Evolution of my first home theater/media experience

So by understanding the definition of evolution, such as the progression of cell phones we can deduce that typically we start with something..not so pleasant, to beautiful...old to new ... complex to simple, etc. So lets get started -

My home audio experience started with the LG CM4530. A $200 2.1 shelf-stereo system with a main unit. Looking back this was such a goofy purchase, but has really come in handy - surprisingly. I wanted to play my music in my personal space, my bedroom, etc. Which, as a small review, is a great jump into personal audio. On the back of the main unit, it has RCA inputs, which is used for the AUX function (other functions such as: CD, Bluetooth, and radio). I loved blasting my music in my room and it honestly did a good job, the included attached speaker wires were roughly 10 ft. each, so I had some freedom but kept them fairly close. Well, music was fun, but when I went to watch movies, or games...I was back to my factory TV speakers...so I needed to find a solution. This resulted in digging back out my old PS3 box and finding that AC cable or whatever is called that originally came with. I used the muti audio out function on the PS3 (having the PS3 hooked up to my TV via hdmi obviously) to send audio to my LG system. Which was a great decision in my head - I was so happy with myself (insert laugh here). So I was glad I went with the LG system instead of the Sony equivalent (its version only has a classic 3.5mm AUX in, you could get adapter cables, but I'm sure you follow that the LG was simpler with having RCA inputs). This little system is nice, averaging about $50 per piece, it was well worth the money.

But I needed more. I wanted more, duh...So after days of debating, I bit the bullet and purchased a Denon AVR e300 receiver (e200 doesn't come with audyssey EQ). So for around $250, buying this was an easily justified 5.1 purchase. Along side that, I purchased Dayton Audio B652s, and a SUB-100 also being Dayton Audio (advanced audio dude nuggets are laughing at my B652 purchase because they know that I had to run these at my main left/right speaker on my receiver). With everything connect, I basically used the B652s as surrounds by using longer wire and setting them left and right of my seating position, instead of left and right of my TV. So that is where the systems meshed together, and actually, nicely. I suppose this setup was a laughable 4.2 set-up..but that LG sub was a good mid range sub I suppose and accented the main sub nicely (another mini review, I absolutely love the Dayton Audio SUB-1000 and would easily recommend it to anybody to use an entry level sub. Parts express has this sub listed for just over $110 I think, amazon around $140. Best bang sub, great low freq. sound, tightness, sweet sound).

But more was still needed...I settled with the Pioneer Andrew Jones towers as mains, used B652s as surrounds and disconnected the LG system. Okaytheendbye.

Comments

  • bgtighe23
    bgtighe23 Posts: 18
    edited August 2014
    No need to excuse it, it was a good question. But I am curious to read about other people who have been buying audio gear for years and years. So it would be nice for people to add to this following the same theme.

    But getting to your question, what originally brought me here was car audio. I have the DB series in my tahoe - DB 1222 (2 12s ported), and DB 651s (x2 front, x2 rear)

    I really enjoy my AJ pioneer towers. By far the best budget towers, same with the Dayton sub.

    http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/163794/connecting-2-subwoofers-with-a-5-1-avr#latest
    As only being in home theater for a few months, getting an answer for this would be great.
  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    Nothing wrong with Daytons for surrounds. And A. Jones for the front are a great budget option, you should get the matching center for that as well.

    I run a second HT 3.1 system in my basement where I use two SP-BS22lrs and the matching center up front, a Pioneer AVR and a Polk 12" sub. Can't complain. They do the job and even sound nice on background CD music from the JVC player I have down there!

    Also, those Dayton subs are a "really" good bang for your buck in the entry category. You can even use two there so affordable!

    Enjoy!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
  • bgtighe23
    bgtighe23 Posts: 18
    edited August 2014
    Yes, I have zero complaints with Dayton Audio. What is your take on running the towers on the small or large speaker setting? (With a 4.1 set-up, no center channel). Also, on my other thread I copied into the comments, curious if you have done something similar.

    A friend of mine wants to buy the SUB-1000 from me, so I was thinking about getting two SUB-1200s. But don't want to have to purchase a 5.2 avr.
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited August 2014
    I am not quite sure what you are asking. Do you want to hear about other peoples home theaters, or how they arrived at the destination. I have some free time now, so I will try to address both.

    For whatever reason, during the 90s I drifted away from music. I used to be into audio, and trying to get better sound, but something happened, and just stopped listening to music. Anyway, in 98 or 99, I bought my first DVD player. At the time I was my using my VCR as a tuner, and running the audio into my previous music integrated amp driving a pair of Polk bookshelf speakers. It was probably the best 27" TV on the block. Well, after getting the DVD player I went through numerous AVR and speaker upgrades since I was really getting a kick out of the multi-channel sound in movies.

    In 2004 I bought a 57" Hitachi Digital Monitor (RPTV), and moved everything into a slightly bigger room. By that point I was using 4 LSi15s, LSi center, and a LSiW sub, and, with the big TV, really loving it.

    Incidentally, at that time I was still using Radio Shack RCA interconnects, Home Depot 12 gauge stranded copper speaker wire, and stock power cords. Nothing wrong with that, but I later learned it can be much better.

    A little later I upgraded to a Sony 3100ES DVD/SACD/CD player for DVDs. The SACD and CD just came with it. I didn't even know what an SACD was at the time. Anyway, some time after that I played a CD in it, and sat up. "This sounds pretty good.", I said to myself. I then started revisiting all my CDs that hadn't been touched in years. As I started finding myself enjoying music again, I hooked up my old living room two channel system (Denon integrated, Sony CDP, Polk SDA-2 speakers), and started using it again.

    Well, that resulted in a multi-year trip of two channel upgrades, and the cast offs ended up in my HT system.

    Now I am back into tweaking the HT system, and am quite proud of it at this time.

    It now consists of the Hitachi TV (calibrated, and looks great, even if only 1080i), my previous two Cambridge-Audio 840W amps (800W @ 4 ohm) for the front speakers, Sunfire TGA-5400 amp for the center and rears, Onkyo SC-5509 pre-amp, Oppo 103 BRP, Bryston BDP-1 file player, Bryston BDA-2 DAC, X-Box 360, Aerial Acoustics 7T speakers for the front, PSB Synchrony One for the surrounds, PSB Synchrony One Center, MIT Shotgun S1.3 XLR interconnects, Mapleshade Clearview Golden/Plus speaker cables, Shunyata Zitron Anaconda AES digital cable, dedicated 20 amp line, Shunyata Hydra AV power conditioner, and various Shunyata Zitron power cables for all gear, and the TV.

    Later in September, I will be upgrading the speaker cables to Shunyata Zitron Cobra.
    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.
  • It's quite interesting how much you really have to factor in good quality wires and cables. I'm on a budget, so I have mediabridge subwoofer cable, and amazon basics speaker wire :P I hope to soon better fine tune my surrounds and center with updated/upgraded gear or invest in a good center channel and using the B652s elsewhere.

    Thanks for the reply BlueFox, and for taking the time to read my story, as un-captivating as it was :)
  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    No problem amigo. We all start somewhere. The important parts are starting, and be willing to learn. Have fun.
    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.
  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,066
    bgtighe23 wrote: »
    It's quite interesting how much you really have to factor in good quality wires and cables. I'm on a budget, so I have mediabridge subwoofer cable, and amazon basics speaker wire :P I hope to soon better fine tune my surrounds and center with updated/upgraded gear or invest in a good center channel and using the B652s elsewhere.

    Thanks for the reply BlueFox, and for taking the time to read my story, as un-captivating as it was :)

    I would save my money and not invest beyond standard 12 Awg speaker cable for your surrounds. For your 3 front speakers....possibly move up the cable chain some day. Look at Monoprice or Blue Jeans for good, standard speaker cable.

  • My goal is to have svs pb-1000 sub and TSX550T floorstandings, moving Pioneer towers to surrounds and still debating on my CCSpeaker.

    But also I think those polk floorstandings would be rather pointless even running at large speaker setting with entry level audiophile grade sub. So might grab the TSI500s instead.
  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    A SVS sub is a great choice. Watch your craigslist and see if one comes up on there. I wouldn't base your speaker choice on your current sub. Always look ahead and go with what you want your end result to be. The right sub will come along at the right time even if that means running a cheap sub with better speakers for a while.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
  • daboyz
    daboyz Posts: 5,207
    This thread isn't big enough for all the changes I've made. :wink: