Thinking of ditching the home theater.

mikeyb128

I just don't use it anymore, I'm spending more and more time in my basement listening to music. I can't remember the last time I cranked a movie. Going to sell:
2 pairs of lsifx
2 PB ultras
Marantz 7702
Sunfire tga 7401 ( already spoken for)
Going to keep:
Focal arias
Panamax conditioner
Marantz ud player
The plan is to do a 2.1 system with a nice integrated and a downsized sub, may buy a friend's rhythmic fv15hp.

Put the cash in my pocket, fund my 2 channel and car hobby. Keep it simple, but can still crank it when I want.

Advice? Opinions?

mikeyb128

I have a major woody for an mf integrated or marantz. Sorry if this is poorly written, typing from an iPhone while on lunch.

rpf65

I would probably keep one of the SVS, instead of buying the Rythmik. Both build quality subs, just thinks that,s a lateral move.

mikeyb128

good call, Pretty sure one pb will be staying though. Only makes sense. Up here I could sell one pb and buy the rhythmic and make a bit of cash. We will see.

nooshinjohn

I would be up for the Sunfire if your other party does not

EndersShadow

I'd keep both subs personally to help with nulls, or run each speaker full range and run RCA's into the amps so you can use the internal crossovers to lighten the load on the speakers.....

PS whoever called dibs on the sunfire is a SMART ONE....

and PPS, the 7702... is it a MKII or MKI? It may not matter as IIRC your north of the border and shipping to and from is a PAIN lol...

mikeyb128

I will be putting up the lsifx here, as well as the marantz. I have 2 people in line for the sunfire.
I'm open to trades for a nice integrated capable of hooking up to a sub.

mikeyb128

EndersShadow wrote: »

I'd keep both subs personally to help with nulls, or run each speaker full range and run RCA's into the amps so you can use the internal crossovers to lighten the load on the speakers.....

PS whoever called dibs on the sunfire is a SMART ONE....

and PPS, the 7702... is it a MKII or MKI? It may not matter as IIRC your north of the border and shipping to and from is a PAIN lol...

7702 is a mk1. With 2 years remaining warranty. I ship to the us all the time without any troubles.

honestaquarian

Why not just keep the Sunfire?
Doesn't it make the Focals sing?

mikeyb128

I'm downsizing. No point in keeping a 7 channel amp to run 2 speakers.

Dawgfish

I did the same thing about 8-9 years ago and never looked back. Love 2 channel, don't miss the ht at all. A good set of SDAs are excellent performing double duty if you still want to play your tv/video stuff through your two channel system. Know plenty of people who do that and neither they nor I feel that they are missing much with just the SDAs.

BlueFox

I was sort of in a similar mood, but I bought a 75" TV instead. Now I am back in HT mode, but still timeshare Friday and Saturday night with the two channel system.

mikeyb128

Dawgfish wrote: »

I did the same thing about 8-9 years ago and never looked back. Love 2 channel, don't miss the ht at all. A good set of SDAs are excellent performing double duty if you still want to play your tv/video stuff through your two channel system. Know plenty of people who do that and neither they nor I feel that they are missing much with just the SDAs.

Most of the time my girl friend is using it, streaming tv and movies in only 2 channel mode anyway. I literally never use it.

tonyb

I was in the same boat Mikey, the HT portion never gets used anymore. I still keep it for sheets and giggles for when Hollywood can make a movie again. My issue is one system for both so I keep a cheaper avr around for movies but now can have the 2 channel separate within the same system. We just rarely watch dvd's or Blu-rays anymore but spend way more time with music.

Why not just throw a tubed pre in the mix, that way your just using the source/pre/amp/speakers in your living room setup. When you want to watch a movie just change inputs on the pre coming from the receiver and away you go.

gudnoyez

I couldn't do it we don't use the HT but once or twice a week but boy those once or twice a week is worth the wait better than the movie theater. I do use the 2 channel daily. I hope your not going to regret it down the road. Good luck selling all your gear.

PSOVLSK

BlueFox wrote: »

I was sort of in a similar mood, but I bought a 75" TV instead. Now I am back in HT mode, but still timeshare Friday and Saturday night with the two channel system.

My situation exactly. We've watched about 4 movies since I got the TV a couple of weeks ago and we hadn't watched a single movie in the previous 6 months or longer.

EndersShadow

mikeyb128 wrote: »

EndersShadow wrote: »

I'd keep both subs personally to help with nulls, or run each speaker full range and run RCA's into the amps so you can use the internal crossovers to lighten the load on the speakers.....

PS whoever called dibs on the sunfire is a SMART ONE....

and PPS, the 7702... is it a MKII or MKI? It may not matter as IIRC your north of the border and shipping to and from is a PAIN lol...

7702 is a mk1. With 2 years remaining warranty. I ship to the us all the time without any troubles.

Hrrmmmm.... for giggles PM what your looking st price wise... I "may" be in the market soon for one of those...

cfrizz

gudnoyez wrote: »

I couldn't do it we don't use the HT but once or twice a week but boy those once or twice a week is worth the wait better than the movie theater. I do use the 2 channel daily. I hope your not going to regret it down the road. Good luck selling all your gear.

^This. Does it really have to be either or? I'd rather have it and not need it/use it, rather than you go get a bigger tv somewhere down the line and the HT bug hits and you then have to purchase new gear all over again.

This is the problem of being too extreme and why I only have one system for both music and movies.

I mostly listen to music on my system, but when I want to sit down and watch a movie I enjoy it immensely and it sounds great without the distractions that come with going to a movie theater.

halo

Being that we're in an apartment, we can't run the wires or hang the surrounds so we've been in 3.1 for the HT side of the hybrid setup when we watch TV or movies (usually Netflix, Amazon, etc.). The 2-channel setup is separate, even though the HT shares the amp for the main speakers (with HT most of the dialogue and sound is going through the center channel but the mains do their part when asked).

If we get back to a place where I can hang a set of surrounds, I will definitely do it as it's more immersive but that's just not possible right now. We enjoy the setup the way it is but I can see having the AVR driving the CC & a pair of surrounds. I have no plans to upgrade to Atmos as the HT side seems to be obsolete a year after you buy the latest and greatest AVR with all the bells & whistles.

Willow

Pb ultras... ohhhh my!

I went from a 5.1 rti system to a w.i.p 2ch with my b&w 703, Parasound 1500a amp and all new cables. I don't miss the 5.1. Mind you I still have all the gear stashed in the basement. I'm slowly changing out gear to improve the 2.1 experience.

kharp1

I moth balled my HT stuff about 7-8 years ago. Recently sold the Denon and Yamaha AVR's. Still have a full set of PSB Image series towers, center and surrounds collecting dust. I started putting my efforts into 2 channel, or 2.1 to be exact, and have been far more happy with the results. Good luck, I think it's a great move.

mikeyb128

I've decided, to keep the towers, one sub, amp is sold, going to buy a nice integrated. Going to Cuba with some of it and I forgot to mention, I'm trying to scrounge money for a ring for my gf, so despite all the comments which I appreciate. My family I want to start is more important! I have a killer 2 channel rig anyway! Hurray!

EndersShadow

More power to you bro! Get er done !

mikeyb128

kharp1 wrote: »

I moth balled my HT stuff about 7-8 years ago. Recently sold the Denon and Yamaha AVR's. Still have a full set of PSB Image series towers, center and surrounds collecting dust. I started putting my efforts into 2 channel, or 2.1 to be exact, and have been far more happy with the results. Good luck, I think it's a great move.

I've been done with home theater for several years now, I haven't had a center channel in over a year.

mrbiron

UnCanadien....

andrew82

Sounds like a great plan Mikey! Good for you keeping your priorities straight.

And if you ever want to go back, maybe take a more minimalist approach. I've combined my HT with the 2-channel using an integrated and an AVR. I also ditched the center channel, haven't looked back since.

Joey_V

I was thinking the opposite for the next and final build and actually having a nice ht.

stangman67

I went through this recently and sold all my HT stuff and built a nice little 2 channel rig. Then naturally I got the HT bug again and went full on theater down in the basement. A projector really changed the experience for me.

nooshinjohn

My HT and two channel are so well integrated that separating the to get better is a moot point. The Pass X1 was the missing link, and if I never found it I may have gone away from HT as well.

tonyb

Different strokes is all, depends on if you want to keep one system for both H/music, or just one music system.

Mine is a combined system so I don't feel like I'm missing something when that HT urge happens. Basically, a 2 channel system now with a pair of surrounds, no center, no sub, and a receiver that stays off until a movie urge happens or I want to watch a football game in surround. The receiver powers only the surrounds so in this instance, I don't need a TOTL receiver. The only things that separates my system from a dedicated 2 channel is the receiver, a pair of surrounds/BDP. All are out of the loop when 2 channel is on.


If you only want to do 2 channel, then sell off a bunch like you are, buy better 2 channel gear and pocket the rest....and enjoy the tunes.

My thoughts are based on....if your going to compromise one or the other, let it be the HT side since you don't use it that much. Put your best speakers in there, get a cheaper avr to power just the surrounds, your best 2 channel amp, maybe keep one sub, ditch the center and other sub and pre/pro. Follow ?

tratliff

I also have both systems integrated. Rarely use the HT but have it when needed. I spend most of my time with the system in 2 channel.

We don't watch a lot of movies. Mostly TV and sports. And when we normally use the TV we just use the TV sound. Hard to explain why but not as aggressive while watching. Much more enjoyable. Easier for me to nap while the wife watches what she wants.