Newbie - Need Help

[dalessandro12]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum and by no means an audiophile, but I am learning a lot in designing my first true home theater system.

I am remodelling my family room and redesigning my entertainment center while I am at it. I am looking to get a large TV (over 70 inches), new A/V receiver, 5.1 surround sound, Blu Ray and home theater PC. I don't have a large budget but would like to get a good bang for my buck!

I am having trouble determining my audio components. My new house came pre-wired for 4 in ceiling speakers and after reading several posts and stickies here, I realize that the L/R and center speakers should truly be ear level for optimum sound. How terrible would it sound to keep the L/R in the ceiling? I have 4 young kids and would hate to have my brand new speakers thrown to the ground! Also, they pre-wired my sub for the rear of the room. Should it be in the front?

I was thinking about getting 4 Speakercraft in ceiling speakers and angling them toward the viewing areas. Also, I am thinking about getting a Speakercraft monitor LCR for my center speaker. Does anyone have experience with this type of setup?

Also, can someone suggest a decent subwoofer with a matching decent price? My room is about 20X15 and I don't need anything that will bust my windows, just fill up my room.

Thanks,
Daniel

 

[dalessandro12]

Anyone?

I am thinking about ordering Speakercraft Aim5 One for the rear surround speakers and Aim5 One Wide for the front L/R. I figure since they will be in the ceiling and I already have the wiring, the "wide" speakers would help dispurse sound when I angle the baffle toward my listening area.

Also, thinking about getting a PA 120 subwoofer for the bass.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Few things:
1) Then you say not large budget, how much exactly are planning to spend ?
2)In ceiling speakers should be your last resort due to fact they will be worse than regular speakers every-time as far as SQ and HT surround experience.
I understand it came pre-wired, but unless you have WAF I'd avoid in-ceiling.
3) Subwoofer location doesn't have to be in front/back. In fact subwoofer location is a very long topic for discussion (look for A LOT of good into on AH University on main site)
4) You mentioned your living room is 20x15 but is it open to kitchen/loft/other areas? Subwoofer decision should considered for Total of open space.

 

[AVRat]

The AIM Wides for the front are a definite NO-NO! The AIM 5 Ones all around would be OK if you must, and the Monitor LCR is the best match. You and your family would be the ones to decide if sound bouncing from the ceiling to a somewhat low center speaker would be acceptable.

I would suggest spending a little more on the sub for a better HT experience, the HSU STF-2 is a good option. http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html

 

[dalessandro12]

Thanks for the reply. Although the inceilings are last resort, I have a feeling I'll end up going with them because of my kids (they like to break things) but with that said, I am looking at towers just in case. Is there a good way to anchor them so they don't fall over? I won't have room for bookshelf speakers. I am going to order the Speakcraft surrounds and see how they perform in my room which should help me make my decision about the fronts.

My living room is 20X15 but you are correct, it is open to my kitchen which is roughly the same size. I'm really not sure what I need as far as bass. I love room shaking bass but what is a good wattage for this speaker? And I assume it will need to be powered?

My budget is about 3k minus about 1700 for the TV I'm left with about 1300 for speakers, receiver, Blu Ray player and universal remote.

 

[dalessandro12]

The AIM Wides for the front are a definite NO-NO! The AIM 5 Ones all around would be OK if you must, and the Monitor LCR is the best match. You and your family would be the ones to decide if sound bouncing from the ceiling to a somewhat low center speaker would be acceptable.

I would suggest spending a little more on the sub for a better HT experience, the HSU STF-2 is a good option.

Thanks for the link. For a room 20X15 attached to another room about the same, is 200 watts enough?

I have decided on the AIM 5 Ones for the rear and I'll see how they perform in my room. As stated in my prior post, I'm concerned with kids knocking down my towers if I buy them and bookshelves aren't really an option (I'm getting a 73inch TV and the only place they can go will be really low towards the floor - unless I get stands).

 

[markw]

There are in-wall speakers out there that would serve for your front three. Granted, you may want to pay a pro to install them but overall, they seem like your best bet.

The ceiling mounted surrounds should be adequate.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Why not wall-mount bookshelfs? You can choose from dozen of brands - make sure you like them before purchasing or get ones from internet direct brands like Aperion/Axiom/SVS. AH store offers same 30 days home trial as well...
Polks and Ascends are also very good SQ for your buck.
DIY is also great way to squize even more value - There some great kits - easy to assemble and people love them ! like GR Research
http://www.gr-research.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=2


As for sub - your space "visible" to sub is pretty big (even huge by HSU terms) and to get good bass, you'll need something very considerable to fill this space.
my humble suggestions are as follow:
HSU VTF-3 MK3, SVS PC12-NSD or eD A5-350

 

[dalessandro12]

So I am thinking about going with the Speakercraft Monitor One bookshelf speakers and adding them on some stands I found on Amazon. When I have enough posts I'll post links.

 

[dalessandro12]

Speakers:

http://www.audiophileliquidator.net/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=51&products_id=2796

Stands:

http://www.amazon.com/SANUS-SYSTEMS-BF-24B-Speaker-Stands/dp/B00006JQ5N/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header

What do you think?

Also, regarding the sub....I just checked the specs of my current setup (which is a standard HT in a box special from Yamaha HTR 5630 receiver) and the sub is only 60 watts. When I crank it up the bass fills the room pretty well so I think the STF-2 suggested by AVRat will suite my ears just fine (still going to think about it though).

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

So I am thinking about going with the Speakercraft Monitor One bookshelf speakers and adding them on some stands I found on Amazon. When I have enough posts I'll post links.

These?
http://www.amazon.com/SpeakerCraft-MONITOR-BOOKSHELF-SPEAKERS-PAIR/dp/B000X3B102/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1272047062&sr=8-1

 

[dalessandro12]

These?
http://www.amazon.com/SpeakerCraft-MONITOR-BOOKSHELF-SPEAKERS-PAIR/dp/B000X3B102/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1272047062&sr=8-1

Yep, what do you think about those? I just took measurements and with my TV in the inlet built for my entertainment center, I'll have about 15 inches on both sides so I think the stands and the speakers will fit nicely (and the kids can't easily fit there as well).

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'm not personally familiar with SpeakerCraft speakers, but what I do notice is the web site you'r planning to get them from accepts NO returns. Let me repeat that - All sales are final !
http://www.audiophileliquidator.net/information.php?info_id=10

So, why don't you instead visit few audio stores, even magnolia if there's a bestbuy near you and/or get speakers from internet direct manufactures likes the ones I mentioned before.

Speakers are very much thing of personal preference and you have to listed to them before speaking money.

AVrat gave the suggestion before knowing your space is open to kitchen.... just saying... Yes HSU STF-2 will be an upgrade for you, but to get really kick of new HT you need to spend more money on bigger sub or get sub kits like Dayton
http://www.parts-express.com/wizards/searchResults.cfm?searchFilter=DAYTON+KIT&srchExt=&perPage=27&sortBy=1&layout=grid&page=1&srchPrice=&srchCat=536&srchMfg=&srchPromo=&srchAttr=

 

[dalessandro12]

@boredsysadmin

Thanks for the heads up, I didn't get that far at the site. I actually had a few sites that I was thinking about ordering from. I actually read on Speakercrafts website that there are only a few authorized online retailers. Wonder how sites like the one I found post them so cheap?

I visited BB and listened to a lot of speakers including the AIM8's but they are out of my price range. After looking up the company and reading reviews, I am set on the AIM5 Ones, at least for my rear surrounds. I found them for $119 a piece through on authorized retailer (although b-stock, they should be fine). I am also thinking about ordering the "NEAT" grilles that are magnetic and fit behind the lip to hold the screens on - ease of adjustment if I need to take the screens off after installation.

Regarding the sub, I looked at the link you posted and am intrigued to say the least. Would the 15 inch DIY kit be hard to put together? I mean they have prebuilt ones but they are like twice as much. They have a 15inch Dayton C1500K 240watt kit for $319. Would that be good for my open area?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

On average DIY/Kits speakers at the least perform as speakers twice the price.
A lot of AH build their own sub, make a new post in DIY section, since Im not the expert