Help......Before I go Insane

[Cajun Ag]

I've been reading through thread after thread trying to make a decision on my home theater equipment and just when I think I have it figured out something else looks like a better deal. The set-up will be 95% movie sound.
Here's the situation. I enclosed a the 3rd bay of the garage creating an 18'x11'x9' room so 1782sq/ft which puts me in the small to med size range according to various charts. I anticipate spending ~$3500. I'm deciding between the Z5 and pany AX200U ($1299) projectors, but since I will likely have some ambient light I'm leaning toward the Pany's higher lumens. With screen(pull down) that's up to $1900.
The screen will need to be mounted with the bottom ~45" off the floor so the second row seating can see it clearly. With the screen so high I don't think floor standing speakers in the front will be tall enough and is it feasible to build a taller stand to put book shelf speakers on or wall mount them for L/R fronts.
Here are my speaker choices to this point.
Option 1 $819 shipped
Polk cs1 center
Polk monitor 30 for L/R (are 40's too much for my room?)
Polk monitor 30 for Surrounds
HSU STF-2 Sub

Option 2 $1186
Ascend CMT 340 Ctr
Ascend CBM 170 L/R
Polk monitor 30 for Surrounds
HSU STF-2 Sub

Please feel free to offer other speakers in the same class although I like to keep it around 1,000-1200 total.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[3db]

the bottom ~45" off the floor so the second row seating can see it clearly. With the screen so high I don't think floor standing speakers in the front will be tall enough and is it feasible to build a taller stand to put book shelf speakers on or wall mount them for L/R fronts.
Here are my speaker choices to this point.
Option 1 $819 shipped
Polk cs1 center
Polk monitor 30 for L/R (are 40's too much for my room?)
Polk monitor 30 for Surrounds
HSU STF-2 Sub

Option 2 $1186
Ascend CMT 340 Ctr
Ascend CBM 170 L/R
Polk monitor 30 for Surrounds
HSU STF-2 Sub

Please feel free to offer other speakers in the same class although I like to keep it around 1,000-1200 total.

Thanks in advance for any help.

What do you mean my speakers being tall enough? Are you concerned about the 2nd row seating not getting the sound clearly from the 2nd row?

If you get speakers with adjustable feet, you could lean them back a bit to help overcome that 2nd seating positioning issue if that is what you are referring to.

 

[mazersteven]

Option 1 $819 shipped
Polk cs1 center
Polk monitor 30 for L/R (are 40's too much for my room?)
Polk monitor 30 for Surrounds
HSU STF-2 Sub

Option 2 $1186
Ascend CMT 340 Ctr
Ascend CBM 170 L/R
Polk monitor 30 for Surrounds
HSU STF-2 Sub

1,000-1200 total.

In My Opinion

Option 2 will sound much better then option 1. But the way I would do it is like this.

System 33-2000
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340mhts.html

Right now Ascend has some specials going on (see this link from their forum)
http://forum.ascendacoustics.com/showthread.php?p=25900#post25900

So you could save $100 bucks ordering the 340's, 340 center, and refub 170's separately.

Then I would save up for a subwoofer. If you don't mind waiting this will give you much better sound quality. Or just spend the extra $300 now for the sub.



Here are some other choices

Audio Insider Acculine series
http://www.theaudioinsider.com/products_new.php?cPath=21_32&osCsid=46589f9aa69afb75cbab69097aac0d4a

SVS SBS-01 (might even be the best system for what your looking to do)
http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm

AV123 x-series
5--x-cs http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=speakers&product=91.1

Add subwoofer

Or take a look at the new encore series

http://www.av123.com/products_category_brand.php?section=speakers&brand=55

 

[Cajun Ag]

I appreciate the help. I was under the impression that the fronts should be at about ear level and so I was anticipating having to raise them vertically, but if just tilting them slightly will work that would be much easier.

I like the SVS package it sure simplifies everything. I think the X-ls from av123 are just too big!

 

[3db]

I appreciate the help. I was under the impression that the fronts should be at about ear level and so I was anticipating having to raise them vertically, but if just tilting them slightly will work that would be much easier.

I like the SVS package it sure simplifies everything. I think the X-ls from av123 are just too big!

Given that you have tiered seating, there is no way you can have both your rows of seating at ear level. Tilting them back will help but its a compromise solution.

 

[mazersteven]

I appreciate the help. I was under the impression that the fronts should be at about ear level

The tweeter should be right at ear level. So if your tweeter is slightly above ear level for the first row, and slightly lower then ear level for the second row you should be fine.

 

[Cajun Ag]

Sicne I have you any rec's on rec. I have yet to focus on them.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Too late for me. I went insane years ago.

 

[mazersteven]

Sicne I have you any rec's on rec. I have yet to focus on them.

Concentrate on speakers first. Once you have selected your speaker system receiver recommendations can be made.

 

[Cajun Ag]

Okay,
Model SCS-01M 5.0 Set with SBS-01 surrounds Black
Model PB10-NSD Charcoal Black
1,298 plus shipping with stands and wall mounts

 

[Cajun Ag]

Will the Onkyo TX-SR505 $234 work with the above. I see alot of talk about the RX-v661, but it's $363 and I don't understand half of all the things it does.

 

[mazersteven]

Okay,
Model SCS-01M 5.0 Set with SBS-01 surrounds Black
Model PB10-NSD Charcoal Black
1,298 plus shipping with stands and wall mounts

18'x11'x9'

E-mail SVS and ask if the PB10-NSD is OK for your room.

 

[mazersteven]

I see alot of talk about the RX-v661, but it's $363 and I don't understand half of all the things it does.

http://www.ubid.com/Yamaha_RX-V661_910W_7.1_Ch._A/V_Home_Theater_Receiver/a11224773.html

http://www.ubid.com/Marantz_SR4001_560W_A/V_7.1_Ch._Home_Theater_Receiver/a11224968.html

 

[gregt16g]

Will the Onkyo TX-SR505 $234 work with the above. I see alot of talk about the RX-v661, but it's $363 and I don't understand half of all the things it does.

It may be more $ than you are looking to spend (can be found for around $420) but Onkyo's TX-SR605 may be a good match with the SVS speakers. Mazer recommended (thank you) the SVS line to me and I too will be using them. After trading emails w/ SVS, they said the 605 would be perfect for the SBS-01's I will be going with.

As far as the sub, I have a similar size room and here's the recommendation;

"PB10-NSD for moderate to moderately loud levels (and that’s being conservative). 20-39 PCi or PB12-NSD for loud levels and additional slam/impact on bassy scenes."

Hope this helps, happy new year!

 

[Cajun Ag]

Thanks again!!
You guys have been a huge help.

 

[mazersteven]

Thanks again!!
You guys have been a huge help.

Don't just pick our brain and leave. It is mandatory in the rules, and regulations (that you skipped, and didn't read) you agreed to when registering at Audioholics to stick around for a minimum of 1 year. You also have to take pictures of your system and post them here

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13

You also agreed to invite all of us over for movie night.

 

[Cajun Ag]

Don't just pick our brain and leave. It is mandatory in the rules, and regulations (that you skipped, and didn't read) you agreed to when registering at Audioholics to stick around for a minimum of 1 year. You also have to take pictures of your system and post them here

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13

Hmmm I must of over looked that It's the least I could after all the help. I'll go take the "Before" pics now