In need of budget home theater advice

[fibrocyte]

Hi, all,

I'm new to the website, but am hoping I can get some assistance here. I'm looking to build a budget home theater system. The budget is roughly $1000 and I already have a blu-ray player (Samsung BD-1600, I believe).

I looked at the $1000 system in the audioholics store but am not in need of the blu-ray player and am not sure that's the best use of my money, anyway.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Nick

 

[JerryLove]

Do you already have a screen?

Most of the threads, and articles, on systems by budget are AVR and speakers. So once the screen is taken care of, just hunt one down. $1000 is suitable for the "6 Behringer 2030Ps, 2 Dayton 10" or 12" subs, and a two-sub AVR) if you don't need a TV. If you do, that's gonna cause some problems.

There's nothing wrong with having $100 left either. Don't assume "have up to $1000" means the best package will be exactly that.

If none of that reading is any help: you should tell us what your needs are besides budget. How big is your room? What is your focus?

 

[fibrocyte]

Do you already have a screen?

Most of the threads, and articles, on systems by budget are AVR and speakers. So once the screen is taken care of, just hunt one down. $1000 is suitable for the "6 Behringer 2030Ps, 2 Dayton 10" or 12" subs, and a two-sub AVR) if you don't need a TV. If you do, that's gonna cause some problems.

There's nothing wrong with having $100 left either. Don't assume "have up to $1000" means the best package will be exactly that.

If none of that reading is any help: you should tell us what your needs are besides budget. How big is your room? What is your focus?

Hi, JerryLove,

Thanks for the response. Yes - sorry - I forgot to mention that I already have a screen. The model is LN40B640R.

The room size is 12' by 18' and will be exclusively used as a home theater room. I'm primarily concerned with the quality of sound for movies. Music is a distant second.

Also, another question is which wall I should put the TV on given the dimensions of that room and the size of the TV (40"). I can look this up on google and probably get some decent info, though.

Hope this helps and I really appreciate your feedback.

Nick

 

[fibrocyte]

Hi, Jerry,

I researched the 2030Ps and they look great for what I'm trying to do. You suggest 6, is that for 2 front, 2 rear, 1 rear center and 1 front center? I'd assume so. In addition, you suggest two 10" or 12" Dayton subs (which also look nice). So what I'm lacking is primarily 2 things:

- Based on the room dimensions (12' by 18') should I go with 10" or 12" subs?
- Which AVRs can be recommended for this setup considering I want 6.2 (or 7.2) sound?

 

[j_garcia]

Instead of two 10" Dayton subs, I'd just spend that same ~$300 on their 15" entry level model: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-770

I know that two can help with response but it generally also requires the user to know how to properly integrate both of them and one is much easier to configure. Plus, it is less shipping.

Yes, 6 speakers would be arranged in the fashion you described.

 

[JerryLove]

I researched the 2030Ps and they look great for what I'm trying to do. You suggest 6, is that for 2 front, 2 rear, 1 rear center and 1 front center? I'd assume so. In addition, you suggest two 10" or 12" Dayton subs (which also look nice). So what I'm lacking is primarily 2 things:

- Based on the room dimensions (12' by 18') should I go with 10" or 12" subs?
- Which AVRs can be recommended for this setup considering I want 6.2 (or 7.2) sound?

It's 6 simply because the come in pairs; but yes, I'd likely set them LF, C, RF, LS, RS, and "rear".

If the 10" was still on sale at $80, that seemed to be the consensus. Since that sale seems to have ended, the price difference is $20 and unless one of the more knowledgeable members tells me I'm wrong, I'd go with the $12s. (remember, if you find them too "loose" there's an easy fix involving a screwdriver and a pillow).

You would be at around $200-$250 for an AVR at this point:
It strains your budget a little, but I found you this: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKHTRC160A/Onkyo/Ht-rc160-7.2-channel-Home-Theater-Receiver-Like-Tx-sr607/1.html

 

[JerryLove]

Instead of two 10" Dayton subs, I'd just spend that same ~$300 on their 15" entry level model: http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-770

I'd have to disagree. You loose the ability to integrate them as a third speaker for the fronts: you are more likely to have standing wave and room acoustic problems, and the possibility of destructive interference when two bass signals cancel each other while being combined to one channel.

 

[fibrocyte]

Hi, Jerry,

I was trying to send you a PM but apparently I do not have enough posts on the forums to do so. Here it is.

Thanks,
Nick

--------------

Hi, Jerry,

You had helped me on a audioholics thread a few weeks ago and now it's purchasing time. Thanks a bunch for all your input and providing a link to that 7.2 receiver.

I'm looking for the B2030P speakers. I believe you suggested 6 of these - is that okay? Do I not need a special speaker for the mid channel?

Also, there seems to be a few different models of the B2030P (they look slightly different in the pictures). Is this the correct one that you were referring to? I'd hate to purchase the wrong thing.

Finally, any tips on cabling?

Best regards,
Nick

 

[fibrocyte]

Need 1 more post to post a link...

 

[fibrocyte]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/321847-REG/Behringer_B2030P_B2030P_2_Way_Passive.html

 

[JerryLove]

I'm looking for the B2030P speakers. I believe you suggested 6 of these - is that okay? Do I not need a special speaker for the mid channel?

No. Center channel does not need to be a special speaker. Consider the extra 2030 a spare. (you can put the two of them on their side up against each other, tweeters toward the middle if you like. There might be some destructive interference fron the tweets, but it's likely to be minor)

Also, there seems to be a few different models of the B2030P (they look slightly different in the pictures). Is this the correct one that you were referring to? I'd hate to purchase the wrong thing.

I've noticed that there are two. I don't know if there's an acoustic difference between them. Perhaps we can get Christ (WmAx) to chime in on which of these he actually tested.

Finally, any tips on cabling?

Don't let the wires touch.

Get a decent gauge cable and you should be all set. Monoprice is a good source.

Jerry

 

[njedpx3]

Hi, Jerry,

I was trying to send you a PM but apparently I do not have enough posts on the forums to do so. Here it is.

Thanks,
Nick

--------------

Hi, Jerry,

You had helped me on a audioholics thread a few weeks ago and now it's purchasing time. Thanks a bunch for all your input and providing a link to that 7.2 receiver.

I'm looking for the B2030P speakers. I believe you suggested 6 of these - is that okay? Do I not need a special speaker for the mid channel?

Also, there seems to be a few different models of the B2030P (they look slightly different in the pictures). Is this the correct one that you were referring to? I'd hate to purchase the wrong thing.

Finally, any tips on cabling?

Best regards,
Nick

JerryLove has given you great advice. Ideally you want the fronts and center to match to maintain timbre (seamless front sound). The absolute best match is three idential speakers which is what you are doing. The Behringer truth 2030Ps areexcelltn speakers. Your room is mid-sized. Instead of two Dayton subs, you might consider one SVS or Hsu subwoofer. They a astep above the Daytons in quality. An SVS PB12-NSD for $569 would sound awesome. http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-pb12nsd.cfm

For cables go to http://www.monoprice.com/products/department.asp?c_id=102 or http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/speaker/index.htm Both are very good, fairly inexpensive, cable manufactures

Good Luck!

Forest Man

 

[fibrocyte]

The only problem w/ the SVSound sub you suggested is the price. I was trying to build a bit more of a budget system... would love to keep the price of the sub at 300 or less but may end up w/ the one you suggested anyway.

 

[fibrocyte]

I'm thinking two 12" Dayton Subwoofers... it'll be about 310 shipped:

http://www.amazon.com/Dayton-SUB-120-Watt-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000C9NV78/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260994145&sr=8-2-spell

 

[JerryLove]

I swear one of these days I'm gonna setup a 2030p / stereo-dayton sub system in a room just to have people come bring what they think will be better to my house to have a throw-down and see what actually is.

(working against this is the fact that I think the WmAx customs going into the family room, and the $5500 Paradigm setup in the bedroom actually *are* better than that setup; so I won't be replacing those... making this just a testing room)

 

[j_garcia]

I'd have to disagree. You loose the ability to integrate them as a third speaker for the fronts: you are more likely to have standing wave and room acoustic problems, and the possibility of destructive interference when two bass signals cancel each other while being combined to one channel.

Yes, but if the user isn't going to take the time to properly calibrate the two subs, this is a moot point. They aren't going to simply work together on their own unless they are co-located.

 

[JerryLove]

The Audioholics guide for hooking up two subs when they are not stereo: http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/get-good-bass/subwoofer-connection-guide

For those with stereo subs: the important thing is to keep them very close to their companion speaker (withing 1/2 the wavelength of the crossover point).

 

[Phil Taylor]

The Audioholics guide for hooking up two subs when they are not stereo: http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/get-good-bass/subwoofer-connection-guide

Nice guidelines - thanks. Will be setting up a dual sub system for my sister this weekend so the info is timely. Pretty much re-enforced what I already knew but helpful nonetheless.

 

[anvil]

I have a question about the Behringer TRUTH B2031P (I like the specs on these better then the B2030P) it seems they are rated for 4 ohm's and my old onkyo ts dx656 is rated for 8/6 ohm's.. is there a way to change a resistor in the cross over to make the amp think it is seeing a 6 ohm load.
I know it would void the warrenty on the speakers but i dont see me having any problems with them I'm not hard on my gear i'm still using 4 infinity rs2 that are 10 years old now..
Thanks for the input I just hope i can find these after xmas is over.

 

[JerryLove]

There have been discussions on the 2031p and how it compares to it's smaller brother.

While the 2030P measured superbly for it's price range and above, the 2031P's larger mid-bass can potentially cause substantial problems, and also it's larger cabinet can cause many additional problems. But the 2030P has to be used with stereo subs and an active xover for maximum SQ. The 2031P has almost another full octave of bass extension - but unless the tweeter on the 2031P is operating down to about 1.3-1.5kHz (and doing so with low distortion), then there is going to be break up mode problems in the mid-range on that 8" along with some mid-range drop outs off axis.