Need help with HT setup choices

[heebsk]

Getting ready to have my basement finished and I want to setup a home theater with a projector. The room will be more of a rec room instead of a dedicated HT, so I need to factor in a few more things. I will also be watching sporting events, with some lighting although it will be controlled on dimmers. The room will be very large, but one section (18x20) will be the HT area whereas the back portion (14x17) will have a bar and gaming area. Only two small windows that can easily be covered up.

I have 9 foot ceilings, and I plan on ceiling mounting the projector. The viewing area will probably be about 15 feet from a 92" fixed screen. I'd like to stay under $2000 for the projector, so I can spend more on audio.

Now to the decision on the projector. If I go the DLP route, I'm looking mainly at the Optoma HD72 or the Mitsubishi HC3000u. Both compare fairly well on features and price. If LCD is my best choice, then I'm thinking about the Panny AX100u or the Sanyo Z5.

Overall, I probably have around $5000 - $7000 to spend on my setup, but like I said I am looking to have a large portion of that for the speakers.

If anybody has any other comments or thoughts on the rest of my potential component choices I'd be glad to hear them as well.

DVD - Panny S97 or Oppo ?
Receiver - Denon 2807 ?
Speakers - Not sure, but surrounds have to be in-ceiling
Sub - Either SVS or Velodyne

Thanks in advance!

 

[jcPanny]

New HT system

Heebsk,
Sounds like you are putting together a great HT system and your short list looks good.

Your list of projector options looks good. The new Panny might work perticularly well for sporting events with its 2000 lumens max output. Also, the new Optoma HD70 is a steal at <$k if you can ceiling mount and your setup will accomodate the offset and limited zoom range.

There are plenty of speaker options in your budget. Listen to several product lines at local dealers including Paradigm, Klipsch, PSB, RBH sounds, etc. Also consider an inhome trial of some of the internet direct products like Onix (rocket and reference), Axiom, and Ascend. Also decide on a 5.1 or 7.1 system. Many companies have dipole type speakers that can be mounted on the side walls and will perform better than in-ceiling speakers for the surrounds.

Save at least $1k for a good Yamaha or Denon receiver.

The LFE will be challenging in that huge room. You should consider 2 12" subs from SVS and adding buttkickers to provide the "feal".

I plan on getting one of the Oppo DVD players soon (hopeffuly for x-mas) when I upgrade the TV.

Make sure you have enough left for the HT furniture, cables, and possibly room treatments.

 

[Bryce_H]

I would also toss the Epson 550 into your LCD list. It has reviewed very well and is a bright projector.

See the review at Projector Central

Consumer Reports just rated this as the top LCD projector. The HD72 took top DLP.

I have had this projector for about 6 months now and love it. I have it in a dedeicated 15X23 home theater and run it in its darkest mode (Theater Black 2).

 

[heebsk]

jcPanny, thanks for your input, appreciate it!

Furniture? Oh yeah...

yea, I know cables and other finishing touches can add up so I definitely will budget accordingly for those. I plan on running the wire for rears in a 7.1, but initially will only have 5.1. Surrounds have to be in-ceiling because I really only have a wall on one side of the viewing area. Thanks for the tips on the speakers, I'll try to find a local A/V store and do some demos. Circuit city just doesn't cut it as far as selection, quality, or service.

For the projector, I can put it about anywhere I want on the ceiling so I don't think I have to worry about limited zoom or offset. I was probably going to put it around 11-13' away from the screen based on the projector type and having a 92" fixed screen. Another person also mentioned the Mits 1000 as well. I'll probably be watching sporting events (College football, MNF, March madness, etc) almost as much as movies so I need a projector that will be good for both and not need complete darkness to perform the best.

Now the LFE scenario will be a bit tricky. I thought about the two subs, but based on my room configuration I think I would have to use the front left corner and front right corner of the room. Would that be okay, or ideally should the other sub be in the back somewhere. Trouble with that is that I move it all the way back to far wall it's 35 feet from the screen and 20 feet behind the viewing area. Also, I was considering have some drywall pockets built in the front corners for the subs to sort of sit back in (most of wall where screen is will be built out a few feet). I'm not talking about enclosing them, I've read it's not good to build them in or have them behind a surface. Just thinking about some pockets (maybe a foot open on all sides) to move them back so the wife doesn't complain as much about those big ugly black boxes sitting on the floor.

Thoughts?

 

[Nick250]

If size and WAF are factors, then two SVS SB12's are much smaller and can come with custom finishes. If the smaller size and nice finishes allows you to place them near field, then that might be the way to go. If near field is not possible, then two larger 12 inch ported subs would be better as they will have greater output.

Nick

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-sb12plus.cfm

 

[heebsk]

Could somebody describe how you'd cable up two subs on the same LFE output from the receiver? I've seen a few posts mentioned a y-cable or splitter, but I'm having a hard time understanding where the Y would be located. And if I do run two subs, would front left corner / front right corner be okay for positioning? I don't really have many other options based on the room configuration.

Also, if anybody has any suggestions about my dilemma on having the subs sit back some in a drywall pocket (not a tight one, would be space around it) to help with WAF, I'm all ears!

Thanks.

 

[jcPanny]

Sub positioning

Check out the AH articles on sub setup and calibration.
Ideally, you would be able to experiment and determine the best location for the sub(s). Corner loading (placement) can be helpful sometimes but I would avioid the drywall pocket you describe. If you have a small, nice looking subs like the SB12 and can position it anywhere along the front wall, than you will probably get better performance than a single pre-designated location.
After all, this is a basement HT and not the living room.

 

[agarwalro]

For the projector get something that has native resolution 1920x1080. This way when Blue Ray or HD-DVD become the standard, you wont have to upgrade the pj. Off hand I can only think of the Panasonic PT-AE1000U that is capable of doing it but I an certain there are others out there.

 

[AVRat]

Since you’ll be using in-ceilings, you might consider a Polk combo as an option: RTi8, CSi5/2, T/RCi60. Great bang/buck performance! Check pricing at jr.com.