Diving into HT!

audiocr381ve
audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
edited October 2013 in Speakers
So I'm rockin' the Totem Hawks right now for music and they're great, but they don't give me what I need for HT. We're moving out of our condo into our first home and that to me means it's open season for upgrades and filling the extra rooms with systems :) I plan on moving the Hawks into a music only system in the Family Room, and building a HT system in the Living Room where the TV will be.

I don't have measurements, but I'd say it's a medium to bigger than average sized room. I like to listen at louder than average levels. I have the fronts taken care of with B&K Sonata M200 monoblocks (200wpc).

I'd like to do a 3.1 system, so here's what I'd love some help on:

1. Configuring this bad boy. I've NEVER done anything besides 2.1 HT. What's the best route to go? Receiver? Processor? I have zero experience with processors. Budget for this will be $1000 and I'd like to go used to get more bang for my buck.

2. I need speakers. I've owned MANY speakers, but have never purchased speakers just for HT. I had a pair of Dynaudio's that sounded amazing for with movies. Budget for fronts and center will be $1,500 and again, I want to go used.

3. I have a PS3 that we use for Netflix and Blu-ray, but I'm open to switching it out. I've been hearing a lot about "Oppo" around here and I'm interested in their offerings.

I appreciate all the suggestions I could get!
Post edited by audiocr381ve on
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Comments

  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,776
    edited October 2013
    No reason to do a 3.1 HT unless you have an off axis listener/viewer.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited October 2013
    VR3 wrote: »
    No reason to do a 3.1 HT unless you have an off axis listener/viewer.

    I don't watch movies alone and can't stand having to turn up a speaker to hear dialogue only to get blasted by action scenes.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,734
    edited October 2013
    I never thought I'd say this, but it's not HT without at least 5.1.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited October 2013
    F1nut wrote: »
    I never thought I'd say this, but it's not HT without at least 5.1.

    I'd like to go 3.1 to deal with the issue I'm having with dialog levels. I guess if I can solve that, than it would make things more simple, but I don't know of any way to fix it.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,776
    edited October 2013
    Yeah, may I suggest a surround bar and a bad **** subwoofer?

    The surround bar Polk makes is simply incredible and paired with a killer subwoofer would be awesome. 3.1 is going to disappoint for HT, IMO.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited October 2013
    VR3 wrote: »
    Yeah, may I suggest a surround bar and a bad **** subwoofer?

    The surround bar Polk makes is simply incredible and paired with a killer subwoofer would be awesome. 3.1 is going to disappoint for HT, IMO.

    Where is the fun in that! I think a little 2 channel system would kick that surround bars ****..
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited October 2013
    F1nut wrote: »
    I never thought I'd say this, but it's not HT without at least 5.1.
    Hey Jess, you're finally catching on! :wink: I agree whole-heartedly. So, a system with a good center improves the dialogue, but adding surrounds immerses you in the movie experience. Surround bars are fake....
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited October 2013
    Okay guys, I might consider 5.1 (I always thought it looked cheesy having them hung up in a room).

    So help me from here :)
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited October 2013
    Found a pic of our room with the system the previous owner was running.

    The back of the room opens to the kitchen.

    living%20room.jpg
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited October 2013
    audiocr381ve wrote: »
    Okay guys, I might consider 5.1 (I always thought it looked cheesy having them hung up in a room).

    So help me from here :)

    Get four towers. Mine used to be four LSi15s, and a LSiC. Now it it two PSB Synchrony One towers in front, two LSi15s in the rear, and a PSB Synchrony One center. Never any problem with hearing audio, or being overwhelmed by explosions. Of course, the pre-amp, amp, interconnects, speaker wire, power cables, and power conditioner all play a key role.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,734
    edited October 2013
    audiocr381ve wrote: »
    Where is the fun in that! I think a little 2 channel system would kick that surround bars ****..

    You'd be wrong. The Polk SurroundBar 9000 is simply amazing at creating a near 5.1 HT rig.
    Found a pic of our room with the system the previous owner was running.

    The back of the room opens to the kitchen.

    Polk has the perfect solution for your room, http://www.polkaudio.com/products/fxwireless

    I've heard it and it does a decent job at filling in the ambient rear information.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,734
    edited October 2013
    mdaudioguy wrote: »
    Hey Jess, you're finally catching on! :wink: I agree whole-heartedly. So, a system with a good center improves the dialogue, but adding surrounds immerses you in the movie experience. Surround bars are fake....

    Yeah Ed, I saw the light a few years ago.

    Have you heard the Polk SurroundBar 9000? Granted, it won't take the place of a full 5.1 rig, but it really does an amazing job. I didn't find it fake sounding at all.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • rpf65
    rpf65 Posts: 2,127
    edited October 2013
    My front 3 are RTI A5's and CSI A4. I've never had a problem with dialogue at -20 setting on my Yamaha RX-V571. I would recommend those with either the FXI A4 or 6. That said, if you're not really interested in music, I would look at Klipsch. They make really good speaker for HT, but I really don't care for them for music, which is why I bought the RTI A's. Add in a moderately priced sub and your good, maybe SVS PB-12 NSD or Power Sound Audio XV-15. Should be right $2k or so for the complete 5.1.
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,092
    edited October 2013
    F1nut wrote: »
    I never thought I'd say this, but it's not HT without at least 5.1.

    Now you're learning!!
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited October 2013
    F1nut wrote: »
    Yeah Ed, I saw the light a few years ago.

    Have you heard the Polk SurroundBar 9000? Granted, it won't take the place of a full 5.1 rig, but it really does an amazing job. I didn't find it fake sounding at all.

    Yes, I have heard it, and it was surprisingly realistic. I was being a little facetious by calling it fake. Just like the the 2-channel purists, I'm a bit of a HT purist. I don't just want it to sound like it's coming from behind me - I want it to actually be emanating from places other than the front. However, that Polk surround bar might have fooled me if I was blindfolded. Polk's DSP is spooky good - "SDA surround technology."
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited October 2013
    F1nut wrote: »
    Polk has the perfect solution for your room, http://www.polkaudio.com/products/fxwireless

    I've heard it and it does a decent job at filling in the ambient rear information.
    Haven't had ears on this yet, but I have no doubt Polk did this right, too.
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited October 2013
    F1nut, I'm taking your word on this.

    Is this the one I want? http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/360767876220?lpid=82

    I don't mind a refurb at all.
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  • WLDock
    WLDock Posts: 3,073
    edited October 2013
    Going with the Suroundbar and wireless f/x suround will create a stealth system that will flow well in that open room and the lady of the house will love it. Also, given all the windows, you also might want to get some light blocking curtains for times when you want to get engrossed into a movie during the day.

    Anyway, keep your PS3 to start...its works really well as a do-it-all unit....When you want to upgrade, you can find a used Oppo later as they seem to show up in the SoCal CL all the time. Heck, here are some used options that would make for a nice system:

    new Oppo BDP-103 - $445
    http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/ele/4149010969.html

    Pioneer Elite SC-35 A/V Receiver - $500
    http://ventura.craigslist.org/ele/4124991798.html

    PSB Image T6 plus matching PSB C5 Center Speaker - $1020
    http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/ele/4146079094.html

    PSB Image B4 Dark Cherry Speaker Pair - $150
    http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/ele/4113099792.html


    Outlaw LFM-2 Subwoofer - $200
    http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/ele/4140050784.html
    Here is a review of the sub mated with Totem speakers: http://www.soundandvision.com/content/totem-acoustic-sttaf-loudspeakers-outlaw-audio-lfm-2-subwoofer-and-outlaw-audio-rr2150-stere

    or go BIG
    Outlaw LFM-1 EX Subwoofer + Auralex GRAMMA Riser + Sub Cable - $575
    http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/ele/4143316978.html
    $2215 - $2590 asking price....bargain down and put together a system for much cheaper than new that will rock the house.
    2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2
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  • WLDock
    WLDock Posts: 3,073
    edited October 2013
    Here is another used option for pick-up in Costa Mesa:

    Polk Audio RT3000 & CS1000 - $1250 BIN
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/200979063411

    listen on CL also:

    Pristine Polk Audio RT3000 and CS1000 - $1500
    http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/ele/4091748680.html
    2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2
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  • WLDock
    WLDock Posts: 3,073
    edited October 2013
    A new option...something like the KEF Q Series: http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/brand_category/KEF/1.html
    Q300 - front
    Q600c - center
    Q800DS - surround
    ~$1600 + 2 sets of stands for the front and surrounds: http://www.ultimatesupport.com/category/Studio_Stands__MS_Series
    +
    Two Outlaw Audio M8 subs ~$548 http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/m8.html
    +
    A Used Elite SC unit and maybe the Oppo. ~$3000-$3500


    Several ways to skin a cat...
    2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2
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