New dedicated HT room; needs substance and style!

[Hoodlum]

And by style, I mean MORE audio substance!

I'm building a home theater in the basement of my new home, which will be my second go round with a dedicated HT. I have a JVC RS-40 projector and a 96" screen. The room is 12' wide, 8' tall, and 22' long. There will be two rows of seats, positioned at 13' and 18' back from the screen. I have the knowledge to get my image settled in, but I know next to nothing about audio.

I just purchased the Pioneer sp-pk21bs and upgraded the fronts to the larger free-standers. I didn't get the sub. Now, my needs are:

1) A sub
2) A receiver, either 5.1 or 7.1 (I could always buy 2 more shelf speakers if they're worth it for my room dimensions)

Budget for the sub/receiver: About $1000 total, with some flexibility. I don't care about running two rooms. I will use the system for 100% DVD/BluRay/HDcable, no music.

With my room dimensions, what is the best sub/receiver combo, and should I go 5.1 7.1 with the room the way it is? Thanks for the help guys, I've already learned a ton!

 

[Hoodlum]

And I should add that I also do a fair bit of gaming with a PS3. Not sure if that matters in the 7.1 vs. 5.1 debate.

 

[Hoodlum]

Anyone feeling like educating a NEWB?

 

[GranteedEV]

The room is 12' wide, 8' tall, and 22' long.

let`s start with this.

that is a very, very narrow room. I would not even consider anything with a wider-than-90 degree dispersion pattern.

There will be two rows of seats, positioned at 13' and 18' back from the screen. I have the knowledge to get my image settled in, but I know next to nothing about audio.

Next this. Not only is 18`far away, but you will want even coverage between the two sets of seats. So you also need something with controlled vertical dispersion and high efficiency (because an 18` feet distance will require 5+ db more peak output than, say, a typical 9 foot distance)

I just purchased the Pioneer sp-pk21bs and upgraded the fronts to the larger free-standers. I didn't get the sub. Now, my needs are:

*doh* So before you even let me make suggestions, you buy speakers. Real smooth.

1) A sub

I would make that two, to four subs if possible for even coverage and flat response. For HT you really want 20hz extension or so, so maybe 2X Rythmik FV12 would make sense.

2) A receiver, either 5.1 or 7.1 (I could always buy 2 more shelf speakers if they're worth it for my room dimensions)

I think Yamaha and Marantz/Denon make the better current receivers, although the latest Pioneer stuff seems intruiging as well.

And I should add that I also do a fair bit of gaming with a PS3. Not sure if that matters in the 7.1 vs. 5.1 debate.

Well, when I played Folklore in 7.1, it was nothing short of amazing.

But most games are perfectly happy with a 5.1 setup.

 

[Hoodlum]

Okay, I still have the receipt for the speakers. Assuming a total budget of $1500, and seeing that I probably don't want to upgrade the sub or receiver in the near future, what is the best total package, including choosing speakers, for a narrow dedicated home theater room? As I understood it, those Pioneer speakers can't be beat for $300, and it's better to get a solid receiver/sub combo with most of the money.

I'm open to suggestions, but if it's going to stay around $1500, I have to do something on the cheap. I could probably go a bit higher than $1500 but that number seems reasonable for a decent set up that compliments the room.

 

[GranteedEV]

Okay, I still have the receipt for the speakers. Assuming a total budget of $1500, and seeing that I probably don't want to upgrade the sub or receiver in the near future, what is the best total package, including choosing speakers, for a narrow dedicated home theater room? As I understood it, those Pioneer speakers can't be beat for $300, and it's better to get a solid receiver/sub combo with most of the money.

I'm open to suggestions, but if it's going to stay around $1500, I have to do something on the cheap. I could probably go a bit higher than $1500 but that number seems reasonable for a decent set up that compliments the room.

these speakers would probably be a good place to start:

https://www.chasehometheater.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=142&vmcchk=1&Itemid=142&redirected=1&Itemid=142

While the pioneers are certainly a good choice in general, they aren't too well suited to the width of your room IMO.

 

[psymonpsyko]

I've found the Wharfedale SW-150 to be amazing, it has the added capability of connecting to another sub to be stereo naturally. but its control is fantastic. I use it when djing or when watching movies. Running it through a Sony STR-DN1000 but it also ran through my power amplifier and running a 1-100Hz bass test made the house shake without any strain.

Cheap too. £150 for what you get. It weighs 20Kg and is pretty nifty.

And my room is maybe 8 foot wide by 16 ft long, and i have the speakers facing across so only 7 ft from the cone to the opposing wall and the sound is pretty clear (i have the Eltax Linear Response B.6) The center speakers and surround speakers can pack a punch just as well as the floorstanders, pretty cheap too)

 

[BMXTRIX]

Worth throwing out that a 96" diagonal image is appropriate for about a 9-10' viewing distance. At your viewing distance your screen should be about 120" to 140" in size.

So, a new screen at some point may be worth putting into the budget.

Carry on with the audio blesphemy!

 

[Hoodlum]

Granteed, I appreciate the recommendation, but I can's see how I can make those speakers work with my budget. At this point, list out a complete system WITH approximate prices. Unless you're suggesting that I start with a 2.1...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Okay, immediately buy this LIKE NEW Denon AVR-3312 for $445 delivered (comes with full factory warranty).

Then order 1 or 2 Rythmik FV12 for $550 each + shipping (I think $60 each).

 

[GranteedEV]

Granteed, I appreciate the recommendation, but I can's see how I can make those speakers work with my budget. At this point, list out a complete system WITH approximate prices. Unless you're suggesting that I start with a 2.1...

What's wrong with using the same cheapo pioneers as surrounds? The only thing you'd be replacing would be the front speakers.

As far as subs go, I would suggest looking into offerings online from brands like HSU and Epik.

As far as a receiver, I'm partial to marantz stuff. Look at accessories4less refurbs.

 

[Hoodlum]

Okay, immediately buy this LIKE NEW Denon AVR-3312 for $445 delivered (comes with full factory warranty).

Then order 1 or 2 Rythmik FV12 for $550 each + shipping (I think $60 each).

Would have bought it but it's gone. Are they taking orders for the fv12 again?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Would have bought it but it's gone. Are they taking orders for the fv12 again?

Those 50% off MSRP deals never last more than a day or two.

Here is another 50% off deal on a Harman Kardon 3650.

 

[zieglj01]

For a deal hunter, here are two
Denon
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/DENAVR891/DENON-AVR-891-7.1-Channel-105W-A/V-1.4-3D-Ready-Receiver/1.html

Harman Kardon
Harman Audio - AVR 3600

Also - HSU, Outlaw, and Epik have good sub prices. Then see what the speaker budget
will and can be.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Harman Kardon
Harman Audio - AVR 3600

I rather buy Brand New for $545, instead of Refurbished for $400.

 

[zieglj01]

I rather buy Brand New for $545, instead of Refurbished for $400.

You, do like to go shopping.

If one on a tight budget can afford new, then that is a good price.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

You, do like to go shopping.

If one on a tight budget can afford new, then that is a good price.

Oh, come on, $145 difference?

With my kind of luck with refurbished Denon AVR, $145 ain't nut'n.

 

[Hoodlum]

Is there any reason I shouldn't get the Denon 891 for $300, with a free iPod docking station?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Is there any reason I shouldn't get the Denon 891 for $300, with a free iPod docking station?

Even with extended warranty, you are taking a higher risk with any refurbished AVR than a brand new AVR and a like-new B-stock.

With my bad experience, I would never buy another refurbished AVR, but I have no issues with a like-new AVR from Amazon.

 

[zieglj01]

Is there any reason I shouldn't get the Denon 891 for $300, with a free iPod docking station?

None that I can think of - I got my 791 iPod docking station.
However, the docking station stays in the closet.