Contemplating a home theater setup

[Pupp]

Subs

Since 2x 12" vented subs costs about the same as a singe 15" enclosed sub, I'd be better off saving $500 on the initial cost and getting the 12" sub, then when I can afford it.. get the 2nd 12" sub.

A 5.1 setup won't have quite the punch as a 5.2, but then I could always upgrade at a later date.

Plus I think the 15" sub might be a bit too distracting in my living room. I have more places I can hide a couple of smaller subs, compared to having the 15" sub sitting in the open.

After all, there are more considerations in building a home theater than just the acoustics. It has to be integrated into the room without destroying the aestetics of the room. Its a living room, not a theater room.

Its a semi open room anyway. If I put the sub in the back of the room, the bass will be rather constrained to the area the people are sitting.

In fact, I think a big consideration is trying to get a sub that will fit under the endtable, which is why I was originally thinking that the Velodyne MiniVee would be the perfect choice. Pretty sure the MiniVee 10 would fit. Plus the MiniVee 10 has a 22lb magnet.. about twice the size of the MiniVee 8, so it might not be fair to compare the 10 to the 8 in audio quality.


That would really get the sub out of sight: being under the endtable. So the MiniVee 10 might be a bit punchy, but then again, it may be the best balance for my needs.

 

[GranteedEV]

When the sub won't fit under the endtable, real men make that sub their end-table

It's very inconspicuous if it's big enough.

Heck, here's a beautiful finish on an end-table sub:

In all honesty, a good pair of tower speakers will have as much bass as that wimpy velodyne sub. Magnet size has nothing to do with box size, and it sure doesn't change the fact that inductance is likely going to be identically poor unless they're using a totally different topology, which is unlikely.

Its a semi open room anyway. If I put the sub in the back of the room, the bass will be rather constrained to the area the people are sitting.

Bass frequencies are omnidirectional - they travel in all directions equally. On the other hand you will definitely get phase issues with "behind" placement, and STILL won't get any deep bass, which needs a truly close room or brute force approach.

Anyways, look around. Rythmik FV12, Funkywaves FW12.x (with acoustic elegance driver), SVS PB12-NSD, SVS SB13, Epik Empire, HSU VTF-15H, etc. I'm sure you'll find the right sub for yourself.

 

[Pupp]

Good package: Infinity P363

I think I'll get the Infinity P363 package: http://store.audioholics.com/product/3635/66226/infinity-p363-home-theater-package

The speakers got fairly rave reviews from Stereophile magazine, and includes a very good mid range Yamaha reciever. And at a price I can afford. (Its at the limit of my price range.)

I talked to the local AV store, that used to sell Kliptch, and they said they no longer sell it. Basically they told me it only sounds good if you have it cranked up really loud.

I'm sure someone here will say that the the system lacks in this or that, but balanced with convenience and price savings... its a good deal in my eyes.

 

[Pupp]

Sub placement

I decided I'll move my one DVD cabinet and place the sub next to the T.V.

The 2 cabinets nicely frame were the TV goes, but due to space limitations, I'm going to have to move the one cabinet anyway. That will free up space for the TV to be centered a bit better on the wall, plus leave plenty of room for the tower speakers and subwoofer.

Still going to look nice. Just won't have that extra nice "balanced" look of being framed by the 2 cabinets.