new house--help me set up basement audio

[bigjohnnc]

Hey guys

Buying a new house (woohoo!) and it is already wired for surround sound in the basement (also has some speakers outside and upstairs). They have Bose speakers and I'm assuming a Bose receiver that they'll be taking with them but at least wire has already been run.

I'm thinking about how to set up my basement. I'm going to buy a nice TV to go there (we are setting this up as a family room and the wife is dead set against a projector).

Because we're having to put some work into the house, my budget to start with is going to be pretty small. I'm looking for something I can expand/upgrade along the way if needed.

Here's what I already have at my current place (all of these are 8 years old but have been used very little):
Pioneer Vsx-D458 receiver
Athena AS P4000 sub
Polk Audio Sound bar

Going to get rid of the sound bar. It's huge, the wife doesn't like the looks of it and I've been unimpressed with the performance.

Would like to start with that receiver (possible upgrade down the road). Probably going to get rid of the sub as well because I want something I can hide.

So looking for recommendations (or arguments against?):

in-wall rear speakers
in-wall sub
center and front speakers​

We are going to paint the basement before we move in, so I'd like to go ahead and get set with the in-wall speakers especially since there are already wires run.

Thinking about in-wall speakers for the front speakers as well (wife is very particular about having speakers showing, so if I could get away with a small center speaker as the only thing showing that would be great). Not sure what the options are here.

TV will sit on an entertainment cabinet with receiver, blu-ray etc in the cabinet.

System will be used mainly for sports and movies primarily, along with some music (and video games from time to time).

So, for a starting budget of about $1000 (for speakers and sub) what are some recommendations?

 

[Brennan Tighe]

Hey guys

Buying a new house (woohoo!) and it is already wired for surround sound in the basement (also has some speakers outside and upstairs). They have Bose speakers and I'm assuming a Bose receiver that they'll be taking with them but at least wire has already been run.

I'm thinking about how to set up my basement. I'm going to buy a nice TV to go there (we are setting this up as a family room and the wife is dead set against a projector).

Because we're having to put some work into the house, my budget to start with is going to be pretty small. I'm looking for something I can expand/upgrade along the way if needed.

Here's what I already have at my current place (all of these are 8 years old but have been used very little):
Pioneer Vsx-D458 receiver
Athena AS P4000 sub
Polk Audio Sound bar

Going to get rid of the sound bar. It's huge, the wife doesn't like the looks of it and I've been unimpressed with the performance.

Would like to start with that receiver (possible upgrade down the road). Probably going to get rid of the sub as well because I want something I can hide.

So looking for recommendations (or arguments against?):

in-wall rear speakers
in-wall sub
center and front speakers​

We are going to paint the basement before we move in, so I'd like to go ahead and get set with the in-wall speakers especially since there are already wires run.

Thinking about in-wall speakers for the front speakers as well (wife is very particular about having speakers showing, so if I could get away with a small center speaker as the only thing showing that would be great). Not sure what the options are here.

TV will sit on an entertainment cabinet with receiver, blu-ray etc in the cabinet.

System will be used mainly for sports and movies primarily, along with some music (and video games from time to time).

So, for a starting budget of about $1000 (for speakers and sub) what are some recommendations?

For $1000, my 5.2 break down (room dimensions would help, or I just flat out missed them)

Trying things differently, lets start with the subwoofers. I would recommend:

2 Dayton Audio - SUB 1200s ~$210 for both (making math easy) You really want 2 subwoofers to help with nulls so you will get a flat response.

Speakers:
I would say on your budget the EmpTek E5Bi pair for $225 and the center R56Ci for $395. I would stick with the larger center because most of the dialogue comes from the center. You need those extra mid-range woofers for nice deep smooth response.

For surrounds: I would choose the Pioneer BS52s. They go for $129/pair but can be caught on sale on amazon for $100 making your entire system an MSRP total of about $960. I think all these products have free shipping! +1 to saving

You catch the Pioneer BS52s on sale for $100, making your total $930! +2 for saving

With that extra money I would make sure your cables, etc. are "up to par". I don't know what speaker wires are installed already, or what cords, cables you already have. If the speaker wire is easily replaceable, I would suggest doing so. Use monoprice.com for all cable needs. Replace your HDMIs, subwoofer cables, if you have a 5.1 receiver, you will need a splitter.

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023901&p_id=2816&seq=1&format=2
speaker wire for in-wall

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=104&cp_id=10429&cs_id=1042904&p_id=7186&seq=1&format=2
the RCA splitter, or a nicer one http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/subwoofer-accessories/gold-rca-y-adapter (it's the one I own)

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023603&p_id=6306&seq=1&format=2
this for your subwoofer cable. Remember you will need 2. These are cheap, so buying a couple extremely long is okay if you need to test your subwoofer placement.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[ARES24]

To the WAF.

In wall speakers are quite expensive for good sound. Normal speakers are cheaper and can be moved to get the best sound out of them.
In wall for surround speakers would be decent enough but I feel fronts don't work so well that way.

In wall sub would most likely have to be custom and therefore also expensive unless you DIY.

 

[bigjohnnc]

What ever I get has to be small profile which I know limits me even further with this budget. Gonna try to find a showroom and see what's out there size-wise and all.

 

[Brennan Tighe]

What ever I get has to be small profile which I know limits me even further with this budget. Gonna try to find a showroom and see what's out there size-wise and all.

Interesting, but go for it!

 

[herbu]

What ever I get has to be small profile

Not sure what you, (or your wife), consider small profile, but look at the Affordable Accuracy line at Philharmonic Audio... http://philharmonicaudio.com/aa.html
Notice the towers only go 10Hz lower than the monitors. The owner, Dennis Murphy, is highly respected, honorable, and easy to talk to. Would be worth your time to drop him an email and have a chat.

 

[bigjohnnc]

Went to the local best buy (obviously not the best place to buy or listen but my options are limited).
Looking at Klipsch Reference series for $249 a pair. The center is 249 also.

They also had Sony core series for $219 a pair.

Not a ton of difference I could tell in that wide open room but again hard to tell. Just wonder if I'd get a decent movie experience with either setup, with a decent sub and decent in-wall rears (looking at JBLs most likely for those).

Thoughts? Those are the sizes I need-- could possibly increase the budget a bit to get more "punch".

 

[bigjohnnc]

Was looking at this sub from Polk Audio also.

Polk Audio PSW111

Would I need to upgrade to Polk Audio bookshelfs and center? If so, which model would be suggested.

Sucks living somewhere I can't try all of this out.

 

[bigjohnnc]

Ok here's an update on what I'm thinking. Need to order (especially the rears) pretty quickly.
Klipsch Reference series bookshelf speakers for $249 a pair. The center is $249
Monitor Audio CWT140 rear surrounds at $159 each (currently out of stock, so looking for something comparable). Small, in-wall speakers.
Recevier at about $300 (looking for recommendations--no clue here)
Sub: Mirage Prestige S8 200 Watt or Polk PSW111. Don't think I can get away with 2 subs (wife factor).

Again looking for good sound with some decent volume for movies but with a small footprint.

Need some confirmation that this will be a decent little system for the basement. 1300 square foot basement, but the TV area is basically 13 x 18.

Thanks much!

 

[zieglj01]

$300 for surrounds is too much on your budget

Klipsch is your call - however, I prefer the Sony Core - and they are on sale

Bookshelf
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-core-series-5-3-way-bookshelf-speakers-pair/5721014.p?id=1219148662428&skuId=5721014

Center
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-core-series-4-2-way-center-channel-speaker/5720006.p?id=1219148662291&skuId=5720006

These can work for in-ceiling surrounds, if you desire
HTD speakers - sold by pair >>

This
http://www.htd.com/Products/high-definition/HD-R65AIM-ceiling-speakers

Or, this
http://www.htd.com/Products/high-definition/HD-R65-ceiling-speakers

In-wall option here
http://www.htd.com/Products/high-definition/HD-W65-in-wall-speakers

I would see if you can squeeze in the HSU STF-2 sub
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html

However, if budget is tight - I would look at the PA-120 subwoofer,
over Polk and the Mirage ones
http://sounddistributors.com/buynow.asp?action=detail&prid=197&crid=57&cat_name=Search

Also sold on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Premier-Acoustic-PA-120-Titanium-Subwoofer/dp/B0021I0DD8

One receiver to look at is Denon E400
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavre400/denon-avr-e400-7.1-4k-3d-networking-receiver-airplay/1.html

Your call

 

[bigjohnnc]

I'll take a listen to those Sony's since we have a Best Buy within an hour of home. Thanks for the tip.

Those in-wall speakers look nice but they are a little bigger (footprint) than I was wanting. Don't mind spending a little more for something smaller. Something in the 6-8 inch range would be great.

Same deal with the subwoofer. Got to have something in the 12 or 13 inch tall range. (These are due to the wife factor).

 

[zieglj01]

Those in-wall speakers look nice but they are a little bigger (footprint) than I was wanting. Don't mind spending a little more for something smaller. Something in the 6-8 inch range would be great.

Same deal with the subwoofer. Got to have something in the 12 or 13 inch tall range. (These are due to the wife factor).

So, you would prefer in-ceiling - and are you open to hanging up small on-wall
speakers for your surrounds?

Since you seem to be willing to stretch the budget - then think about this
The SVS SB-1000 with free shipping - will fit your box size needs
http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/sealed-box/sb-1000

 

[bigjohnnc]

So, you would prefer in-ceiling - and are you open to hanging up small on-wall
speakers for your surrounds?

Since you seem to be willing to stretch the budget - then think about this
The SVS SB-1000 with free shipping - will fit your box size needs
http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/sealed-box/sb-1000

I've seen that sub listed. Stretches the budget a bit but looks like a good choice.

Walls are wired for surround and I'm looking for a pair of in-wall speakers for that. Something that is as close to flush mounted as possible...again, small.

Thanks so much for the reply.

 

[zieglj01]

Walls are wired for surround and I'm looking for a pair of in-wall speakers for that. Something that is as close to flush mounted as possible...again, small.

This would be about the smallest in-wall you can find
Boston HSi-255 [sold each]
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_065HSI255/Boston-Acoustics-HSi-255.html?tp=192&awkw=75640045345&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=47634084505&awdv=c

Or, a cube speaker - however, the sound will be small
Cambridge Minx - [sold each]
http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Audio-Speaker-Gloss-White/dp/B008S4ISGS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1421453336&sr=8-2&keywords=cambridge+minx+speakers

I think, I would at least do double cube [sold each]
http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Audio-Speaker-Gloss-White/dp/B008S4ITC6/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1421453366&sr=8-7&keywords=cambridge+minx+speakers