Downgrading a HT system, good idea?

[bikemig]

So I have a decent 2.1 HT system with an NAD AV receiver and PSB bookshelf speakers and an OK sub. The problem is that the room acoustics are pretty bad (the system faces out into a long room with brick wall on one side, glass on the other, and there is a very large open space behind the sitting area). The system has never sounded right in that room. I realize that there are things that can be done to improve the room acoustics but I'll never get spousal buy in with the idea of changing the decor of that room.

So I'm thinking of seriously downgrading by buying a soundbar and sub (probably the Harmon Kardon SB 16) and moving the AV receiver and speakers into a bedroom to make them the heart of a 2 channel dedicated music system.

Does this make sense?

 

[ratso]

Does this make sense?

the only one that can answer that is you. you are downgrading in one area to upgrade in another, if this sounds like a good tradeoff to you than go for it. most of us would not be happy with a main system built around a soundbar, but that may be adequate for your needs.

 

[anamorphic96]

Have you tried a receiver with a different room correction system. I have seen Audyssey do some remarkable work in challenging rooms. Possibly one of Anthem's models. Might be worth an experiment since it's easy to do. The NAD is a great unit but might be slightly limited in your situation considering it uses just a basic parametric EQ.

 

[bikemig]

Have you tried a receiver with a different room correction system. I have seen Audyssey do some remarkable work in challenging rooms. Possibly one of Anthem's models. Might be worth an experiment since it's easy to do. The NAD is a great unit but might be slightly limited in your situation considering it uses just a basic parametric EQ.

That's a thought. The NAD is very basic; that's what I liked about it as I'm only running a 2.1 set up. I could pick up a marantz av receiver. The PSB Imagine B are 4 ohm speakers.

Edit: is Audyssey going to be much help when running just 2 speakers and a sub, though?

 

[anamorphic96]

That's a thought. The NAD is very basic; that's what I liked about it as I'm only running a 2.1 set up. I could pick up a marantz av receiver. The PSB Imagine B are 4 ohm speakers.

Edit: is Audyssey going to be much help when running just 2 speakers and a sub, though?

Doh !!! I was thinking you had 5 for some reason. I'm honestly not sure how a receiver with Audyssey would work without the other 3 speakers. I have only used 5. Hopefully someone can chime in with experience or a way around this. What about the sound do you not like ? If it's on the bright side due to the acoustics you could try a roll off in the mid to high frequencies which might help a bit but not be the best fix since most of the issues are probably that back wall and first reflection points where you need some treatments.

Since your gonna be running two speakers and a sub any decent receiver should be ok if your not trying to raise the roof. The 60-80hz crossover will help as well since the bass is being unloaded to the sub.

 

[fuzz092888]

That's a thought. The NAD is very basic; that's what I liked about it as I'm only running a 2.1 set up. I could pick up a marantz av receiver. The PSB Imagine B are 4 ohm speakers.

Edit: is Audyssey going to be much help when running just 2 speakers and a sub, though?

Audyssey might help and would probably do about as much for your setup as a multichannel setup, but it's just putting a band aid on the problem. What you need are either room treatments or new speakers.

IIRC with a narrow and long room, you need to limit early reflections for starters.

 

[bikemig]

Audyssey might help and would probably do about as much for your setup as a multichannel setup, but it's just putting a band aid on the problem. What you need are either room treatments or new speakers.

IIRC with a narrow and long room, you need to limit early reflections for starters.

I was thinking about early reflections as well. The room is 10 ft by 26 ft and it's open in the back. The sitting area is 11 ft from the TV and speakers. The 26 ft outer wall is primarily glass since it faces the back yard. The first 20 ft or so of the inside wall is brick since it was, at one time, the outer wall of the house.

There is a rug between the sitting area and TV. I could keep the blinds down on the windows as that should help tame them. For the brick wall, I could look into some acoustical treatments if I can find any my wife won't veto, . That should help with early reflections.

What sort of new speakers? I have a pair of PSB imagine B bookshelf speakers. They sound awesome in a good room; they sound thin and not very accurate in this room.

 

[fuzz092888]

I was thinking about early reflections as well. The room is 10 ft by 26 ft and it's open in the back. The sitting area is 11 ft from the TV and speakers. The 26 ft outer wall is primarily glass since it faces the back yard. The first 20 ft or so of the inside wall is brick since it was, at one time, the outer wall of the house.

There is a rug between the sitting area and TV. I could keep the blinds down on the windows as that should help tame them. For the brick wall, I could look into some acoustical treatments if I can find any my wife won't veto, . That should help with early reflections.

What sort of new speakers? I have a pair of PSB imagine B bookshelf speakers. They sound awesome in a good room; they sound thin and not very accurate in this room.

If she likes art at all you could go with something like this.

For speakers you would need something with controlled directivity, you can read through the explanation if you're interested, but you can just scroll to the bottom if you want a list of commercial offerings.

Constant directivity loudspeaker designs

 

[bikemig]

If she likes art at all you could go with something like this.

For speakers you would need something with controlled directivity, you can read through the explanation if you're interested, but you can just scroll to the bottom if you want a list of commercial offerings.

Constant directivity loudspeaker designs

Jamo is about the only speaker on that list which is widely available and doesn't cost a bomb, . I've bookmarked the page and I'll read it. I was thinking that perhaps a sealed design (like NHT) might help as well.

 

[michaeltrottar]

Dear Bikemig
A basic knowing of room acoustics can help you increase the performance of any audio or home entertainment system. So be clear and go for the best you can. Goodluck.

 

[Ponzio]

The receiver & speakers will sound good ... I currently have a pair of PSB Alpha's in my kitchen (17'x24') ... in your BR but how much time are you really going to spend up there to enjoy it? Do you think you're going to be happy with a sound bar? I would keep the NAD in the LR and get yourself a good pair of floor standers & new sub and a decent amp (new Topping TP60 [2 channel only] or a used 100WPC minimum 5.1 AVR [if you plan to take your old sub up there] for less than $250) for the PSB's in the BR. Your call, your budget.

 

[3db]

Audyssey might help and would probably do about as much for your setup as a multichannel setup, but it's just putting a band aid on the problem. What you need are either room treatments or new speakers.

IIRC with a narrow and long room, you need to limit early reflections for starters.

Its the room acoustics thats the problem, not the speakers. If you get a pair of speakers that sound good from the get go in that kind of acoustic environment, I would not want to hear what they sound like in a healthy acoustic environment.

 

[michaeltrottar]

If this appears to be like a excellent compromise to you than go for it. most of us would not be satisfied with a primary program designed around a sound bar.