HT 99% complete!

[ParadigmDawg]

Well I went a little crazy this weekend while the S.O. was out for girl’s night. I decided that I would just relax and watch some TV; as I sat there and strained to look at the TV mounted above the fireplace my frustration grew stronger and stronger. As many of you know, I was restrained to placing the TV there based on the WAF. I spent many hours running wires and cable through the wall and ceiling to that location for a clean look but this was it…time to strap on some “big ones”, step up to the plate and be a man! I ran across the street and asked my neighbor if he could help me pull the TV down. Once it was in the floor; I was scared, I was shaking, Sweat poured down my temple but I knew what I had to do. I begin undoing everything I had worked so hard on…I was like a crazed man, tearing down everything…I only stopped on occasion to think how much trouble I would be in when she got home.

When she arrived I met her in the garage and told her to be open-minded when she walked into the house. She walked in and said…I LOVE IT! She told me I was possessed by this HT demon and it was time to just finish it. She said write down everything that is on your list and first thing in the morning we would go do the final purchases. She also set some new rules and said they were not flexible. No SVS or HSU sub, they were just too big and she would not allow it. No bookshelf speakers for surround; they would go in the ceiling. No delayed purchases from ID companies, everything would be purchased first thing in the morning; IT IS TIME TO FINISH THIS AND START ENJOYING IT. I had no choice but to say ok.

Saturday morning: I begin running the wires for the in-ceiling speakers and finishing up all connections…she headed to the AV store with my list. When she arrived she had Sonance Symphony in-ceilings speakers, Paradigm servo-15 sub (I just asked her to please get me a pretty good sub) and the Yamaha IPOD dock. All I could say is “thank you” as I eagerly hooked up everything.

As you can see from the pictures, I used two end tables for the entertainment rack (she wants to take her time to pick out the right piece of furniture. My center channel is a little low and to the left but it will work for now. I still need to “clean up” the wires/cables under the system but I am waiting for the Direct TV guy to come out first.

I really wanted the SVS but I am truly impressed with the servo15; it really rocks. The in-ceilings sounded great; I found myself startled and looking over my shoulder many times during Gladiator. I am very pleased with the outcome of this adventure. It looks great and sounds phenomenal (the pictures do not do it justice).

Once again; thanks for every one’s help in this quest. It has been fun, tiresome and mentally taxing…what a hobby!

By the way; those are $50 Dual speakers on the patio; had to cut cost somewhere.

 

[captain_tinker]

Greg,
Wow! Congratulations, partly on deciding to just "do it", but more really on having such an understanding wife who, even though makes a few unbendable rules, still lets you indulge your HT habit. I say go ahead and work with the rules, since they sound reasonable, and viola, you have the beginnings of a very nice HT! Good for you guys, that setup sure sounds like it will sound very good, and provide lots of enjoyment.

-capT

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Ok guys; I wrote a long story and posted pictures for some comments from you; so let’s here them! I especially expect Warpdrv, JGarcia and JCPanny to say something.

 

[j_garcia]

Looks great man. I like the crown moulding and the arch in the back of the room. I always had a soft spot for the "industrial" look of the Studios with their covers off. What stands are those? Paradigms? At least the Servo15 is the best sub 'digm makes IMO, she probably would have approved a SVS SB12 Plus, but I think you'll get more output from the Sevo15. Congrats man!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Thanks JC. The stands are J-series from Premier.I believe they are made for Paradigm; the studios bolt right to it.

I did want the SVS but had to let her get her way. I am happy with the servo; if the SVS is better, then it might scare me! I assume that it a "best bang for the buck" scenerio. The Servo is ungodly expensive but I got a thousand dollars knocked off the price so I came out pretty good.

 

[mazersteven]

Saturday morning: I begin running the wires for the in-ceiling speakers and finishing up all connections…she headed to the AV store with my list. When she arrived she had Sonance Symphony in-ceilings speakers, Paradigm servo-15 sub (I just asked her to please get me a pretty good sub) and the Yamaha IPOD dock. All I could say is “thank you” as I eagerly hooked up everything.

.

Well that's a first for me. Sending your wife out to purchase your speakers. And to top it off, asking her to "please get me a pretty good sub".

Congratulatons Greg

 

[j_garcia]

I wasn't as impressed with that as much as what she came back with She actually did get a good sub, and a good deal apparently.

 

[Dolby CP-200]

Greg

Well maybe half crazy, nice flat screen.

 

[Kai]

Very nice.
And your wife respects your hobby...woohoo.
My wife does the same and we are lucky people.
We need a photo of the ceiling speakers.
Any reason you did not use Paradigm ceiling speakers.
I also used my coffee table for a tv stand until my wife found the credenza she wanted. She found it and it makes a great addition to my little system.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Kai,

The first picture attached is the in-ceiling pictures. I have the covers off right now but she will make me put them on. Remember, I sent her out to get the sub and the in-ceilings and they are what she brought back. She said that the guy we bought all the equipment from said that the paradigm in-ceilings were twice the price as the Sonance and it wasnt worth it for surrounds.

 

[billy p]

Damn

nice set up. I wish my wife would be a little more open minded. Gent's who get that kind of support should consider themselfs fotunate. Don't get me wrong my S.O. is great but she doesn't understand my desire for this hobby. When my time comes for my system overhaul I must slowly send her subliminal messages LOL.


Anyways, great looking set up. The room is very neat and I'm a bit of a clean look freak as well.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Billy P,

Yep, Carolyn and I are both anal and neat freaks. She says it's because we are both Virgos.

I am uncertain that the S.O. support comes free. Last night she said “now it’s my turn”. She wants new bedroom furniture, two new chairs for the living room and a pool. I may let her do the furniture but the pool will have to wait until next summer!

 

[billy p]

Lol

Billy P,

Yep, Carolyn and I are both anal and neat freaks. She says it's because we are both Virgos.

I am uncertain that the S.O. support comes free. Last night she said “now it’s my turn”. She wants new bedroom furniture, two new chairs for the living room and a pool. I may let her do the furniture but the pool will have to wait until next summer!

to bad you didn't have the insight before hand ! You could of then bought the 60's or even the 100's and dual subs.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Well it all mainly comes out of my pocket so there is a bit of "shooting myself in the foot" scenerio no matter how I look at it.

 

[captain_tinker]

Greg,
No worries, when you have a wife or S.O., it comes with the territory. There has to be some give and take. My wife is big into her scrapbooking, and sewing hobbies, and of course those can be time and money consuming too. Of course, in the end I actually get something out of it too... She has made a lot of really nice stuff for us and the kids. So we have come to an agreement that I can get Audio and computer stuff once in a while if I support her habits too. So we get along great. She lets me listen to my stereo stuff and dream about getting stuff and plan for it, and I get shirts, pants, coats, pajama's etc sewn for me however I like, in whatever patterns and fabrics I want. Also the kids get neat stuff too. Like recently my wife let me choose some camouflage flannel for a pair of pajama pants and also used some of it to make my 1 and a half year old son a pair of PJ's too, so we match, and he is so proud to be just like his old man! So I get to sit around at night, in comfy PJ's listening to my Martin Logans... How sweet is is...

-capT

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Here you go WarPRV.

 

[Warpdrv]

Woooo hoooo Nice job there M8...

First time I actually entered the General Discussions area.... Usually just went to speaks, subs, and amps... hehehhe well what do you know, ther is a whole new world going on over here.. hhheheheheh

Very nice job there... Looks like you had to use a pry bar to get that center channel in there... wholy cow...

Well Im glad you finally just pulled the trigger and got everything you wanted, and sweet work on your wife's part to get you that Servo 15... I have never seen her, but she has to be one of the Hottest chicks out there!!!!! Meow...

You know she won't regret that purchase one single bit, as she gets to enjoy every second of your HT !!!!

Now all that time you spent doing research, what the hell you gunna do now !! After I bought all my great stuff, I was lost after I set it all up... Now what do I do... Oh yeah... TURN THAT ****er UP !!!!!!

Nice work buddy... !!! Glad you & your Lovely wife are happy..

Warp

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Yep, the center is really jammed in there; it sounds a little muffled because the edges are blocked off and there is zero room above or below the speaker but it is temporary. I was going to place the plasma on the center channel but the “duck feet” stand on the Panny stick out too much.

The wife-ie is hot and picked me out a good sub so she may be a keeper.

It is hard to figure out what to do now. I seem to re-cal my system everyday just so I can play with it and we have watched so many movies that I am concerned.

We also updated our bedroom with new furniture and a 42" lcd so that was fun. She wants some in-ceilings in there now so I will get to do that.

Anyway, your set-up was an inspiration to me and that is why I built my mini-WARP system. It is awesome and we love it.

 

[Warpdrv]

I have a fix for your center channel... take that puny little thing you got back do the "pay the difference" upgrade to the 690 and park that panny on top..

Puts the TV at perfect viewing angle...
What is height of your 40's? they look really high...

HEHEHEH Im glad I don't have a Wife to answer...

So when I do meet that right woman, she will have to deal with what I already have setup... MMMMMMMMMMMM SVS PB12-Plus/2

You guys made a great choice with that Servo though...
You'll never regret it.. great product with great reviews...

I don't think Ive ever been an inspiration... thats a first !!

Warp

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I cant return the center so easily. A lady knocked it off the stand in the store and chipped a corner and broke the grill; I bought it the second it hit the floor for 300 bucks off! The 570 is a big, heavy monster; I cant imagine how big the 609 is.

I have the 40's on the J-series stands that are made for them; the tweeter is about 3 inches above my ear when I am seated.

My wife has a twin sister so I may send her your way...What State are you in?