Last min. input b4 I pull the trigger...

4thHorsemen

Hello,

I'm a rooky but been reading on this forum a lot the last few weeks. I have the fun task of putting together an HT for my parent's new house. Read a lot of good things bout the M70's and at Newegg's $346 shipped for a pair of cherries, I'm bout ready to order 'em. They also have the matching CS2 ($123 shipped) and M40's ($123 shipped) which is what polk's site recommends and at these prices, I plan on ordering them as well. Polk recommends the PSW125 but understand there are better options for subwoofers, i.e. HSU, SVS. Gonna hold off on a sub for now and will take your recommendations. Definitely interested in getting the most bang for my buck which I believe I'm getting with the speakers listed above.

Their living room is pretty big, ~20 x 30 (but speakers would surround a listening area of more like ~20 x 18), carpetted, wooden cathedral ceilings. System will be used equally for music and movies. My parents won't be cranking up the volume and understand the M70's also sound good at low volume.

I just scored a practically new HK avr 254 ($167 ebay); gonna pick up later today. Planned on driving the above 5.1 with this avr. Not sure if it has enough juice at 50 wpc x 7. We'll see then maybe I'll just wait for a good deal on a 2 channel external amp to drive the fronts to get the most out of them? Or maybe 2 amps in mono and bridged for the fronts? Read a lil bout this but my head starts spinning after awhile, this all being new to me. I can use the HK for something else if there's a better solution? Was also looking at the Onkyo HT-RC180 7.2 for all it's features and not necessarily for the stated additional power.

Can someone also recommend speaker stands or a wall hanging solution for the M40's (have rear firing port) and how far do you guys have these from the wall?

Sorry for the long post, my first one. Just wanted some last min. input on this setup from many guys here who have really good knowledge on this hobby.

Thanks

flyfisher

I think the M40's have a keyhole slot for mounting.But if you want more check out B-Tech BT77's.

dane_peterson

The HK amp will be fine for those speakers. Nice score!! You will probably notice an improvement when you switch to external amps, but not immediately necessary.

I was very impressed with my HSU VTF-3, and their lower lines should be equally impressive for their designated pricepoints.

Someone else will have to chime in on the wall mounts... if you use stands, I had used Target 28" steel stands, which worked nicely. (especially after filled with leadshot)
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=TGFS%20%20%20%20%20%20100BLK

4thHorsemen

Thanks Flyfisher! I also just found those same wall mounts. I like the swivel and tilt features and good price! Was just thinkin they'd even be better if I painted them to wall match.

Just noticed you're not far from me. Keep me in mind if you plan to sell any of your stuff.

4thHorsemen

Thanks Dane. Very much lookin forward to hearing how this HK sounds. Gonna hook it up to my 7.1 speakers. I know my speakers are nothing special coming from an HTIB HT-SR800 but very interested to see how it compares to my Onkyo HT-R550 that came in that package. I don't think my HTIB sounds bad at all (much better than my neighbor's bose setup) and the speakers are in bad placement (never got settled in and now I'm moving soon). But I will rearrange the speakers so I can get a good comparison.

Been hearing good things bout HSU; haven't checked out SVS yet.

Good price on the speaker stands. I gotta ask cuz I'm a rooky, do those 4 bolts at the top plate bolt into the speaker cabinet?

Thanks for the input.

dane_peterson

SVS is also exceptional, but I've never tried one myself.

You can drill holes into the speakers for more stability. I just used foam pads.

flyfisher

4thHorsemen wrote: »

Thanks Flyfisher! I also just found those same wall mounts. I like the swivel and tilt features and good price! Was just thinkin they'd even be better if I painted them to wall match.

Just noticed you're not far from me. Keep me in mind if you plan to sell any of your stuff.

I wont be anytime soon.But if i do,you will be 1st on the list:)