So I have all the equipment... now what?

[avnoob]

Hey everyone,

I know this is going to sound retarded... but I have no idea what to do now. I dont even know what kind of wire connects the speakers to the AV receiver.

Let me explain... I am building a projector setup in my basement, and I have spent the last few months or so buying decent equipment for the setup. Here's what I have so far:

L/R : Polk Monitor 70 x2
Center: Polk CS2 Series 2
Surround: Polk Monitor 50 x2
Receiver: Yamaha RX-V765
Sub: Still undecided, wanting to see if the 70's produce enough oomph for me.

So... I guess my question is... what the heck do I do now? All of this equipment is just sitting in my basement.

I know the general concept... All components connect to receiver, receiver connects to projector (this is done through HDMI). I'm having problems with the following:

- How do I connect the speakers? Will they just work when I connect them or do I have to do some sort of setting or tweaking?
- I was reading on the process of the A/V Receiver and everything I read said that the receiver auto-calibrates when new speakers are plugged in... however, one must tweak the speaker for ultimate performance.
- "I should always, Turn on projector, then receiver, then components" in that order, so as to avoid problems... is that correct?
- Will I be able to attach my computer to the receiver and get video/audio? I have an HDMI Out on my computer.

- Finally... placement. I know I have to put the center below the projector screen and the towers flanking either side. But how do I calculate angles, height, etc in order to get optimal performance?

Thank you so much! I'm sorry if my questions seem retarded.

 

[sholling]

So... I guess my question is... what the heck do I do now? All of this equipment is just sitting in my basement.

I know the general concept... All components connect to receiver, receiver connects to projector (this is done through HDMI). I'm having problems with the following:

- How do I connect the speakers? Will they just work when I connect them or do I have to do some sort of setting or tweaking?

There should be a setup mic in with the receiver. Connect the speakers according to the receiver's instructions, then follow the setup steps. Oh and don't lose the mic!

- I was reading on the process of the A/V Receiver and everything I read said that the receiver auto-calibrates when new speakers are plugged in... however, one must tweak the speaker for ultimate performance.

Start with the receiver's settings and then decide.

- "I should always, Turn on projector, then receiver, then components" in that order, so as to avoid problems... is that correct?

Sorry can't help you with that.

- Will I be able to attach my computer to the receiver and get video/audio? I have an HDMI Out on my computer.

Yes you can although I have no idea if your computer has audio over HDMI.

- Finally... placement. I know I have to put the center below the projector screen and the towers flanking either side. But how do I calculate angles, height, etc in order to get optimal performance?

Angle the center to aim head high at your seating position. Aim the mains just to the far left and right of the main seating positions and then adjust in and out by ear.

 

[jostenmeat]

Sub: Still undecided, wanting to see if the 70's produce enough oomph for me.

If no sub, make sure the receiver "knows" that so that the LFE can be rerouted to your mains (but that assumes they are left as fullrange, and well . . .). This signal will be greatly reduced to protect both receiver and speakers.

- How do I connect the speakers? Will they just work when I connect them or do I have to do some sort of setting or tweaking?

If bare wire, twist the ends. Make damn sure there are no whiskers coming out that may short.

- "I should always, Turn on projector, then receiver, then components" in that order, so as to avoid problems... is that correct?

I do my amps/receiver first so that the big initial draw won't affect my other components. Between other components and PJ, I don't care about the order so much. Amplifiers draw the very most at turn on, to charge the caps, so far as I know.

However, there are some older components out there that are not so good with HDCP/handshake, and if that's the case, sometimes you may have to find a certain power up order. However, I'd like to believe that by today this is rarely required.

- Will I be able to attach my computer to the receiver and get video/audio? I have an HDMI Out on my computer.

If the computer can send audio via the HDMI, and that you won't have any sort of funky HDCP issue, then it should, I imagine.

- Finally... placement. I know I have to put the center below the projector screen and the towers flanking either side. But how do I calculate angles, height, etc in order to get optimal performance?

Best height is to typically have the tweeters at ear level. After you do the best you can there, but they are still a bit off, you can angle them so that they are directed towards your ears. I believe, in general, it's often better to have the center over the screen, but this depends on many things: how big the screen is (how many ft available both below above screen), your distance to screen, etc.

 

[avnoob]

Thank you for your responses.

You mentioned bare-wire. Is that what I should be connecting my speakers with? Is there any coated alternative.... I dont know if using bare wire is the best idea. What about those things called banana plugs - how do they work?

Also - the receiver is 7.2... but I only have a 5.1 system set up. Will this cause problems?

Thanks!

 

[jostenmeat]

Thank you for your responses.

You mentioned bare-wire. Is that what I should be connecting my speakers with? Is there any coated alternative.... I dont know if using bare wire is the best idea. What about those things called banana plugs - how do they work?

There are different kinds. IMO, if you're going to buy plugs, get the locking types for the receiver end. Try GLS as they are very common. I am using Unique plugs, but they work the same way. You can try Monoprice plugs for very cheap on sale, but they are not locking, and to me the price bump is well worth it for the locking plugs. These plugs will not fit my HT speakers though (unless there was something I wasn't understanding; didn't buy enough anyways).

The benefit of any kind of plug is to eliminate/reduce corrosion that may occur. Otherwise, if without corrosion, nothing beats bare wire . . . until the ends corrode. You can always snip the ends off and reconnect in a a year or two or three or more, but that is sometimes a pain.

Oh another main benefit is how much easier it is to plug/unplug your stuff with the bananas.

Also - the receiver is 7.2... but I only have a 5.1 system set up. Will this cause problems?

Define problem. Will your setup work as it is? Yes. Will you have visceral bass? No. Do I think your receiver actually has stereo subs, no, as it's most likely working like a Y connector, or double mono, if you catch my drift.

Thanks!

Welcome!

 

[BWG707]

Actually you need a subwoofer before you have a 5.1 or 7.1 system. To really get good theater sound you need a "real" sub.

 

[jostenmeat]

Actually you need a subwoofer before you have a 5.1 or 7.1 system. To really get good theater sound you need a "real" sub.

You are right that he will need a real sub to get "good theater sound", for sure. However, to get all semantic on you, he technically can still get the .1 channel, as rerouted to the mains. I know I know, we use the same type of terminology like 5.1 or 7.1 to describe both the source channels, and the physical speaker layout.

 

[avnoob]

I plan to buy a sub in the near future, one off best-buy or something. I already sunk so much money into the speakers and receivers, I just need any sub to hold me off for now.

I'm sorry but I dont understand what you were talking about when you stated: "Will your setup work as it is? Yes. Will you have visceral bass? No. Do I think your receiver actually has stereo subs, no, as it's most likely working like a Y connector, or double mono, if you catch my drift. "

I have no idea what visceral bass is, or stereo subs, or a Y connector or double mono.

This is my very first HT system ever and I'm still trying to learn so please bear with me.


So from my understanding... I will have to buy bare wire, then put it into a locking banana plug myself? so I have to buy 4 banana plugs for every speaker i connect to the receiver? Two into the speaker and two into the receiver? Does it run ONE wire per speaker or two seperate wires?

thanks as always!