Game Room...Under Construction NOW...Advice Wanted

[humphrj]

So...the game room is under construction. It will have an area for pool table, a bar, and an area for TV/Games/Movies. The part of the room for the TV/Game area is about 18' wide by 18' deep (open in back to bar and pool table area).

I've decided on the TV -- Panasonic Plasma TC-P65V10. I'd like any advice on what to buy in the following areas:

Speakers? prefer in-wall, but confused about where to buy and type
Receiver? 7.1 or 5.1? Don't need any multi-room capability
DVD or Blu-Ray? which one to buy?

I have about $10K budget for the TV + speakers + receiver + DVD + Remote Control. Would prefer to spend less -- the TV is $4K alone -- but $10K is OK.

We'll have a Wii, Xbox 360 and HD-Tivo (and cable)...plus an internet connection at the TV. Kids will probably add more music and games in the future, possibly PS3

 

[AVRat]

Denon 4310
Onkyo 3007

Some combo of these speakers:
http://www.amazon.com/SpeakerCraft-AIM-Cinema-Theater-Speaker/dp/B00134N2PC/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1254149529&sr=1-14
http://www.amazon.com/SpeakerCraft-AIM-LCR-Wall-Speaker/dp/B000X38OXO/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1254149529&sr=1-13
http://www.amazon.com/SpeakerCraft-AIM-Cinema-Dipole-Speaker/dp/B001TK3E1W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1254149946&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/SpeakerCraft-AIM5-Three-In-Ceiling-Speaker/dp/B001TK3E3U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1254150157&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/SpeakerCraft-MT6-Three-SPEAKERS-ASM87630/dp/B0002ZSFZU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1254150555&sr=1-4

Dual Epik Sentinels: http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/portedsentinel.html

Oppo BDP-83: http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83/

I realize you like the Panasonic Plasma TC-P65V10 and I’d buy it for the size, but did you consider a larger 73”/82” Mitsubishi. A larger screen size seems more appropriate for your space. I have also read of people purchasing the Panny for around $3K or less!

 

[humphrj]

Thanks...

Thanks, AVRat

I'll check out the speakers...hadn't seen those before. On the TV...I'd be happy with the Mitsubishi, but the wife wants to stay away from the DLP / Rear Projection. Thinks it is "old" technology. She isn't wrong, but I'm not sure it matters. Not worth a argument, though

 

[AVRat]

FYI, SpeakerCraft is sort ot the Granddaddy of in-structure speakers. Not so long ago they were only sold through higher-end/custom installer dealers. I think the downturn in the economy drove them to sell through other means.

The nice feature of most of the SCs is the pivoting baffle which allows driver aiming for better imaging. Most manufacturer's in-structure speakers only fire straight out.

Another thing to consider is the logistics for the in-wall center speaker. Most manufacturer's in-wall MTM center speakers, when oriented horizontally, are too wide for the standard 16" OC stud bay. Only a few manufacturers produce products that fit the bill. SC being one of them. The other option is to use a 2-way in-wall oriented vertically.

Let us know if you'd like some alternatives as there's a lot out there.

It may not be in the cards right now, but if you're in the framing stage, you may want to consider putting in the infrastructure for a projector. Some people even do hybrid flat panel/projection setups. Flat panel for gaming/TV viewing and a larger drop down screen for the full blown HT experience.

 

[jostenmeat]

So...the game room is under construction. It will have an area for pool table, a bar, and an area for TV/Games/Movies. The part of the room for the TV/Game area is about 18' wide by 18' deep (open in back to bar and pool table area).

square dimensions are the worst possible for acoustics. just fyi.

I've decided on the TV -- Panasonic Plasma TC-P65V10. I'd like any advice on what to buy in the following areas:

Great TV. I personally vote plasma over RPTV if only due to reliability. The latter type might represent the highest failure rate, at least according to one pro here. Then you have the PQ improvements too. If you can befriend someone who works for Panasonic, the family/friends going price right now is $2,400.

Speakers? prefer in-wall, but confused about where to buy and type

Your money doesn't go as far when buying in wall, as far as SQ. Just fyi.

Receiver? 7.1 or 5.1?

But, since the speakers ARE going to be hidden, I'd set it up for 11.2! After all, you should be able to afford a bunch with your budget, with Speakercraft being the selected brand. (not $$$ as with Triad or James). Check out Audyssey DSX capable receivers. The ones that can do height AND width channels simultaneously won't be cheap, it appears.

DVD or Blu-Ray? which one to buy?

Of course, bluray. Bluray players play DVD very well, in fact better than most dvd players.

ONLY bluray movies: Panasonic bd60, $170.
For gaming too: Sony slim ps3 $300
No gaming, but for audiophile, Oppo $500. (gets you faster load like with ps3, better dvd playback than pana/ps3, but that difference will be just about negligible after you see your first BD).

We'll have a Wii, Xbox 360 and HD-Tivo (and cable)...plus an internet connection at the TV. Kids will probably add more music and games in the future, possibly PS3

Oh. Just get the ps3 now. I would most definitely consider adding a warranty to a gaming console, and I almost never buy warranties. good luck

 

[Fenix]

I know that all in walls would be a preference, but are you completely against tower/bookshelves? They would have better SQ, and if you get a receiver with 2 zones you could set up your second zone at the bar and pool table with in walls for those, just for the ambient sound. But for HT and Gaming I would think that a good sub, towers up front and some bookshelves hanging in the back (or even in walls for the back since the surrounds aren't used as much as the fronts and centers).

Just a thought, and wanted to know if you were up for the other options, as I bet these guys could suggest a killer system in the pricerange that will be good for just about everything (HT, Gaming, Music, TV).