Need a new entertainment system [Archive]

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Gas Man

10-25-2008, 08:06 PM

Ok so I'm planning my black friday purchasing for a new living room setup.

On a slight budget cause I'm trying to do about $25k worth of improvements to the house with $18k. On the budget for this piece is $3.5K but if I could slide in under that more money to say the kitchen.

The pieces I need...

LCD 50"-60"
Audio system

Here's what I was thinking on audio. I want to go Bose. I think many imitate and some come close but bose is bose. Like Stihl to 2 strokes and Honda to generators. Others will do the job but not with their finesse. I also want small and understated but good sound.

I went to the Bose factory store Friday. I was AMAZED at the 3:2:1 GS Serious III system. Just 2 up front speakers and a powered sub. The sound was very filling and far more crisp than the lower Lifestyle V systems. The sound was also in the range of your periphial vision. No rear behind your head sound cause nothing back there. Comes with the 3 speakers, and the tuner which has AM/FM/CD/DVD with HDMI outs. And retail is only $999

To get the same crisp sound in the lifestyle V series the price jumps to $3k for the V35 system. So I am thinking of cutting the corner on this. Using the money elsewhere. MAYBE unless somebody screams bloody murder no.

Anybody?

On the TV/monitor...

Any suggestions? I know 1080p ( i think that is right). I want to stay mainstream brands. Love the Samsung electric powered mount that you control thru the tv remote.

I figure maybe I can snag these for a good deal on black friday. I'm pretty sure that will be possible for the tv...

What ya think?

jeeps84

10-25-2008, 08:10 PM

Get a 41 tv. save a grand

VatorMan

10-25-2008, 08:14 PM

I was able to get a 65 in. DLP Samsung at Costco for $1700 and that included a TV stand. You should have plenty left over or your BOSE system.

Porkchop

10-25-2008, 10:14 PM

I have a complete Polk Audio professional system for sale.... basically brand new...

Its the larger speakers... which I'm guessing you dont want if you are going BOSE. But I basically have like 2 grand in audio equiptment sitting in my bedroom that I have no use for now that i moved home. That is my first bike right there... if i can get rid of it by spring though!

Damn, i get excited everytime i think about that. But then i think about how hard it is going to be to get decent money for it. (i.e- not at a flea market)

Gas Man

10-26-2008, 12:57 AM

Yeah nothing big...

But I need at least a 50", being that's what I have now and I designed the center wall unit for this purpose
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l311/cjclark69/House/Living%20Room/Day5Completion017.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l311/cjclark69/House/Living%20Room/DONE003.jpg

Quick281

10-26-2008, 02:24 AM

Sixxxxer

10-26-2008, 02:29 AM

I would Suggest "Building" Your Own Surround Sound System...The Out of The Box Ones do an ok job and all but I feel you get better quality with Peicing it all together

You Need a Receiver and then you can Kind of Get the speakers you want not the ones they give you in a pre packaged system...and a Wooofer.

My Buddy did that and his is KICK Ass. I forget his setup off hand but I beleive its a Sony reciver Bose/Polk speakers and a Yamaha Subwoofer.

You can kind of Mix and match with what you want style wise and stuff.

Mr Lefty

10-26-2008, 07:29 AM

Well, to be honest gas... you can do A LOT better than bose for the money... I sold car stereo for 4 years, and home audio for 2... the bose systems we always joked... No Hi's no Lows... I've got Bose... :lol:

the thing they have going for them is, they're small and sleek. and they're easy to set up. but for sound quality over priced.

They're mainly for surround sound, so if your just gonna use it for that... and you must have the small speakers, then go ahead. but if you play music often... I'd go with book shelf speakers and a home reciever.

:2cents:

Mr Lefty

10-26-2008, 07:50 AM

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8802833&type=product&id=1206141605017

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7372513&type=product&id=1122654018549

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7039536&type=product&id=1099395911231

Add another $200 or so for speaker cable, HDMI cables, Subwoofer cable, mounting brackets for speakers... and your at $2869 not including shipping. that's from bestbuy.com

if your bestbuy has a Magnolia store in it... go in and talk to them. I don't know what they're ability is anymore... but when I sold stuff for Magnolia before bestbuy bought them out.... I could adjust the price quite a bit. if you said you had a HARD budget of 3000... I'd give ya a $100 off for spending $2500... or $300-400 off for going up to $3000... and once in a great while I'd pull a $500 if you'd blow your budget and go $3500. this was a common practice... but usually required a "insurance" plan.

OneSickPsycho

10-26-2008, 09:31 AM

I've heard the same shit about Bose... Over-priced and not very good...

I'll post up your shit on my Ridgeline forum... there's a bunch of guys who custom make their own home audio stuff on there and know way more than you can even imagine on the shit...

marko138

10-26-2008, 10:25 AM

I've got a 42" Panasonic Plasma 1080P. It looks great. I love it. I've also got a pretty nice surround sound system. Polk speakers all around and a Pioneer reciever. The reciever isn't great...but it gets the job done.

Next is a blu-ray player.

OneSickPsycho

10-26-2008, 12:17 PM

I have a Samsung 4665 - 46" LCD 1080p....I like it a lot, but it's not without it's faults...

1) Gone through three mainboards in 8 months... The first had a flakey HDMI controller, which I've since learned is relatively common with this line (bad chips I think). The second one had a bad left channel audio output... The third had the same HDMI issue as the first (shit would just cut out without any reason, then come back at random)... The current one is AOK.

2) You have to cycle through ALL inputs other than the HDMI's if there is a device connected to them, even if the device is not on. I have a PS2, Xbox, DVD player, and my PC all connected... so to get to my Xbox 360, I need to cycle through all of those components. Not huge, but annoying.

3) Every other TV I've had you could connect a surround sound system to it and the TV remote would adjust the volume (internally on the TV). Not this thing... It will just turn up the internal speakers and make it sound like shit. To adjust the sound, I have to use the stereo remote... Again, not huge, but pretty fucking annoying (especially when the remote is across the room).

However, it's not all bad...

1) I bought this thing right when Samsung was releasing their new models... I was tempted to spend more for the new one with all the bells and whistles (120Hz, 10,000:1 contrast rate, etc)... The new ones however have a glossy screen and my living room has a LOT of outside light. I wouldn't have been able to see SHIT if I had bought the newer one.

2) I cannot see the difference between the new TV's and this thing... even when they were side-by-side in the store... After I got it properly set up, the picture is fucking amazing. Normal TV looks like assholes though. HD programming, Xbox 360, and PC look fanfuckingtabulicious.

I did a lot of research and shopping around when I bought mine... AV forums are a good place to start... there's a few really good ones out there that are easy to find... It helps to get a feel for a few models that fit your needs... some of things to look out for are:

1) Ambient light? Glossy screen will PISS YOU OFF. I promise. Honestly, the only way I'd buy a TV with a glossy screen anymore is if I had a dedicated home theatre room in the basement where there were no windows.

2) Primary viewing pleasure. Some TV's are better for sports and other fast action stuff. Others are better for multimedia and whatnot. Figure out your primary viewing needs and base your decision off of that.

3) Inputs/outputs. You may think they're all pretty much the same and you'd be right... however, I know of a guy who once bought a TV and couldn't hook all his shit up to it when he got it home. Sucks when you're spending $2k on a new TV.

4) Room size and viewing distance. My TV sits about 10 feet away from my recliner and about 13 feet from the couch. The loveseat is damn close, less than 5 feet away. While sitting in the loveseat does not offer the best viewing, the couch is perfect. My recliner is a little too close, but not uncomfortable. Anything bigger than my 46" would be TOO BIG in this room. Honestly, 42" probably would have been ideal, but hopefully I'll have a bigger living room one day.

5) Warranty. Just in case shit happens, but I wouldn't buy the extended service thingy. If you have one... use a Bank of America credit card to buy your TV. BoA CC's all have a built-in warranty doubler thingy... You buy a TV with a 1-year warranty using your card, it automatically becomes a 2-year warranty. It won't be through the manufacturer, but rather through BoA. They also provide an unconditional 90-day warranty... so if you drop your TV onto that nice brick fireplace and it cracks in half, they'll replace it free of charge. Other CC's might do this as well, but I know it's all standard on ALL BoA CC's.

I've got a 42" Panasonic Plasma 1080P. It looks great. I love it. I've also got a pretty nice surround sound system. Polk speakers all around and a Pioneer reciever. The reciever isn't great...but it gets the job done.

Next is a blu-ray player.

Pioneer makes good shit.

OneSickPsycho

10-26-2008, 12:34 PM

Shit... almost forgot... Check the price gap. The difference between the 42" and the 46" TV's were only a few hundred bucks. Move from the 46" to the 50"+ and you could be looking at another $600 easy. Honestly, the difference between the 46" and the 52" certainly wasn't enough to justify the cost for me. The difference between the 42" and 46" was dramatic enough to fork over the extra dough.

Amber Lamps

10-26-2008, 01:01 PM

I have a 46" Sharp Aquos LCD and Rotel stereo components,Sony video components, Boston Acoustics speakers,a Boston Acoustics powered sub and a Polk Audio powered sub for the rear. Obviously,I subscribe to the "mix and match" theory of home entertainment system building. Also,I like using all separates in my system for sound quality reasons.

That being said,depending on your budget and musical tastes,a box system could easily satisfy your needs. My problem with the Bose 321 system is ,as Ebbs described,it's lack of highs and lows. Bose does an outstanding job using ports,chambers,and multi-directional drivers to simulate "big speaker" sound. Simulations rarely are as good as the real thing. Surround sound is supposed to require multiple speakers. When a helicopter comes in from the back and flies from right to left. It should hit both rears,slide to the right rear,go to mid right,to front right,to center,to left and away. Two or three speakers at the front of the room cannot reproduce that accurately,no matter how cleverly they are designed.

For the money,I like either the Onkyo box systems,the Yamaha or even the Samsung blue ray set-up. All three sell systems under a grand which are 7.1 surround (meaning they come with 7 speakers and a sub,just in case you're not familiar). The Samsung has a built in blu ray player and up converts regular dvds to 1080p. Of course,if you're feeling frisky and you have the room,I'd still rather see you get a 7.1 receiver,a "boxed" speaker set (boston Acoustics makes a great one)with a POWERED sub(important) and a blu ray player (I've seen them for $250). Get a blu ray,you'll thank me later!

Now as far as tvs go... I like the new Samsung lcds but the price is somewhat out of your budget,so I have to go the way I did go and suggest that you find a "last year's model" Sharp or Samsung. You'll get a hellava nice tv and not pay too much. I got my tv for $1200 with the 4 year warranty. Note;go check Office Depot. The people there don't know much about tvs but they had super cheap prices! Whatever you do,try and get a tv with 120hz if you can fit it in your price range,it makes a huge difference.

OneSickPsycho

10-26-2008, 02:26 PM

Oh, and I got my TV on www.newegg.com. Cheapest place out there for mine...

No Worries

10-26-2008, 03:09 PM

Amber Lamps

10-26-2008, 04:59 PM

Check out the November issue of Consumer Reports. They test 46-52 inch models. The 46-inch Sony Bravia rated high for only $1800. The issue also rates electronics stores, and how to bargain for the best price.

I had the Sony Bravia XBR in 46" and it took a dump on me plus I believe the non-xbr tv is only 60hz. You'll be happier in the long run,especially with all tv going digital next year if you invest in the better set. IMHO.

Oh and be sure to get a tv with a built in digital tuner,if possible.

Porkchop

10-26-2008, 04:59 PM

Check out the November issue of Consumer Reports. They test 46-52 inch models. The 46-inch Sony Bravia rated high for only $1800. The issue also rates electronics stores, and how to bargain for the best price.

My family friend lives by Sony Bravia.... they make excellent stuff...

My other friend says stay with the 3 S's (Sony, Samsung, Sharp)

We bought an LG not too long ago. Good tv, too much lag for gaming though, but thats with all of the HD tvs.

Amber Lamps

10-26-2008, 05:04 PM

My family friend lives by Sony Bravia.... they make excellent stuff...

My other friend says stay with the 3 S's (Sony, Samsung, Sharp)

We bought an LG not too long ago. Good tv, too much lag for gaming though, but thats with all of the HD tvs.

Not if they have 120hz...that's my point.

Almost forgot Sharp had a promotion for a free blu ray with the purchase of a tv.

Mr Lefty

10-26-2008, 05:07 PM

Go LCD over plasma... 1 they're cheaper, 2. they're lighter (my dad's plasma I can't lift by myself it's a 50"... my friend had a 50" LCD that weighed like 50lbs) and 3. the picture quality is just as good if not better in some cases than plasma.

Cutty72

10-26-2008, 07:50 PM

I have a panasonic 50" plasma 720p. It was the 2nd best TV on the market when I bought it (per a bunch of different sources) #1 was the same TV in 1080p. Couldn't afford the 1080, and don't have anything that would give me the full use of it anyway, so :idk:

Go LCD over plasma... 1 they're cheaper, 2. they're lighter (my dad's plasma I can't lift by myself it's a 50"... my friend had a 50" LCD that weighed like 50lbs) and 3. the picture quality is just as good if not better in some cases than plasma.

Not anymore. The price gap is almost nil, pretty much depends on brand. I can lift my plasma myself, just don't cause it's akward.
True, the quality is about equal now.

From everything I've seen/heard/read... 49" or less, LCD. 50" or more, plasma

OneSickPsycho

10-26-2008, 09:46 PM

A Ridgeline member says:
I disagree completely about Bose. Absolutely.

Massively overpriced, built cheaply, very clever, marketed extensively, and not nearly as innovative as people think. Mediocre bass, low maximum volume, and gimmicky soundstage.

I would buy a Denon or Onkyo receiver and a matched set of speakers from KEF, Atlantic Technology, Paradigm, Definitive Technology, PSB, or Mirage (for starters). Buy the new $399 Panasonic Blu-Ray player.

Amber Lamps

10-26-2008, 10:10 PM

A Ridgeline member says:

Did someone say Onkyo? They have been at the forefront of Receiver design for decades. They use a massively over-sized transformer and top shelf dac's. If I were not as into music as I am,I would have gone Onkyo all the way! I still like the Boston Acoustics speaker set-up btw...:whistle: Oh and I see by his speaker list you didn't mention the budget.....

Porkchop

10-26-2008, 10:12 PM

I have a YAMAHA reciever!!!! Sweet stuff, but i'd rather have an R6....

Mr Lefty

10-26-2008, 10:23 PM

A Ridgeline member says:

the reciever I quoted him was a denon.... I like Deninitive Tech speakers... but to keep it under budget I went with klipsch... which are very good IMO also.

Onkyo and Harmon Kardin are very good recievers... would have chosen either had best buy had them for the same price as the Denon I listed (didn't look too hard, just found Denon and linked)

pretty much anything you find in Magnolia Audio/Video is good shit... PRETTY MUCH :lol:

Porkchop

10-26-2008, 10:27 PM

R1up0n1

10-26-2008, 11:18 PM

I myself love the plasma displays over LCD... I just like the bright vibrant color and quality. My fiancee and I bought a 42" Samsung Plasma earlier this year. I honestly think Samsung has the best, crisp clear picture out of any other. I see a lot of displays, I install a lot of displays, and I get to play with a lot of displays. Samsung is FTW.

As far as the audio system goes... Yeah Bose is nice because they are small and compact with nice sound, however the price is way too much. I would recommend going with another receiver like a Yamaha and some other small speakers with a subwoofer hidden in your living room.

Gas Man

10-26-2008, 11:43 PM

the reciever I quoted him was a denon.... I like Deninitive Tech speakers... but to keep it under budget I went with klipsch... which are very good IMO also.

Onkyo and Harmon Kardin are very good recievers... would have chosen either had best buy had them for the same price as the Denon I listed (didn't look too hard, just found Denon and linked)

pretty much anything you find in Magnolia Audio/Video is good shit... PRETTY MUCH :lol:

I went to the Magnolia room at BB today. Got more educated...

Now I'm looking at a Denon reciever that will do all my upconverting... run everything into it and one HDMI to the TV.
Include Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital Surround EX, DTS ES Discrete 6.1 and 6.1 Matrix, DTS Neo:6 and DTS 96/24. Also provides high-definition support with Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital+ and DTS-HD decoders.
BADASS!!!
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8853895&type=product&id=1217634016170

And a set of Definitive Tech speakers. I think these were the ones. Still need to get my email from the Magnolia tech. About $800 for the 5 speakers and powered sub
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7656379&type=product&id=1190678281548

Then run a Denon DVD player... maybe get a blue ray later...

Be about $1750 with those 3 pieces and 100' of monster cable speaker wires...

On the tv...

The guy said we could go plasma if glare not an issue. I got a doorwall in the room and the cut out to the kitchen...

The tv is on the east wall facing west. So no direct light. The mag tech was talkin about all the lcd tv's that go on sale are "entry level" tvs. But damn.. I got a $3.5-$4k budget... nearly $2k on sound... want to keep the tv under $2k.

Going to call a bud that works for mag/geek squad. See if he can line me up this setup under discount. If he can, throw him some cash for the help.

What's your take on this idea? Sound system look good to ya? Then if its good, think its ok to go less than magnolia room on the tv?

Mr Lefty

10-27-2008, 12:00 AM

if he can hook ya up AWESOME! if not... try talking to the guy at mag... see how much he could hook ya up with the entire package for. as for "entry level" do this test

look have them put a blue ray movie on... watch a sceen... then watch it on another tv... then another... see which one looks best TO YOU. if you can tell the diffrence between the 2999 tv and the 1399 and it's enough for the upgrade well... then go with it... if not... you've saved yourself some $ that you can put to your kitchen.

no need to upgrade if you can't tell the diffrence. The same goes for sound. the only reason I warned you about Bose, is for the money... you can get a better system.

There's nothing wrong with having a $500 sound system and a $1399 tv... if it sounds good and looks good to you... that's all that matters...

Gas Man

10-27-2008, 12:21 AM

Yeah that's not a bad idea... on the tv testing... I need to also spend some time at Circuit City and see what they have... trying to do homework now and buy later

dReWpY

10-27-2008, 12:37 AM

ask amarani

Mr Lefty

10-27-2008, 12:41 AM

Gas Man

10-27-2008, 12:43 AM

Who and why?

Gas Man

10-27-2008, 12:44 AM

yeah do your research... and like no worries said... check consumer reports... but honestly... with my luck... I always buy the extended warrenty... as it's saved me quite a few times on car audio and home audio. but that's me... I'm not selling them anymore so I won't talk ya in or out of it.
Yeah not sure about the warrenties. For example, the speakers come with a 4yr. I don't think more is needed.

The reciever is only 1yr... so maybe.

TV who the fuck knows.

Think I should wait for Black Friday?

Mr Lefty

10-27-2008, 12:45 AM

ask amarani

:lol: I thought you said Armarni... I was like... uh... huh? :idk:

DLIT

10-27-2008, 02:21 AM

It's clutch to have a powered sub, especially with Bose. I bought a $400 Bose setup. It was the same as the 321 but the sub wasn't powered. Returned it the same day.

Amber Lamps

10-27-2008, 07:35 AM

Yeah that's not a bad idea... on the tv testing... I need to also spend some time at Circuit City and see what they have... trying to do homework now and buy later

Yea,that's what I was going to say. I worked electronic sales for almost 10 years. First for an independent shop,Best Buy and then Circuit City. You definitely owe it to yourself to shop as much as you are able and once you find the tv/stereo you want,I'd then shop that exact model elsewhere. With the economy where it is,retailers are going to be BEGGING for your money. Spend some time and make the present situation work for you!

Onkyo,Sharp,Boston Acoustics FTW......

marko138

10-27-2008, 09:05 AM

Yeah not sure about the warrenties. For example, the speakers come with a 4yr. I don't think more is needed.

The reciever is only 1yr... so maybe.

TV who the fuck knows.

Think I should wait for Black Friday?
Black friday deals are SICK...but shit sells fast and selection may not be what you want. Plus the crowd is fucked.

My opinion is this: If you can afford to buy before hand do so...especially if the sales dood will hook you up with a solid deal.

dReWpY

10-27-2008, 12:11 PM

there is a guy that i got to sign up on here, he is looking to get a bike and just lurks for now, he is an isane a/v guy, his home system is crazy and he set up a friends 105' projection system, dude knows his stuff

Amber Lamps

10-27-2008, 05:01 PM

Mr Lefty

10-27-2008, 05:04 PM

If the store offers price matching guarantees then why wait?

yeah my dad gets around that all the time... a week before black friday he goes shopping... no one's there... usually fully stocked stores... but he always makes sure to get a copy of their price guarantee and a copy of their thanksgiving ad.

dReWpY

10-27-2008, 05:04 PM

still saying pm amarani, he lives for a/v

Amber Lamps

10-27-2008, 05:16 PM

yeah my dad gets around that all the time... a week before black friday he goes shopping... no one's there... usually fully stocked stores... but he always makes sure to get a copy of their price guarantee and a copy of their thanksgiving ad.

Yep! Btw,I always get the warranty as well because it's not just a warranty but usually a "performance guarantee". I had the Sony XBR 46" Lcd and then screen got cracked moving it,the PG company sent me a check for a replacement and let me keep the original tv,so I gave it to a buddy. It had a small crack in the lower left corner. I took their $3500 check and bought my Sharp Aquos 46" Lcd tv ($1200) and a BUNCH of other stuff! A bit of advice,make sure you shop the service plans/warranties,their prices vary WILDLY from store to store. One store may be $50 cheaper for the tv but $150 more for the service plan. For the record,I believe that Best Buy has the cheapest service plans but I'd check Sears too. I would get a plan on the Blu Ray,the receiver and the tv. YES I STILL THINK YOU SHOULD BUY A FUCKING BLU RAY NOW!!!....j/k but honestly,I think it's retarded to buy a HD tv and not buy a Blu Ray player imho.

OneSickPsycho

10-27-2008, 10:28 PM

I went to the Magnolia room at BB today. Got more educated...

Now I'm looking at a Denon reciever that will do all my upconverting... run everything into it and one HDMI to the TV.

BADASS!!!
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8853895&type=product&id=1217634016170

And a set of Definitive Tech speakers. I think these were the ones. Still need to get my email from the Magnolia tech. About $800 for the 5 speakers and powered sub
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7656379&type=product&id=1190678281548

Then run a Denon DVD player... maybe get a blue ray later...

Be about $1750 with those 3 pieces and 100' of monster cable speaker wires...

On the tv...

The guy said we could go plasma if glare not an issue. I got a doorwall in the room and the cut out to the kitchen...

The tv is on the east wall facing west. So no direct light. The mag tech was talkin about all the lcd tv's that go on sale are "entry level" tvs. But damn.. I got a $3.5-$4k budget... nearly $2k on sound... want to keep the tv under $2k.

Going to call a bud that works for mag/geek squad. See if he can line me up this setup under discount. If he can, throw him some cash for the help.

What's your take on this idea? Sound system look good to ya? Then if its good, think its ok to go less than magnolia room on the tv?

I wouldn't waste my money on Monster Cable anything... Way over-priced and not a whole lot better than run of the mill Radio Shack wire. Buy 100' of it from Radio Shack for $5 and love it.

Yeah not sure about the warrenties. For example, the speakers come with a 4yr. I don't think more is needed.

The reciever is only 1yr... so maybe.

TV who the fuck knows.

Think I should wait for Black Friday?

I'm tellin' you... check your credit cards... they might offer warranty extension... Hell, it might even be worth getting a Bank of America card to use just for that reason.

Mr Lefty

10-27-2008, 10:45 PM

OSP... gotta dissagree with ya on monster. it's quality shit... not the best... but FAR better than radio shack stuff

Amber Lamps

10-27-2008, 11:01 PM

OSP... gotta dissagree with ya on monster. it's quality shit... not the best... but FAR better than radio shack stuff

I'm in the middle...my front speakers are bi-amped so I paid the big bucks for Monster cables for my fronts. They had all four wires in one cable...

note; that other cable in the pic is regular cable wire.

Gas Man

10-28-2008, 03:01 PM

If the store offers price matching guarantees then why wait?

Well I also don't need it right now...

Amber Lamps

10-28-2008, 04:55 PM

Well I also don't need it right now...

Oh,well that explains it!

Gas Man

10-28-2008, 05:06 PM

Yeah its all part of a master remolding that I'm doing to the house...

Amber Lamps

10-28-2008, 05:16 PM

Yeah its all part of a master remolding that I'm doing to the house...

Gotcha! Well,in all seriousness,if you are doing anything to the walls,you'll want to runs the speaker wire for the rears (and center-rears) so you can hide it for a more finished look. Here's a guide to how the speakers should be set up "ideally". Note: I also use a rear powered sub for more bass(or 7.2) First diagram is for 5.1 and second is for 7.1
http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/129023.html

Gas Man

10-28-2008, 05:22 PM

Mr Lefty

10-28-2008, 05:24 PM

yeah just make sure you put that where your sitting... and you still want the rears behind you... or it'll fuck up the sound when it gets to your ear.

what the dennon reciever does is adjust the delay and volume so that each speaker sounds equadistant from the listener.

Amber Lamps

10-28-2008, 05:29 PM

Amber Lamps

10-28-2008, 05:32 PM

Yeah that's great if you have your room setup so square...

The Devon reciever comes with a autocalibration microphone that you place where you sit and it sends out tones and calibrates its self for optimum sound.

Note the word "ideally"... for me form follows function and my stereo system goes in first,then wifey can do whatever she wants.

Mr Lefty

10-28-2008, 05:33 PM

Gas Man

10-28-2008, 05:35 PM

Its the denon reciever I linked before.

Amber Lamps

10-28-2008, 05:44 PM

but your decible meeter isn't gonna tell you the accustical delay. only how loud. not sure if the dennon will adjust the delay or just the volume... being it's Dennon... I'd say both... :idk:

shit my $500 alpine car stereo could be adjusted for delay...

in the end... it won't make too much diffrence to your ear.... but it can make a differance

DENON Sorry sometimes it gets to me...

Btw my JVC deck adjusts for delay and is 5.1 surroud sound.

As far as setting delay,well it's an art but you could easily do the math and get it perfect if you cared. I adjusted my fronts to my center so they all staged together. My center is a foot behind my fronts. Because my room isn't perfectly square,I set my left rear speakers to delay behind the rights because they are further away. I'm sure that the receiver could easily make those adjustments but I kinda like fucking with it myself....:idk:

R1up0n1

10-28-2008, 05:47 PM

Here is my setup
I ran a receptacle to the closet in the foyer behind the plasma for audio and video power. I also ran all the A/V cables thru the box.
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k157/R1up0n1/Home%20Theater%20Setup/DSC00182.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k157/R1up0n1/Home%20Theater%20Setup/DSC00183.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k157/R1up0n1/Home%20Theater%20Setup/DSC00184.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k157/R1up0n1/Home%20Theater%20Setup/DSC00186.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k157/R1up0n1/Home%20Theater%20Setup/DSC00189.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k157/R1up0n1/Home%20Theater%20Setup/DSC00196.jpg

I installed an IR (infra red) repeater in the wall to transmit all IR signals from any A/V remote to the devices in the closet. (Surround Sound, DVD…)

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k157/R1up0n1/Home%20Theater%20Setup/DSC00185.jpg

I also installed two RCA jacks for the Ipod, or any MP3 device to play through the surround sound.
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k157/R1up0n1/Home%20Theater%20Setup/DSC00203.jpg

I hid all cables with a nice cable harness to keep from being seen in areas where you don’t want to see any cables (except my temporary speaker cable) going to my Bose speakers.

Next you will see the 42” Plasma on the wall with a nice clean install with no cables being seen (except the temporary speaker cables.)
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k157/R1up0n1/Home%20Theater%20Setup/DSC00071.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k157/R1up0n1/Home%20Theater%20Setup/DSC00079.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k157/R1up0n1/Home%20Theater%20Setup/DSC00082.jpg

Next I want to get some small surround sound speaker hanging in each corner for the room.

Eventually I would like to see a fireplace and mantle under the plasma. Maybe this winter…

Mr Lefty

10-28-2008, 06:10 PM

DENON Sorry sometimes it gets to me...

Btw my JVC deck adjusts for delay and is 5.1 surroud sound.

As far as setting delay,well it's an art but you could easily do the math and get it perfect if you cared. I adjusted my fronts to my center so they all staged together. My center is a foot behind my fronts. Because my room isn't perfectly square,I set my left rear speakers to delay behind the rights because they are further away. I'm sure that the receiver could easily make those adjustments but I kinda like fucking with it myself....:idk:

:lol: I dunno why I keep doing that... I've gone back and corrected it like 5 times...

yeah like I said... even if you set them all to 0 unless your fronts are 20 ft away and the rears are resting on your ear lobes... your probably not gonna tell a diffrence. but it's one more setting for us control freaks :lol:

Amber Lamps

10-28-2008, 07:18 PM

:lol: I dunno why I keep doing that... I've gone back and corrected it like 5 times...

yeah like I said... even if you set them all to 0 unless your fronts are 20 ft away and the rears are resting on your ear lobes... your probably not gonna tell a diffrence. but it's one more setting for us control freaks :lol:

Oh you're right of course but :idk: surround sound is so complicated now with ES,DTS,HD,etc it's a mess!

Mr Lefty

10-28-2008, 07:20 PM

NO SHIT... I'm both looking forward to and dreading getting my house :lol: