First home theater system...totally clueless

[llamaattack]

Hi there!

I've decided to take the plunge and finally get a good home theater system. I've just ordered a LG E6 TV and the Samsung UHD player, but I can't have great video and poor sound! I know car audio fairly well, but I'm totally lost when it comes to home audio! Help me Audioholics! You're my only hope!

I'll be using the system almost exclusively for movies and TV, with the occasional (but rare) bit of music listening. The system will be going into my apartment living room. Floorplan available here:

http://alexaneav.com/floorplan/amherst/

I don't have much room on the front wall where the TV will be going as I have large DVD cabinets on either side of the TV stand, so I'm hoping for a solution which isn't terribly wide for front speakers

My budget is around $4k max, though if I can get great sound lower than that I'm happy with that too. If I need to spend more..let me know and I can think about it.

I really appreciate your help!

 

[KenM10759]

OK, so which wall of that room would be for the TV, and how far from the screen will you sit? Why not use the DEN instead of the living room? It's a LOT easier to place surround (and other) speakers, fill the room with sound, adjust and control it when you have four walls to work with.

 

[llamaattack]

Unfortunately the den is allocated to a large table that I use for gaming and poker nights. The wall shared with the the bedroom/bathroom is where the TV site. I sit about 12 feet away. I'd take some pictures of the room but unfortunately my cell phone had an unexpected meeting with a pool last night :-/

The DVD cabinets next to the TV stand are not terribly high (about 4'). There is also an identical cabinet next to one arm of the couch and empty space next to the other arm.

 

[shadyJ]

I would go for some bookshelf speakers, a center speaker, and a sub. For speakers, I would be looking at KEF R series bookshelf speakers, Ascend Sierras, Revel Concerta2 M16s, or JBL Studio 530s, to name just a few good ones. Use their corresponding center speaker in their line. All very accurate and linear speakers. For a sub, I would be looking at the Hsu VTF3 mk5. I wouldn't get anything fancy for surround speakers if you are seated against the wall, maybe just the Pioneer SP bookshelf speakers. If you will have some space between the back wall and listening position, than you can get better sound, and I would be looking at the Ascend CBM170s or Hsu HB-1s. For the AVR, I would be looking at models from Denon, Pioneer, Yamaha, or Marantz, and select them by whatever features appeal to you most.

 

[KenM10759]

Do you already have a subwoofer? If not, you probably have to consider neighbors and the quality of construction and soundproofing between units can make a big difference in how much of your system you hear...and how much people in adjoining units hear.

You can get moderately effective bass with a sealed sub such as Rythmik L12 or SVS SB1000. Placement will be key. They won't go as low or loud as a larger ported sub with more powerful amp but do help enormously.

 

[llamaattack]

Do you already have a subwoofer? If not, you probably have to consider neighbors and the quality of construction and soundproofing between units can make a big difference in how much of your system you hear...and how much people in adjoining units hear.

You can get moderately effective bass with a sealed sub such as Rythmik L12 or SVS SB1000. Placement will be key. They won't go as low or loud as a larger ported sub with more powerful amp but do help enormously.

I don't have a subwoofer yet. You are definitely correct that quality of construction and soundproofing is a factor. I'd say where I am it is...pretty good, but not perfect. So, I think I can get away with a fair bit of bass, but definitely will have to restrain myself from going overboard.

 

[KenM10759]

You'd be fine with either of the subs I mentioned, or if you really wanted cheap and weaker there's the BIC F12. I have one in my guest room and am downstairs from it. It doesn't bother me much when my daughter uses it.