Noob question for home theater setup: new construction

[blue leader]

First off, hello! Second off, I know jack about this stuff so don't be pissed if people ask this same stuff everyday. I have been reading around the interwebs and was directed here. If you would read this and give some input, it would be greatly appreciated!

I am about to finish my basement and want to put in (or at least run the wire) a home theater system and 1 or 2 speaker zones. The speaker zones would be one outside (for future hot tub/deck area) and the other would be for the garage. I don't know what that looks like as far as receivers/controllers.

For the home theater room, I just want a decent surround set up. The area of the theater space will be 12x14, half of the rec room area, with an 8 ft ceiling. The way it will be setup, I could have the sub built into the west wall, immediately opposite of the TV, which is centered on the east wall. (this would be right behind a couch)

Yes it is one big room and I am using half of it as the theater room. The room is kind of naturally split there as an I-beam hangs down to 7ft4in where I made the dotted line. I would probably tuck a rear speaker where the 8 ft ceiling drops down to make a box around the I-beam.

This is being built for future use. I currently have a $10 tv upstairs. However, I am planning the space to be able to hang a 47-52" TV.

Not including the TV, I'm looking at maybe 1000-2000 for the whole audio setup. Is that insane to think I can get something for that? Basically I need nothing near top of the line, just decent sounding surround, have music playing in the back yard, and maybe speakers in the garage for poker night.

Any advice on wiring, speaker setup, components, or anything else is welcome! Just so you know, I am not an audiophile. I think the stock rockford fosgate in my Xterra is awesome.

Also, feel free to mock me as I have next to no clue about home theater stuff!

I cannot post a pic or link yet, so I'll probably post some filler till I fit 5 posts. Then I'll post my amazingly crappy MS paint layout of my room.

 

[blue leader]

I promise I'll post a diagram in 3 more posts....

 

[blue leader]

MS paint makes amazing diagrams...

 

[m_vanmeter]

you can do quite well on your budget, what is your preference - stand alone speakers like towers and/or bookshelf units, or all speakers built into the walls, in-wall speakers except the subwoofer. Even though your HT area is half the room size, the speakers will try to fill the total volume and the subwoofer (or two) will work very hard unless it is a good stand alone enclosure sub.

 

[blue leader]

I think I would prefer in wall speakers or SMALL speakers. The room is not big and a clean look is preferred. I have space to build an in wall sub in the wall opposite the tv.

 

[m_vanmeter]

for in-walls, you might take a look at Axion M2 or M3 speakershttp://www.axiomaudio.com/m3-inwall-speakers.html or HSU HIW-1 in-walls.

I cannot help much with in-wall subwoofers, other than to point out most in-wall subs require an external subwoofer amplifier to drive them, so you need to budget not only for the in-wall sub (or subs), but the amplifier as well.

 

[bandphan]

Make sure you consider your wiring needs. Cat 5/6 to all zone locations, and displays back to the head end for control options. Consider how the zones are going to controlled. As for speaker brands, I have an affinity for

as they represent a very good value. As for the components, you will need to determine the level of control that you will want, then recommendations can be made.

 

[blue leader]

Update

Ok, update time...next post links.

 

[blue leader]

After looking around, reading, and spending way too much time in the last 3 days, check out what I’m looking at! (a friend helped me come up with some of the components)

Receiver http://www.usa.denon.com/AVR-1911_Lit521.pdf

Center http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290107

Fronts http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290202

Rears (in ceiling) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290046

Sub – Undecided, but probably a stand along unit with wire ran to the back wall, hidden in a outlet deal with a flip up door so I can stuff the wire in there if the room gets cleared out for anything. Obviously an outlet nearby also.

Wire - http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023901&p_id=4038&seq=1&format=2

Do I need to go 12awg? The longest the HT speakers will require is 25 ft. My ONE zone utilizing the two rear most channels (#6 and #7) will be for the back porch area…about 80 ft away. These will never be turned up very loud. (neighbors)

Can I get away with 14awg?

I have no dvd/cd/whateverelse yet, but that will happen later.

I know this is not AMAZING stuff, but I don’t need amazing…just better than the TV speakers.

Diagram of room

Also, anyone used RC channel? Thinking of using it on the ceiling...

 

[bandphan]

What are the zone 2 speakers? As for speaker wire, here is a table. Where are the components going? As for the sub, you might consider running multiple RG6s thru out the room for placement options. The RC series are fine for rears and distributed audio.

 

[m_vanmeter]

If you are thinking of the Polk Monitor40 Series II speakers for the front L & R, then you can save a few bucks and get the Polk CS2 center that matches the Monitor line. CS2 and CS20 are "almost" identical except for some cosmetic upgrades to the TSi line and it's CS10 and CS20 centers.

 

[blue leader]

What are the zone 2 speakers? As for speaker wire, here is a table. Where are the components going? As for the sub, you might consider running multiple RG6s thru out the room for placement options. The RC series are fine for rears and distributed audio.

Haven't looked at zone 2 speakers. They will be outside probably connected to my deck. For now, my only concern with zone 2 is running the wires to the area.

Front (L&R)speakers will probably sit in the built-in book shelf. Not sure how I will mount the center yet. (Haven't completed the design below where the TV will hang)

Rears will be over the couch area. Sub will go beside the couch I'm guessing. Good call on the multiple sub wire placements.

Anyone have suggestions for smaller bookshelves? I'd really like them to be small...

Thanks!

 

[bandphan]

You need to either know the ohm rating for the outdoor speakers or run 12awg to make sure your good. My neighbor did these on the cheap and they are pretty good.

 

[blue leader]

On wiring...

Since I am finishing a basement with only exterior walls, I want to run all the cables I might possibly want. So far my list of wires to run is:

in wall speaker wire
sub wire
cat5
outlets next to sub wire placement
coax?

Can you think of any other wire I would want to run?