I think this is a system layout question

[ivseenbetter]

Well, due to poor planning on my part I have to figure out a new plan for my living room system.

Right now I have a 50” Panasonic plasma (one of those ones with no speakers…and it only has component connections because I didn’t want to spring for the HDMI board). Underneath that, I have a stand that holds my Wii, Sherwood Receiver, Sony DVD player, and Input switch box. It is currently set up as a 2.0 system using Swan DIVA 4.2 speakers. This room is used for VERY casual TV watching. We play a little Wii and rarely watch a movie here.

Well, we have a newborn and he just became mobile. The first thing he did was head for the speakers. It didn’t take me long to realize this is going to turn into a headache…it will only get worse when he decides he needs to start playing with the equipment on the stand too. SO, it is my fault for not figuring these issues when I set this room up and now I have to figure out a way to work around it. Oh, and the wife is ticked so I have to do it on the cheap. I will sell my Swans and hopefully, with the money I make of the Swan sale, I can come up with a solution that only costs me a little bit of additional funding.

Well, I have a closet in the room so I am thinking I can put the A/V equipment in there. However, I have to totally hide the wire going to the TV or else it will be pointless because he will be pulling it out. Oh, I also need to come up with a good onwall or inwall speaker solution. I was thinking of getting one of those Yamaha speaker bars…maybe the 1100 since you can get those for pretty cheap. Is there other products I should be considering? I’m really hoping there is a trick to hiding the wires that I can utilize. I did a similar install for my theater room, but it was upstairs and I had access to the attic for hiding the wires. This room is downstairs…so access isn’t so easy.

I’m just looking for suggestions or direction. Let me know what ya’ll think.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[jostenmeat]

When you say "didn't spring for the HDMI board"... do you have a commercial version of Pana display? If so, you can still get one, right? I guess you don't need one, nm.

What is your kid doing to your speakers? The worst things I've heard are either pushing in the tweeters, and putting toy cars in the ports.

Does your kid even know how to take off the grills?

All the buttons on the electronics is another story, however. So putting them in the closet seems like a good idea. I don't like the idea of a soundbar one bit.

Assuming you can figure a way to run wires, there are plenty of options for wall mounting. There are some GREAT deals on Ascend 170s here in the classifieds. The wall mounts are easy. OTOH, they aren't exactly sexy, somewhat boxy I would say. Then again, the value is excellent IMO.

I'd take a pair of those anyday of the week, and twice on Sundays, over a soundbar.

 

[mperfct]

I agree with J about the soundbar, I'm not a big proponent of those and they should be used as a last resort. You can't bend physics to create a soundfield, and neither than 3.5" speakers create wonder mid-bass.

As far as protecting your components, wouldn't it be cheaper/easier just to buy a stand/console with doors that would protect them? You could get an IR extender if you don't buy glass doors as well. Just a thought...

 

[ivseenbetter]

When you say "didn't spring for the HDMI board"... do you have a commercial version of Pana display? If so, you can still get one, right? I guess you don't need one, nm.

What is your kid doing to your speakers? The worst things I've heard are either pushing in the tweeters, and putting toy cars in the ports.

Does your kid even know how to take off the grills?

All the buttons on the electronics is another story, however. So putting them in the closet seems like a good idea. I don't like the idea of a soundbar one bit.

Assuming you can figure a way to run wires, there are plenty of options for wall mounting. There are some GREAT deals on Ascend 170s here in the classifieds. The wall mounts are easy. OTOH, they aren't exactly sexy, somewhat boxy I would say. Then again, the value is excellent IMO.

I'd take a pair of those anyday of the week, and twice on Sundays, over a soundbar.

Thanks for the input. I will take a look at the ascends. Boxy might work as long as I can make it look "clean".

Yep, I bought the commercial version of the screen. I could buy the HDMI but it doesn't provide me much of an advantage so I figure I would stick with component.

Kid pulled the speaker cable out of the back and it took him literally no time to find it. I'm not worried about him hurting the speakers...I'm just worried about him accidentally hurting himself. I would feel better not having anything on the floor.

I agree with J about the soundbar, I'm not a big proponent of those and they should be used as a last resort. You can't bend physics to create a soundfield, and neither than 3.5" speakers create wonder mid-bass.

As far as protecting your components, wouldn't it be cheaper/easier just to buy a stand/console with doors that would protect them? You could get an IR extender if you don't buy glass doors as well. Just a thought...

The stand idea is a good one, but right now I have a "floating" one that kind of does the same thing. Unfortunately, any cabinent will be an eyesore and WAF is not happy with that. So, I will spend a few bucks on moving it to the closet. I'm just looking for pointers on how best to run the cable in this situation.