7.1 HT Setup!

[ZachHT]

Hello, Im finally starting to build my HT system and need some advice. I recently bought a new AVR (Sony str-dn1070) I know all you HT enthusiasts will hate me for doing so but I've always had good luck with all my Sony products and this was a good middle of the road and at a good price for me.

So now I'm on the hunt for 7 speakers also with a ported LFE.

Looking to spend around 250$ for each speaker. (1750$) but willing to spend around 350$ each and just do a 5.1 to get me started.

For my ported LFE I'm looking to spend 300-500$ with my total budget being about 2300$.

I have a descent size living room 20x20, with a large walkway to my dining room.

I'll be running my PS4, PC, Cable Box and 60" 4K Vizio smart tv to my reciever.

That being said I'd like to hear all speaker recommendations for a 5.1 or 7.1 set up.

Thanks in advance.


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[lovinthehd]

Rather than call it a ported LFE, call it a ported subwoofer. You might check out the review of the new Hsu VTF2 Mk5 http://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-reviews/hsu-vtf-2-mk5

For speakers I'd concentrate the budget on the front three, the surrounds don't need to be as capable. Have you gone and listened to any speakers at all to see where your tastes lie? If you do like certain speakers, best to say what they are to get an idea of what appeals to you.

Personally I've had very good success with Ascend Acoustics' offerings, their 340SEs across the front and some 170SEs or 200SEs for surrounds would work well and work in your budget. They also sell Rythmik subs, maybe the LV12R.

 

[ZachHT]

Rather than call it a ported LFE, call it a ported subwoofer. You might check out the review of the new Hsu VTF2 Mk5 http://www.audioholics.com/subwoofer-reviews/hsu-vtf-2-mk5

For speakers I'd concentrate the budget on the front three, the surrounds don't need to be as capable. Have you gone and listened to any speakers at all to see where your tastes lie? If you do like certain speakers, best to say what they are to get an idea of what appeals to you.

Personally I've had very good success with Ascend Acoustics' offerings, their 340SEs across the front and some 170SEs or 200SEs for surrounds would work well and work in your budget. They also sell Rythmik subs, maybe the LV12R.

Thanks for the info.

Is a subwoofer not an LFE? Lol..

I'll check those out for sure, I haven't yet gone into an audio store as the closest one to me that I can actually test the speakers is quite a long drive.


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[rojo]

LFE = Low Frequency Effects. It's the name of a channel in a multi channel audio stream.

What's the size of your room in cubic feet? What's the distance from your intended placement of LCR and your primary listening position? I'm thinking Hsu package deal, with the subwoofer choice and number of speakers dependent upon how much space the subwoofer has to pressurize.

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks for the info.

Is a subwoofer not an LFE? Lol..

I'll check those out for sure, I haven't yet gone into an audio store as the closest one to me that I can actually test the speakers is quite a long drive.


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Well, LFE (low frequency effects, the .1 track in a multi-ch recording) are played through a subwoofer....but other than LFE, such as the redirected bass from other speakers, can also be played through the subwoofer, so it's not just about LFE.

I'm also quite a distance from any selection of speakers so I rely on the internet or diy speakers; but this does limit auditioning . I took somewhat a chance on the Ascends several years back due to many good comments on various forums plus their return/trial policy (and own several different models). Another company that offers in-home trials is SVS, and that I believe always includes return shipping. Might look at RBH/EmpTek or Home Theater Direct (htd.com) offerings as well as the Hsu rojo suggests.

 

[ZachHT]

Thanks for clearing that up for me, still kinda new to all of this but damn if I'm not addicted now.

Rojo, I believe the room is about 400cf and about 13ft away from my possible LCR placement. I'm unfamiliar with hsu but I'll check it out.

Lovinthehd, I had actually thought about building my own as i built quite a few boxes (sealed and ported) as a kid for car audio. Seems like svs is an all around great option though, everyone I talk to recommends them. I'll check out the others you recommended as well though.

Thanks guys


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[lovinthehd]

Thanks for clearing that up for me, still kinda new to all of this but damn if I'm not addicted now.

Rojo, I believe the room is about 400cf and about 13ft away from my possible LCR placement. I'm unfamiliar with hsu but I'll check it out.

Lovinthehd, I had actually thought about building my own as i built quite a few boxes (sealed and ported) as a kid for car audio. Seems like svs is an all around great option though, everyone I talk to recommends them. I'll check out the others you recommended as well though.

Thanks guys


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400 cft or sqft? I build my own subs these days, and have started to with speakers as well. Might look at diysoundgroup.com for some ideas perhaps, maybe madisound.com, parts-express.com too.

 

[ZachHT]

400 cft or sqft? I build my own subs these days, and have started to with speakers as well. Might look at diysoundgroup.com for some ideas perhaps, maybe madisound.com, parts-express.com too.

Yea sorry, 400 sqft. So it'd be 3600cft
400cbft wouldn't take much haha
So you build the actual speaker? Not just the box? I can make a pretty nice box but never messed with the actual speakers. Is it more cost effective building it yourself? I'll check those sites out as well.


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[lovinthehd]

Yea sorry, 400 sqft. So it'd be 3600cft
400cbft wouldn't take much haha
So you build the actual speaker? Not just the box? I can make a pretty nice box but never messed with the actual speakers. Is it more cost effective building it yourself? I'll check those sites out as well.


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No, I don't build the driver, altho someday maybe, who knows? I built one of the Dayton BR-1 kits, and that came with a pre-built box but I assembled the crossover and installed the drivers, ports and terminal. I'm building essentially another of these but building my own box/baffles this time and using Dennis Murphy's crossovers that he made for the speakers; he offers a pre-built speaker with his crossover for not much more than the price of the kit, so unless you really want to put something together, I can very much recommend his Affordable Accuracy speakers http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

Designing a speaker from the ground up, choosing the drivers, determining the best crossover design, the best box etc is a lot of time/work....may as well take advantage of designs/kits available for proven designs.

 

[Pogre]

Thanks for clearing that up for me, still kinda new to all of this but damn if I'm not addicted now.

Rojo, I believe the room is about 400cf and about 13ft away from my possible LCR placement. I'm unfamiliar with hsu but I'll check it out.

Lovinthehd, I had actually thought about building my own as i built quite a few boxes (sealed and ported) as a kid for car audio. Seems like svs is an all around great option though, everyone I talk to recommends them. I'll check out the others you recommended as well though.

Thanks guys


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I love my svs speakers and subs. you really can't go wrong with a 45 day risk free in home trial.

I've built a few subwoofer boxes for car stereo also. tackling a speaker is a whole different animal if you're working from the ground up. there's A LOT involved. I've heard good things about the dayton kits hd mentioned (he's using upgraded crossovers), and going diy can save you some dollars for sure, but you gotta do your homework.

I'd say focus your speaker budget on your front 3 and and subs(s), then get your surrounds later as funds open up.

 

[ZachHT]

No, I don't build the driver, altho someday maybe, who knows? I built one of the Dayton BR-1 kits, and that came with a pre-built box but I assembled the crossover and installed the drivers, ports and terminal. I'm building essentially another of these but building my own box/baffles this time and using Dennis Murphy's crossovers that he made for the speakers; he offers a pre-built speaker with his crossover for not much more than the price of the kit, so unless you really want to put something together, I can very much recommend his Affordable Accuracy speakers http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

Designing a speaker from the ground up, choosing the drivers, determining the best crossover design, the best box etc is a lot of time/work....may as well take advantage of designs/kits available for proven designs.

That's awesome, do you have speakers fro. Philharmonicaaudio? I think this time I'll probably just buy but now I definitely want to start building some as a side project. Great another thing to empty my bank account haha.


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[ZachHT]

I love my svs speakers and subs. you really can't go wrong with a 45 day risk free in home trial.

I've built a few subwoofer boxes for car stereo also. tackling a speaker is a whole different animal if you're working from the ground up. there's A LOT involved. I've heard good things about the dayton kits hd mentioned (he's using upgraded crossovers), and going diy can save you some dollars for sure, but you gotta do your homework.

I'd say focus your speaker budget on your front 3 and and subs(s), then get your surrounds later as funds open up.

Well svs it is. I'm thinking about getting the pb 2000 ported. I like the idea of keeping all my speakers the same brand. Would you recommend getting all svs speakers? And which ones if so?

Ive been looking at the Prime Tower Surround package https://www.svsound.com/products/prime-tower-surround-system . Don't know if I can find it cheaper buying them individually.

Yea I can only imagine all that goes into a diy speaker but sounds fun to me. That will definitely be my next project after I am continent with my HT system.




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[lovinthehd]

That's awesome, do you have speakers fro. Philharmonicaaudio? I think this time I'll probably just buy but now I definitely want to start building some as a side project. Great another thing to empty my bank account haha.


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No complete speakers, just a set of crossovers I got from Dennis for another BR-1 type build (same drivers but my box/baffle this time) after chatting with him on a forum. Philharmonic is definitely on my short list if/when I buy another pair. Another worthy company Dennis works with you might want to check out is http://www.salksound.com/home.php

 

[Pogre]

I just bought the svs ultra bookshelf speakers and I'm pretty blown away. I also have 2 sb1000's to help them out with the bottom end and my system sounds amazing. I've never heard anything from their prime line, but have read pretty good things about them as well.

but yeah, budget permitting I'd go with the ultras. the pb 2000 is a really nice sub too. it's an upgrade from what I have, though mine are sealed. I just prefer sealed subs.

speaking from my personal experience I definitely recommend starting out slow and build your system instead of trying to get everything at once if you have budget constraints. you might end up wondering what you're missing out on and want to upgrade later anyway.

your main speakers, sub and center channel are the most important part of the system. I'd go big there and fill in with less expensive speakers down the road. say, get ultras up front, and prime for surrounds.

 

[ZachHT]

I just bought the svs ultra bookshelf speakers and I'm pretty blown away. I also have 2 sb1000's to help them out with the bottom end and my system sounds amazing. I've never heard anything from their prime line, but have read pretty good things about them as well.

but yeah, budget permitting I'd go with the ultras. the pb 2000 is a really nice sub too. it's an upgrade from what I have, though mine are sealed. I just prefer sealed subs.

speaking from my personal experience I definitely recommend starting out slow and build your system instead of trying to get everything at once if you have budget constraints. you might end up wondering what you're missing out on and want to upgrade later anyway.

your main speakers, sub and center channel are the most important part of the system. I'd go big there and fill in with less expensive speakers down the road. say, get ultras up front, and prime for surrounds.

Yea I wish there was a home theater store near me so I could go test them out. Your right though, I'd be bored if I bought them all at once. Probably will just get the pb2000 to start with.. looks like my budgets going to have to move up if I want the ultras.. 1k ea. For the towers.. but I'm hoping to get some quality speakers that I'm happy with that will last me a long time and then just upgrade reciever as newer features come out.


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[ZachHT]

Also been thinking about getting the kef q500s.. little less expensive


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[Pogre]

I've heard great things about the q500's as well. there are some folks here that have experience with kef, but I haven't had a chance to audition any. I'd say you can't go wrong either way.