Exiting HTIB world, entering REAL world... need help prioritizing!

[SB Patrick]

"How far do you sit from the entertainment center?"

Given that this is the audioholics forum, it is still surprising that this great thread has barely touched upon the most significant elements to be considered- the room itself, and how you use it. Is it also the music listening room? Do you have a card table in the corner?
From the looks of the pic, this room was adapted for this use, and therefore you are probably also compromising something else too.
So what else is in this box that you described? Are there other niches or cutouts? Windows? One door? What's it made of? What is on the floor?ceiling? What (and how far) is the seating? Do you want a bigger screen?
Most of the space design questions lead to making adaptations or choices that could cost very little and yield big quality shifts.
From the picture, the nook could be either a great bass trap or amp, depending on how you work it.
While a lot of new construction builds a home theater from scratch, most of the world is adapting existing space.
Consider the complete environment first. Not discounting any tech advice given here - great stuff really- but in the absence of considering the room design, it can be for nought.

 

[lsiberian]

original poster here, checking back in.
thanks everyone for all your extremely helpful insight!
who knew i could glean this much information from a simple question (okay, the question wasn't that simple, but my point remains).

after reading everything and processing it more, here's where i'm at regarding priority and purchasing plan:

1) get 2 Axiom M2's for L&R, unplug my current onkyo center speaker and set my receiver to 4 speakers and sub
2) when cashflow resumes, purchase a 3rd M2 for the center channel (there just seems to be too many of you recommending this course of action for me to ignore, not to mention the $100 in savings over buying a center channel vp100... never would have thought about this before, so thanks guys)
3) save for a new sub (also a new strategy i'm implementing thanks to this thread)
4) get a new receiver to take advantage of HDMI in/out for bluray viewing via PS3
5) replace surround rear speakers

brilliant.
i like this plan... i do have to talk to my wife about the prospect of putting 3 M2's accross the top of our entertainment system. physically i have the space, aesthetically? mmmm...
i'm fascinated by the information regarding the center speaker. i read the article that patrick posted, and its crazy how a horizontal alignment actually works against the sound quality?
one thing i'm wondering (which i didn't see in the article) was if you could take a vertical bookshelf speaker (my 3rd M2) and lay it sideways for the center?

reason being, we have a shelf space for the center speaker, and this would fly aesthetically better than 3 across the top, but would it defeat the "3 matching speakers" concept?
i'll try and upload a picture of my setup so you can see what im saying.
also, if we do have to put the center speaker up top and keep it vertical, it's probably a good 16-18 inches ABOVE the listeners head when it's on top the entertainment center... will this be an issue?? should i try and angle it downward?
also, measured our room: 16' wide by 12' deep.. so it's not large by any means.

here's my current setup

I think it's best to mount the speaker on the walls. I like the false wall idea though.

However I doubt he wants to go to that trouble. Laziness rules supreme.

I don't suggest putting the LR channels on top of the tube. Get a sealed speaker and put it on the wall dividing the room into 4 sections.

So every 5' along the wall. Then put the center channel above the tv aimed at you.

I would personally ditch the cabinet and wall mount the tv.

What's the width of the cubbyhole It might make a nice wave guide for the center channel. Though I would experiment with it on the wall and then out a bit. My goal here is to compensate for the baffle step phenomena. putting a speaker on the wall essentially widens the baffle allowing for greater formation of the LFE throughout the room. I've tried various setups and found this to be the best placement for my speakers. Especially for home theater.

I just wanted to toss out the DIY option. If you are an engineer, scientists, etc. The option is very appealing and fun. I love it and can't get enough of the DIY aspect of this hobby. Yes you will need tools, but hey you are a man. If you aren't that type of person then just buy something retail before you get the five finger discount. Saws can be mean to hands.

A DIY sub is pretty simple. Speakers are a little more work.

 

[fredk]

...if you could take a vertical bookshelf speaker (my 3rd M2) and lay it sideways for the center?

If you decide to put the new center where your current one is, go with one designed for horizontal operation.

I agree that you should move the whole center forward a little so that the side walls have less boundry effect.

A ported speaker will be fine in that location unless the back of the speaker is jammed up against the wall.

It seems like you have a pretty good handle on things now. Have fun!!