new media room setup

[sharmaravi]

Hi All,

I just bought a new house which has a nice big media room above the garage. Room size is 20'x20'x9'. Right now I do not have any HT gear, well until last month I did not even have any idea of what it takes to set up a HT system. Bose was the only system I had in mind. But when I started my research (thanks to audioholics and other audio/video forums), bose quickly went out of the scene.

Alright, here is the situation. I am willing to spend upto 5k on the setup but not right away, more like spread over 2-3 years. Here is the approximate break up I have in mind.

Mains: 1.5k
Sub: .5k
Receiver: 1k
Surrounds/rear/center: 1k
TV/Projector: 1k

I am thinking of starting with two mains first and may be a subwoofer and later on add more to set up the full 7.1 system.

So far I have auditioned Klipsch, Polk audio, Focal, Martin logans, Vienna accoustics and B&W. I plan to audition paradigm and monitor audio sometime soon. I am also considering axioms but I have no place to audition them.

So far the ones that I love are B&W 703s but they are twice my budget. I read at many places that axiom m60s sound very similar to 703s. Whats your opinion on that? If thats true, I will definitely go for axioms. Even otherwise Axioms are high on my list after reading so many good reviews.

So, now you know my budget, room size, what kind of sound I like (703s), please help me in buying my first set of speakers.

-Ravi

 

[Bryce_H]

With a square room like that you will want to consider setting aside some $ for room treatments. Another option is to build a wall along one side to change your dimensions from a square to a rectangle.

 

[j_garcia]

Agreed. My former room was 19x20 and bass in particular was an issue. Whatever you do, make sure you aren't sitting centered in the room.

Since you like the B&Ws, I'd say check around for a Mordaunt Short dealer. The 900 series is better than the 600s but not as good as the 700s. www.ac4l.com carries them as well.

I'd also recommend www.ascendacoustics.com CMT-340SEs might do the trick for you as well.

 

[InTheIndustry]

Budget

I'm an A/V integrator and can offer some advice....

1st: That's a tough budget to fit into a room that big and try to get a WOW factor. Particularly when you are also including a video display of some sort. So, shopping smart and compromising is going to be key.

2nd: In my opinion, your budget is a little skewed. That being said, what will you be doing in this room? Break down in % please: Movies/Music/Gaming/TV ?

Budget Rework (I recommend going with a 5.1 setup):

$899 / Mains - RBH TK-5CT
$299 / Center - RBH TK-515C
$399 / Surr - RBH TK-6 In Wall (ceiling less $50)
$1000 / Sub - RBH TS-12AP
$ 800 / Rec - NAD T-744
$1603 / Projector or 50" PDP (doesn't matter a whole lot what brand and model now as they will change by the time you are buying one) & Screen

Don't forget..... we have left out a key component through all of this (and, no, it's not tax). Wire & cable as well as a source. I listed MSRP pricing for all of the audio equipment. You should be able to save 15% - 20% at a local shop on this gear. If you can only save 15% on the speakers that leaves you about $390 for cabling & dvd player. Not a lot but I went conservatively on the estimate on savings. Need an extra $250? The RBH TS-10AP is a 10" version of the sub I recommended and it goes for $750. Although I still highly recommend the 12" for a room your size.

I know, I know they aren't B&W's..... And that's a good thing (my opinion). RBH makes a fantastic product with a tremendous value. They are unique in their own right and get great reviews!

That's my recommended system on your budget. There are a lot of other things you could do too. Canton GLE's with the RBH sub would make a lot of sense on your budget too. I hope I didn't offend any B&W lovers out there.

 

[Nick250]

The choices you have within your budget are almost limitless. I am very pleased to hear that you are auditioning many speakers. That's key and many folks don't bother. You will almost certainly need bass traps given your room configuration. I use the GIK Tri Traps, they made a huge improvement in SQ. I only needed two for the one 90 degree corner in my living room($250), but you will most likely need at least four.

Nick

 

[jcPanny]

Onix Rockets

AV123 has some great sales because they are prepairing to relocate to a new headquaters. You can get a 5.0 rocket system with 760 mains (normally $1.5k) for about $2k shipped.
They also have Refrence 1.8s on sale and the new Strata Mini for $2k.

Check it out.

 

[sharmaravi]

Thanks guys for the advice.

So looks like room treatment is must. Alright, I will do some research on this as well. Is is only the bass that will have problem? I mean bass traps are the only thing that I will need or do I have to do something for higher frequencies as well? (Adding a wall is definitely out)

The budget breakup was very approximate, it can definitely be twisted and turned. But the question is (as "IntheIndustry" suggested), is it enough to create the WOW factor? If it really needs to go up then I am willing to add some more but again not right away. I am okay to start off with just a 2.1 setup. In the end (sooner the better), I do need the WOW factor satisfaction. Its just that right now I have so many other things which have higher priority, all the furniture, appliances etc. This is my first house and I have nothing right now.

Music/Movies breakup will be like 70/30 (or may be 60/40). Music will be rock as well as classical with lots of vocals & instruments. Movies will be action and animation.

I will also give Mordaunt Short and Ascendacoustics a try. Will do some research on AV123 as well. I am open to all suggestions, just that so far B&W are the winners.

Lastly, as I asked before, are axioms really comparable to B&Ws ??

Thanks again.

 

[mazersteven]

Not sure what Polk speakers you've auditioned. But make sure you audition Polk LSi9's before you purchase.

When you audition Paradigm make sure you hear the Paradigm Studio 40's

Did you listen to B&W CM series speakers?

 

[Bryce_H]

Don't rule out the new (fake) wall - if you decrease the width of your room by 1', so you end up with 20'6 * 19 you will solve many problem frequencies. Play with the attached sheet to see what I mean. Remember - good room design is cheaper and will sound better than any acoustical treatments. Rather than treat problems, prevent them from ever emerging.

 

[sharmaravi]

I can go again to try Polk LSi9's because even I do not remember which when I tried (I had it written some where). I auditioned B&W 703, 704 and one of the 600 series.

I will make sure I audition Studio 40 series.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Dont forget about Monitor Audio; I have a dealer that can get you a great deal on them since we are in the same area. He is also an auth. rep for KEF, Dennon, Yammy, and Pio. elite.