lost

[jnelson88]

Title pretty much says it, im just going to start out with a formal introduction.

Hi I'm Josh, (LOL)
Anyways, I have been a huge fan a HUGE FAN of good sound since well since I can remember. I have always been modifing my speakers and equipment to make it sound better and bigger. I never really got technical until recently though looking into high end brands and soundproofing, etc. Anyways what sparked it was a trip to the local movie theater while I was on mid-tour leave from Iraq. Their was a kids birthday party ( you know where im going with this one), after that I said no more. I started plaining but time was short before I was sent back to Iraq, 18 days just isnt enought but I did get measurements crude length and width measurements. Im still in Iraq but I have kind of hit a wall. The Room well its a carport right now with 2 sides and a ceilling is already been inspected and priced to raise 2 more walls and put a floor in, but what then I know I want to pre-wire and also soundproof but SO MANY BRANDS what I do? I dont know if I want to us a projector or LCD or Plasma? I know one thing the brand of speaker. Klipsch. I dont know what kind of receiver or pre-amps with amps. Im soo confused please help. I do know it will be a dedicated room and the budget will be around 45k-55k. Thanks for your time and for you patience with my newbieness.


Thanks again
Josh

 

[jnelson88]

*Crickets* almost 2 days of research and even more confused. ill just ahh wing it... sorry i wasted anybodies time.

 

[Tiguron]

I would try throwing a post in the general section. You are more likely to get a response.

Start with a question about general design based on your budget. From there you can break down the budget in terms of display, pre/pro, amp, speakers, etc. You will need to provide a good idea of the room size and how far away you will be sitting from the screen. I would also consider looking at more brands than Klipsch. They are good speakers, but you might as well enjoy listening to other brands before pulling the trigger.

Post in general and see what happens. You can do an amazing system for $45k.

 

[Halon451]

Hi jnelson - this thread might get a little more visibility if you move it up to the General A/V Discussions section, perhaps.

First of all, I would throw this out there, that if you're planning to build a dedicated Home Theater environment, I would recommend a projector/screen combo. It's difficult to suggest sizes and brands, unless you outline the room-to-be dimensions and your budget. You're going to get a much more authentic "theater" feel with a projection screen, and there are some very nice projectors on the market these days.

As for wiring - you'll have to figure out what configuration you're going to use and go with it (i.e., 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 - the latter being recommended for a larger dedicated HT). Wire gauges will vary as a function of distance from the amp and other factors, but typically you can't go wrong with either 12 or 14 gauge in most applications.

For cable brands - try Blue Jeans cable - they are an extremely respectable, high-quality brand with excellent customer service and a great reputation. You can order professional quality raw cable and terminate them yourself, or specify the exact length you need and they will come to you already terminated. http://www.bluejeanscable.com/ As you will see, they have every type of cable you'll need to build the HT of your dreams.

Other wiring considerations - where your equipment rack will live, what signal you'll be running to the projector (if that's the route you take), and electrical wiring for both the projector and screen (if it's a motorized rollup variety, which some people employ). Again, this is all dependent on your budget and what you want out of the system, which is unclear from your original post.

I envy you though - I can't wait until I have a room I can dedicate to my own HT. Best of luck!!

 

[bandphan]

with your budget and being lost, time constants ect. just find an specilaty retailer that your comfortable with and contract them to do it, jmo.

 

[Halon451]

I am blind - I see now that he did state his budget. Wow, for that kind of money you really should not have a problem putting together a very nice system...

bandphan's suggestion is not a bad one. Seems like you're constantly being pulled here and there (I'm former military as well, so I can sympathize ). For a project of this magnitude you're going to want to devote yourself to every detail, or have a professional handle them. I don't mean the local BB Geek Squad either, but a good Professional Home Theater installer. But, the downside is, if you go this route, you'll miss out on all the fun of putting it together, and learning new things!

 

[jnelson88]

I am blind - I see now that he did state his budget. Wow, for that kind of money you really should not have a problem putting together a very nice system...

bandphan's suggestion is not a bad one. Seems like you're constantly being pulled here and there (I'm former military as well, so I can sympathize ). For a project of this magnitude you're going to want to devote yourself to every detail, or have a professional handle them. I don't mean the local BB Geek Squad either, but a good Professional Home Theater installer. But, the downside is, if you go this route, you'll miss out on all the fun of putting it together, and learning new things!

Thank you both, I did go back and read my first post and it was vague, at best. Thats my fault, that goes to show dont post in forums with out looking back or after long missions. Anyways, Yes it will be dedicated and I will have my finger in every aspect of the room, from design to construction. My problems are kinda of simple and do show my lack of experience, of course hey thats why this is for noobs. Receviers, pre-amps and amps which are better, i know you have to have a pre-amp and amp since they work to gether. But which is better. Since your military you know, we get down to the nitty gritty on stuff. Me personally I kinda have always been like that just me, but also im probably going projector since I want this to be like the real thing accept more comfort.

I know what you mean about BB I tried,TRIED talking to them on leave when i bought a reciever and will if hadnt been already asked and put down on a pc they didnt know. Im not saying all those guys are stupid but the one that i talked to I dont have to go any further. but thanks for the advise and your time.

-Josh

 

[bandphan]

cedia certified installer list-

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=420992

 

[jnelson88]

Thank you much, that will make things a lot easier.

 

[lsiberian]

With that kind of money you could probably definately convert the room into a theatre. I wonder if you could pull off one of those 24.2's lol.

I think any project of this size falls under engineering. So I suggest you build it in stages. With the goal being usefulness early on. Start with a projector if you already have some sort of sound system.

then upgrade your speakers.

And just have fun.

I have budget system, but I have done it in stages and am loving it.

0. Added a PS3(I had to start with this lol)

1. I started with the speakers

2. then added a receiver

3. added some speaker stands

4. added a sub

5. adding a projector and tuner

6. adding a screen maybe.

7. adding sound proofing

I like this because I get to enjoy the new additions longer. e.

 

[jnelson88]

With that kind of money you could probably definately convert the room into a theatre. I wonder if you could pull off one of those 24.2's lol.

I think any project of this size falls under engineering. So I suggest you build it in stages. With the goal being usefulness early on. Start with a projector if you already have some sort of sound system.

then upgrade your speakers.

And just have fun.

I have budget system, but I have done it in stages and am loving it.

0. Added a PS3(I had to start with this lol)

1. I started with the speakers

2. then added a receiver

3. added some speaker stands

4. added a sub

5. adding a projector and tuner

6. adding a screen maybe.

7. adding sound proofing

I like this because I get to enjoy the new additions longer. e.

I like that idea almost better than all at once. That way I can see what I need to tweek and things. Once the walls are put up I'll put up my "budget system" in first and go from their. I did have a chance to test out my receiver at Best Buy ( I should never be left alone in that room, Ill change everything ) and with large speakers it isnt that bad sounding but right away it hadnt been cal. so it wasnt to good either. Is hard wood flooring anywhere in the room a bad Idea? I guess the 1st thing will have to be my speakers. Sats are good for small living rooms but not a dedicated room with alot of air space. the rooms measurements are 19' 1/2" long- 11' 1/2" wide. Any recomendations on speakers from Klipsch?

 

[highfigh]

I like that idea almost better than all at once. That way I can see what I need to tweek and things. Once the walls are put up I'll put up my "budget system" in first and go from their. I did have a chance to test out my receiver at Best Buy ( I should never be left alone in that room, Ill change everything ) and with large speakers it isnt that bad sounding but right away it hadnt been cal. so it wasnt to good either. Is hard wood flooring anywhere in the room a bad Idea? I guess the 1st thing will have to be my speakers. Sats are good for small living rooms but not a dedicated room with alot of air space. the rooms measurements are 19' 1/2" long- 11' 1/2" wide. Any recomendations on speakers from Klipsch?

How high will your ceiling be? 8'-3" would be a good dimension, if you can do it. If you want to keep sound from getting into the rest of the house or keep from being heard outside, insulate the walls, put up 3/4" particle board and then drywall. You will want to do some acoustical treatment and it doesn't have to be really expensive. Rigid fiberglass insulation, covered with fabric works great. Here's a site that deals with this.

 

[jnelson88]

How high will your ceiling be? 8'-3" would be a good dimension, if you can do it. If you want to keep sound from getting into the rest of the house or keep from being heard outside, insulate the walls, put up 3/4" particle board and then drywall. You will want to do some acoustical treatment and it doesn't have to be really expensive. Rigid fiberglass insulation, covered with fabric works great. Here's a site that deals with this.

I believe the ceiling is at the moment over 11' it even after a floor being put in it will be 9' high so I should be good... what was the site it didnt post?

 

[Halon451]

I like that idea almost better than all at once. That way I can see what I need to tweek and things. Once the walls are put up I'll put up my "budget system" in first and go from their. I did have a chance to test out my receiver at Best Buy ( I should never be left alone in that room, Ill change everything ) and with large speakers it isnt that bad sounding but right away it hadnt been cal. so it wasnt to good either. Is hard wood flooring anywhere in the room a bad Idea? I guess the 1st thing will have to be my speakers. Sats are good for small living rooms but not a dedicated room with alot of air space. the rooms measurements are 19' 1/2" long- 11' 1/2" wide. Any recomendations on speakers from Klipsch?

I'd stay away from hard-wood flooring, personally. You don't want to introduce that kind of acoustical nightmare intentionally. Klipsch speakers aren't bad, but they are a love 'em or hate em' type of thing - they have a "unique" sound that some people don't like - too bright, for example. The ones I've listened to, I have to agree.

My suggestion - open your options up to what can be found outside of a big box retail store like Best Buy. Klipsch are good, but there is much better to be had for the price. With your budget, I wouldn't give Klipsch the time of day, IMHO. You can do much better with perhaps the SVS MTS line, or something similar. http://www.svsound.com/products-spks-mts01.cfm

Remember - devote the majority of your actual equipment budget to speakers, they have a weighted effect on your overall sound quality far beyond the sources and components you hook them up to.

 

[highfigh]

I believe the ceiling is at the moment over 11' it even after a floor being put in it will be 9' high so I should be good... what was the site it didnt post?

I suppose I could have pasted the link.

http://www.realtraps.com/index.htm

DOH!

 

[jnelson88]

Thanks both... sound proofing looks interesting for the l8ter portion... the klipsch speakers I were thinking of they dont sell in best buy which kind of stinks since i cant actually listen but what I am going to do is find a place that sales them, like a actuall store that specialises in home cinema. and listen their. Ive heard better than whats at best buy, i hate those stores they always try to get me to buy bose.