Home theater 7.2.4 setup suggestions please

[PKSian]

Hi,

Thanks to this forum and audioholics YouTube channel, I am finally taking the leap to set up a dedicated home theater.
Requesting assistance in finalizing the equipment. Thanks in advance
HT system : 7.2.4
Room: 11'x18' room with 9' ceiling, no Windows
Screen: 133' 16x9
Speakers: 3 identical towers behind the screen. Have 18" space between the screen and the back wall. Prefer in wall and in ceiling for the surrounds and Atmos.
Seating : Single row on a 6" riser
Viewing Distance : 12'
Use: 75% Movies, 25% Music
Room image: Attached

I have decided on these
Screen: Seymour AV Centerstage XD AT screen
Projector : Sony VPL-XW5000ES
Subwoofer#1 : Monoprice 13" THX 2000 Watt
Subwoofer#2 : Monolith M-10 V2 10in THX 500 Watt

Audio Equipments
Option 1: Martin Logan Speakers
AVR: Onkyo RZ50/Integra 4.3/ Denon 3800h
Front speakers : 3x New Martin Logan Motion F10
Surrounds : 4x ML MW6 (in-Wall)
Atmos : 4x IC6 (In-Ceiling)

Option 2: Klipsch Speakers
AVR: Onkyo RZ50/Integra 4.3/ Denon 3800h
Front speakers : 3x Klipsch Heritage Heresy IV
Surrounds : 4x THX-502-L (in-Wall)
Atmos : 4x CS-18C (In-Ceiling)

Option 3: Arendal Speakers
AVR: Onkyo RZ50/Integra 4.3/ Denon 3800h
Front speakers : 3x 1723 Monitors
Surrounds : 4x Ci4100QL-THX (in-Wall)
Atmos : 4x KEF Ci160ER (In-Ceiling)

I am not very technical on frequency response of the speakers or which type of tweeter (dome or horn or ribbon) is better. I am just looking for a speaker system that can deliver natural sounding vocals and good listening for 3 hrs long movies. Which of these options suit well ?

Does the front and surround speakers I have chosen go well for the overall surround sound system, especially Option #3 with Arendal and KEF speakers ?

Which AVR should I choose - Onkyo RZ50/Integra 4.3/ Denon 3800h ?

Thank you

 

[-Jim-]

Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for the info and the photo. My first take is you should go to two of the same model of Sub if at all possible. Have you heard any of the speakers you have listed? It's going to be your ears who will have to live with them, so hearing them first before you buy may be important to you.

With a receiver, there are lots of variables to be considered so I'd first take a look at ZKelectronics . Plug in the 3 AVRs and compare what features you desire, and more importantly are going to use. Are you looking to go to 4 Subs ever? Is a better DAC important to you?

Lately I've been a fan of Denon as my last 2 AVRs have been them. So you can see where I'm coming from. I keep thinking Onkyo / Integra / Pioneer is going to go into Bankruptcy but they keep hanging in there. (There are all one company last time I looked.) Again it's about your needs and wants as the power differences aren't going to make a huge difference, especially if the speakers you choose are efficient. Those Klipsch Heritage Heresy IV have a SENSITIVITY of 99dB @ 2.83V / 1m for example. Here's a Erin's Klipsch Heresy IV Review The Arendal 1723 Monitors were very well reviewed here (Audioholics 2021 Product of the Year Award Winner) and seem to be a bargain at their price. I have heard neither so leave it to others to comment.


I hope this is helpful.

 

[BMXTRIX]

The projector is good, I would likely opt for the JVC in that range over the Sony as it will have better handling of HDR content, by a fair bit, and will deliver better overall contrast.

I would personally take a long hard look at the room itself for front projection. The raised open area is going to be interesting for speaker placement, especially with how tall it is. The colors through the room should be darkened, especially the carpet. And I'm not sure how lights are laid out within the room, especially ceiling cans and lighting over seating areas with dimmers, etc.

The screen should be really solid for the setup. I'm a big fan of Seymour.

I would personally stick with Denon, or consider Yamaha, but I would avoid Onkyo/Integra. They just seem to be on life support at this point. I do wish them well, but my money won't be supporting them.

I will not be a judge of the speakers you listed as they all sound different and it will be your ears. I'm simply not a major proponent for or against almost any speaker brands.

 

[shadyJ]

Between those choices of loudspeakers, go for the Arendal/KEF setup. This is a no-brainer, at least for me. They will be leagues better than the ML and especially the Klipsch Heresys. The Heresy is ridiculously bad compared to the 1723 Monitor. By the way, nice choice on the subs; I take it you are mixing the small Monolith sub with the big Monolith sub due to space constraints? Mixing subs with such different capability is not something I would normally recommend, but I think you can get away with it with the Monolith stuff, because they are highly protected against misbehaving, so the 10" shouldn't start making a bunch of bad noises when it reaches its limits.

 

[DigitalDawn]

Have you looked into Triad?

Triad is a Portland-based company that hand builds speakers in just about every configuration you can imagine. They will even color match the speakers and grills to match the paint on your walls. In addition to InRoom speakers, Triad has In-Wall and angled InCeiling speakers and subwoofers that work amazingly well for spaces in which you have no floor space, or when you wish to hide the speakers from view. The company has speakers in many different price ranges, starting at $300 per speaker.

While not a household name, Triad is a favorite of custom installers and has won numerous industry awards. The company is also a development partner for Dolby, helping to design speaker systems for immersive audio. Most recently, Triad Gold Monitor speakers won Best of Show at the 2019 CEDIA Expo in Denver. How Triad's Are Built:

I think you would love the Triad Silver Monitor Series.

https://www.control4.com/docs/product/triad-silver-monitors/triad-data-sheet/english/latest/triad-silver-monitors-triad-data-sheet-rev-a.pdf

 

[PKSian]

My first take is you should go to two of the same model of Sub if at all possible. Have you heard any of the speakers you have listed?

Thanks for the input on the sub, I will consider that.
I did hear the ML F10s and Heresy IV on a two channel music and i liked them both. ML F10s has the edge due to the price and Heresy IVs were great filling a large room. My concern is my listening session was 15 to 30 mins in a dealers set up, i dont think i can make a decision just by the short session.

Are you looking to go to 4 Subs ever?

I dont think so, it will be a over kill for the room size. AVRs are much more tricky, as i am not sure if i will be able to identify the difference in sound between the AVRs, dont own a receiver. I am coming from a OLED TV and Nakamichi 7.1 sound bar, so not much experience on the AVRs.
I have shortlisted Onkyo/Integra/Denon primarily due to the $1500 cost. I assume, avrs are the ones i will be changing in the future (if changing anything, it will be avrs due to new features) so trying to keep the cost down on AVRs.

The Arendal 1723 Monitors were very well reviewed here

This forum and the youtube channel is how i came to know about Arendals and have been reading about them a bit, unfortunately they dont make inwalls for the surrounds and inceilings yet. if they did, Option#3 with Arendals would have been my first choice.

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[PKSian]

The raised open area is going to be interesting for speaker placement, especially with how tall it is.

I agree, the raised front stage is 19" from the floor and i will be sitting at a 50" ear level. are you thinking i should place the tower tweeters to the ear level ?

I will not be a judge of the speakers you listed as they all sound different and it will be your ears.

Do you think if they will sound seamless between the front and rear stage ?

Thanks for your input on projector, screen and AVR

 

[PKSian]

Between those choices of loudspeakers, go for the Arendal/KEF setup. This is a no-brainer, at least for me. They will be leagues better than the ML and especially the Klipsch Heresys. The Heresy is ridiculously bad compared to the 1723 Monitor. By the way, nice choice on the subs; I take it you are mixing the small Monolith sub with the big Monolith sub due to space constraints? Mixing subs with such different capability is not something I would normally recommend, but I think you can get away with it with the Monolith stuff, because they are highly protected against misbehaving, so the 10" shouldn't start making a bunch of bad noises when it reaches its limits.

Thanks for the input, Glad you voted for Arendal/KEF, i am not finding a good inwall surround speakers to match the Arendals. New MLs are punchy and clear on the vocals, thats why i had it as one of the option. Heresy is due to my local dealer and i auditioned it in person and it sounded good for music, i am afraid if it will be a good fit for a home theater listening for 2 to 3 hrs long.

By the way, nice choice on the subs; I take it you are mixing the small Monolith sub with the big Monolith sub due to space constraints?

correct, plan is to place the large subwoofer somewhat hidden and place the smaller subwoofer in a visible area of the home theater. I am getting a feedback to consider similar subs even if its a smaller size. Do you think that as well ?

 

[PKSian]

Have you looked into Triad?

Triad is a Portland-based company that hand builds speakers in just about every configuration you can imagine. They will even color match the speakers and grills to match the paint on your walls. In addition to InRoom speakers, Triad has In-Wall and angled InCeiling speakers and subwoofers that work amazingly well for spaces in which you have no floor space, or when you wish to hide the speakers from view. The company has speakers in many different price ranges, starting at $300 per speaker.

While not a household name, Triad is a favorite of custom installers and has won numerous industry awards. The company is also a development partner for Dolby, helping to design speaker systems for immersive audio. Most recently, Triad Gold Monitor speakers won Best of Show at the 2019 CEDIA Expo in Denver. How Triad's Are Built:

I think you would love the Triad Silver Monitor Series.

https://www.control4.com/docs/product/triad-silver-monitors/triad-data-sheet/english/latest/triad-silver-monitors-triad-data-sheet-rev-a.pdf

Thanks for suggesting Triad speakers. It is on my shortlist but little down the list. Reason being, my local dealers dont carry that for me to listen to. I dont see the price of Triad speakers online and i have to rely on my local dealer for purchasing and installing these. I dont know if i am getting the right speakers for right price.

 

[DigitalDawn]

Understood. Not many dealers have Triads in their showrooms, unfortunately.