Need Speaker/System Setup Advice!

igillen

I'm not well versed in sound systems and need some ideas for my kitchen... I'm building a house and want to do some sort of sound system just in my kitchen (I wouldn't use a full home setup enough to justify the cost). I'm buying a Sonance iport and want to put ceiling speakers in. Additionally, I'm going to have wiring put in for outdoor speakers, which I plan to hook up to the same system. My kitchen is approx 20'x28' with 9' foot ceilings. My budget is $400 for the indoor speakers. What type of speaker and how many do you think I should get? If you could recommend an inexpensive (<$250), but solid, receiver I should look into it would also be a big help. I definitely don't need all the bells and whistles....but I DO need to have the ability to turn off the outdoor speakers while still using the indoor. This is more of a nice background music system than a blow your socks off surround sound system...but then again, I also don't want crappy sound if all is quiet except for the music.

Any input would be VERY appreciated!!! Thanks!!

igillen

...really clueless here. Any help would be awesome!

Erik Tracy

igillen wrote: »

I'm not well versed in sound systems and need some ideas for my kitchen... I'm building a house and want to do some sort of sound system just in my kitchen (I wouldn't use a full home setup enough to justify the cost). I'm buying a Sonance iport and want to put ceiling speakers in. Additionally, I'm going to have wiring put in for outdoor speakers, which I plan to hook up to the same system. My kitchen is approx 20'x28' with 9' foot ceilings. My budget is $400 for the indoor speakers. What type of speaker and how many do you think I should get? If you could recommend an inexpensive (<$250), but solid, receiver I should look into it would also be a big help. I definitely don't need all the bells and whistles....but I DO need to have the ability to turn off the outdoor speakers while still using the indoor. This is more of a nice background music system than a blow your socks off surround sound system...but then again, I also don't want crappy sound if all is quiet except for the music.

Any input would be VERY appreciated!!! Thanks!!

Not familiar with the Sonance iport - but your idea is...different....have not heard of a surround system put into a kitchen before.

From their website - looks like they offer a full line of speakers and electronics.

Sounds like you want a setup that just disperses sound evenly in the kitchen area since there will be no 'dedicated listening spot'.

And since it is in the kitchen - where do you plan on putting the receiver?

Is it just for sound? No under the counter LCD monitor for cable TV or bluray?

Since your kitchen is pretty big - I'd say you want a multichannel receiver with at least 4 channels, you probably won't be putting a large subwoofer in the kitchen so I'd look for inceiling speakers that have a decent frequency range - just don't expect bone shaking bass.

And since you also want to run speakers outdoors, the receiver should have 'multi-zone' capability so you can play music indoors and outdoors and be able to turn off the outside zone/speakers.

What is your overall budget for everything - and do you plan on installing all of this yourself?

skipf

If you just want stereo, a pair of in ceiling speakers with a two channel reciever should do you fine. There are lots of old Marantz recievers that have an A/B/Both speaker selection switch that would allow you to hook up your outdoor speakers and turn them on or off. Most will run less than $200. Polk makes good ceiling and outdoor speakers you can choose from.

igillen

Thanks guys! I think Skip is on the right track with what I'm looking for. Just quality stereo, nothing too over the top. The wires for the sonance/speakers/receiver will all be run before the sheetrock goes up, so I can virtually put speakers wherever I want without a hassle. I may have them run the wires and put an outlet in a cabinet that will be off to the side by my fridge (not where I'd store kitchen stuff), but I could also just have it run to the basement...but then I'd have to go downstairs to access the receiver which could be a hassle.

Would the RC60 or 80s work? Should I get four of them or maybe upgrade to 2 of a better speaker? Are the TCs much better?...worth the extra cost? I was thinking I'd spend $500-ish for the indoor speakers alone, but if I need to spend more I need to spend more...but $700 is def my max for the indoor speakers.

skipf

If You're willing to spend that much on speakers, get a pair of LSi9's. They are bookshelf speakers, but you could build corner shelves to hold them and they are MUCH better speakers than anything for ceiling mount.

treitz3

Skip, if you heard the lineup Polk has for indoor recessed speakers, I do believe you would change your mind.

treitz3

Ah, here you go....

http://www.polkaudio.com/customaudio/rci/index.php?s=rc85i

These are in wall speakers and though I haven't heard the ceiling speakers, these may be a good choice if they are in the same lineup. You may want to contact Polk directly to answer that question, though.

http://www.polkaudio.com/customaudio/rci/index.php?s=rc80i

Cool thing about them is that if you have to place one or both in a not so friendly place for sound, the tweeters can be turned a bit to compensate. I was surprised at what they did at a recent audio gathering in Charlotte. Definitely not what I would have expected out of a built in speaker. BTW, welcome to Club Polk.

igillen

I don't HAVE to spend that much...I'm just saying I would if I had to...I'd prefer to save money at all costs.

...I think the bookshelves would be a tough sell to the wife. She'll want something as invisible as possible.

treitz3

Check out the links provided above. Also, if you are looking for a receiver with A/B speakers, used would be a good option at your price range. Take a look at Carver, Denon....well, there is a plethora of gear you can look at for those. Are you OK with used?

igillen

Thanks, Treitz. Would I be better getting 4 of these or two of the LCi's or TCi's or Vanishings? Would the sound difference be that much noticable to a novice?

treitz3

No problem. If all you want them for is background noise, there is no need to go overboard. 1 pair will do the kitchen justice. Yes, a novice would notice the difference but I'm not sure it would be a good thing. I don't know whether or not you would be able to distinguish lobing as a possible issue but it may be noticeable. 1 pair will fill the kitchen your size with adequate sound with no possible issues whatsoever.

igillen

Sweet. Maybe I'll go for the TC80i's then. If I only need 2 of them, they'd be in budget. Worth it?

treitz3

After what I heard? Yes. I was very surprised at how good they actually sounded and I dug how the tweeter could swivel. That could prove quite useful. Is there any way that you could go demo them first?

They are usually never set up properly but it may give you an idea of the treat you are getting yourself into.

igillen

I found them new online for $175 each. So we're talking an extra $110-120...not too bad. What kind on specs should I look for on a receiver for the TC80i's? I'll prob just find one used on ebay.

treitz3

igillen wrote: »

Sweet. Maybe I'll go for the TC80i's then. If I only need 2 of them, they'd be in budget. Worth it?

Ah, when looking up the specs, it seems I missed that which was in bold. Those are a different speaker that I have not heard and they do not have the swivel tweeter. I do believe that they are geared more toward a home entertainment type sound.

igillen

Yeah. The LC's with the swivel are definitely out of my price range. Maybe I'll just go with the RC80i's. Thanks, Treitz.

treitz3

The RC's are all 8ohm speakers so you aren't limited to a few select AVR's. You might want to browse through the Flea Market here on CP, I believe there are a few for sale right now.

igillen

Thanks! What kind of AVR specs should I require for 2 to 4 RC80i's and 2 outdoor speakers?

treitz3

So long as the outdoor speakers are also 8 ohm, any that has an A/B/both selector switch.

igillen

Do you think the Onkyo TX SR605 would be good for 4 TC80i's and 2 outdoor speakers?

treitz3

TC or RC80i's?

Gulfstrings

Have just read thru the posts and believe I understand you mission ... pretty cool idea. All I could add would be a thought toward consideration for "future use." Maybe future changes for the kitchen or for the system you build or location or etc ... I wonder if it wouldn't make sense to look at Polks' wireless Blackstone systems.

To me it seems that this setup would suit your short term goal very well and then be future friendly for anythng from placement changes either within the room or even within the home should you choose.

Just thinking ...

igillen

treitz3 wrote: »

TC or RC80i's?

RC80i's...sorry

igillen

Gulfstrings wrote: »

Have just read thru the posts and believe I understand you mission ... pretty cool idea. All I could add would be a thought toward consideration for "future use." Maybe future changes for the kitchen or for the system you build or location or etc ... I wonder if it wouldn't make sense to look at Polks' wireless Blackstone systems.

To me it seems that this setup would suit your short term goal very well and then be future friendly for anythng from placement changes either within the room or even within the home should you choose.

Just thinking ...

Thanks for the thought! My wife's only request is that I use ceiling speakers so she doesn't notice them. The "future use" I'm debating now is if I'll eventually want to have speakers throughout the downstairs. Obviously if I will want this I should have them run all of the wires now; b ut of course that changes things and now I'm looking at multi channel Amps...which I know nothing about. I would prob just have them run 4 pairs to the living room/family room/dining room/kitchen; then the pair outside. Besides the extra speakers, how much do you think I'm looking at for a solid multi channel amp?

igillen

*"4 pairs" meaning 1 pair in each of 4 rooms