First home theater setup input

[trumpetman36]

Hello everyone,

Not sure where this should go, so forgive me if this is in the wrong place.

In about a month, I will be moving into a house that is "pre-wired" for 5.1 surround sound. It's not a very large room, but when I looked at it last, all 5 of the speaker outlets are on the ceiling. I'm building this from scratch (receiver, speakers, and sub) and I wanted something that would give me the best bang for my buck. I'll primarily use this for movies/tv and have a PS3 for blu-ray.
After doing some research, this is what I came up with.

Receiver: Pioneer VSX-519V-K
Speakers: 3 x Speakercraft In-ceiling AIM 8 Three (for LCR) and 2 x Speakercraft AIM 7 Three
Sub: Onkyo SKW-204

I've read alot about how bad in-ceiling speakers are, but my wife wants the speakers where the wiring already is, so my options are in-ceiling or ceiling mounts. I really want to avoid the "God-effect" with overhead speakers, so Speakercraft seemed like a good in-ceiling speaker to get.

You guys have the best A/V website (as far as I'm concerned), so your input is much appreciated. If anything I've suggested looks off, please let me know.

Thanks!

 

[njedpx3]

Hello everyone,

Not sure where this should go, so forgive me if this is in the wrong place.

In about a month, I will be moving into a house that is "pre-wired" for 5.1 surround sound. It's not a very large room, but when I looked at it last, all 5 of the speaker outlets are on the ceiling. I'm building this from scratch (receiver, speakers, and sub) and I wanted something that would give me the best bang for my buck. I'll primarily use this for movies/tv and have a PS3 for blu-ray.
After doing some research, this is what I came up with.

Receiver: Pioneer VSX-519V-K
Speakers: 3 x Speakercraft In-ceiling AIM 8 Three (for LCR) and 2 x Speakercraft AIM 7 Three
Sub: Onkyo SKW-204

I've read alot about how bad in-ceiling speakers are, but my wife wants the speakers where the wiring already is, so my options are in-ceiling or ceiling mounts. I really want to avoid the "God-effect" with overhead speakers, so Speakercraft seemed like a good in-ceiling speaker to get.

You guys have the best A/V website (as far as I'm concerned), so your input is much appreciated. If anything I've suggested looks off, please let me know.

Thanks!

Use the celiing for the surrounds, get two front bookshelves or towers a matching center and a subwoofer. ... This will sound a whole lot better than all ceiling

Speakercraft make good in-ceiling speakers.. Defintive Technology also makes good in ceiling speakers.

The equipment you listed, do you already have it? or is this what you have come up with so far? Reason I am asking what is your total budget? what do you already have? and lastly how bigh is the room: height, width, length.

Good Luck!

Forest Man

 

[trumpetman36]

Use the celiing for the surrounds, get two front bookshelves or towers a matching center and a subwoofer. ... This will sound a whole lot better than all ceiling

Speakercraft make good in-ceiling speakers.. Defintive Technology also makes good in ceiling speakers.

The equipment you listed, do you already have it? or is this what you have come up with so far? Reason I am asking what is your total budget? what do you already have? and lastly how bigh is the room: height, width, length.

Good Luck!

Forest Man

Thanks for the quick response.

Since I don't live in this house just yet, I'll have to estimate how big it is. I believe it is about 12 x 12, but it opens up into the kitchen making it longer. The ceilings are 9 ft tall.

The equipment I listed is just things I have seen online. I do not own any of it yet. As for a budget, that isn't exactly set in stone since this is my first home theater and I'm starting from scratch. The subwoofer is probably my least of priorities (whether it should be or not, I'm not sure). Because of the in-ceiling wiring, I thought I should "splurge" on at least competent in-ceiling speakers, if I go that route. As for the receiver, I just needed one that had HDMI repeating and passed PCM through the HDMI (I don't need the advanced codecs due to the PS3 decoding it). Pioneer seemed like a good brand for the price (sub $200).

Any input you have is great!

Thanks

 

[trumpetman36]

Has anyone used in-ceiling speakers for their home theater (besides surround speakers)? I understand that it may not be the ideal choice for audiophiles, but I was wondering if in-ceiling speakers have gotten to the point where it is decent. Since the room's already pre-wired through the ceiling, I may be limited to either in-ceiling or ceiling mounted speakers. Which is better, in-ceiling or ceiling mounted?

 

[AVRat]

mazersteven is a member who has a similar type setup and I think his ceiling is a little higher. That's quite a bit of change for those SCs.

 

[trumpetman36]

mazersteven is a member who has a similar type setup and I think his ceiling is a little higher. That's quite a bit of change for those SCs.

I agree, the Speakercraft are pretty expensive. But since I may be limited to ceiling speakers, I've heard too many horror stories about cheap in-ceiling speakers to not go with a good brand. Of course, if there is a cheaper alternative that I'm not thinking about, I'm all ears.

Mazersteven, if you have any insight into your setup and in-ceiling speakers, I'd love to hear it.

 

[njedpx3]

I agree, the Speakercraft are pretty expensive. But since I may be limited to ceiling speakers, I've heard too many horror stories about cheap in-ceiling speakers to not go with a good brand. Of course, if there is a cheaper alternative that I'm not thinking about, I'm all ears.

Mazersteven, if you have any insight into your setup and in-ceiling speakers, I'd love to hear it.

I have four inceiling Definitive Technology Bipolar speakers for my surrounds. They are pretty expensive also, Ipaid $400/pair 6 years ago. New ones are close to double. You can get decent fronts fro what Speakercraft or Def Tech in-celining speakers cost.

I would still get front towers or good bookshelfs. Your front speakers are most important decide on a buget number and spend 50% of your money on the fronts.

If you watch TV and Moviesthe center is important for dialog and it should match the fronts to provide timbre ( seamless front sound)

The subwoofer adds lower frequencies and can be added later.

The surrounds can bein-ceiling, but are for enhancement and don't haveto be the same size or quality as the fronts ( true purists want all speakers the exact same, but it costs a lot more).

The entry Yamaha or Onkyo are very good AVRs. It sound like you want one that has "repeating" HMDI so that sound will play from your AVR with just the HMI cable connection. "Passthrough" HDMI only connectsthevidoe and does not process the HMDI signal for audio; you will need separate audio connections. To get repeating HDMI you are talking $3-400.

Two things first find out if your wife is open to the idea of front towers or fornt bookshlef speakers ( this will sound better) and a front center speaker. If not you can get pretty good sound from in-ceiling speakers.

Second, come up with a budget range of what you can spend. Are you looking at $500, $1000, $2000. Does it include TV, Blu Ray, AVR and speakers ?

Good Luck!

Forrest Man.

 

[mazersteven]

A picture of the room would be ideal to be able to help you better. One concern I have is the size of the room. How far back will the main L/C/R speakers be from the listening area?

What I like about Speakercraft is their ability to AIM the woofer, and tweeter. Since speaker placement is important. Speakercraft Aim series offer the ability to direct the sound toward the listening area, or sweet spot. Speakerscraft speakers IMO are quality, well built speakers.

I also recommend going with AIM 8 Three's for your rears also. This will give you a seamless system all around.

 

[DJ in TX]

Just to add something to the discussion about repeating HDMI...we had decided that the new low end line of AVRs from Pioneer do in fact have repeating HDMI. The lowest model (VSX-519V-K) has an MSRP of $199, but I am looking at it on Newegg.com for $179 (free shipping and no tax unless you live in a couple of states). I'm not sure though if this has all of the features you need/want, but you might check it out. I think this is the receiver I am getting, but still considering the VSX-819.

 

[TriMe]

Ceilings flat or cathedral???

Try these for great inexpensive in-ceiling speakers. - Make sure you buy angled speakers if your ceiling is flat. This is what I would recommend...


Angled Speakers - TSSCA

Ceiling speakers - Theater Solutions TSS6C