My first home theater, need advice for rear surround speakers/sub.

[BrianM42]

Hello,

I am new to home theaters.

I am looking to build a 7.2 home theater. Mainly for tv/movies. I would listen to music on occasion but it would be very rare. I already have a receiver(Denon AVR-X3500H).

My plan was to buy the front two floor speakers and center speaker first. Then the subs later, then the surrounds as money permits.

I am looking at the Klipsch RP-8000 for the front floor speakers and RP-504C for the center.

My question is which rear speakers will go best with this set up? The RP-600M for rear and side speakers? Should I get another set for RP8000's for the rear and RP-600M for side speakers? Or should I go with something like the RP-502S?

I have no idea as I am use to the built in tv speakers.

I am leaning towards dual VTF-3 MK5 for the subs.


Any suggestions for the rear and side speakers and subs will be greatly appreciated. Also if someone has suggestions as to a different brand instead of Klipsch for around the same price I am open. I just really like how the Klipsch looks and I have heard good things about them.

Right now I don't have a dedicated movie room but I hope to in the future. I just want to get the best set up that I can now.


Thanks,
Brian

 

[Danzilla31]

Hello,

I am new to home theaters.

I am looking to build a 7.2 home theater. Mainly for tv/movies. I would listen to music on occasion but it would be very rare. I already have a receiver(Denon AVR-X3500H).

My plan was to buy the front two floor speakers and center speaker first. Then the subs later, then the surrounds as money permits.

I am looking at the Klipsch RP-8000 for the front floor speakers and RP-504C for the center.

My question is which rear speakers will go best with this set up? The RP-600M for rear and side speakers? Should I get another set for RP8000's for the rear and RP-600M for side speakers? Or should I go with something like the RP-502S?

I have no idea as I am use to the built in tv speakers.

I am leaning towards dual VTF-3 MK5 for the subs.


Any suggestions for the rear and side speakers and subs will be greatly appreciated. Also if someone has suggestions as to a different brand instead of Klipsch for around the same price I am open. I just really like how the Klipsch looks and I have heard good things about them.

Right now I don't have a dedicated movie room but I hope to in the future. I just want to get the best set up that I can now.


Thanks,
Brian

Some info to help us room size? Budget preferably?

Since your listening habits are movies and some TV you cannot go wrong with the Klipsch new rp line

I owned the rp8000f's a fantastic speaker O enjoyed them thoroughly

I would go with the RP 600m all day and Sunday to pair with those 8000f

For both surrounds and rears that will give you an outstanding system for the buck for both tv and movies

They really are a great set of speakers everything sounded great on them music as well

Your choice of subs is a great call as well but knowing your room size and layout some will help with suggestions for speak ers and subs as well

The klipsch are fairly efficient not as much as klipsch advertises the RP 8000f were reviewed here but they are efficient. So in a system like that you probably won't need an amp to save you some money depending on room size listening distance etc

With a matching set up It will be a nice timber match for the system its not absolutely necessary but many prefer to have all the same speak ers in a line especially in the front 3

 

[BrianM42]

Some info to help us room size? Budget preferably?

Thanks for the reply. My room size is 12 x 13 but it opens up to the dining room so it makes it about 12 x 28.

Viewing distance from the tv is 8 feet.

As far a budget I am willing to pay what ever I need for a good quality and good sounding system. I plan on slowly buying the speakers I need that way I can spend more to get a quality set. With that said everything has balance and I don't like to just throw money away so staying under 8k is preferable. The Klipsch set with two subs(Brand still unknown) costing around $1400 each would put me around $6500.

I plan on buying a house in a couple of years so I will have a proper movie room then. I am hoping to get something that works and sounds good for now but will transfer perfectly to a dedicated movie room.

Is there any benefit to using Klipsch subs(SPL-150)? Does that help with timber match? I would like to have subs that match the speakers but from everything I read Klipsch subs just don't perform that well.

Thanks

 

[Danzilla31]

Thanks for the reply. My room size is 12 x 13 but it opens up to the dining room so it makes it about 12 x 28.

Viewing distance from the tv is 8 feet.

As far a budget I am willing to pay what ever I need for a good quality and good sounding system. I plan on slowly buying the speakers I need that way I can spend more to get a quality set. With that said everything has balance and I don't like to just throw money away so staying under 8k is preferable. The Klipsch set with two subs(Brand still unknown) costing around $1400 each would put me around $6500.

I plan on buying a house in a couple of years so I will have a proper movie room then. I am hoping to get something that works and sounds good for now but will transfer perfectly to a dedicated movie room.

Is there any benefit to using Klipsch subs(SPL-150)? Does that help with timber match? I would like to have subs that match the speakers but from everything I read Klipsch subs just don't perform that well.

Thanks

In that room those Klipsch would work very very well no need for an amplifier just need a avr so that's in your favor as well. Plus that line up would transfer well if you move to a dedicated theater room. Hard to say what to take with you for the new theater room without knowing what that room would look like

There are just better subs for the money then the Klipsch

At 1400 for each sub you have a lot of options keeping in mind you want them going with you

SVS PB 3000
Rhythmik FV15
HSU VTFMK3 good idea although I'd go up to there flagship sub well within your budget the best bang for the buck in my opinion period
Monolith 15 from Monoprice
Paradigm Defiance X15
Outlaw X13 but wait for it to go on sale for 1000 each super badass true bargain at that price
All those subs are way way overkill for that room but since you want to take them with you for the theater room get the best now so you don't have to pay again to upgrade for better when you move into the house

 

[Danzilla31]

Also subs don't need to match with the rest of the speaker bass works a little differently then speakers in that high quality bass is high quality bass you just need to properly integrate it with your main speak ers

You want speak ers timber matched for thematching tweeters mids same design goals for each speaker same sound signature also helps with sounds moving around you and imaging

Although you can get by with only matching the front 3

I like matching all of them though my preference

 

[Danzilla31]

So any high quality sub will go with your setup

 

[BrianM42]

SVS PB 3000
Rhythmik FV15
HSU VTFMK3 good idea although I'd go up to there flagship sub well within your budget the best bang for the buck in my opinion period
Monolith 15 from Monoprice
Paradigm Defiance X15
Outlaw X13 but wait for it to go on sale for 1000 each super badass true bargain at that price

Is there a sub you would recommend? For me I was leaning towards the Rhythmik FV15 or the VTFMK3(What is thier flagship model?).

get the best now so you don't have to pay again to upgrade for better when you move into the house

This was my thoughts exactly

 

[Danzilla31]

The VTF 15H mk2 is there flagship better version of the mk3 if your budget is 1400 a sub you are well under your budget for 2 of them great great sub right there

If I was you on your budget the Rhythmik FV15HP is what I would get even over the HSU always get the ported version in my opinion for home theater and get the best the Rythmik is just onecog the best if not the best option for your money hands down unlike HSU it will use up all your budget but it's within your budget

And it's just a monster sub deep extension great midbass huge output and extension it's what I should have got myself if I had it to do over again

 

[Danzilla31]

Just my 2 cents

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

YeH definitely don’t worry about timbre matching subs and speakers. What you’ve read klipsch subs is basically true. They DO have a model or two that are decent, but even their best isn’t that great.

 

[BrianM42]

Thanks, I'm about to order the set of Klipsch speakers. Is it worth going open box to save about $600 or is it not worth the risk? I don't want to get them and them be blown or something.

Thanks

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Thanks, I'm about to order the set of Klipsch speakers. Is it worth going open box to save about $600 or is it not worth the risk? I don't want to get them and them be blown or something.

Thanks

I wouldn’t be worried about open box as long as you can return them if you find that something is wrong. Open box is actually a really good way to buy electronics.

 

[lovinthehd]

Might also consider your room size may be a bit small for 7ch. What distance is there from your seat back to where you'd mount the rear surrounds? Keep in mind also rear surrounds get the least "work" so maybe surrounds as towers (I do) but I wouldn't for rear surrounds particularly. Be great to have towers all around for multich music particularly.

 

[BrianM42]

Might also consider your room size may be a bit small for 7ch. What distance is there from your seat back to where you'd mount the rear surrounds? Keep in mind also rear surrounds get the least "work" so maybe surrounds as towers (I do) but I wouldn't for rear surrounds particularly. Be great to have towers all around for multich music particularly.

There is about 1.5 feet from the back of the couch to the wall.

I wouldn’t be worried about open box as long as you can return them if you find that something is wrong. Open box is actually a really good way to buy electronics.

Thanks!

 

[lovinthehd]

There is about 1.5 feet from the back of the couch to the wall.



Thanks!

I think that may be best left at 5.1 with that little room behind you.....

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I think that may be best left at 5.1 with that little room behind you.....

Agreed. IME 5’-6’ is good if not a little more.

 

[BrianM42]

May I ask why 5.1 will be better? If I put the rear speakers at an angle like I would with a 5.1 and the side speakers forward more wouldn't it still be better? For example on a race scene when a car drives by the sound would go from Front -> Side -> Rear instead of just Front -> Rear? To me in theory that would sound like the car is actually driving by.

Also if you guys do convince me to go 5.1(or 5.1.4) instead would something like the RP-8060FA be better than the RP-8000's? Or should I just stick with the 8000's and get something like the RP-500SA and mount on the walls close to the ceiling?

Edit: It's also worth mentioning I have a vaulted ceiling so I'm not sure if atmos is even do-able with a vaulted ceiling.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Danzilla31]

May I ask why 5.1 will be better? If I put the rear speakers at an angle like I would with a 5.1 and the side speakers forward more wouldn't it still be better? For example on a race scene when a car drives by the sound would go from Front -> Side -> Rear instead of just Front -> Rear? To me in theory that would sound like the car is actually driving by.

Also if you guys do convince me to go 5.1(or 5.1.4) instead would something like the RP-8060FA be better than the RP-8000's? Or should I just stick with the 8000's and get something like the RP-500SA and mount on the walls close to the ceiling?

Thanks for all the help!

Since you want to take them with you maybe but the extra for 7.1 but 1.5 ft is pretty close to the listener and you can get what they call hotspotting where that speaker is like right up on whoever is sitting next to it also klipsch need some distance so they can image and set up the best sound 1.5 ft may be a little close for those Klipsch

So you can just go 5.2 and then but your rear surrounds for the movie room when you move save some money towards your sub budget.

But if you want to do 7.2 like you described it you can like the fellas are saying tho it's not that it'll sound bad just won't sound as good as it could the sound will be compromised but what the hell why not? Have some fun if you want too

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

May I ask why 5.1 will be better? If I put the rear speakers at an angle like I would with a 5.1 and the side speakers forward more wouldn't it still be better? For example on a race scene when a car drives by the sound would go from Front -> Side -> Rear instead of just Front -> Rear? To me in theory that would sound like the car is actually driving by.

Also if you guys do convince me to go 5.1(or 5.1.4) instead would something like the RP-8060FA be better than the RP-8000's? Or should I just stick with the 8000's and get something like the RP-500SA and mount on the walls close to the ceiling?

Edit: It's also worth mentioning I have a vaulted ceiling so I'm not sure if atmos is even do-able with a vaulted ceiling.

Thanks for all the help!

Well as dan said, hotspotting will prove more of a distraction than an immersion. I used 5.x for a long time, and even with just surround speakers, I had plenty of of occasions where it sounded like things were behind me. Speaking from experience, if 5.1 is set up as well as you can, the rear surrounds don’t add a seriously significant edge. Sometimes less is more.
CFWIW I would never go back to 5.1.4 in my current room. But I have two other 5.1 systems in my house and I’m not interested in rear surrounds at all. I also don’t have much room so...nonstarter.
For vaulted, there’s a few things you can do. Front heights, and rear/side heights are perfectly acceptable. My 7.3.4 system has a vault from left to right. I used rsl c34e’s that have an angled baffle so they basically point strait down. If it’s high enough, you could use pendant speakers too. I wouldn’t use upfiring modules for any room, but especially not on a vaulted ceiling.

 

[BrianM42]

Thank you all for the advice. I think I will go with 5.1 for now and possibly do ATMOs as well if I can figure out the best place to put them. I am assuming I can mount them on the walls close to the ceiling angled down? Or do I need to buy mounts to screw to the ceiling and have them hanging down a little?

Here is the current room everything will be going into. Don't mind the lightstrip falling off of the back of the tv. I need to re attach it.