Need Help with Speakers

[laterno]

I'm looking to buy a new TV, speakers, and receiver for my great room setup. The room is 22' L x 19' W with HUGE vaulted ceilings (15' - 25' high). I'm concerned that the sound will be lost in such an open room. Any suggestions on which would be better, full surround setup, floorstanding speakers with subs built in, or two bookshelves with a seperate sub. The system will be used for 75% TV, 20% DVDs, and 5% music. I have a budget of $1,000-$1,500 for the speakers/receiver.

 

[AVRat]

That's a pretty tight budget to fill such a large space. It may be more beneficial to expand the budget and time it takes to put together a decent setup. That said, you'll definitely need a separate sub(s). Speakers with subs built in just don't work well for the LFE response.

As far as receivers go, it's difficult to recommend the latest product offerings since technologies are in a major turnover phase and last year's products and features still have some good mileage to go. And they're less expensive.

 

[laterno]

I know it will take a lot to really fill the room. Would you think a pair of floorstanding speakers around $1,000/pair, $500 for the sub, and $500 for the receiver would do an adequate job for watching TV and movies?

 

[AVRat]

That would be a good start.

 

[billnchristy]

I think you will be better off and more happy with the overall experience if you do it that way. It will get you much better equipment and allow you to build on it in the future instead of replacing it all multiple times.

 

[sholling]

My very 1st post here

I know it will take a lot to really fill the room. Would you think a pair of floorstanding speakers around $1,000/pair, $500 for the sub, and $500 for the receiver would do an adequate job for watching TV and movies?

I've been lurking for a while and letting the old timers answer the questions. Let me suggest that if you shop very well that $1000 is a good opening price point for the average person to start with floor standing mains. Factoring in your budget and your application you may be able to save a few bucks to allow you to add a matching center and surrounds by buying good quality bookshelfs. A good quality matched center and mains are the key, but you can get away fairly cheap for the surrounds if that's all the budget allows. Remember you can always go back and upgrade them later. You're in good shape on the receiver side of the budget. While they are not gee-whiz the Pioneer VSX-815 for around $300 delivered will do fine unless you need HDMI, and if you need HDMI then the VSX-1016TXVK for under $400 delivered should do the trick for your budget. What you are lacking is budget for a sub to fill that space. Depending on your depth and volume requirements you may get away with a $600 SVS 20-39, however I have a db addiction and a similar sized space and SVS spec'ed the PB-12Plus/2 for my home for about $1500 delivered. Call them and see what they suggest.

 

[AVRat]

A couple more questions to help with recommendations. Are you planning a 5/7.1 setup? Which type of surrounds would you prefer using; mono or bi/di-pole? What are your placement options for the surrounds; wall mounted, stand mounted, floorstanding, in-wall/ceiling?

 

[laterno]

Here are two pics showing the room

Thanks for the advice so far, I really appreciate it. I have attached two pics showing the room. I will probably be buying a rear proj 50"-55" that will be placed where the rocking chair is in the corner (by the way, we just bought this house and this is the current owners furniture, so hold the jokes). I'm not sure I want to go with surround at all b/c of the large vaulted ceilings. I just feel the sound will get lost.

Plus, I am going to finish the basement in 1-2 years with an overhead proj and surround with a much larger budget. Therefore, I am just wanting something to provide good crisp sound for TV and movies in this room, nothing mind blowing (obviously by my budget). Maybe 2 bookshelves, a good center, with a good sub would be my best option for this room. Any thoughts after looking at the pics?

 

[AVRat]

As always, we suggest you shop around your area and listen to as many different speakers in your price range as you can. What sounds good to you, may not to me. There are also a few quality internet retailers that offer 30-45 day in-home trials at the cost of shipping if you're not satisfied.

As an example, at Ascend Acoustics you could get their CMT-340 (3)setup w/ HSU STF-3 for under $1600 shipped. If you don't mind black. http://www.ascendacoustics.com/

If you have a Circuit City in your area you might demo the Polks Monitor 50/60/70 and CS1/2 center. http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Speakers-and-Subwoofers/sem/rpsm/catOid/-12950/N/20012898+20012950+40000540/link/ref/rpem/ccd/categorylist.do
Polk RTi-8 - http://www.crutchfield.com/S-bmT4E6qY9xH/cgi-bin/ProdGroup.asp?g=12000&search=polk

Regarding receivers reco's, here's a few to consider:
YAMAHA HTR-5890
YAMAHA HTR-5960
PIONEER VSX-1016TXVK
http://www.jr.com/JRSectionView.process?N=10946+188+206032&Ne=100779#Channels
Yamaha RX-V659
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-bmT4E6qY9xH/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=10420&I=022RXV659

 

[laterno]

AVRat,

Thanks for the advice, I'll try and check out Circuit City for the ones you mentioned. Do you have any opinion on the SVS SBS-01 system? How they compare to others in the $1,000-$1-500 price range or the ones you recomended?

Also, do you know how I would run wiring back to the surrounds (if I go with surround) if I don't want exposed wiring? Would I have to fish the wires down from the attic?

Thanks!

 

[AVRat]

I haven’t heard the SBS-01s, but based on their size I would surmise that they perform exceptionally well in spaces under 3000 cu. ft. A couple other credible members tend to agree: http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/SVSSB01p1.php
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18389&highlight=sbs-01

Another on-line retailer that offers exceptional quality/value is Axiom: http://www.axiomaudio.com/. Their M22 might work if you’re more interested in bookshelfs, but I’d prefer the M50/60 floorstanders in your cavernous space.

These few speakers recommendations are just the tip of the iceberg compared to what’s available out there: ACI, Aperion Audio, Athena Tech, Atlantic Tech, B&W, BIC, Boston Acoustics, Dali, Definitive Technology, Dynaudio, Energy, Focal/JM Lab, HSU, Infinity, JBL, KEF, Klipsch, M&K, Monitor Audio, NHT, Paradigm, Phase Technology, PSB, RBH, Rocket, SVS, Vienna Acoustics, to name a few.

I don’t know what type of surrounds you’re contemplating, but going through the attic may be the best route.

 

[laterno]

AVRat,

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I've been doing some searching and think I may have found a pair of used (6-8 months) Polk RTi8's and center CSi5 for a very good price here in my area that a guy is looking to sell. I know I can get these at the same price as the bookshelves we've been discussing, then I should do it right? I'm heading over to the guy's house to listen to them Friday. Any thoughts? Also he as a pair of bipole/dipole Polk surrounds. I'm not sure the model number (maybe RTX or RTFX), but these may be the way to go with such the large space I have. He also has an Athena AS-P400 10" sub he's selling. Any thoughts on the sub? Anyone's thoughts are welcome. Thanks.

 

[AVRat]

Those Polks sound like a good deal, I think I'd skip the sub though. One of the HSUs or SVSs will perform better for your space.

 

[AVRat]

Just curious how it went.