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[blacksquid]

Hi All,

I'm new to the HT game but my wife, our close friends, and I love to watch movies. We generally go to the theater once every two weeks. Otherwise we watch movies on a 27" Toshiba. We also have a Dish satellite connection that my father-in-law uses most. Anyway, we are now in the process of tearing down our old house and rebuilding a new one and, as fate would have it, I have an 18'x20' room on the lower level that is screaming out to me "home theater". There are no windows in the room and the back wall is where I intend to have the display.

I have been doing some research and devoting a bit of thought to this so here are my parameters:

1. The room must be muti-function (no special furniture).
2. I'd like to stay between $5-$7.5K.
3. In-wall speakers are highly preferred.
4. Front projector w/native 720p resolution.

Given this, here are my thoughts for components:

1. B&W CWM650 for the mains
2. B&W CWM Cinema for the center
3. B&W CDS6 S3 for the surrounds
4. B&W ASW 300 for the sub
5. Yamaha RX V2500/2600
6. Sony VPL HS51 LCD Projector (also considered BenQ PE7700)
7. Yamaha DVD S1500 DVD player
8. Video scaler (DVDO iScan HD)

I know that I need to pick up a few more items (screen, cables, etc.) but is there anything major that I missed? Also, would you folks recommend anything different given my parameters?

I have ~6 months to decide on components so I'm not in a hurry. I want to get this right the first time.

Thanks for your comments!


John

 

[j_garcia]

Sounds very decent to me with the exception of the sub. Take a look at the offerings from www.hsuresearch.com and www.svssubwoofers.com Both will give you a much better value for your dollar.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I would encourage you to not go in-wall if you really want the best system for your dollar. In-wall, while decent, does not give you nearly the performance levels that floor standing speakers, or on-wall speakers can give you for the same money.

The screen is also a major consideration as a good fixed frame screen will run you about $1,000 (ish) and that represents about 15% of your total budget.

For projectors, I would not consider the 7700, but would definitely put the Sanyo Z4 and the Panasonic AE900 on the short list. I would also hold off on any external processors until you see how good video looks through the Yamaha RX-V2600. The DVDO is scaling to 720p which is already a feature the 2600 includes internally. It may do close to as good of a job as the DVDO, and saves you that cash.

You can always add it later if you would like.

IMO - B&W tends to be a bit pricey for their quality. They have good quality, but I don't think that they are significantly better than the quality of many other brands that cost a good deal less. They are basically a brand name - and you are paying dearly for that name. It is something that I personally try to avoid and recommend others do as well - unless your budget is unlimited.

Likewise - If you are rebuilding your entire home - have you put thought into fully wiring the home for sound with audio in various rooms (master bathroom is really nice!) as well as lighting (w/control) and other wiring that you can really only get in place while a home is under construction? Love my speakers in my garage when I'm out working on the car or a project.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Don't forget couches to fit yourself, wife, and friends. Make sure row two can see over row one.

 

[j_garcia]

I agree with BMXTRIX on the in-walls, but if you're set on them for whatever reason they'll work I'm sure. One thing to make sure on if you do go in-wall, their placement is VERY important to get the best sound out of your room so have someone who KNOWS what they are doing install them. If it were my room, I wouldn't do it. I like B&W's stuff though, but cost vs performance, there are plenty out there that will likely meet your needs at the same or lower cost.

 

[blacksquid]

j_garcia - Thanks for the sub recommendations! Both look very nice and beat the specs for the B&W sub. I'll definitely consider both of these.

WRT to B&W cost, I thought that they were middle of the road. I think the total retail cost of the speakers is ~$2KUSD.

Bmxtrix - You have a number of very good points especially WRT the video scaler. I'd heard good things about the Panasonic projector but they were on a par with the Sony. Regarding on-wall speakers, I know there are a number of good speaker manufacturers but do you have any in mind at the $2K price point? I've listened briefly to some MartinLogan on-wall speakers that were very nice but cost was almost double.

I'll probably get the wiring placed in the walls and have considered whole-house wiring especially when I think of my computer needs (my business, my wife's business, servers, etc.)

 

[mulester7]

.....BlackSquid, I applaud your notion of hitting the ground running with a projector and screen....does anyone know which of the projectors have a Zeiss lens made of glass?.....

 

[dis]

B&W are not that pricey, if you think they are I would say that the increase in price can be worth it if you look at it the way I did.

A few years back I bought an very entry level B&W system, when the upgrade bug hit I put a few of the components up for sale one of which was an ASW-300 (the sub was too underpowered IMO, but for what it did do it sounded good). Within a matter of days I found a buyer and got a very fair price for what I sold (in fact it was more than fair)

So if your looking to upgrade in a few years time, paying a bit more now for something that you might be able to sell easier and for a smaller loss when compared to another brand might just justify the increase in cost upfront.

 

[jcPanny]

On wall speakers

RBH Sound makes some high end on-wall and in-wall speakers. Check them out and see if they are in your budget. Also, Axiom Audio has a new line on on-wall speakers that should come in under your 2K speaker budget. From their line, I would recommend W22 mains, W150 center, and 2 pairs of QS8s for surrounds.

I second the projector recommendations for the new Panasonic AE900U and Sanyo Z4. Check projectorcentral.com for more reviews and info. Look at screens from Crada, DaLite Cinimazision, or Stewart Filmscreen. Also make sure that you can make this room dark for optimal viewing with your front projector.

 

[BMXTRIX]

.....BlackSquid, I applaud your notion of hitting the ground running with a projector and screen....does anyone know which of the projectors have a Zeiss lens made of glass?.....

Mule - While I'm not sure if any of the projectors listed use plastic as any of their optical elements, Sony is known to advertise heavily the use of Carl Zeiss lenses on their camcorders. So, Sony is most likely to use a Zeiss lens on their projectors.

Nonetheless, they have poor 480i processing on their projectors and a bit higher price tag typically. This leads me to recommend the Z4 which has similar processing yet pushes an incredible image for less cash (typically) and offers that 2x zoom range with the most lens shift of any projector I'm aware of.

The AE900 is similar priced and has better video processing across all inputs and includes the 2x zoom and a good bit of lens shift. Plus, it has the smooth screen technology which may help with those who may push their seats a bit closer than 1.5x screen width.

Bottom line? Sony is fantastic, and things get better from there at unheard of pricing. It's all freakin' awesome no matter which projector is purchased!

Now, on wall speakers can be had in the 'plasma friendly' versions or the 'traditional bookshelf' versons. Have no doubt, that with the right type of bracket and a solid stud to mount them to, you can put about any speaker in the world on your wall. Build a shelf strong enough and slap some Nautilus 801s onto it.

I'm not against in-walls, I just think you get a bit more bang for the buck out of bookshelf (easy to wall mount) and floor standing (killer) speakers. But, everyone must make that decision on their own knowing the facts and tradeoffs.

You could always go with some Sonance Silhouettes for some of the best in-wall sound I've ever heard....

 

[blacksquid]

RBH Sound makes some high end on-wall and in-wall speakers. Check them out and see if they are in your budget. Also, Axiom Audio has a new line on on-wall speakers that should come in under your 2K speaker budget. From their line, I would recommend W22 mains, W150 center, and 2 pairs of QS8s for surrounds.

I second the projector recommendations for the new Panasonic AE900U and Sanyo Z4. Check projectorcentral.com for more reviews and info. Look at screens from Crada, DaLite Cinimazision, or Stewart Filmscreen. Also make sure that you can make this room dark for optimal viewing with your front projector.

Thanks for the link to RBH! The Signature series is out of my range but the MC series is certainly in the ballpark. Is there a list of vendors that sell RBH in the Mid-Atlantic region? Specifically, Washington, DC. The Axiom in/on-wall speakers are also in my budget ballpark.

Coices, choices!

 

[BMXTRIX]

Thanks for the link to RBH! The Signature series is out of my range but the MC series is certainly in the ballpark. Is there a list of vendors that sell RBH in the Mid-Atlantic region? Specifically, Washington, DC.

If you are in the DC area, shoot me a PM if you are interested in seeing a AE700 setup in a theater as well as an older PT-L300 setup in a family room w/plasma in Fairfax county.

 

[blacksquid]

Hi All,

I just wanted to post an update to my original thread...

I was able to get a great deal on a returned Rotel RSX-1067 A/V receiver so now I have a decent base for my home theater. Myer-Emco, a local retail shop, had B&W speakers on sale recently and, after hearing them in the store, I ordered all of the in-wall speakers. I still have to acquire a sub but all of my research is leading me to the Definitive Technology in-wall sub. Now, if I can only find a dealer with one of those things installed...

I'll probably wait for a bit on the projector just to see if anything new shakes out. I do, after all, have ~6 months before the house will be ready.

 

[jcPanny]

PJ and SUB

Wait on the front projector and other electornics until you are ready to move in. Pricing on electronics can change drastically in six months.

Also, you might consider a non-inwall 12" sub from SVS, HSU, or Axiom for your large room. Having an inwall sub makes it impossible to determine the best location and intigrate it properly with the rest of your system.

 

[blacksquid]

Wait on the front projector and other electornics until you are ready to move in. Pricing on electronics can change drastically in six months.

Also, you might consider a non-inwall 12" sub from SVS, HSU, or Axiom for your large room. Having an inwall sub makes it impossible to determine the best location and intigrate it properly with the rest of your system.

Santa was either very late this year or very early for next year 'cause I got my bonus (yea me!). Now I can pull the trigger on a sub. The wife has been swayed that an in-wall sub is not the best idea so I've got more latitude.

What I need is a sub to be used in an 18'x20'x9' room. The room is in the basement ostly against the foundation walls. That gives me 3240cf. About 18'x14' of the room is enclosed on three sides.

I'd like to keep the price below $1KUSD. I have looked at the following and they all seem to have similar specs and prices:

<a href=http://www.hsustore.com/vtf3.html>Hsu VTF-3 Mk II</a>
<a href=http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-isdv.cfm>SVS PB12-ISD/V</a>
<a href=http://www.bwspeakers.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.models/Label/Model%20ASW%20650>B&W ASW 650</a>
<a href=http://www.martinlogan.com/dynamo_speaker.html>MatinLogan Dynamo</a>
<a href=http://www.definitivetech.com/loudspeakers/subwoofers/subwoofers.html#scube2> Definitive Technology Super Cube II</a>.

Impressions from the peanut gallery are most welcome!

I did get to listen to a <a href=http://www.miragespeakers.com/omnis12.shtml#>Mirage Omni S12</a> demo unit on sale for $499. I couldn't get a real feel for the unit but I may go back with some of my music.

 

[Matt34]

You might also want to check out HSU's new VTF-3HO that can be had at a special pre-ordered price before the 1st of Jan.

http://www
.hsuresearch.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1844

Best bang for your buck is probably going to be the HSU or SVS out of the ones you've listed.

 

[AVRat]

That theater is going to be sweet. For maximum impact how about a PB12-PLUS or 2 PB10s.

 

[blacksquid]

That theater is going to be sweet. For maximum impact how about a PB12-PLUS or 2 PB10s.

Man, that suggestion screwed me up all day!

I've decided to go with the B&W PV1 due to it's musical clarity and aesthetics. I had to think pretty hard about what kind of movies I like to watch and the type of music that I listen to (mostly orchestral music from the classical period). The reviews for the PV1 varied a bit on the home theater part (most bemoaned its output and lack of punch though some reviewers liked it) but never varied on the clarity and accuracy of the sub musically.

Anyway, I've got the PV1 on order and it should arrive within 2 weeks. This will give me time to setup a test environment.