In a year time, basically, the following upgrades have been made on my HT:
* a new TV set (HDTV 42" Sony LCD - KDF E42A10);
* a new AVR (Denon 3806);
* a new DVD (Pioneer DV 696AV, with HDMI & SACD/DVD-A equipped);
* another new DVD (Pioneer DV 393);
* a new subwoofer (SVS PB10 - ISD);
* a new 7.0 speaker system, all JBL Northridge E-Series, being:
L/R mains = E - 50
Center = EC - 35
Surrounds / Surr. Back = E - 30;
* a new set of sofas;
* a new set of black curtains.
Remaining gears are:
* DVR + VHS Recorder/Player combo = Lite On LVC 9006;
* CD Recorder / Changer = JVC XL R5000;
* Cassette Deck + CD Player combo = Tascam CD A500;
* Turntable (belt drive) = Denon DP 29F;
* DSP + Equilizer (with Karaoke) = Technics SH GE90;
* Mixer = Behringer Eurorack UB 1832FX-Pro;
* Surge Protector/Power Cleaner = Monster Powerbar HT 1100;
* Cables/Interconnects = mostly AR, several DYI and a few Monsters.
Regarding to the HT room itself, it's a 20 x 10' wide (small to medium size), with ceramic tiles on floor and brick walls & roof. Although it seems to be pretty reflective, it's not, as sofas & curtains avoid excessive reflections.
In this particular, I have to say: thanks AUDYSSEY, as it's doing a wonderful job in this regard (I always have it set to either Audyssey or Flat though).
Matter of fact, I'm not using the original Audyssey setup, as they're pretty hot, so I've reset all adjustments to my taste (manually, with an SPL), so I'm getting a much better response and the benefit of Audyssey's circuitry (the LED at AVR's front panel is red instead of green, which means I'm not using the original readings).
IMO, this config. is overkill (AVR + 7.1 speakers) for the room size. In other hand, I do have a lot of extra clean power available whenever I want to and the AVR performance is paramount, at high levels, never breaking a sweat.
Another important thing I've found is the SW placement. As you can see, mine is at THE REAR RIGHT SIDE, right besides the sofa and tell you what, it's the perfect spot, soundwise (a bit weird to some, for sure...). Furthermore, I've made a higher end table and have put the PB 10 inside (built-in); this way the end table is higher (at sofa level) and doesn't shake the way the SW alone does (it has basically isolated the SW rumbles, though).
As for the speakers, I've also made some special brackets to support the surrounds and they're all in a 45 degrees angle, facing down. It's a swivelling bracket and pretty easy to fit/remove though.
On top of the L/R mains, there's a 40lbs marble slab, black painted, in order to give more stability to the speakers and to avoid moving, as the MDF surface is pretty slippery (that's very convenient when you're getting the dust off the rack; I mean, if you don't have the slabs on, the speakers moves easily and I have them set right on spot).
The center channel is placed right above the TV, in a special developed support (metallic "L" shaped & screwed to the wall). The speaker is inclined to the main listening position, at ear level.
Last but not least, the new rack is a breeze now, specially when you have to deal with cables, wires, etc... My previous rack had front doors and was closed at back, but this one is the opposite. There's good ventilation throughout and on the rear side I've put black ortophonic fabric (that used in professional speakers grille), in order to hide away cables and to allow ventilation as well. Considering that the back wall is black (black carpet) and the rack is also black, you basically don't see the fabric, though (I mean, during daytime, with open window, as it's impossible to see anything when watching movies). Well, you do see it, during daytime, but you've to be right in front of the rack, though...
Oh, one more thing: regarding to the color of the wall, the green is not that strong as it appears (I tried to soften its strongness on the computer the best I could, before sending the photos), but tell you what; it's a nice color blending all around - green, black & white - (the roof & some details, as crown mouldings & doors are all white painted).
Well, the most important is that me, my family & friends we're more than ever enjoying the new HT arrangements/improvements recently made.
Any comments / suggestions, just let me know.
Cheers / Avliner.
