My picks, we value your opinion. First time Home Theater setup :)

[NoRegrets78]

So, this is our first jump into serious home theater and I have picked the following to replace the Denon DHT-591BA HTIB we currently run.

Denon 4311ci receiver
Aperion Audio Verus Forte towers
Aperion Audio Verus Forte center
Aperion Audio Verus Forte bookshelves
SVS PB12-NSD sub

Layout is attached, ceiling is 6.4'. Floor is tile with an area rug. Room has 6" shelf on the back and left wall (looking at the drawing), that is built into the wall itself like this h.

Balance will be 75% movies/tv shows, 25% gaming with a lot of that Rock Band and other music games. And of course Halo 4 Shows like X-Factor, The Voice, Glee, Americas Got Talent, and a few dramas, action shows like The Following, Touch, Grey's Anatomy.

Total budget is around $4000. Just over if I have to (which with the above setup will be slightly over). Less is always better.


Thoughts?

I've looked into KEF, Ascend, Klipsh and EMP solutions. I think the Aperion setup is our best bet currently but I'm open to suggestions. Already been to AVSForum, got most of my info from those guys. Before I found that site I was set on the Bose Lifestyle V35. I know, I learned

 

[BMXTRIX]

You really do need to listen to speakers to know how good they will sound in your space, but I'm more curious as to your decision to go with the Denon 4311 which is their 2011 model vs. the 3313 which is their newest model. It offers the preouts you would want to add a dedicated amplifier later on and supports pretty much all of the 'latest' features you should typically be looking for.

 

[NoRegrets78]

You really do need to listen to speakers to know how good they will sound in your space, but I'm more curious as to your decision to go with the Denon 4311 which is their 2011 model vs. the 3313 which is their newest model. It offers the preouts you would want to add a dedicated amplifier later on and supports pretty much all of the 'latest' features you should typically be looking for.

The reasoning behind choosing the 4311 vs. the 3313 was Audyssey XT32 only being available on the 4311. Because of the room shape and size I figured I would need the better room correction.

 

[twoeyedbob]

It's all very well suggesting that people listen to spkrs/equipment before they buy...in theory it's correct...
However..
A.it's meaningless ,unless you can get the entire (every piece) planned system together in the room you plan to use.
B.how many dealers would be willing to help you accomplish this (unless your spending a vast amount on high end stuff)
To most people...me anyway..it's just not feasible
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk 2

 

[NoRegrets78]

It's all very well suggesting that people listen to spkrs/equipment before they buy...in theory it's correct...
However..
A.it's meaningless ,unless you can get the entire (every piece) planned system together in the room you plan to use.
B.how many dealers would be willing to help you accomplish this (unless your spending a vast amount on high end stuff)
To most people...me anyway..it's just not feasible
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk 2

This is correct. The reason I'm probably going to go with the Aperion setup first even if I decide to try another setup is their gracious audition policy. 30 days, shipping both ways paid. If I don't like the Aperions (Highly doubt it), then I can send them back at no cost to myself. Not many companies offer that.

I've been searching for local professional shops that I can audition other speakers, that have good return policies. In the end, I have a feeling I'll be more than satisfied with the Aperions, just wanted to see if anyone had any other suggestions or opinions on what I've picked out.

 

[TheWarrior]

I have mostly had surround sound in my years of audioholism. But recently I have changed it up to have a 2.2 setup, with one sub up front and one in the rear. The experience is incredible. I do have alot more space and will someday add the other 3 speakers back in, but my point is I love this current set up and looking at your drawing you've got rear speakers awfully close to your head. You'll be turning their volume down a good bit that would make me atleast, question their value.

I propose you consider a similar set up. Upgrade to the high end Aperions @$2k, buy a pair of subs (SVS gives a discount for dual subs) and get a receiver that has dual sub outs. You won't be needing to worry about Audyssey, just move each sub, individually around the room (INCHES MATTER) with a friend til it sounds right at the listening position.

Pros:
You'll get a superior front end
Low frequencies will be tight and defined and enveloping
You still have a 5+ channel receiver should decide to add the other 3 speakers in the future
I can assure a quality 2.2 will NOT leave you disappointed

Cons:
You will only get 60% of the surround experience
Assuming you get better towers, cost is still about the same

 

[NoRegrets78]

Thank you for the input but I would like to stick with a 5.1 setup right now. I eventually want to add 2 more surrounds but that is being saved for when we move to a bigger place.

You're right, the surrounds are close to our heads, but that's the beauty of the Audyssey XT32. It should correct all of the levels to make it a perfect balance.

 

[j_garcia]

Audessey is not intended to correct a less than ideal seating position or poor speaker placement. In that room, I'd stick with 5.1, but try to adjust the seating position if possible. It does look like a somewhat tough room, but if you can just move the couch away from what will be the rear wall opposite the display without blocking the door, it may get you better results.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

My colleague bought Aperion Forte 4 system and he likes it a lot, but re: EMP - I've heard their system AH GTG 2012 and was very impressed by it. a single corner loaded E1010 sub did great job shacking walls in the smaller room
Any of these systems will be a Drastic upgrade from your HTIB but which one is best could only be determinate by you and your room.
Starting with Aperion is not bad choice as they offer free shipping both ways.

 

[NoRegrets78]

Audessey is not intended to correct a less than ideal seating position or poor speaker placement. In that room, I'd stick with 5.1, but try to adjust the seating position if possible. It does look like a somewhat tough room, but if you can just move the couch away from what will be the rear wall opposite the display without blocking the door, it may get you better results.

Unfortunately just next to the couch on the right side is a pocket door not pictured that leads to the washer/dryer. Not to mention the massive ION Drumrocker drum set that we set up in that room for Rock Band. Right now that is sitting on the left wall in front of the couch. I have just enough space there for the sub if it sounds better there than it does next to the TV. You're right, the room is tough and wasn't my first choice but this is our starter home and the nicest place we could find in our price range. When we move off this god awful island (Long Island) we want to have a place that is perfect for us and that includes a large room for a true theater setup including projection system. Won't be for about 5 years though so I want to make the best out of what we have to work with.

 

[Jeff R.]

I think you will be very happy with that system. My only recommendation is to not get bookshelves for the rears unless you can move the couch off the back wall a few feet. If I had to put my couch in your position, I woud want to do an inwall speaker. Maybe go with something for A4less. I do not like being to close to my rear speakers. You could even mount the rears in the ceiling to give yourself a little distance from them and most have a directional tweet that you can aim off the back wall to help it sound further behind you.

 

[NoRegrets78]

I think you will be very happy with that system. My only recommendation is to not get bookshelves for the rears unless you can move the couch off the back wall a few feet. If I had to put my couch in your position, I woud want to do an inwall speaker. Maybe go with something for A4less. I do not like being to close to my rear speakers. You could even mount the rears in the ceiling to give yourself a little distance from them and most have a directional tweet that you can aim off the back wall to help it sound further behind you.

Thanks for the info. I'll have to see what I can do with the space I have.

 

[shadyJ]

First of all, I would say don't worry about tower speakers if you are getting a good subwoofer (or two). The main advantage of tower speakers over bookshelf speakers is bass extension, but subwoofers take over the range of bass that towers hold over bookshelf speakers, so it negates the chief reason to get a tower speaker in the first place. Save your money, get bookshelf speakers. I would be looking at some KEF R series bookshelfs for a more refined sound, or if you want some real power, some of these JTR Noesis 228ht speakers, which are the same price as the Aperion towers but will absolutely blow them away in terms of dynamic range. Were it up to me, a choice between a JTR Noesis and an Aperion is no choice at all, I would go with JTR in a heartbeat, not that I think the Aperion would be bad, I just think the JTR would be far better.

Secondly, you can get a much better sub for just a little bit more money. Look at the Powers Sound Audio XV15 or Hsu Research VTF3 mk4, both are $800 shipped, and both would get you a lot more bang for the buck in terms of performance. If you can spend a bit more for the sub, look at the Hsu VTF15h, Rythmik FV15, or Power Sound Audio XS30, any of those subs will have many times the output of a SVS NSD sub, while only costing a few hundred more.

Anyway, a JTR speaker, with Hsu/PSA sub will hit way harder and get you much closer to that that Imax THX sound feeling. As for surrounds speakers, Don't get anything expensive for surrounds, however you will need something that can keep up with JTRs for my recommended system, I might look at Hsu HB-1s or Klipsch RB-51s, either of which will set you back roughly $300 a pair.

 

[j_garcia]

I agree with that, in ceiling would be a better way based on what you said. It isn't ideal either, but few systems ever are and I'd say they'll be a good option in this situation A buddy of mine did a 7.1 system with all 4 surrounds in the ceiling because he had a large room and no rear wall to mount anything and didn't want stands in the middle of the room. I was skeptical when he said that's what the installer recommended, but it sounded very good IMO.

 

[ousooner2]

EMP offers a free 30-day trail also...

...just sayin lol. They were highly thought off at the most recent GTG

 

[NoRegrets78]

EMP would have been a good choice but even the smaller center is over 21". I have 19.5" to work with in my cabinet.

Wall or ceiling mount speakers aren't an option as I want to keep the room pristine for when we sell in a few years. Big reason Im not wall mounting the TV here. The cabinet I have was custom made and works very well. Just have to make sure I buy stuff that fits. Would I be opposed to selling it all when we move and getting something better, absolutely not, in fact I most likely will in favor of a more complicated rack mount system with dedicated amps. This setup will probably only be used for about 4-5 years.

HSU VTF3 MK4 was my 2nd choice of sub, and if I can get the receiver cheaper than I figured, might be the one I ultimately end up with.

The JTR speaker linked takes 1100 watts RMS. Don't think the tiny Denon will power them right without an amp.

EDIT: HSU VTF 3 MK4 it is! Can't edit the first post. Just looked into it a bit and searched some comparison threads on a few forums. Interesting opinions on the two.

 

[shadyJ]

Lol! trust me, just because the JTR can take 1kw, doesn't mean they need that much. They are 98 dB sensitive, they will get MUCH louder for the same amount of energy than any other speaker mentioned in this thread. Nothing else even comes close, and you would be hard pressed to ever use more than 20 or 30 watts. I think you would need only 60 or 70 watts to hit real THX Reference levels (think THX certified Imax sound) with those speakers, whereas Aperions, Axioms, etc could not hit Reference levels no matter how much juice you give them (unless you were only 1 or 2 m away from them). The thing is, these speakers are for true theater dynamic afficianados, pure performance, so their appearance is utilitarian. Here is a thread at AVSforum about them. Those guys are very serious about having their systems equal or surpass commercial cinema sound systems.

 

[NoRegrets78]

Lol! trust me, just because the JTR can take 1kw, doesn't mean they need that much. They are 98 dB sensitive, they will get MUCH louder for the same amount of energy than any other speaker mentioned in this thread. Nothing else even comes close, and you would be hard pressed to ever use more than 20 or 30 watts. I think you would need only 60 or 70 watts to hit real THX Reference levels (think THX certified Imax sound) with those speakers, whereas Aperions, Axioms, etc could not hit Reference levels no matter how much juice you give them (unless you were only 1 or 2 m away from them). The thing is, these speakers are for true theater dynamic afficianados, pure performance, so their appearance is utilitarian. Here is a thread at AVSforum about them. Those guys are very serious about having their systems equal or surpass commercial cinema sound systems.

Okay, those look absolutely insane. What would you recommend for a center and for rears? Would I still use the HSU sub with these?

 

[shadyJ]

The Hsu sub is a terrific sub, but it won't quite match the dynamic range of those speakers when the volume is high. However, VERY few subs will, and the subs that do are all well over $1k. JTR subs could actually keep up with their speakers, even at higher volumes, but those subs are all over $2k. My advice might be to get a Hsu sub with the intention of adding another or upgrading later. You might think about near-field placement with that sub, if you can accommodate that, like a end table placement or right behind the seat. The VTF3 is a great sub for that, but also works well corner-loaded. For a center, you would want to use another Noesis speaker, however it seems that you are limited in space for a center speaker. Could you mount one over the display? The ideal front stage is always 3 identical speakers. For rears, I might recommend some Klipsch RB-51s or some Hsu HB-1s, those bookshelf speakers are affordable and easily mountable and also have a prayer of keeping up with the JTR speakers- if not mounted too far from the listening positions. In your setup, you kind of have awkward seating, and dipole type surrounds might actually be better than ordinary bookshelf speakers. I don't ordinarily recommend dipole or bipole surrounds, but they may be better in your case. These are some bipole speakers which may work well for you, and are easily mountable.

 

[NoRegrets78]

I appreciate your help. I won't be able to do those now, but when we move those will be my upgrade for sure, barring any notable advancements there or elsewhere.

Unfortunately I won't be mounting anything here. I'm going to do this right when we move for sure, but I'm looking for that entry level set right now.