New house, New room, New system!

[Rowdy S13]

Well the original budget was for the full 7 EMPTek speakers including the towers and the larger center. I though we were all agreeing that I should just go with all bookshelf speakers though. That would mean changing out the towers for another set of bookshelf and saving $470 up front.

If I go for a single sub, I would probably go to the SVS PB12-Plus. I am a huge SVS fan boy, and I am fine with that I have nothing against HSU, but I really want my first "real" sub(s) to be SVS. Again, the budget was for two PB2000's, the only reason for thinking of changing is space.

Looks like I will probably go with a 100" screen after drawing them out (100-120) and moving things around in CAD. Going with that size screen it is a bit less sensitive for the size of the subs. I guess the big question for subs is, is there any way to get a fairly good idea of what would be close for optimal placement? I have a shitty sub right now, is there any way I could use it (in an empty room) to gauge where each sub should go? If the placement changes, that will also have an effect on what sub(s) I go with.


Thanks for all of the help!
Sean

 

[Rowdy S13]

Here is a drawing showing all EMPTek speakers (E5Bi main and back, E56Ci center, and E55Wi side), dual SVS PB1000's with a 100" screen at its lowest setting.

I realize the center is behind the screen, but I just left it there for now. I could probably swing (justify) either an acoustically transparent screen, or a flush mounted, but not both. Given the choice I think I would rather have the flush mounted screen for a cleaner look when its away.


Sean

 

[Rowdy S13]

I have spent pretty much the whole week trying to lock down all of the various gear for this project so that I can locate all of the various outlets when we start wiring. So lets start talking gear shall we! Here is what I have come up with so far

Main left and right speakers:
EMPTek E5Bi bookshelf speakers. I don't think I can really argue them for the cost, and if I ever feel like I want/need more I have a few other places I can use these anyway

Center speaker:
EMPTek E5Ci center speaker. This will match the E5Bi's and the cost fits so its a no brainier!

Side surround speakers:
EMPTek E55Wi On wall surround speakers. Again, the matching speakers in the series so the obvious choice.

Rear surround speakers:
EMPTek E5Bi bookshelf speakers. Pretty much the same story as the fronts. I am curious to hear if anyone thinks I should use the E55Wi's in this location instead?

Subs:
Dual SVS PB1000's. I think the 1000's will physically fit in my space better than the 2000's, and perform better than the sealed options. I am confident that two of these guys will do a good job rocking my smallish room!

Screen:
Visual Apex tab tensioned 92" motorized screen. I am a bit back and forth between this and the EluneVision version. I have seen plenty of good things about both, but the Visual Apex is a fair amount cheaper. One advantage to the EluneVision is they offer a flush mount ceiling version.

Projector:
Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 3020. Seems like a good balance between features and cost, also seems to be well reviewed.

Projector mount:
Visual Apex AV-817U Flush ceiling mount. I really know nothing about mounts, but this one seems like it should do the trick?

I also redrew the room with a 92" screen (ElueVision specs), the correct EMPTek speakers (with larger E56Ci center), correct SVS PB1000's, and finally fixed all of the dimensions and added the rear bump out. I moved the couch and counter/bar forward, and the side speakers back as well. I still need to draw in the correct screen, move the center, and maybe finally add some details but you get the overall idea!

So what does everyone think of the overall plan?! Again, thank you guys for all of the help so far!


Sean

 

[Rowdy S13]

Not much going on yet, but have been knocking out some of the projects that were in line before this one. I did get a MiniDSP 2x4 and a UMIK-1 yesterday though! I was playing with them both on my very temporary living room setup using REW V5. I discovered that this "sub", which is a KEF something-or-nother that has been fitted with some random car audio speaker, is really not much of a sub at all. In the room, it has a range of about 37HZ to 52HZ +/- 3dB. I also found that my Canton speakers can go pretty low, but there is a serious dip at 57HZ, among other pits and valleys. I didn't bother moving speakers, or changing anything in the room, but this setup in this room seemed like it was pretty bad

In other news, I am back to dual PB-2000's. A good friend of mine just ordered a PB-1000, so I will be able to check it out first hand next week, but I think I would rather go straight for the big guys. I am also having a hard time deciding what (if any) things I should wire for possible future use. I am questioning height channels (front and rear), Atmos in ceiling speakers, or anything else really.

I am starting to get antsy about ordering all of the wiring! I will probably start building my rack soon at least. I was going to start that a couple weeks back but have just been too busy. Anyway, that's all for now. Id like to hear what everyone things about wiring for more things.


Sean

 

[ImcLoud]

You are going with the 2000's over a pair of vtf3's? I have played with both and the HSU is one heck of a sub... I love SVS too, particularly their sealed subs, but when it comes to HT ID ported subs, HSU always seems to give more for your money...

If you would consider demo's I htink you may do better than the emps, I like the emps by all means, I have played with the towers, their subs, and owned the bookshelfs, I just don't feel the bookshelfs had the presence and power enough to be 2/3rds of your front stage... The center is strong {I have experience with the larger center} but something about the books was lacking to me...

Here is a great option, if you are interested...
Fronts 360 WHARFEDALE DIAMOND 10.2 SPEAKERS (BLACK) **DEMO** at Music Direct
center 225 WHARFEDALE DIAMOND 10.CS CENTER SPEAKER (BLACK) **DEMO** at Music Direct
then for surrounds and rears you have a few options...
di pole 239 WHARFEDALE DIAMOND 10.DFS SPEAKERS (PR) **DEMO** at Music Direct
10.0 books 225 WHARFEDALE DIAMOND 10.0 BOOKSHELF SPEAKERS (BLACK) **DEMO** at Music Direct
surrounds 229 WHARFEDALE DIAMOND 10 SR SURROUND SPEAKERS (PR) at Music Direct

If you went with the 10.2 fronts, cs center, dipole surrounds and 10.0 books for rears you would spend $1050 vs the emps at around $1100 and IMHO having heard 90% of what you are considering {I have not heard the small emp center} the Wharfedales will be a noticeable step above the emps.... The 10.2's are strong enough to fill most any room with out a bit of struggle, the cs center is very well made and a very strong center, the di-pole surrounds are my go to when available, although them and the rears won't make a huge difference... I really think you will be much more satisfied with the WD's than the Emps... I personally would buy the diamonds and a pair of vtf2's {if you call hsu they will give you a dual price}, it will save you money and in that room the vtf2's {one of my favorite ht subs, I prefer it dollar for dollar over everything I have ever heard} and the 10.2/cs front end no one will believe you only spent $2000!!!

As far as dealing with Musicdirect and their demo's I have spent thousands and thousands with them and they are perfect, professional, and one of my favorite companies to deal with, I always call my orders in and BS around with a couple of the salesman, really nice guys... And HSU as I always say has some of the best CS in the industry, they go above and beyond, and the products are equally impressive.
I was told they buy and compare their products in each price range and compare them to their own making sure their prices are lower for the performance, and they are... I was also told thats why they haven't made an inexpensive sealed sub for music, because svs gives the piano finish and a nice sub for a good price {with their nsd and sb's} so there is no reason to compete... I called them before I bought my sb12 nsd's and thats their exact words, they told me the svs sealed subs are a bargain and they told me to not hesitate about buying the 12's if I didn't want to spend more on the uls15 {which is hands down the most impressive musical sub I ever heard, and I have heard 2 pairs of the sb ultras!!! the ULS is so fast and realistic sounding}...

Anyway, its something to consider, wharfedale Diamonds are amazing for the money, I wish emp made a a stronger bookshelf, you would think they would just take the top section of their towers and compete with the 340se's but they dont {although I heard the towers and the top end is not as good as the 340se's on their worst day, to be honest I prefer the Wave crests to the emp bookshelfs... Don't get me wrong the emps are nice, and they look nice and you get a lot for your money ,but the diamonds on sale will get you better sound...

I know you are a self admitted "svs fanboy" but give HSU a demo and you will switch sides for sure..

 

[Rowdy S13]

Well we can debate gear to no end, but since I am not buying any for a while we will skip over it for now. I do generally change my mind a LOT when it comes to things like that, so nothing is solid until I buy it

Moving on, I would like to talk acoustics if we can. I am not talking about treatments, or panels yet, those will come in time though. What I am concerned with right now is the basics of the room itself. Does anyone feel that I should do anything along the lines of opening up walls and adding insulation, double up the drywall, build anything into the bar/counter behind the couch? Just from playing around with my current gear, I know that you can hear it pretty well outside the house. Granted the room is bare, but the bass was pretty clear outside in my yard. Besides that, I really want to make this space as optimal as I can within reason. I am not closing off windows, redoing the floor, moving walls, etc.

Again, any insight into this is greatly appreciated!



Sean