Improvements To Home Theater
DarqueKnight
Posts: 6,765
A few years ago, my interest in home theater had wanned to the point where I was going to dismantle my HT system and just keep the plasma TV and add wall mounted front and center speakers with a small sub. I was not going to use surround speakers.
The pleadings of some frequent visitors caused me to reconsider my plans for downsizing the HT, but it remained in the back of my mind...until High Definition television and High Definition DVD's came along. Now that viewing fatigue is no longer an issue, I went ahead and installed a few upgrades.:)
Figure 1. The BDP-S2000ES renewed my interest in home theater.
Figure 2. The crossovers in the LSi9 speakers used for center channel duty were
upgraded with Solen and Sonicap capacitors and Mills MRA-12 resistors.
The LSi9's were already a good timbre match for the SDA SRS front speakers. The crossover upgrade made the LSi9's sound much clearer and "larger" and generated a more cohesive front stage.
Figure 3. One AC circuit for the home theater system just wasn't
cutting it anymore.
Figure 4. Two additional 20 amp AC circuits were installed and terminated with PS
Audio Power Port receptacles. The nails are for supporting interconnects and speaker
cables. Power cables are laid on the floor.
The load generated by the HT system caused a near flattening of the AC power waveform peaks. Over several years, the HT system grew to include larger low impedance speakers, a much larger subwoofer, multiple high current amps, and a power hungry plasma television. The SVS PB12 Ultra/2 subwoofer was left on the original dedicated HT 20A AC circuit. The load from the plasma TV, source components, preamp/processor, and power amps was evenly split between two new 20A AC circuits (yellow wires in upper left of figure 3).
Figure 5. Twin PS Audio Power Plant Premier's prior to installation.
Figure 6. Fortunately, PPP's come in either black or silver...and they facilitate the
making of Such Good Sound.
It wasn't my original intention to install Power Plant Premier AC regenerators in my HT system. When the PPP for my two channel system arrived, I tried it out in my HT system out of curiosity. The improvement in sound quality was dramatic. However, the load was too much for one PPP. Some PPP users have reported an improvement in their TV's picture quality, but, surprisingly, that wasn't my experience. I did realize an improved picture when I went from a cable box to a cable card and again when I replaced the TV's stock power cord with a Signal Cable MagicPower cord.
The TA-E9000ES's stock power cord was replaced by a Signal Cable MagicPower cord. The MagicPower cord made a huge improvement in the bass and lesser, but noticeable improvements in midrange and treble detail. I have replaced the captive cords of Sony tuners, preamps, power amps, and CD players and always obtained good results, particularly in the bass.
Figure 7. A Dremel with cutoff wheel attachment was used to enlarge the existing
power cord hole.
The rear of the IEC jack butted against a wiring harness receptacle on the circuit board just behind the power cord cutout. Removing the receptacle and soldering the wires from the harness directly to the board solved the clearance issue. Other than that, the replacement of the stock captive cord with the IEC jack was a straightforward process of cutting, filing and soldering. The plastic sheeting inside and under the unit was used to catch metal shavings. A containment "bag" made from plastic wrap was taped around the power cord hole prior to enlarging it.
Figure 8. That's better. I should have done this a long time ago.
Figure 9. I had to go ahead and mod the LSi15 crossovers too...for a nice, thick, juicy
360 degree 5.1 sound stage. I hate the tedious work involved in crossover upgrades.
I could have "gotten by" without modding the LSi15 crossovers...but I don't want to just survive...I want to thrive. I wanted the sound from the surround speakers to have the same proportional weight as that from the front and center speakers.
Figure 10. I think I need a larger screen...just for scenes like this.
Figure 11. Harry is still as dirty as ever, but my HT picture and sound are clean as a
box of Tide.:)
I don't know if commercial movie theaters will ever die out the way that drive-in movie theaters did. I am looking forward to the day when new releases can be downloaded with an option to purchase. Of course, there are always going to be some people who enjoy the social aspects of a night out to a movie, but I am not one of them. Prior to these upgrades, the local cineplexes did offer some important incentives in better picture, better sound quality, and new releases. Now, the only incentive is new releases.
Having a dedicated home theater room in my home would have been inconceivable two years ago. I am already planning a dedicated HT room for my next house.:)
_____________________________
References:
My Blu-ray Initiation
LSi9 Crossover Modification Project
LSi15 Crossover Modification Project
Power Plant Premier Review
The pleadings of some frequent visitors caused me to reconsider my plans for downsizing the HT, but it remained in the back of my mind...until High Definition television and High Definition DVD's came along. Now that viewing fatigue is no longer an issue, I went ahead and installed a few upgrades.:)
Figure 1. The BDP-S2000ES renewed my interest in home theater.
Figure 2. The crossovers in the LSi9 speakers used for center channel duty were
upgraded with Solen and Sonicap capacitors and Mills MRA-12 resistors.
The LSi9's were already a good timbre match for the SDA SRS front speakers. The crossover upgrade made the LSi9's sound much clearer and "larger" and generated a more cohesive front stage.
Figure 3. One AC circuit for the home theater system just wasn't
cutting it anymore.
Figure 4. Two additional 20 amp AC circuits were installed and terminated with PS
Audio Power Port receptacles. The nails are for supporting interconnects and speaker
cables. Power cables are laid on the floor.
The load generated by the HT system caused a near flattening of the AC power waveform peaks. Over several years, the HT system grew to include larger low impedance speakers, a much larger subwoofer, multiple high current amps, and a power hungry plasma television. The SVS PB12 Ultra/2 subwoofer was left on the original dedicated HT 20A AC circuit. The load from the plasma TV, source components, preamp/processor, and power amps was evenly split between two new 20A AC circuits (yellow wires in upper left of figure 3).
Figure 5. Twin PS Audio Power Plant Premier's prior to installation.
Figure 6. Fortunately, PPP's come in either black or silver...and they facilitate the
making of Such Good Sound.
It wasn't my original intention to install Power Plant Premier AC regenerators in my HT system. When the PPP for my two channel system arrived, I tried it out in my HT system out of curiosity. The improvement in sound quality was dramatic. However, the load was too much for one PPP. Some PPP users have reported an improvement in their TV's picture quality, but, surprisingly, that wasn't my experience. I did realize an improved picture when I went from a cable box to a cable card and again when I replaced the TV's stock power cord with a Signal Cable MagicPower cord.
The TA-E9000ES's stock power cord was replaced by a Signal Cable MagicPower cord. The MagicPower cord made a huge improvement in the bass and lesser, but noticeable improvements in midrange and treble detail. I have replaced the captive cords of Sony tuners, preamps, power amps, and CD players and always obtained good results, particularly in the bass.
Figure 7. A Dremel with cutoff wheel attachment was used to enlarge the existing
power cord hole.
The rear of the IEC jack butted against a wiring harness receptacle on the circuit board just behind the power cord cutout. Removing the receptacle and soldering the wires from the harness directly to the board solved the clearance issue. Other than that, the replacement of the stock captive cord with the IEC jack was a straightforward process of cutting, filing and soldering. The plastic sheeting inside and under the unit was used to catch metal shavings. A containment "bag" made from plastic wrap was taped around the power cord hole prior to enlarging it.
Figure 8. That's better. I should have done this a long time ago.
Figure 9. I had to go ahead and mod the LSi15 crossovers too...for a nice, thick, juicy
360 degree 5.1 sound stage. I hate the tedious work involved in crossover upgrades.
I could have "gotten by" without modding the LSi15 crossovers...but I don't want to just survive...I want to thrive. I wanted the sound from the surround speakers to have the same proportional weight as that from the front and center speakers.
Figure 10. I think I need a larger screen...just for scenes like this.
Figure 11. Harry is still as dirty as ever, but my HT picture and sound are clean as a
box of Tide.:)
I don't know if commercial movie theaters will ever die out the way that drive-in movie theaters did. I am looking forward to the day when new releases can be downloaded with an option to purchase. Of course, there are always going to be some people who enjoy the social aspects of a night out to a movie, but I am not one of them. Prior to these upgrades, the local cineplexes did offer some important incentives in better picture, better sound quality, and new releases. Now, the only incentive is new releases.
Having a dedicated home theater room in my home would have been inconceivable two years ago. I am already planning a dedicated HT room for my next house.:)
_____________________________
References:
My Blu-ray Initiation
LSi9 Crossover Modification Project
LSi15 Crossover Modification Project
Power Plant Premier Review
Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
Post edited by DarqueKnight on
Comments
-
WOW, and i looked at your system config a little while ago and again, WOW. Excellent work as always on this one. Really puts the DIY into perspective on improving already good things. Love it!Current Setup:
Yamaha AX-450 Amplifier
Yamaha YST-SW216 Sub Sony DVPNC800H/B CD/DVD Player Samsung LNT2653H LCD TVpolkaudio R150's -
It looks like you need to pick up a 60" Pioneer to enjoy those scenes that much more Tschüss
Zach -
You indeed do nice work sir.
Speakers
Carver Amazing Fronts
CS400i Center
RT800i's Rears
Sub Paradigm Servo 15
Electronics
Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
Parasound Halo A23
Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
Pioneer 79Avi DVD
Sony CX400 CD changer
Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR -
Youre insane, freaking awesome work guy. Is it possible to upgrade the crossovers in the Rti12s and my other speakers as you have done with yours. Your work and setup looks awesome. You mention a larger screen, may I suggest a drop down electric screen with an inexpensive 1080p front projector.Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!
Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
