Audio system for my parents.

[Smartass408]

My parents have decided to build some bookshelves in the family room (I'm 21 and they're asking me for help). They seem to think I know everything about any electronics. They want to get a new TV and put in a sound system. They keep trying to buy a Bose system for the room and they already bought one for their basement w/o telling me. But I think I have talked them out of that, and into putting together their own.

I don't actually know much about audio equipment. I'm more of a computer/science person. I know a lot more about different types of microscopes and science equipment, lol. I would do all the necessary research if I could, but I'm currently trying to study really hard for my GRE subject test in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology =/. Gotta get into grad school and what nots.

So I figured I would come to a place where the people knew what the heck they're talking about. So here are some specs about the room.

I took some pictures of the room last night and made some measurements, I'm not sure if they will show up on here on my first post though or if I'll insert them correctly lol. If not I'll make another 4 posts and then post them.

Now, my parents don't need a top of the line speaker set up, but after talking to them they're willing to spend 1.5-2k on the speaker setup and the same amount on the TV. Nothing larger than 40-42 inch, nothing smaller than 37inches, **possibly** a 46in if it would be best for the room. Nothing too big in the subwoofer dept. though I'm not really sure where they would put it.

Anyway, I thank all of you for reading this long *** post and for the input and wisdom you'll give me. If you guys or your kids(?) ever need help with science homework I'll be glad to help with that!


TL;DR: my parents need an audio setup for the room in the picture, and I know nothing about audio equipment


THANKS GUYS!

 

[Smartass408]

post 2 to get pics

sorry to post spamish things like this

 

[Smartass408]

post 3!

really, if you need help with science hw then pm me

 

[Smartass408]

and 4.

I also know some calculus up to multivariable calc, although it's been a while I can try to help with that too.

 

[Smartass408]

Can I post pics in my 5th post or does it have to be the 6th?
let's try


nope!

 

[markw]

How well do they get along with new technology? Bose, as much as I hate to admit it, generally does a great human interface.

Remember, those "speakers" you mention need a receiver to drive them. These take a bit more fiddling to get the most out of than an older analog stereo system.

Also, and no offense intended, do they really want this, or did you talk them into getting it?

 

[Smartass408]

ok, now I can post these pictures. I hate to spam like that, but I really don't think I can contribute well to another board. Anyway, here are the pics.

Here are the pictures of the room:
These are the bookshelves a day before they were finished (they still need to be stained):

The room:

view from the back of the room

Left Wall

Right wall

Looking behind the room

The TV would not be flush against the back of the bookcase, but angled out to face the whole room. Here is a rough sketch of the room I made (not to scale)

I figured that the TV being off center in the room is less than optimal. Not to mention the giant hole in one wall that leads to another room, the large glass doors, and the back of the room being open into a kitchen/eating area affecting the acoustics. From the couch it is about 13 ft to where the TV would be and 16ft from the curve.



Once again THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH. I really appreciate it. If you ever need science help I'm your guy!

 

[Smartass408]

How well do they get along with new technology? Bose, as much as I hate to admit it, generally does a great human interface.

Remember, those "speakers" you mention need a receiver to drive them. These take a bit more fiddling to get the most out of than an older analog stereo system.

Also, and no offense intended, do they really want this, or did you talk them into getting it?

My mom handles it quite well with new technology if I show her how to use it. I can set the equipment up for them and teach them to use it if someone quickly tells me how.

It was totally my mom's idea to get this system. I wasn't even aware of they were thinking about getting a bose system until this week. My dad told me they were going shopping at best buy tomorrow, today.

My mom also had the idea (all on her own, lol) to buy a PS3 for a bluray player too, and get HDMI connections.