Home Theater Setup/Install help

[MikeGSoCal]

Good morning, I just got my quote for a home theater install with all wiring hidden and in ceiling speakers. I’d like to hear if you guys recommend going with the components the installer recommended or if you’d buy your own to get a better bang for the buck.

Here’s the components and price:
Sonance MAG6R in Ceiling - $250/pair $750
Pioneer AVR VSX-LX103 - $299
Polk 12” Sub woofer - $350
Polk Atrium 8 (patio zone 2 speakers) - $299

One thing is there will be 5 Sonance speakers but I’m buying 6....so I’d have an extra?!?

Please let me know which components you’d go with instead for a similar or lower price if you were doing this.

 

[markw]

two things to think about.

1) Installers make most of their money on the installation, not the hardware although they might make a bit there. His pricing doesn't seem out of line although that particular sub might be questionable. Polk makes several 12" subs.

2) Personally, I wouldn't recommend ceiling speakers here. I'd think you would be more satisfied with in wall or, even better, wall mounted bookslelves.

 

[MikeGSoCal]

The reason we’re going with in ceiling is because the tv is being mounted over a fireplace and the in wall speakers up front would be at different level than the in ceiling center.

And the fiancé is only buying in on this because all the speakers are going to be hidden...haha

 

[BMXTRIX]

There is nothing wrong with the pricing on the equipment and Sonance makes good in-ceiling and in-wall speakers. To be clear, you are buying into so-so sound because of the location you are putting them at. You have to be fully aware that it is not 'great' sound that you will get when you choose to put speakers in the ceiling like this. Also, any rooms that are above the speakers will be getting blasted with half the sound. That's VERY important if there are bedrooms above the speaker locations.

Pricing seems fine, the AV receiver is very entry level, but nothing wrong with it.

Be aware that your cabling WILL need to be replaced to the TV from the receiver at some point, so plan accordingly. If drywall has to be torn up to cable right now and you don't have retro access, then you will need to tear it up again when the HDMI standard changes or something new comes along in a few years.

 

[MikeGSoCal]

There is nothing wrong with the pricing on the equipment and Sonance makes good in-ceiling and in-wall speakers. To be clear, you are buying into so-so sound because of the location you are putting them at. You have to be fully aware that it is not 'great' sound that you will get when you choose to put speakers in the ceiling like this. Also, any rooms that are above the speakers will be getting blasted with half the sound. That's VERY important if there are bedrooms above the speaker locations.

Pricing seems fine, the AV receiver is very entry level, but nothing wrong with it.

Be aware that your cabling WILL need to be replaced to the TV from the receiver at some point, so plan accordingly. If drywall has to be torn up to cable right now and you don't have retro access, then you will need to tear it up again when the HDMI standard changes or something new comes along in a few years.

Would I be better off with 2 in wall speakers next to the tv and the center in the ceiling above the TV? Here’s a pic of the fireplace where the TV will he mounted.

Is there a better receiver in that price range you would recommend?

There’s nothing but attic above the room so no worries there.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Welcome to AH.
Unfortunately the plan will not produce good results. TV above fireplace while looks good is a poor choice of location unless you are used too watching movies in theaters from the front rows, looking up.
In ceiling speakers are good for background music and intercoms. You will not like the experience that you are required to do by fiance. I guess she already rules the home.

 

[MikeGSoCal]

I know the TV above the fireplace isn’t ideal but it’s the only spot that works in this room.

Would doing in wall R and L fronts with a Center in the ceiling above the TV work?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

For the center channel, any chance you can use a low-profile speaker sitting on the mantle?

To get an idea of what you’re getting with in-ceiling speakers, just to your nearest grocery store and stand directly under one of the background music speakers, and then move away 10 ft. or so. Bottom line, speakers don’t sound their best when you’re severely off-axis. In-ceiling is not a bad choice for the back surrounds, but in-walls or free standing would be much better for the front three.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Gurot1]

Would one of those above fireplace TV mounts that allow you to pull the TV a little forward and down be an option? You could lower the TV a foot or so when watching it and leave it above the mantle at other times.

 

[MikeGSoCal]

For the center channel, any chance you can use a low-profile speaker sitting on the mantle?

To get an idea of what you’re getting with in-ceiling speakers, just to your nearest grocery store and stand directly under one of the background music speakers, and then move away 10 ft. or so. Bottom line, speakers don’t sound their best when you’re severely off-axis. In-ceiling is not a bad choice for the back surrounds, but in-walls or free standing would be much better for the front three.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

I don’t have much room on the mantle...can you recommend some low profile centers?

 

[MikeGSoCal]

For the center channel, any chance you can use a low-profile speaker sitting on the mantle?

To get an idea of what you’re getting with in-ceiling speakers, just to your nearest grocery store and stand directly under one of the background music speakers, and then move away 10 ft. or so. Bottom line, speakers don’t sound their best when you’re severely off-axis. In-ceiling is not a bad choice for the back surrounds, but in-walls or free standing would be much better for the front three.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Can you also recommend some front speakers for good sound without a huge footprint or some decent in wall speakers to pair up with a low profile center Chanel.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Unfortunately in ceiling center is even worse idea. That is the dialogue channel mostly.
Your attention will be drawn to the ceiling and not very natural at all.
Or, you may be better off using the TV speakers for the center if that is possible. Not a good option.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

I don’t have much room on the mantle...can you recommend some low profile centers?

Can you also recommend some front speakers for good sound without a huge footprint or some decent in wall speakers to pair up with a low profile center Chanel.

Look for a bookshelf speaker with a 5-1/4” woofer, and it’s matching center channel. Post a budget and someone can recommend a few brands; then research their model lines for their smaller speakers.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Haven’t seen a budget, but you might look at a Triad in wall/in ceiling combo for the LCR. They do have a decent IC center and make great speakers overall. While I do agree with the guys that you’ll be compromising, i can also see your not gonna get away clean.
Sooooo, I’d rather see a good quality IC center with bookshelf speakers flanking the display. If not, then try to match the center with in walls of the same line.
Center
https://www.triadspeakers.com/products/home-cinema/ic-bronze8-lcr/
Mains?
https://www.triadspeakers.com/product-tag/bronze/
These are the bronze line(entry level) and after some time on the site you can see there are many options.
@DigitalDawn carries them.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I would ghost the center channel completely and use good in-wall left/right mains instead. Talking about putting a center channel in the wrong location when you KNOW it is the wrong location is not the way to dot things.

You had an interior decorator put a fireplace in a room that makes the women swoon, then you sit around all Spring, Summer, and Fall with the fireplace off and a crick in your neck from staring at a TV that is located WAY WAY WAY too high.

Someday...

Someday they will figure out that the family room is a primary TV location. If the TV goes above a fireplace, the fireplace will be designed as a wide, low height model, far closer to the ground so that the TV can be placed lower, and there will be plenty of room to get the speakers in place where they belong.

I mean, the mantel is like 20 feet off the ground in this room. Why would they even do that except to ensure that a TV can't go in the place where it was designed to go?

I HATE home builders and their decorators. Go into a model home and see where they put the TVs and see if that's acceptable to you.

 

[MikeGSoCal]

Haven’t seen a budget, but you might look at a Triad in wall/in ceiling combo for the LCR. They do have a decent IC center and make great speakers overall. While I do agree with the guys that you’ll be compromising, i can also see your not gonna get away clean.
Sooooo, I’d rather see a good quality IC center with bookshelf speakers flanking the display. If not, then try to match the center with in walls of the same line.
Center
https://www.triadspeakers.com/products/home-cinema/ic-bronze8-lcr/
Mains?
https://www.triadspeakers.com/product-tag/bronze/
These are the bronze line(entry level) and after some time on the site you can see there are many options.
@DigitalDawn carries them.

Probably looking at around $1000 for the Fronts and Center.