HT Budget

[audioferret]

Greetings,

I am planning for a new Home Theatre and I am considering the following items:

Speakers Axiom Grand Master 350 package $1876.00
Receiver Outlaw 990 and 7125 package $2000.00-ish
DVD Denon 2910 $700.00-ish
CD Denon 280 $199.00-ish
Projector InFocus 4805 $1100.00-ish
Screen Carada Criterion 80" 1:1.85 $577.38

Total about $7,000 (33% speaker, 30% Receiver, 14% source, and 25% video)

For a projected 12X18X9 room, is this overkill? I am assuming a basement setup with no windows and with complete control of light. Viewing distance would be about 10-12 feet. I have all cables I need from my current 5.1 Kenwood Home Theatre Setup (Except DVI). I like what I have, but I have toured the audio shops enough to know that it could be so much better.

I like the idea of the outlaw separates, but I don't know if it is total overkill with the Axiom setup. Would the Outlaw 1070 ($899) be ample?

- I will also post this on the Outlaw and Axiom boards, but I need a Third, less biased opinion.

 

[jaxvon]

The only issue I would have with your system would be the EP350 Sub. I just don't think it will fill up the low end the way you want (the -3dB point is 28Hz). I would venture to say that a similarly priced SVS or Hsu option would be better. Aside from that, I don't think your system is overkill. It will allow you to upgrade, and if you ever want to, use some power hungry speakers.

Also, for the projector, you might want to consider the Optoma H31. It's another DLP projector, but you can get it for $1029 shipped with a 3 year warranty from Visual Apex.

 

[hunnybunny2383]

It Doesnt Seem Like Over Kill At All. I Do Happen To Have The Infocus 4805 I Dont Really Have Any Complaints It Works Extremely Well With My 2910. To Well Soemtimes. But I Would Leave The Cd Player Out With The 2910 I Just Dont Feel Like Its Necessary. I Am Looking At Purchasing New Speakers My Self And Was Considering The Axiom Grandmaster System But I Love Towers And Dont Know If Bookshelves Would Do It For Me. I Would Concentrate More On The Seperates Versus Receivers Issue Though From What I Hear Many Mid To Upper Level Receivers Will More Than Feel Your Room And Upgrading Really Isnt An Issue Because In The Long Run Multi Room Receivers Tend To Offer More Upgrading Options But Thats Just My Opinion.

 

[jcPanny]

Projector

The InFocus is a good choice, but you might consider an HD capable projector for a little more money. The Panasonic AE700U is a popular LCD projector with 720P resolution and is priced around $1800.
I also recommend that you audition any DLP projector before purchasing to verify that you don't have an issue with Rainbows.

Also, if you have a high end DVD player like the Denon, won't it make a great CD transport?

 

[audioferret]

Good Addition

...I would venture to say that a similarly priced SVS or Hsu option would be better...Also, for the projector, you might want to consider the Optoma H31...

I like the Optoma addition. I looked at projectorcentral and went through their budget projector shootout. The optoma helps with the fan noise problem that I am anticipating. Do you have that model? How would folks describe the fan noise on any of these models? It also appears that the picture on the optoma was rated highest as well.

As for the SVS/HSU, I am so tempted. I am looking at the PC Plus 20-39 and saying to myself..."why not?"

 

[jaxvon]

No, I don't have that Optoma. From the research I've done for the purchase I plan to make (eventually), it seems like the best deal. I didn't want to push it on you, but it's always good to have more options.

I agree with the other posters regarding the CD player. Until you start spending megabucks like Sleestack, you aren't going to find a difference in CD players and DVD players with redbook CDs, especially if you're using the digital connection.

As for subwoofers, if you're considering dropping the cash on a PC plus, I would suggest that you check out getting a passive model and a separate amplifier. The reason being that the amp will last MUCH longer because it isn't being shaken to death by that beefy woofer.

Heck if you can afford it, go for pair of CS+ 16-46 subs. For $1625 you get TWO subs with linear response down to 16Hz, a cable, and a 500x2 amp. Shipping isn't included sadly. But still, that should be ALL the bass you'll ever need.

 

[brian32672]

The optoma helps with the fan noise problem that I am anticipating.

I have had a few projectors. Usually fan noise is not a problem. And probably would not be a problem with the 4805. However I have spoken to Optoma on quite a few occasions. And one thing they do take pride in, is super low fan noise. The 3 Optomas I have had (including current one) all have been beyond extremely quiet (25-27db). However this should not be the main basis for a PJ, because at even low home theater volumes you would not hear even a fairly loud PJ like my Sharp was at something like 39db. Being it is ceiling mounted that small hum usually will not be heard even on the likes of 35-38db. If you have central ac coming into the room, usually that vent will be louder...

 

[mulester7]

Heck if you can afford it, go for pair of CS+ 16-46 subs. For $1625 you get TWO subs with linear response down to 16Hz, a cable, and a 500x2 amp. Shipping isn't included sadly. But still, that should be ALL the bass you'll ever need.

.....Jaxvon, let me assure you, you get two 16-46's, place them in the front corners about 2 inches from both walls that comprise the corner, and you've got, in my opinion, the best thing going for HT DVD response....thoughts of plugging them never entered the picture....rumble and realism concussion to burn....they did a very decent job with music also, but HT was their forte'......

.....edit....I better say 16-46's with the "plus" element....that's what I had....I had the unpowered versions, and pushed them with 1000 watts of headroom each.....

 

[audioferret]

SVS audition in order..?

..I better say 16-46's with the "plus" element....that's what I had....I had the unpowered versions, and pushed them with 1000 watts of headroom each.....

I think such a setup is simply outside of my budget constraints. I use a Kenwood SW505D (150Watts) and the SPL is really quite ample. The problem is that it drops off below 40hz. I think that any SVS sub would probably sound excellent in comparison. I want a sub that will batch the musicality of the speaker package I choose, not just rip up the floorboards. I need to find someone in the Boulder Colorado Area that has an SVS or Axiom sub I can listen to. I have heard Velodyne and thought they were nice as well, but they don't really call to me.

Any Takers?

 

[audioferret]

CD Player Quandry

With regards to the CD transport options, I am currently using a 5 disc changer (Kenwood CD-204) with ONE WHOLE BIT of dual D/A converter power. I like the idea of a changer because I play music continuously all day and don't like repeated trips to the basement to switch them out.

The Denon has an 18 bit Burr-Brown DA converter and the Outlaw has a 24 Bit (Type Unspecified?) DAC.

Which would be better:

1. Replace the Kenwood with the Denon and use Analog Out to the Outlaw

or

2. Simply keep the Kenwood and use an Optical cable to send the bitstream to the Outlaw and use its D/A converter?

 

[chas_w]

I would at least try option 2 before investing in a new CD player.

 

[Takeereasy]

I like option 2 as well. The Oulaw will be doing the processing which is the lion's share of the work. You'll save some $$ by going that route, and if you don't get what you want then at a later date try swapping out the CD player.

 

[jaxvon]

Well, you don't have to get a pair. You could opt for a single CS+ with an amp for $825, which I think might be more in your budget. That's still a LOT of subwoofer. Besides, going with a single unit means you can bridge the amp and use 1000W of goodness to push your sub.

Of course, you could always opt for the 20-39 CS+, or a Hsu VTF3-MKII.

 

[westcott]

Technology War

I recently upgraded several pieces of equipment and I really struggled to select a DVD\CD player. I decided to go with a very affordable Denon 910 and wait out the techology war for SACD, DVDA, HD DVD, and Bluray.

It seems Sony is winning this technology war and hopefully we should see Bluray units and DVD's out this Christmas. If you need a unit now, I would get a lower priced unit and wait to see what technology wins. Either one is bound to have a killer audio solution that will make SACD and DVDA eventually crumble.

As for budget, I would set money aside for a nice remote that the other half can operate easily, GOOD surge suppression\AC line noise isolation, OTA antenna and cable, telephone and network cable, lighting and switches suitable for the space, furniture\audio rack or like, sound attenuation (curtains, rugs, sound panels) and all sorts of things that pop up that you do not appreciate until you encounter them.

Now is the time to make sure that you cable and power everything for now and the possible future. It is not fun tearing new holes in the drywall after all the electronics are in place because you forgot about lighting or did not plan on changing from cable to satellite, etc.

Lastly, I would never tell someone what speaker or receiver to buy because everyone has their preferences and they should be considered together and not separately. I would suggest that you invest more in your speakers and less in you reciever\amp solution. A good set of speakers will be around a lot longer than any receiver due to obsolecence of signal processing. Your budget does not really reflect separate components and I doubt that you would appreciate what little performance gain in one receiver\amp combo over an other without good speakers to start with.

I am not bad mouthing Axiom, but I would consider something higher in their product line or another mfg first before spending that percentage of the budget on a receiver\pre-pro solution, DVD player,and a CD transport.

 

[sokrman14]

I would highly agree, get a projector with HD capabilities, it would match a lot better with a DVD player that has HD upconversion, which is what the 2910 does. However you must make sure that you have and HDMI or DVI input on the projector to accept the upconversion.