I've been working with a local Home Theater store and have had the following components for a 7.1 set up recommended to me. I really like this set up, but would also like your opinions. Note that this will be going into a finished lowel level, pre-wired first before drywall goes up, then installation of components and speakers later. The finished lower level will be 20' in width, and about 40' in length. The viewing room area will be about 20' in width and about 17' in length (the remaining 20' is open behind the viewing area with a pool table, bar, etc.). Thus the need for in-ceiling speakers because there is no wall behind the viewing area, and the area to the right of the viewing room is floor to ceiling windows, and the area to the left is a stairway. With these factors in mind, here is the proposed set up:

- 65" Panasonic P65VT50 3D 1080P HDTV
- Pair of B&W Tower CM8s
- 1 B&W CMC2 3 Way Center Speaker (w/stand)
- Pair of B&W 2-way 6" Kevlar/1" Nautilus CCM663s, in-ceiling for side surrounds
- Another pair of B&W 2-way 6" Kevlar/1" Nautilus CCM663s, in-ceiling for rears.
- Integra 50.4 3-zone THX Select2 Plus AVR
- M5100-PM Panamax 11-outlet Surge
- MX780 Home Theater Master Wand Remote Control w/base station
- All ethernet connected with CISCO hub
- Sonos Zone Player with wireless ipod dock
- Sanus component rack
- 1 ASW10CM B&W 10" 500w Sub (with ability to chain with another one later).

Let me know what you think.

Thanks.

 

[fuzz092888]

I've never been a huge fan of B&W, but if you like how the speakers sound then it looks great. It really depends on what you like and how think it all sounds. I'd get out there and listen to as many speakers as you can before you throw down this much money on a setup. Personally I think you can do better for the same money, but that's just my opinion.

However, I know for a fact you can do better on the sub. ID subs more often than not blow away their similarly priced commercial brethren.

I'll also say I think Integra is a waste of money. They're really just expensive onkyo's. I think you could get a 3009, 5009, 3010, or 5010 and it will perform just as well for much less. You could also go with a different brand entirely like Denon, Pioneer, Yamaha, etc. Integra's have always just been overpriced for my taste when you can get similar features and performance for less.

How many components do you have? If this list is everything I hardly see why you need a component rack unless that's what you want.

Are you saying that you want in ceiling speakers or is your dealer pushing you towards them? I never like in wall/in ceiling because I don't think they give you the same sound quality as "real" surrounds.

some things to think about.

 

[HarryBackanass]

Fuzz, thanks for the comments, definitely food for thought. I have listened to other speaker brands (Klipsch, Paradigm, JBL, Def Tech) and there is just something about the B&W that perform in a way that make the difference for me. I will take your advice and try and hear other brands. The difficulty I have is that these are really the only brands the higher end stores in my area carry. Otherwise I'm left with the Bose store and the like.

I've looked at several other brands of AVRs (Anthem, Denon, Yamaha) but the only other one I really took to was the Anthem MRX 500 but it only had a few HDMI ports. What with myriad of gaming equipment, blu-ray, etc. going into it, 4 ports didn't cut it. In the end, the Integra 50.4 floated to the top with the features, aesthetics (yeah I'm married and this is the only one in this price point she really like the looks of - and I don't want to drop down to a lesser tier because of aesthetics) and definitely has the power to drive the system. So since it meets my needs and the ol' lady likes it, the Integra it probably will be. Like the speakers though, I will take your advice and try and check out a few other brands. Is the Integra overpriced? Well, maybe, but I'd say that describes about 75% of the higher end equipment I've seen.

Definitely agree the sub could be better, but the budget ran out and this one is big time on sale (like 40% off list price), so I'm going with this one just to get things up and running. I am pre-wiring for another one and intend to supplement with a 12" as soon as the wallet replenishes.

As for as the rack, it will house the AVR, Panamax, blue-ray, xbox, network switch and satellite dvr in an unfinished part of the basement just out of sight. Because of its location, I need to be able to easily move the equipment around from time to time to get to a storage area just behind it.

I appreciate your candidness and welcome any other thoughts you or anyone has.

Thanks!

 

[fuzz092888]

The speakers are one thing, most people don't want to take a chance on ID brands, but I'd seriously look into them. Most offer a 30 day guarantee and their price/performance ratio is way better than most B&M products. I'm not saying there aren't some great in store choices, but all the ones that offer performance equal to what I've got now were much much more expensive.

The rack is fine, I actually like racks, but the aesthetics didn't rub the significant other the right way like your situation with the receiver.

I agree "high end" equipment is over priced in many cases, but that's why Onkyo, Denon, etc exist

Name the price they want to charge your for that sub and I'll name you at least 5 that offer better performance for less money. I'm guessing that at 40% off you're looking at around $900 for that sub? Am I close?

Not all of the choices are $900, but many of them are and all of them are close.

PB12-NSD - SVS

PB12-PLUS - SVS

Rythmik Audio • 15" servo subwoofer FV15

Rythmik Audio • 15" servo subwoofer E15

Rythmik Audio servo subwoofer 15" D15SE Signature Edition

Rythmik Audio • 15" servo subwoofer F15

ULS-15 Subwoofer

VTF-15H Subwoofer

Welcome to Epik Subwoofers

Welcome to Epik Subwoofers

POWER SOUND AUDIO — Power X

Elemental Designs: Car Stereo, Home Speakers, Electronics

Optimum Series - Subwoofers

EQ-Max Series - Subwoofers

 

[Tin Ear]

You don't want a hub, you want a 10 / 100 switch. Look into Netgear as they are the industry standard. They offer 5 (fs105) and 8 (fs108) port models at really reasonble prices and I think they have a rebate deal going until mid-September. I have the 5 port and it is honestly the best 15 bucks I have ever spent on my system.

 

[ACsGreens]

Panamax

I tend to use the 4300 a lot more than the 5100. If I were you I would save $100 and go with the 4300, and put that money into the sub. I would also 2nd not using the Integra, but if you feel the need then it's good for you. I would look into yamaha 1010 if you can find or the 1020. Also, are you using the Sonos Ipod dock for when guests visit and want to play their own music or do you not have access to a desktop to share your files?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

1nd to replace B&W Sub with one of suggested ID brands - there is no need to brand match sub to speakers

regarding tv :
65" Panasonic P65VT50 3D 1080P HDTV - Is awesome TV, no questions - probably one of the best plasmas out there, but may I recommend dialing it back a bit to P65GT50 or 65ST50 - the difference in quality would not be large, and if you on tight budget - I'd strongly consider cutting a bit on TV and adding more money to speakers budget...

Imo VT series is bit too overpriced, ST/GT offer better value

 

[ACsGreens]

1nd to replace B&W Sub with one of suggested ID brands - there is no need to brand match sub to speakers

regarding tv :
65" Panasonic P65VT50 3D 1080P HDTV - Is awesome TV, no questions - probably one of the best plasmas out there, but may I recommend dialing it back a bit to P65GT50 or 65ST50 - the difference in quality would not be large, and if you on tight budget - I'd strongly consider cutting a bit on TV and adding more money to speakers budget...

Imo VT series is bit too overpriced, ST/GT offer better value

The new ST series is reported to have the same picture quality of last years VT series. If that is true, WOW, great for those in the market!!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

The new ST series is reported to have the same picture quality of last years VT series. If that is true, WOW, great for those in the market!!

I got my 55ST30 for $980 (after some issues) and I couldn't imagine to expect better PQ

for 8-9' distance - 55" is plenty for me, but if seating is much farther bigger screen is needed

 

[HarryBackanass]

Great discussion. I'm taking all these to heart and will discuss with my sales guy this weekend (TV, AVR, SUB, NETWORK). Good suggestions everyone, that's why I posted.

ACsGreens: you are dead on; we only have a laptop, no "always on" desktop. I suppose I could leave my laptop on and hooked up to the router via ethernet cable, but it is on the go with me quite a bit and that would leave the kids and wife without the music. Plus we entertain quite a bit and invariably between adults and kids alike, we end up listening to content on 3 or 4 other iPod/iPhones.

Thanks for all the opinions!

 

[lsiberian]

Get a different sub.