Need Advice - New Home Theatre

[DShep73696]

I am putting together a new home theatre. I have an Optoma H79 projecter and a Yamaha HTR - 5860 receiver. I need some advice on a DVD player and or a DVD recorder. I am also considering a Klipsch speaker system. Any advice that would be helpful for me? My room is 14 x 28 x 9 (ceiling). Thanks

 

[Herr D]

Yup: don't buy Klipsch. They look impressive, but I've heard them and unless you're really into that kind of sound I would advise against them. What's the budget anyway?

 

[DShep73696]

I want spend about another $3500-$4000 on a screen, speakers, DVD player and DVD recorder. Thanks for the advice on Klipsch. Waht speakers do you recommend?

 

[jcPanny]

New HT ideas

Nice PJ and receiver pics. You are off to a good start.

Screen: $1k
Crada Brilliant White or DaLite HCCV

Speakers: $1,800+
Axiom audio M60's, VP150, and QS8s.
If you like the Klipsch sound than look at their reference series, not the low end models at BB and CC. Also consider PSB, Paradigm, etc. Make sure you stick with 6-8ohm speakers so that your receiver can drive them.

Subwoofer: $500-$1K
10" or 12" sub from SVS or HSU

DVD: $200
Oppo Digital
Hold off on a DVD recorder and use your computer. Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players and recorders will be out later this year.

​

 

[Herr D]

Personally I recommend TMA speakers (http://www.tmahifi.com) but they'll be too pricey for your budget.

And btw, I'm not saying Klipsch is bad, they just have a very specific sound so listen to them before you buy them (maybe you will like the sound, but most of the people I know don't).

But for your budget I agree with jcpanny: the axioms are very nice.

 

[mfabien]

For the DVD player,

If you plan to use it for Concert DVDs, when you have guests and wish to playback your best selection of songs or pieces from different DVDs, a 5 disc changer with "MultiDisc Resume" feature can be precious.

A week ago, I had some people over and had 5 discs in the DVD player to each start at a specific tune. Not only does it remember where to start but it also memorizes the audio setup you selected (DTS 5.1, for instance).

 

[BMXTRIX]

If this is a theater first and foremost then I think jcpanny is giving some great advice.

DVD Player: Oppo or Panny S77 is a great way to go. I have heard good about both and have seen the S77 myself, I typically recommend the S77.

For video recording, get some sort of PVR. Unless you have a really specific need for a DVD recorder. I use HD cable with built in PVR and it is simply awesome. Haven't hooked my VCR up yet in my new home and feel no need to do so. I just won't use it. PVR is way easier to use!

For speakers, there are tons of great brands out there, but you really want to demo them IN YOUR HOME if possible. Listen to some brands if you want, but I personally am not a fan of Klipsch either. I have Def-Tech and have heard many others in theaters. Axiom is a great bang for the buck product IMO. Good stuff. www.axiomaudio.com

For the screen - if it is a light controlled theater, then the Carada Criterion brilliant white. Size? Well, how far back will your 'primary' seating be? That really determines the screen size. If primary is 15' back, then a 120" wide (wide - not diagonal) screen is about right.

 

[Frugal]

14 x 28 feet

with a 14' by 28' room i recommend studdying up on base traps!
http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/roomacoustics/basstraps.php

 

[mtrycrafts]

I am putting together a new home theatre. I have an Optoma H79 projecter and a Yamaha HTR - 5860 receiver. I need some advice on a DVD player and or a DVD recorder. I am also considering a Klipsch speaker system. Any advice that would be helpful for me? My room is 14 x 28 x 9 (ceiling). Thanks

You would have to listen to those Klipsch speakers; you may like them after all the discouragement

Before you jump on a screen, there are a few things you need to work out with that projector: How much lumens it outputs AFTER it is ISF calibrated, what size screen you want, will it fill it with sufficient foot-Lambert(theater standard is 16 ft-L for film and 12ft-L digital), how much will the bulb dim over time, throw distance and offset above the screen(may need a lift in that 9ft ceiling).

Then, you look for a screen that will amplify the light if the projector doesn't have enough, or unity gain if too much.

 

[DShep73696]

Thanks everyone for all the info. I have been reading about the Axiom speakers. I did have a chance to listen to a Definitive Technology set-up at a custom home theatre business today. The sound was great! Anyone have Def Tech speakers? Do you like the bi-polar set-up with a subwoofer in each front speaker including the center speaker? I am talking to someone regarding Klipsch and hope to hear them soon. Any one have a Polk set-up?

 

[BMXTRIX]

I have Def-Tech, but I opted out of the sub in each speaker. The ones I have are the BP-30s and I have been very satisfied with them. Many consider them some of the best home theater speakers available, but not always considered the best for music listening... not that I've ever really felt that way. My reasoning behind avoiding the sub is that the subs require power, which means power near each speaker, and should there be an amp failure then you typically have to send the entire speaker in for repair - not ideal. So, the BP-30 is similar to their largest speaker with a sub, only it doesn't have one, then I went with a Velodyne HGS-18 to give me the bass I was looking for... and then some.

 

[DShep73696]

Thanks. I have an estimate from a custom home theartre business for 2 BP 7002, 1 C/L/R 2300 center, 2 UIW BPZ/A and 2 UIW 75 to complete a 7.1 system for the room. Cost is $4100! Does this set-up sound reasonable and where can I look to get a better price if I purchase them myself or can leverage the price down from the custom house? Thanks

 

[Stringreen]

Speakers

If you're interested in REAL musical speakers, and a really good buy at that, look carefully and listen to Vandersteen. Read the reviews, but really listen to them, all those other speaker recommendation will be superfluous.

 

[audio ninja]

The BP-7002's are what I want. I own a Boston Acoustics VR975's, they are a a front L/R speaker pair that has a 125 watt rms powered sub that drives a 10" driver along with a 12" radiating driver. I recommend powered towers. You have 3500 cubic feet of space to fill. Unless you spend a a good chunk of change on your sub, you won't have as much as SPL in the lower frequencies as you might want or the bass might sound too localized if you just used 1 seperate sub in your very big room (Not sure how many seating positions you're going to have) As far as the bi-polar setup, not sure. I've heard them without the bi-polar set up and they're awesome. I believe when it's set up that way, it bypass's the speakers internal crossover or something so the receiver does all the crossover work. Not 100% sure though.

I like full range speakers since it spreads bass more evenly throughout the room, especially when listening to 2 channel sources. And since they use they're own power to support those draining LFE signals, less strain on your receiver, easier for the receiver to power your other speakers.

DVD player: check out Panasonic S77 or the recently reviewed S97

Alternate: Axioms are awesome. Such accurate sound reproduction for the price is hard to beat since you're buying directly from them, no middleman.
Check out the Axiom Audio Epic 80-600 Review if you haven't already.
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/AxiomAudioM80tiEP600p1.php