Please critique my setup

[Cuda444]

First off, GREAT forum you all have here. Tons of good info for new comers to HT like me. I've been lurking for quite awhile and have recently aquired the beginnings of a HT setup. So far I have:
Yamaha rx-v2500
Hsu STF-2 (About to order, unless someone has a better suggestion)
Crappy speakers for the moment - KLH bookshelf up front, Cambridge cubes in the back and a center from a HTIB - Hacked together? I'd say so!. But, I need some more $$$ before the front stage can be purchased.
TV: Hitatchi 43" widescreen hd.

I've attached a pic in hopes that you, more educated folk, could help me out with placement of things like speakers and sub. I've placed the speakers in about where I'd think they go. The sub, I have no idea, so it's up front near the TV. Not pictured is a beam that runs between the couch and desk, supported by 2 pillars which more or less divide the room without actually having a wall there. The fireplace hearth is raised about 3 or 4" and is brick with slate on top. Ceilings are 7 feet drop tiles and the whole room is carpeted concrete.

Sorry for the long winded first post... Wanted to make sure all the info was out there.

Any comments/suggestions?


Here is a pic of my room layout.

Thanks in advance!
Tom

 

[mike c]

what's between the two rear speakers?

 

[Cuda444]

The speakers on the back wall would have a folding table between them (Like a game table) and isn't a necessity. I figured those two would be hanging on that wall there somewhere. They could also be hung from the ceiling if that would be better... not a big deal as it's a suspended ceiling only 7ft high.

As a side note, the columns (sqaures on either side of the desk) are about 1ft x 6" each, with 7ft between them and essentially split the room in half.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[MDS]

Looks like a near ideal placement from what I can tell from the picture:
The fronts are directly in front of the listening position, the side surrounds are between 90 and 110 degrees from the listening position, and the rear surrounds are directly behind the listening position. Pretty much the Dolby recommended placement.

As long as the side and rear surrounds are a few feet above ear level, you've got it right. You can experiment with sub placement for the best bass but where it's currently at is not uncommon and probably works well.

 

[Cuda444]

Thanks for the reassurance. That makes me feel a little better

Another question: Is the Hsu STF-2 gunna hold it's own in this room? Is it going to be adequate? I'm dying here without bass and it's on sale for 20% at the moment. Any advice?

Tom

 

[Nick250]

You have a huge room. Two STF-2s would probably get the job done. You could also get an STF-3 and place it near field. There are a lot of sub options to pick from, but IMO one ten inch sub would struggle with that size room. At least for movies and LFEs.

Nick

 

[evilkat]

I think if you move the dog off the couch and replace it with a cat, you'll have much better bass extension. =3

 

[Seth=L]

I think if you move the dog off the couch and replace it with a cat, you'll have much better bass extension. =3

That gave me a chuckle.

 

[Cuda444]

Haha, I'll consider moving the dog... but I dunno if he wants to budge For some reason the room doesn't seem that large to me, but I guess the numbers don't lie. Hmm... Would the difference be THAT noticable going from an STF-2 to an STF-3? Both in sound output and $170 worth? You guys are the experts... And I must admit, I am going to be looking for that 'punched in the chest' bass effect. Though I realize it's not going to knock me over... I am expecting a serious presence. Am I dillusional? Any recommendations for the best sub for the money (90% Movies) keeping it under $500?

Thanks

 

[evilkat]

Actually I rather like your setup. As MDS and many others have said. its very close to the ideals setup given by Dolby so you seem to be fine. The only way you're going to get the ommph you're looking for is to either get a more powerful sub or get a used one from some place else to complement the one you already have. I saw one forum member trying to sell an LFM-1 from outlaw for $450. You should give it a shot. You might want to go for a buttkicker if you want to forego the the sub, but i am not sure how much it costs.

 

[Cuda444]

I haven't yet purchased a sub. In the grand scheme, that's the next purchase as I have no bass right now... It's killing me. While I love powerful bass... I don't want to drown out the rest of the system. A nice rumble is what I'm looking for. The STF-3 will probably be the purchase I will make... But I wanted advice as to either a better bang for the buck sub (We're trying to stay real close or under $500 here) or should I look for a used sub somewhere? Are used subs a good idea? As it stands now the STF-3 is pushing the budget just a bit. Any suggestions are much appreciated and very welcome!

 

[AVRat]

As has been stated, your setup looks good. It appears the STF-3 is the best bang/buck solution at this point in time. Take advantage of the holiday sale.

 

[Sheep]

One thing to note, your current setup has you pinned in smack in the middle of the room. In all the layouts I've seen, none of them had tremendous amounts of bass when you're in the middle.

My first row is also in the middle of my room, with my subwoofer in the rear left corner, and it struggles covering that area.

Basically what I'm getting at is you make require nearfield sub placement. Don't worry, this will give you the shakes.

SheepStar
EDIT: What program do you use to make a room layout like that?

 

[mytzen]

I would take advantage of the STF-3 sale, you can always add another in the future once you save up some more.

Post some pictures of your setup, you may get more help if we could see the room.

 

[Tom Andry]

One thing to note, your current setup has you pinned in smack in the middle of the room. In all the layouts I've seen, none of them had tremendous amounts of bass when you're in the middle.

I agree. Generally, I recommend your primary seating to be about a third of the way into the room from the back wall. As it is, you could probably move the couch forward a bit and be a third of the way in off the front wall (acoustically they should be the same).

With your layout, placing an additional sub on the right wall next to the DVD storage or on the left side under the surround would be a nice idea. It'll help smooth out the bass response in your nearly square room. All in all though, it looks to be a very nice set up.

 

[Tom Andry]

While I love powerful bass... I don't want to drown out the rest of the system. A nice rumble is what I'm looking for.

The only reason bass would drown out the rest of the system is if a) you have it turned up too loud or b) the room is creating a bass bump at a particular frequency. Watch the beginning of Episode 2 as the ship flies over twice, each one is basically a bass sweep. If it sounds even, you're doing pretty good. If it gets louder and softer as it goes, you've got some room interactions messing with the frequency response. You can look into active and passive (preferably both) room correction to help.