Getting the best from our setup

[matt19849]

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice on getting the very best out of our current system. Any set up tips, setting changes etc that people would recommend.
I'm also looking for some advice on replacing the subwoofer in our set up to have one better match the rest of the equipment (our current one is on it's way out and doesn't sound right all the time)

Below is our current setup:

Monitor Audio Bronze Center
Monitor Audio Bronze 2 for the front left and right
Cambridge Audio S30 for the 2 rears
Monitor Audio CT165 for the two ceiling speakers for Dolby Atmos
Yamaha YSTFSW050 Subwoofer (needs replacing)
Onkyo TX-NR636 AV Receiver
Marantz TT5005 Turntable
Samsung UE48JS9000 TV
Optoma HD151x Projector

I love watching films and listening to music so if there is anything I can do to get better sound set up then any advice would be amazing

Regards the subwoofer, I was considering the REL T-Zero but a little unsure because it seems so small!

Cheers

 

[tyhjaarpa]

What is your budget for sub? Room size? And where are you from?

 

[matt19849]

Budget I would say £300-350 give or take. We're in Bournemouth.
Room size is a little difficult, it's an L-Shape kitchen lounge diner. The actual lounge is probably around 4m2 in size (again give or take a little)

 

[rojo]

Ah, 300 - 350 GBP you say? In that price range, pull the trigger on a BK Electronics XLS200. If you could bump up your budget a bit, one of their ported Monolith subs would give you greater output.

When considering room size as it relates to choosing a subwoofer, take the entire area to be pressurized into account. 4 meters x 4 meters x 2.5-to-3 meters = 40 to 48 cubic meters, around ~1500 cubic feet. Assuming the kitchen is a similar size as the lounge, let's double that. 3000ft³ needs something larger than a 10" sealed sub I think. The Monolith would be a worthwhile upgrade, and would give you a much more satisfactory result.

But either would blow both the REL T-Zero and your Yamaha bass modules out of the water.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

Rel has some good subs but they are over priced for their performance. In your budget I would take this: http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers/P12300SB-DF.htm or if it must be under 350£ http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers/XLS200-DF.htm

If you can stretch your budget a bit more you could get BK XXLS400 or Monolith that offer more output and lower extension. P12 300SB how ever should offer really good performance for the price.

 

[matt19849]

Hi,
Thanks for the replies. The total floor area would be 36m2 for the kitchen, lounge, dining room. That doesn't include the height of the ceilings which are 2.5m
The kitchen is around the corner (L shape) with the lounge and diner in the long part of the L

The XLS200 seems about right for our budget - i'll do some reading on that one. Would you say it is worth using the high level lead?

Is there anything else I should consider to get the best sound while i'm looking into everything?

 

[tyhjaarpa]

Hi,
Thanks for the replies. The total floor area would be 36m2 for the kitchen, lounge, dining room. That doesn't include the height of the ceilings which are 2.5m
The kitchen is around the corner (L shape) with the lounge and diner in the long part of the L

The XLS200 seems about right for our budget - i'll do some reading on that one. Would you say it is worth using the high level lead?

Is there anything else I should consider to get the best sound while i'm looking into everything?

As you have AVR LFE cable is all you need for connection, it is included with the sub. If you can, get the P12 300SB as it will be well worth the price difference for your space

edit: For the big space you have Monolith+ (maybe 2 of them) would be best how ever, but I guess that is way over your budget.

 

[matt19849]

Although that would be nice I don't think i'll be able to stretch it to get the Monolith+ but I may be able to get the P12 300SB for the small extra bit
I'll do some reading on that one tonight - thanks