Time-sensitive: entry-level HT design questions

BluPwny

Hi there! =] You folks have been tremendously helpful, even as a google/lurking resource. But It's time for me to start throwing some questions of my own out there.

I'm wanting to take advantage of the Newegg discounts, etc that are happening now (one of which ends tonight, I believe).

Click here for a top-down view of my living room (still under construction), which shares a 20-foot ceiling with the second-floor den, where I took this picture. Directly under the den is the dining room, which means one entire wall is open. Please excuse the crappy MSPaint notation.

The set up I'm considering uses the Pioneer VSX-810-K 5.1 ($130 at Newegg at the moment), which lists 110 watts per channel, to drive two Monitor70s up front, and two Monitor60s in back. I know bookshelf speakers are smaller, but I honestly like the cherry look (even if it's a cheap vinyl). At the moment, I'm planning on holding off on a sub until I can audition this and see what it sounds like without the low-end help. My usage is roughly half and half between movies and music.

Question - Do you think 110 per channel is enough to drive those 4 floorstands? Is this setup size-appropriate?

Thanks so much!! =]

slammin86

I did not see a center channel listed. Go with the CS2 over the CS1. I have had both and the CS2 is a huge improvement.

I would ditch the M60's for rear. IMO they are huge overkill. Look at the M30 wall mountable bookshelves. This way you can get the rear fill up above your head a little plus save some money you can put towards a sub.

When I did my setup (M70, CS2, M30) I was powering them all off of a onkyo rc270 which was rated 100x7 but in reality all receivers are much less power with all channels driven. The 100 is normally with 2 channels driven.
I quickly found I was not happy with the receiver only powering them all and I upgraded to a 200x3 amp for the front three channels. Make sure you the receiver has outputs so you can add an amp if needed. Also make sure it has audyssey or some form of room correction. I would just buy the receiver and see how it sounds with everything then upgrade to an amp if you need it.

Plan on a sub at some point. The M70's do not put out a lot of bass IMO a sub is a must.

jbooker82

I would go with monitor book shelfs for rear surrounds. Surrounds are supose to be mounted a few feet above ear level and that is hard to do with towers.

cstmar01

Well the 110 is really probably not 110 with all channels driven. M70's do better with some power behind them.

IMO you will still want a sub on movies to give you some good low bass. I would just make sure that if you get a AVR that it has pre outs for at least the front 3 channels.

Also get a center channel makes a huge difference if you are running surround for movies.

BluPwny

Thanks, guys!

I DID neglect to mention that I had a CS2 in mind for the center, so I've got that covered.

As for the question of power - I should also have mentioned that this is to be used in a townhome situation, with neighbors on either side, as well as one below. As such, I will rarely, if ever, crank the volume to 11.

With that in mind, will the extra power from an amp provide much of a benefit at lower volume applications, such as watching movies at night?

Thanks again!

tonyb

You don't need a seperate amp for those speakers, but a better receiver with a better power supply in it. The one you mentioned is fairly weak. Not that it won't work, because it will, but if you want to hear more from your speakers, a better receiver is in order.

You know as soon as the neighbors go out of town, and you find yourself alone at home, your gonna want to crank her up a bit.

BluPwny

Hmmmm. Okay, I'm open to that. I have no attachment to the Pioneer other than price... though the MCACC auto calibration is pretty damn cool.

Can you recommend an alternative?