The Dorm Theater...Nearing Completion

[jaxvon]

Well, I've been collecting stuff for a few months and I'm almost to my moment of Zen! I'm putting together my super awesome budget system for everyone to see. Pics coming soon (gotta fish up the digital camera).

Receiver: Pioneer 1015TX (buying this week via friend's employee discount )
Speakers: BIC DV62 bookshelves all around and a BIC DV62CLR center
Subwoofer: Hsu STF-1
DVD Player: Pioneer DV-578AS
TV: Crappy, cheap TV with S-Video input
Other Sources: Cheap RCA 5-Disc player and laptop (thinking about that USB-Optical thing from Impact Acoustics...)

Cables: Knu Konceptz 4m Component Video (future proofing) and 1m Stereo analog I/C
Dayton 25ft Subwoofer cable, 6 and 25 foot S-Video cables, 2m Acoustic Research Component Video cable.

And of COURSE....speaker cable from Westlake (150ft of Belden 5000UE).

Regarding the crossover mods on my BICs, that will happen, but not right now. I don't have the time or extra money to dump into them. The only things I don't have right now are my receiver (buying this week), center channel (on order), and cables (also on order). Everything else is good to go. Oh yeah, and the speaker stands that I need to finish building. Those too.

I need to have everything finished by the 28th of September. Why? Because some of my stuff is getting delivered then, AND I'm going to be one of the people hosting hall movie night in my room on the 29th. I'll have the baddest setup by far, AND I'm borrowing a DLP projector and screen for the night so I can really blow everyone out of the water. Ahhh...I love this hobby.

I just can't wait till my goodies arrive...

 

[Matt34]

Sounds very similar to what my setup is going to be. Good luck with the hall party.

 

[Sheep]

Don't post unless you have pics!!!

jk.....looks great. How are those Pioneer receivers? everyone here is pushing them like they work at futureshop. If your dorm rooms are the size of the ones in BC, that system will rockzorz.


sheep

 

[jaxvon]

The 1015TX Has landed! Thanks to my friend and his awesome Best Buy discount, I got my unit with the full warranty and all that goodness for $332.79! WOOHOO!

Right now I'm being obnoxious and playing Maroon 5 really loud with my subwoofer engaged. I love shaking the room.

I did have to "Christen" the receiver though. The first track put through its circuits was "My Old School" by Steely Dan off the Countdown to Ecstasy album. Mmmmmmmmmmm....

All I have to do now is build my speaker stands and wait for my center and Westlake speaker cable to get here and I'm good to go! I can't wait. Oh yeah, I should probably do the buttload of homework I have...

Edit...

As far as the volume thing goes, I see myself listening a lot near or at 0dB. In fact, my Steely Dan adventure was done at 0dB, and that wasn't as loud as I've pushed my BICs on the old Yamaha CR-1020 at home. Of course, that old 2ch beast weighs more than this Pioneer, and it's rated at "only" 70wpc. Hmmm....

 

[nibhaz]

So are you going to post pictures once you’re done? I've been watching this post waiting!

How do your dorm neighbors feel about you having the volume set to 0dB? I whish I could play at the level with my system, but I'm trying to avoid being evicted! I can hear the bass from 604s (no sub) with dial the dial set to -18dB in the laundry room above my apartment

 

[rgriffin25]

As far as the volume thing goes, I see myself listening a lot near or at 0dB. In fact, my Steely Dan adventure was done at 0dB, and that wasn't as loud as I've pushed my BICs on the old Yamaha CR-1020 at home. Of course, that old 2ch beast weighs more than this Pioneer, and it's rated at "only" 70wpc. Hmmm....

Sounds like a really nice HT! While I was in college I had a hard time deciding between homework and watching a movie or listening to music. So good luck with that!
I have one quick question, have you run the auto setup? I have never needed to use my receiver on 0db, -10db is pushing it for me.

 

[jaxvon]

I have run the autosetup. It ended up making adjustments down in level. I do have to wonder if maybe there's something up, because 0dB is loud, but no rediculous.

 

[rgriffin25]

What was the reason for going down on the settings? Maybe you need to turn it up more because you are using bookshelf speakers instead of towers.. No need to worry about it I guess, I only use the volume level as a reference point anyways. Your speakers are pretty efficient so the Pioneer should have no problem making them scream.

 

[brian32672]

Yeah I still find it strange... Because as you remember in our phone conversation, I had used 86db speakers. And I got them to ridiculous levels.
And with the 96db effiency speakers, whoa at -10 is way more than plenty.

 

[Tomorrow]

Hall Potty

WELL??? How'd it go?

 

[Sheep]

Jaxvon,


Of all the area's in this forum, you suck the most here!

Come on, we want updates and pictures, your dropping the ball....phft, audioholics samurai my assstronaut.

hehe,

Sheepstar

 

[jaxvon]

The issue is the lack of a digital camera. I would've made updates already if I had one. I've been trying to get ahold of one for awhile, but the person I'm going to borrow it from keeps forgetting

Until then, get off my back!

 

[Sheep]

oh really? you didn't even tell us about your, "party". Are we embarrasing? Hm? trying to shut us out of your Mr.Popular floor party life? Hm?


But seriously, hows that system going, any symptoms of "upgradeitis" ?


Sheepstar

 

[Guavamanh]

Where are the pictures + reviews? hehe

 

[jaxvon]

UPDATE!

Here they are people, the pictures you've been waiting for!

 

[Matt34]

...I think hell just froze over.





You room brings back memories when I used to go visit my wife(girlfriend at the time) when she was in college.

 

[Sheep]

Wow..... wow.

I havent seen dorms too closely, but damn, I hope that room didn't cost alot.

Where are your electronics in relation to you speakers? They seem tucked away in a corner.

There must not be too many reflections in that room eh? Lots of stuff to absorb them. Must be hard to watch tv with a latter in the way

I think your next investment should be a TV stand.

Looks good sir. I hope those BIC's serve you well.

SheepStar

 

[jaxvon]

I havent seen dorms too closely, but damn, I hope that room didn't cost alot.

Well...room and board is about $7k per year...

I took out the normal beds and built the loft with my roommate. It saves a lot of space. To give you an idea, the room (not including the closets) is 14x11x10.

Where are your electronics in relation to you speakers? They seem tucked away in a corner.

They're up in one of the closets behind the right front speaker. Look at the second to last picture to get an idea. Surprisingly, my receiver remote works just find from the Futon, or anywhere else in the room to control the receiver, despite the fact that it's firing at the side and rear of the unit.


And since I don't feel like quoting the other questions...

Yes, the room is fairly dead. There aren't any noticable big reflections. Obviously it's not the best for sound, but it works.

TV stand? Pfft. That dorm chair works FINE

 

[Sheep]

TV stand? Pfft. That dorm chair works FINE

Yeah, but, some TV stands are quite sexy (see photo)

Are you allowed to build a unit such as that in a dorm? Is it ankored to any walls? If so, break out the tooth paste at the end of the year! (fill in holes).

Hm, your room is almost the same size as mine(16x12x8) Sure doesn't look like it.

SheepStar

 

[Tomorrow]

OMG, Jax!!

Seeing those pics...I was instantly teleported back to 1962, Berkeley... ... even the Christmas lights (tho' we didn't have minilights back then...bubble lights instead, lol). And we didn't call it Home Theater.