Guidance on a 5.1 setup... too....

[vxooxv]

After reading the Need Guidance buying 5.1 HT Spkrs & Receiver thread I too need guidance. I have similar needs with a smaller budget - so needless to say i'm jealous already.

Budget: 1k <-- Baby due in 3 weeks. I'm lucky to get approval on that, if you have kids you know what i mean.
Need: 5.1 or 7.1 setup (speakers and receiver) *see Q's below.
Room size for HT: The basement is a "L" shaped: HT (zone 1) is basically the littlier part of the L, because of a pole, the viewing screen will be viewed from the Right to the Left part of the "L". (see below)

The size of Zone 1 is 13' across the front x 20' from front to rear.
*my attempt to draw the layout doesn't come through after posting. Only visible in edit mode.
_____
| |
| |
| | < --- zone 2
| |
| |
| ... _______
| |
front | | < ---zone 1 (rear)
|___________

Currently wired for 5.1; (I didn't do it). The front L/R are 6' high in 9' ceilings the center @ 2' high and the rear are actually mounted in the ceiling at 13ft back from the room (directly over head of 1st row seating).


So - my questions.
Q1. My initial thoughts were go with 5.1 however I've never seen a 5.1 setup with the rear overhead; is this going to be a big issue? I thought maybe I'd be better off to go with 7.1 since the middle could? be overhead? This threw a wrench in things; although maybe someone knew what they were doing before me.

Q2. I have 4 speakers in various locations in zone 2 (bar/pool table etc) so ideally I'd like 1 directv box and be able to send video/audio to either zone 1 or zone 2 - not sure if this can be done easily short of 2 directv boxes or some hdmi splitter or is there a receiver that can do this already?

Q3. I dont' necessary have to go with wall units for the front; as I could drop the plate down - but if wall mounts are the best for my budget then i'm fine with wall or floors. In walls would be awesome but again - i'm looking for bang for the buck so...Oh, the sub is wired for the back of the room too...

I don't think I'll get a 5.1/7.1 + 4 extra speakers and a receiver for 1k so right now i'm focusing on the HT (zone 1) and will add speakers to zone 2 later.

Wireless, bluetooth, airplay and all that - a nice to have.

Q.4. I was thinking of hanging a heavy like "curtain" material between zone 1/2. There is no natural light so this would serve as a video and some sort of audio containment/partition. Any recommendation there?

Thanks in advance!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

As a new parent (my 1st son is 3 weeks old) and seasoned audioholic - I could only give one advice - forget about audio for now.
diapers alone could drive one bankrupt.

I suggest save up and get ready - buy baby clothes, badssinet, pail, car-set etc....

Audio could wait - at your current budget of 1k you're not going to get anything great.

 

[vxooxv]

Thanks. This is my 3rd child so I'm a "seasoned parent". Appreciate the advice - all I got was 1k isn't worthy.

 

[JohnnieB]

Hi V, Welcome to the forum.
You might be a seasoned parent, but you wouldn't be posting the type of question you did if you were a seasoned audio hobbyist. Nothing derogatory intended, just is what it is. $1000 budget is a tough one. It's not that you're not worthy, but some certain expectations need to be cleared up. There are more compromises when the budget gets smaller.
First, I assume you have a display and Blu-ray player, so I won't figure those in. The easy recommendation, can be found in the "recommended systems" section.

http://www.audioholics.com/recommended-systems/1000-5.1-channel-recommended-system

I have heard the Pioneers and for the money, they do sound pretty good. There is also a modified version of these speakers.

http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html

I have never heard any of Dennis Murphys offerings, but he is a very well regarded designer. That may be a huge understatement.

As far as an AVR. Here is where I would look to make the biggest compromises. The latest bells and whistles cost, as such, this Devon looks pretty good for the money. Granted, this doesn't have a second zone, and it is a refurb.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavr1513/denon-avr-1513-5.1ch-home-theater-receiver-3d-ready/1.html

For a budget sub,

http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-sub-1500-15-150-watt-powered-subwoofer--300-634

Total price: $940 before any shipping.

This is not the only system you can build for a 1k budget, but choices are somewhat limited. A bigger budget will of course open up some other options.