Advice - Home Theater Upgrade - Speakers selection and location

[Redan94]

Hi all

I am moving to a new place and planning ahead for my home theater.

I currently have a 5.1 configuration with the following equipment:
- DENON AVC-X3700H
- KEF Q950 tower speakers (x2)
- KEF Q650 center (x1)
- KEF Q350 rear (x2) (currenlty i am using them as surround but in the new configuration these will be rear)
- KEF Cutting Edge Kube 10 (to be moved to another room – not used)

My turntable is also integrated to this system (Rega Planar 3 with Rega Fono MM pre-amp).

I am planning to upgrade to a 7.2.2 with the following additional speakers:
- 4 SVS Prime Elevation speakers: 2 used as surround speakers to be hung on the side wall slightly above ear level between the curtains and 2 to be hung high up on the front wall (left and right of the TV cabinet - unless another location is better?)
- 2 SVS PB-2000 Pro subwoofers (opposite off-corners)

I am also planning to add a dedicated 7-channel power amplifier (still to be identified based on what is available in Dubai it seems to going to be Audio Control Savoy G4 for now).

There will be curtains on the two side walls and a carpet on the floor (no other acoustic treatment).

I have created a schematic of the room (the smaller layout top left corner is from the drawing received / the larger one is my drawing is based on my measurement). As you can see the Home Theater space opens on the back on another large area.

The ceiling height is 3m. It is a hard ceiling so I cannot easily place the Atmos speakers in the ceiling,

For the surround speakers I selected the SVS Prime Elevation because of the ability to hang them on the wall. I did not select another pair of KEF Q350s as stands would be blocking the way and the access to the couch.

Could you please provide me with your thoughts and advice on
(1) my proposed speakers positions: i.e. would you recommend a different placement?
(2) the additional speakers selection:
- are there better surround and ATMOS speakers options to be considered)?
- Are the SVS PB-2000 sufficient for this space or should I consider the PB-3000 (this is a standalone house with no neighbor issues)?

Many thanks in advance

PS: If my post is not clear or any other information is needed, please let me know.

 

[Pogre]

I'm still absorbing your room schematic, but at first glance things look pretty good from what I can see. I like the PB2000s. They might just work for you, but if it's in the budget I do think it's worth bumping up to the PB3000s.

Looks like you've done some homework and are making good choices. Great post with good info too.

PS- That is a good sized room. I think I would bump up to a pair of PB3000s

 

[Trell]

Acquiring a measurement mic (like UMIK-1) for use with REW would go a long way to make better placement of subwoofers as well as chosing crossovers.

 

[Redan94]

I'm still absorbing your room schematic, but at first glance things look pretty good from what I can see. I like the PB2000s. They might just work for you, but if it's in the budget I do think it's worth bumping up to the PB3000s.

Looks like you've done some homework and are making good choices. Great post with good info too.

PS- That is a good sized room. I think I would bump up to a pair of PB3000s

Thank you. Any thoughts on the Atmos speakers proposed positioning? I am wondering if instead of placing them high up on the front wall I should rather place them on the side walls above the surround speaker. Also are there better options than the SVS Prime elevation?
Finally is there a better bracket for the SVS prime elevation that has kind of a swivel?
I have done some homework but given my lack of experience I would appreciate some expert advice or validation. Thanks in advance

 

[Redan94]

Acquiring a measurement mic (like UMIK-1) for use with REW would go a long way to make better placement of subwoofers as well as chosing crossovers.

I have a basic knowledge of REW. I tried to find a professional calibrator where I live but wasn’t able to find one. Even the SVS dealer only runs Audyssey through the AVR. He told me that I would need a mini DSP to run Audyssey through the app and he doesn’t have one. At this stage I am looking for good tutorials online to learn by myself (1) what equipment I need to run the test properly and (2) how to interpret the results and make adjustments.

 

[Trell]

I have a basic knowledge of REW. I tried to find a professional calibrator where I live but wasn’t able to find one. Even the SVS dealer only runs Audyssey through the AVR. He told me that I would need a mini DSP to run Audyssey through the app and he doesn’t have one. At this stage I am looking for good tutorials online to learn by myself (1) what equipment I need to run the test properly and (2) how to interpret the results and make adjustments.

I'm not sure why the calibrator says you need a miniDSP as your version of Audyssey can handle two subwoofers independently (distance and level, but are EQ together). You can also buy an app for more control over what Audyssey is doing. My 2015 model Denon is too old for that app, missed it by a year.

The biggest hurdle is to get a basic knowledge of REW, which you have. Connect your laptop to the AVR using HDMI for output and your UMIK-1 to the laptop. A hurdle is to have audio drivers that REW can use (like ASIO) so that each channel can be addressed directly or you'll have to use the built-in Java drivers that is only left and right. Running frequency sweeps for the various positions of speakers and subwoofers are time consuming, but you can then get better response at your main listening position. I've not the app but @Pogre have so perhaps he can chime in how he does it.

Edit: Have a look at this thread for the Audyssey app: https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/the-audyssey-multeq-editor-app-users-thread-with-facts-and-tips.118005/

 

[highfigh]

Aside from the rear sub's placement at the midpoint along the right wall possibly causing a standing wave that might be a problem, it looks pretty good- irregularly-shaped and asymmetrical are good ways to prevent/limit that particular problem as long as the asymmetry is behind the listeners.