Constructive Criticism Wanted

2michaud

Please have a look at my HT setup (link in my sig) and tell me what you think. It is a small space (12X12) but the pics make it look even smaller. Is there anything I'm doing wrong? Or perhaps something I can do better?:)

AndyGwis

I think you've done all you can with the space you have available. Gear wise, you've got some good stuff and could easily upgrade down the road if you get a bigger place without spending much money.

If you had more space, I would suggest obviously a bigger display, more spacing between the speakers (front and back) for better soundstage, potentially a separate amp to add more power to your front 2, 3, or entire 5 channel setup.

Another easy upgrade would be source. HD-DVD players are getting really cheap, but with your display size, it wouldn't probably be a very noticeable difference. Once you get to a 42" widescreen or bigger, the added resolution is very noticeable.

Great system! Honestly, I think you've done all you can for the space you have available. If you get more room, it will be very easy to upgrade a thing or two without spending much cash to get even better sound.

engtaz

I like what you have done. Congrats

PolkThug

Elevate the RTi8's so the bottom woofer cones are above the top of the desk, and pull them forward an inch so they are flush with the shelf on the right.

ben62670

If you can place the center speaker under the monitor. If you can't at least angle it up. Tweeters lose a lot if at more than a 30 degree angle from the listening position. Feed the rodent less... he looks lazier, and fatter than me!

BTW nice system!
Ben

Face

Some great advice above. I would definitely invest in a larger display next though.

2michaud

Thanks for the info on the upgrades. I would love to get a tv in there, but my parents (yes I know, only 10 more months and I'm gone.) say that tv's don't belong in bedrooms....:mad:

The centre channel is actually tilted a bit. I'm not sure what angle, but the front of the speaker is about an inch higher than the back. I know it's in a lousy spot - I just got it because I knew I would want to have it when I get a bigger place. Possibly real soon.

The front right channel would actually have to more up about 7 inches to be flush with the bottom half of the wall unit. And then it would be so far out, when I was playing a game with my speakers on, I would be listening out of the sides. But I will definatly look at ways to elevate them. I have some pieces of cedar that might support each of the outriggers.

As far as the rodent goes...yeah he's kinda lazy. But he looks even worse - like in the pic - when I have music on. Like the Tiesto in Concert DVD that's playing in the picture

Thanks for all the input!!

Face

Just get a larger monitor.

Cut the power cord and tell them the current one crapped out.

JimBRICK

get rid of the hamster

Systems

JimBRICK wrote: »

get rid of the hamster

Jsut turn the speaker 90 degrees and crank it for a few days, should do it.

danger boy

i would move your surround speakers if you can and hang them above your head mounted on the left and right walls.. if you can't hang them.. then move them out to the corners as far as you can.. they are much to close to your chair.

madmax

I like the giraffe. Makes all the difference.
madmax

RuSsMaN

Your forum name is a little hard to understand / decipher. Put a little more info in your user profile, location, hobbies etc.

Other than that, you seem like a nice person.

Face

That's probably the number 2 and his last name. I work with a Michaud, it's funny how many ways people pronounce his name.

RuSsMaN

I'd say that it is definately the number 2.

AndyGwis

I think we've established a number of things in this thread:

- That's a small room with a small display. If either grows, it would be beneficial (that's true with so many things).
- This guy has a lot of nice gear packed into his bunker-ish room, and a fat rodent.
- 2 is most likely the number 2.
- There are potentially multiple people with the name Michaud.

Great work, Team Polk!

edbert

I concur. Meeting adjourned.

Back to the constructive criticism.

You have a nicer setup in your room than I have in my living room. The real test will be your setup when you are able to move into a larger space. Other than that, go with a bigger monitor if available. Maybe the hamster? got out and chewed through the cord. Other than that, everything looks pretty good.

McCelery

I'd call your setup "20lbs of flour in a 10lb sack." Which is kudos to you, since you've shoehorned more in there than I have in twice the space. And you're clearly running the sub or something off the hamster wheel, which is really green of you.

I also like the single seat arrangement. Some would venture you've shot yourself in the foot for date night. I can see your lap-based strategy, however...

zx_toth

McCelery wrote: »

I also like the single seat arrangement. Some would venture you've shot yourself in the foot for date night. I can see your lap-based strategy, however...

I've used sleazier tactics before in the past. Good job son! Now a days, rather than trying to get women into my home theater room, being in a steady relationship, I try to get her out so that I can play video games and watch movies I like :rolleyes:

Zsolt

ben62670

Now this has turned into the funniest thread I have read in a long time. They just keep rolling in. Nice post Russ on #13.
Thanks 2michaud for the thread, and again... nice setup. I think I am getting attached to the hamster.

2michaud

Wow, so many replies, I'm so happy!

I'll try to adress them all....guys some of your comments had my leaning over in my chair I was laughing so hard. My GERBIL keeps my company in my other-wise bunker-ish room. lol. A larger moniter is definitly on the menu next. and I checked to see if that counted as a tv and they said no

I know you all are probably thinking i'm some rich kid with more money than brains and not enough space. But I'm not. I earned every last cent of the cash flipping burgers at BK. I got the speakers now because I had the cash and I knew I would be strapped later when I went to school. I got a system that would be overkill for now, but just right for later on. Now that I have explained myself...on to me name.

Yes, I intended for that to be a 2, although it isn't a very curly 2 which was a bit of a disapointment LOL. Michaud is my last name and yes, I get all kinds of interpretations on that one.

Thanks for the input everyone!! But especially danger boy. I will definitly consider wall mounting. Just a dry wall screw and one of those plastic cover thingy's right?

Ya I got the giraffe from my aunt when she went to Africa. It's hand-carved out of some kind of exotic wood. I think it kind of compliments the theme.

I will update my personal info when I get a sec. maybe after I quit posting in this awesome forum for a few hours XD

That's an ingenius idea Mr. Celery. this little guy will run for hours straight while I'm trying to sleep. I could rig up some kind of battery and store it....;)

Teehee, the chair was all that would fit. I wanted a "loveseat" couch but It simply wouldn't fit with the sub and all that.

I think most of you are thinking this room is actually a lot smaller than it is... from where I am standing when I take the picture of the fronts from the right, there is a whole other section behind me. so it doesn't really help acoustic wise, but it's not quite as bunker-ish and depressing as it may seem.

Thank you all again. I'm really exicted about being here and meeting all these incredibly nice people who are into the same things as I am.

Dan

Sherardp

very well done, you have done a great amount of things with that room, Im not sure if you can squeeze a larger display in there, perhaps a wall mount would be your best bet and running the pc of it as well. Awesome job, once you upgrade the display, pick a HD format(bluray or HD DVD) and enjoy. Awesome thread by the way and welcome to the club.

AndyGwis

Displays aren't all that expensive. You can get a decent 27" LCD TV (like Westinghouse) for $400 - $500, I'm guessing. Would work well as both a PC Monitor, TV, and HT. Just tell your parents it's a new Monitor for the PC, not a TV

Good times. Much better thread than the Mox debacle. Way to get started off on the right thread, Michaud. Sorry I referred to your space as a "bunker."

2michaud

Oh, don't feel bad at all Andy, I found your comment about being bunker-ish hysterical. thanks for the good laugh and please, all, call me Dan. I am planning on going with a 24" samsung as a monitor. I would like to go bigger for movies and stuff when I sit in my armchair, but when I have to sit right in front of it to game, it would be too big and I would probably spill my guts when fighting of radiation exposed zombies

Thanks again for all your support. Will let you know how the wall-mounting goes, and let you know when I finally get that 24.

AndyGwis

Good thinking with the Sammy. Just remember; it's 21 to drink but 24s to get in.

fatchowmein

10 more months? May 2008? Moving out in preparation for college?

Great room by the way.

2michaud

LOL 24 INCH, in refernce to the monitor I'm getting.

No, 10 months until I turn 18 (April 20 actually) and they have to stop bugging me and I can do whatever I want with my room.

Dan

2michaud

Ok, here's an idea. As you can see from the picture the surround left channel can't really be wall mounted any farther to the left since my av stand is there. What would you think if I moved the dvd player to the top shelf, and put the FXi3 on the second shelf to get more space? I could then move the right channel over a bit more and put the plant in the old place of the left channel. Hope this makes sense....

2michaud

Hey PolkThug, I never got a chance to thank you for taking the time to edit my picture for me. That really helped me figure out how much height I need to get for better performance.

Thanks

tonyb

2michaud wrote: »

LOL 24 INCH, in refernce to the monitor I'm getting.

No, 10 months until I turn 18 (April 20 actually) and they have to stop bugging me and I can do whatever I want with my room.

Dan

Interesting...."your room" just happens to be located in your parents house,which,by my book,still makes it their room no matter how old you are.

Move your fronts out away from the wall and anything on the sides.You have them sandwiched in there like sardines.

PolkThug

2michaud wrote: »

Hey PolkThug, I never got a chance to thank you for taking the time to edit my picture for me. That really helped me figure out how much height I need to get for better performance.

Thanks

No problemo!