HT set-up help

[ctb_24]

I am building a guest house/game room and I want to install a decent home theatre system. The theatre room is approximately 20 x 20. The rear-speakers are pre-wired to install in-ceiling speakers. I also want to install two sets of outdoor speakers, a pair of in-ceiling speakers under the patio cover, and another pair of weather-proof speakers on the opposite side of the building. The front right/left speakers and the center channel will be placed on cabinet shelves on the same wall as the television, and I have yet to determine where to place the subwoofer. I'm looking to spend about $1,500-2,000 for the whole system, excluding the television/dvd player

*2 pairs of in-ceiling speakers
*1 pair of outdoor weather-proof speakers
*1 pair of right/left front speakers
*center-channel speaker
*subwoofer
*receiver/amp
*speaker selecter thing

I am unsure if I should try to buy the speakers and amp from the same manufacturer, or if it is ok to mix and match brands. Also, I am am wondering if it is necessary to have matching impedance etc. I was considering JBLs but have read a lot of negative comments on them regarding their consumer products. I probably should have just ordered the JBLs, because now I am overloaded for information. Any suggestions on good speakers and a good receiver for this application?

 

[ctb_24]

Polk

OK since no one was able to help me I have decided to go with Polk audio gear. RC60i for the in-ceiling speakers, Atrium 55 for the all-weather, Monitor 40's for the main channel, CS 2 for the center channel and the PSW12 for the subwoofer. I still haven't decided on a receiver or a selector switch, and I really have no idea where to start with that gear so I would appreciate any advice. Price range for the receiver/amp is $500-$800. I think I need impedance matching for the switch, but I have no idea why.

 

[Takeereasy]

I am not knowledgable enough regarding multi room/speaker setups/in wall speakers to be of much use to you but I think I can point you to a couple of guys who are. Two frequent poster on this site, Bmxtrix and RLA, are both experts so if you can't get any responses then you might try PMing them. Post this question in the amps/receiver section on the site and I bet you'll get more answers. Good luck, sorry I can't suggest more.

 

[AVRat]

Where do we start?

I think we need a little more info.

1. What configuration -- 5,6, or 7.1?
2. Are the “rear-speakers pre-wired to install in-ceiling speakers” for rear surround in 7.1 or side surrounds in 5.1? If 5.1, then the 2 rear channels of most 7 channel receivers can be used for your second zone (outside), as long as the receiver is capable. Otherwise you will need separate amplification.
3. Front right/left speakers – Floorstanding or bookshelf (sounds like bookshelf)? Size limitations?
4. What are your point of purchase options? On-line, consumer retail, specialty retail etc.

You can definitely separate speaker and receiver manufacturers. The home theater speakers should be of the same brand and preferably the same line especially the front three, but the surrounds are not as critical of this aspect. In this budget range I would try and stay with 8 ohm speakers.

There may be an issue with an in-ceiling speakers used outside due to weather conditions ie. extreme hot and cold, humidity or lack of. I know some manufacturers make them but I don’t know which. My preference would be to use the same type outside product.

OK! Making some assumptions this would be my preliminary recommendation for a 5.1 system.

At Crutchfield (Crutchfield.com)
Receiver Price Each
Denon AVR-2105 90 watts (Best features) 649.99
Sony ES STR-DA1000ES 100 watts (Great deal) 399.99
Front L/R
Polk Audio RTi4 - Bookshelf speakers 1 pr. 259.99 Polk Audio RTi6 - Bookshelf speakers 1 pr. 379.99

Center Channel Speaker
Polk Audio CS2 1 ea. 299.99 Polk Audio CSi5 1 ea. 399.99
Surround Speakers
Polk Audio FXi3 1 pr. 349.99
In-Ceiling Speakers
Polk Audio RC60i Pair 6.5" 2-Way 2 pr. 179.99 Polk Audio RC80i Pair 8" 2-Way 2 pr. 249.99
(May be suitable for protected outdoor use)
Indoor/Outdoor Multi Purpose Speakers
Polk Audio Atrium45 1 pr. 199.99 Polk Audio Atrium55 1 pr. 299.99

At SVS (http://www.svsubwoofers.com/subs_pb12_isd.htm)
Subwoofer
SVS PB10-ISD 1 ea. 429.99 SVS PB12-ISD 1 ea. 599.99

Total (Not including any other charges) $ 1950.00

I would also suggest impedance matching volume controls for the outside off zone 2.
This is a fairly tight budget, but not impossible.

I hope this helps.

 

[AVRat]

Late to the party

I am disabled so getting a quick response is not possible. It looks like we are on the same wavelength.

I forgot to mention that you can really use any brand sub.
The Polk Audio PSW12 Black 12" 100-watt Powered Subwoofer goes for $350 at Crutchfield. Spend the extra $$$ for one of the SVS Subs. You will need the additional power for your room.
My actual preference for the receiver is the Denon 2105.

For your exterior speaker distribution system:

Niles VCS100R -- Volume control OR
Niles WVC100E -- Weatherproof Volume control
Niles VCS HUB8 -- Speaker distribution Hub

Check out nilesaudio.com

I planned and had a similar system intalled last August, it works great though there are some limitations. All speakers on zone 2 use same source.

 

[ctb_24]

Gracias

Thanks for the advice, it should prove valuable. I am almost postive that I'll be running a 5.1 surround system for aesthetic reasons (speakers must be in-ceiling or in a cabinet, meaning there is no place to put the additional speakers in a 7.1 system). I would really like to avoid using more than one amp because of limited space, so I need to make sure I buy the right receiver the first time. Is there a product out there that allows me to simulateously listen to the surround system (playing television or a dvd) and the four outside speakers (playing mustic)??? In other words, playing two separate inputs at the same time on distinct sets of speakers. I wonder if the Denon 2105 would be able to do it.

 

[AVRat]

Receivers loaded with features

De Nada!

The 2105 will definitely handle this, as will most of the current receivers on the market. If you're really interested to see how a receiver works, many manufactures offer the owner's manual for download. Some can be quite large, the 2105 is about 6Mb, I've provided the link below.

http://www.usa.denon.com/catalog/pdfs/AVR-2105FinalLit.pdf

Sony has a new receiver that lists for $500 with 110 watts and can do all that you need, Model STR-DE998. With this you get more power but don't get the Auto-setup feature of Denon. The $$ you save here could go toward a better sub.

http://www.docs.sony.com/release/STRDE998.pdf 2.18 Mb

One other thing to take in consideration is cabling upgrade, either now or later. A little bit goes a long way.

 

[ctb_24]

cabling upgrade?

not sure what you mean by this...I'm running 14 gauge speaker wire...please elaborate if you get the chance

thanks

 

[AVRat]

Cable interconnects

14 Guage is great for your speaker wires. If you understand the principle of wire guages, interconnect cable upgrading is similar. Instead of the using the OEM (original equipmemt from manufacturer) wire that comes with DVD & CD players that connennct to the receiver, upgrade with something like Monster cables for example.

I hope this helps. If not you might check out the forum for this info.

http://www.monstercable.com/home_av/

 

[jaxvon]

Uh, not so sure about Monster. While their products are good, their prices are high and they have a very evil business model that involves suing small companies for using the term "Monster" in their names.

I think you'd be better off going for something from Impact Acoustics or Blue Jeans.