Video vs Audio Emphasis in Setup

[zenhog]

Hey everyone, glad to find such a helpful place.

I'm putting together my first system since my college days of the pioneer receiver and the sansui speakers that had more wood than magnet for weight. So I'm a bit in the dark..

I'm more of an audiophile than a videophile. I've got a 60" rear projection TV that I hardly watch, and if I do it's to watch concert dvd's. My emphasis is audio quality.

Given that, what things do you weigh when your focus is heavily weighted towards the audio? I have questions such as will I have a need for 7.1? or even 5.1? How about the need for a center channel? And rear speakers of any significance? I'm sure there will be times when I will be in the "optimal sitting location" but more often I want great sound coming from this system and I may be in the bathroom scrubbing the tub..

So.. to make a long question short - if I have a minimal interest in making a "theater" setup and a large interest in audio, what should my key components be?

Currently I have a Denon 2807 on the way and two Paradigm monitor 11's and their ps-1000 sub. What other components will I need to be looking at?

Thanks

Craig

 

[MDS]

I'm with you that audio is more important than video. Unless you have a very large room that is suited for optimal placement of the rear surround speakers for 7.1, I would stick with 5.1.

A center channel speaker is the most important of all for movies but less so for a mostly music system. With a properly setup and calibrated 5.1 system, using a matrix surround mode like ProLogic II can sound very good and that is what I personally use for music and music DVDs. I would concentrate on a good 5.1 system given that music is your priority and then only consider 7.1 if you can optimally place the rear surround speakers. If funds are limited for now, stick with the Paradigm front speakers and sub and add a center and surrounds later.

 

[JKL1960]

I find that I often prefer the 5.1 mixes on most of my music DVD as opposed to the stereo mixes. Most music DVDs have a stereo mix so 5.1 isn't absolutely necessary.

I'd say you are on the right track so far. The important thing is that if you are doing 5.1, get matching Paradigms for your center and surrounds. If music is a priority don't go light on the center channel or the surrounds. They can work pretty hard on some of the multi channel music and they'll have to keep up to the Monitor 11s.

Should sound sweet though.

 

[zenhog]

Getting there

Thanks guys! I figured the rears would be the least important so I'm holding off on them. I did get a matching paradigm sub (ps-1000) and decent center channel (cc350). Hopefully it will all get here soon so I can get the house rockin.

Now for the player. Any suggestions on the audio side? It looks like DVD audio is not doing well nor is SACD. But I'm sure I want them in a player, right?