Building on a new system and looking for advice

[AVRat]

Expounding on the phantom center issue a bit. For about a 10’ listening distance, you’d normally place the L/R speakers about 8’-11’ apart. With your 47” TV, I’m guessing your L/Rs are probably less than 6’ apart in which case I’d live with the phantom center for a while and purchase the sub first.

This would also allow you more time to find a matching center.

Zumbo, snuck in while I was writing up a response:

WOW, I didn’t realize the Kef would be so easily obtainable. I’d pick one up quick if you can.

 

[zumbo]

Yamaha rx-v1900 - $645.05 shipped
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V1900BL-7-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B001E5CDS2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1296834105&sr=1-1

KEF IQ60 - $269.88 shipped

http://www.amazon.com/KEF-iQ60cBL-Center-Channel-Speaker/dp/B001HV211M

KEF IQ30 - $299.88 shipped

http://www.amazon.com/KEF-iQ30BL-Bookshelf-Speaker-Black/dp/B001HV7GDK/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_3

NHT B-12d - $699.00

http://www.nhthifi.com/Subwoofer-home-theater-B-12d?sc=12&category=3779

$1913.81(TOTAL). May be a shipping charge for the sub.
EDIT: NHT offers free shipping for any purchase over $499.

 

[zumbo]

Yamaha 1900 link

Retail price for the Yamaha 1900 was $1399.95. Here is the link to Yamaha for product information:
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/av-receivers-amps/rx/rx-v1900_black__u/?mode=model

 

[zumbo]

Vann's and Amazon are both authorized to sell KEF.
http://www.kef.com/us/ORetailers

Electronics Expo and Amazon are both authorized to sell Yamaha. You have to put in your zip, select Audio & Visual, then click the Yamaha's Authorized Internet Retailers logo.
http://usa.yamaha.com/dealers/

This means you get full manufacturers warranty for every item I linked.

 

[Peilers]

Thanks for all the input Zumbo! I was just getting ready to send in the order for the Denon... now you have me holding on. I'll check out the Yamaha. Originally I wanted to get the IQ30's, but they wouldn't fit on the shelves very well and be acceptable to the other half of the houshold... Hence, the IQ10's. Which I think will be OK once I get the center because we usually don't listen at high levels anyway. I would like to find a way to eventually switch them out to a better/larger front speaker.

AVRat... The IQ10's are about 11 feet apart. Our shelves are 12 feet wide and they are sitting just inside the outer edge of them.

If I kept the 10's for a few years, would the IQ60 be too much for them or should I go down to the smaller on?

 

[zumbo]

So matching IQ10's for surround. - $199.88

http://www.amazon.com/KEF-iQ10BL-Bookshelf-Speaker-Black/dp/B001HV7G76/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_1

Yamaha rx-v1900 - $645.05 shipped
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-RX-V1900BL-7-1-Channel-Theater-Receiver/dp/B001E5CDS2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1296834105&sr=1-1

KEF IQ60 - $269.88 shipped

http://www.amazon.com/KEF-iQ60cBL-Center-Channel-Speaker/dp/B001HV211M

NHT B-12d - $699.00

http://www.nhthifi.com/Subwoofer-home-theater-B-12d?sc=12&category=3779

Brings the total closer to your original budget.

$1813.81 Total.

It's actually shocking to me that this system can even be put together for this amount of money.

 

[Peilers]

Our LG 8500 has a refresh rate of 240htz and the receiver has a refresh rate of 120htz... do you guys think this will be an issue?

 

[zumbo]

Our LG 8500 has a refresh rate of 240htz and the receiver has a refresh rate of 120htz... do you guys think this will be an issue?

That's a good find. My Z7 is 120 as well. The only issue would be you would only be getting 120 unless you ran HDMI straight to tv. Then my questions would be if the br player you have is 240, or if your cable/sat is actually supporting 240?

I am honestly not qualified to answer any question regarding the refresh rates.

Which Denon were you considering?

 

[zumbo]

Taking into consideration I am not qualified to answer the refresh rate question, page 81 of the 1900 manual states the option to select THROUGH for selection of the receiver NOT to process the HDMI signal.

Manual also states 4ohm capability for the main speakers. Even though you are not using 4ohm speakers, this indicates a healthy amp section to me.

 

[AVRat]

Unless I'm mistaken, the iQ60c is the only center in that lineup, but no it won't overpower the 10s.

 

[Peilers]

That's a good find. My Z7 is 120 as well. The only issue would be you would only be getting 120 unless you ran HDMI straight to tv. Then my questions would be if the br player you have is 240, or if your cable/sat is actually supporting 240?

I am honestly not qualified to answer any question regarding the refresh rates.

Which Denon were you considering?

Good questions... I'll have to check on that tonight when I get home. I was considering the Denon avr-2310... which it seems is also 12htz. Just not sure if it matters if you can do the pass through.

 

[Peilers]

Unless I'm mistaken, the iQ60c is the only center in that lineup, but no it won't overpower the 10s.

Thanks AVR... I guess I saw on KEF's site that the new Q- series, which I suppose replaced the IQ series, had two sizes for their center channel and assumed the same held true for the IQ60... but we all know know what happens when we assume right?

 

[Peilers]

That's a good find. My Z7 is 120 as well. The only issue would be you would only be getting 120 unless you ran HDMI straight to tv. Then my questions would be if the br player you have is 240, or if your cable/sat is actually supporting 240?

I am honestly not qualified to answer any question regarding the refresh rates.

Which Denon were you considering?

Well, the cable box has a refresh rate of 120hz. Can't find anything on the Samsung BD-6500 player. I'm willing to bet it doesn't matter a whole lot.

 

[Peilers]

OK, back to the speakers... what do you all think of using the IQ10's in the rear and adding a pair of Def Tech studio monitor 350's for the fronts? If so... Which center would work best for that setup?

Thanks again!

 

[AVRat]

The SMs have a side firing passive radiator that may be of some concern being positioned in an enclosed bookshelf space, but they’d be better than the PM 1000s. Either the PC 2000/CLR 2002 would work though. The iQ10s are fine for surrounds, but you said they were too big.

 

[Peilers]

The SMs have a side firing passive radiator that may be of some concern being positioned in an enclosed bookshelf space, but they’d be better than the PM 1000s. Either the PC 2000/CLR 2002 would work though. The iQ10s are fine for surrounds, but you said they were too big.

Thanks... I didn't think about the side firing radiator being in an enclosed are. Yes, I did say the IQ10's were a bit big for the rears... but I have since then thought that I may be able to recess them in the wall a bit so they aren't sticking out so far. Wondering about the Usher s-520's too.

 

[AVRat]

For fronts or surrounds? I would say they are on par with the iQ10s. Not sure what you’re looking to accomplish here. If you’re looking for better options for the front three that can handle more power output, I’d seriously consider the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170/CMT-340C combo and plug the rear ports which won’t hurt the speaker but raise the low-end response a bit. You’ll probably cross them over to the sub at 80 Hz anyway.

 

[Peilers]

For fronts or surrounds? I would say they are on par with the iQ10s. Not sure what you’re looking to accomplish here. If you’re looking for better options for the front three that can handle more power output, I’d seriously consider the Ascend Acoustics CBM-170/CMT-340C combo and plug the rear ports which won’t hurt the speaker but raise the low-end response a bit. You’ll probably cross them over to the sub at 80 Hz anyway.

Sorry... I was thinking of the fronts... I'm just wondering about other options for the fronts that may be a similar size as the IQ10's but would perform better. Thanks! I'll check out the Ascends as well. I've often wondered about the plugs I've seen for the ports. Can you explain what is the thinking behind them and why I'd want to plug a port? Does it allow you to put more power to the speaker and to keep the woofer from bottoming at the expense of lower end bass?

 

[AVRat]

Many bookshelf type speakers have the rear firing ports which when put in an enclosed bookshelf space may introduce a boxiness to the sound. Plugging of course alleviates it at the expense of the lower bass response which is afforded by the port in the first place. It would also lower the speakers’ power handling capability to help keep the woofer from bottoming. The Ascends will still handle more power than you’ll require.

Speaker specifications are dictated by their specific design so what works for one, may not work for another.