11.2.4 Atmos on a budget recommendations.

[PristineSound]

Hi All,

After a lifetime of dreaming of a home theatre system, I am FINALLY in contract to move to a bigger space. This home is as close to a dream home that I can have. My wife and I are ecstatic, this was a very long time coming and it took a lot of hard work to get here.

Ultimately, I will build a home theatre in my basement, likely within 6 months to a year (depending on finances). I would like to build a 7.2.4 atmos.

There are few things I have already selected:
Processor: Monoprice HTP-1
Amp: Monoprice Monolith 11x
I already have two SVS SB-3000

But I need:

• 4 in-ceiling speakers
• Center channel speaker, horizontal as I will use a LCD TV.
• 6 L/R and surround speakers (floor standing and/or bookshelves.

My budget for the speakers is $4k to $8k MSRP. The lower, the better.

I am looking for some recommendations on the best bang for the buck, and when I say "bang" I mean measured performance.

Thanks in advance!


EDIT: It will be used for movies, and multi-channel music. And a space for entertaining guests.

I will likely redo the basement, so say the layout is roughly 19ft x 20ft. There will be a flat wall for the TV, L/C/R.

 

[Power Pop 23]

Hi All,

After a lifetime of dreaming of a home theatre system, I am FINALLY in contract to move to a bigger space. This home is as close to a dream home that I can have. My wife and I are ecstatic, this was a very long time coming and it took a lot of hard work to get here.

Ultimately, I will build a home theatre in my basement, likely within 6 months to a year (depending on finances). I would like to build a 11.2.4 atmos.

There are few things I have already selected:
Processor: Monoprice HTP-1
Amp: Monoprice HTP-1 Monolith 11x
I already have two SVS SB-3000

But I need:

• 4 in-ceiling speakers
• Center channel speaker
• 6 L/R and surround speakers (floor standing and/or bookshelves.)

My budget for the speakers is $4k to $8k MSRP. The lower, the better.

I am looking for some recommendations on the best bang for the buck, and when I say "bang" I mean measured performance.

Thanks in advance!


EDIT: It will be used for movies, and multi-channel music. And a space for entertaining guests.

Congrats

Consider using your time frame to see if you can find gently used samples offering the performance you desire.


For 'new' I would consider 3 pair of the AsciLab F6Bs bookshelf loudspeakers and four Revel 'C263' ceiling loudspeakers - based on the reputation of Revel

For a center channel I would consider the wide dispersion of a coaxial design like a single KEF LS50 Meta

AC4L dot com occasionally sells refurbished singles of the KEF LS50 Meta for $600.

 

[kemmler3D]

Big congrats on the house and having space for an atmos setup! Life goals!

My first thought was also KEF stuff, it's easy enough to find used and you can probably piece together something pretty good under budget that way.

As a happy LS60 owner, I might try to get a pair of those for the fronts, LS50 for the center, and then a gaggle of whatever fits the budget for the rest...

 

[Oddball]

Hi All,

After a lifetime of dreaming of a home theatre system, I am FINALLY in contract to move to a bigger space. This home is as close to a dream home that I can have. My wife and I are ecstatic, this was a very long time coming and it took a lot of hard work to get here.

Ultimately, I will build a home theatre in my basement, likely within 6 months to a year (depending on finances). I would like to build a 11.2.4 atmos.

There are few things I have already selected:
Processor: Monoprice HTP-1
Amp: Monoprice Monolith 11x
I already have two SVS SB-3000

But I need:

• 4 in-ceiling speakers
• Center channel speaker
• 6 L/R and surround speakers (floor standing and/or bookshelves.)

My budget for the speakers is $4k to $8k MSRP. The lower, the better.

I am looking for some recommendations on the best bang for the buck, and when I say "bang" I mean measured performance.

Thanks in advance!


EDIT: It will be used for movies, and multi-channel music. And a space for entertaining guests.

Congrats on the new house and interesting project ahead of you.

Would be helpful to know the dimensions of the basement and perhaps a rough plan for the layout such as LCR distance from MLP. One of important things in HT design is to plan for the SPL. High SPL levels, like "reference" will generally require more expensive gear. I assume that you will be using ART for bass management, so you really don't need low extension from the bed speakers, but you need them to be able to hit your SPL targets in 100hz and above range. Depending on the size of the space and target SPL, your subs might be sufficient.

Also, looks like you are building 7.2.4 system, not 11.2.4 system (so 7 bed channels, not 11)? As far as center channel, are you looking for horizontal center to pair with a TV or you have the option to use AT screen and use exactly the same LCR?

 

[PristineSound]

Congrats on the new house and interesting project ahead of you.

Would be helpful to know the dimensions of the basement and perhaps a rough plan for the layout such as LCR distance from MLP. One of important things in HT design is to plan for the SPL. High SPL levels, like "reference" will generally require more expensive gear. I assume that you will be using ART for bass management, so you really don't need low extension from the bed speakers, but you need them to be able to hit your SPL targets in 100hz and above range. Depending on the size of the space and target SPL, your subs might be sufficient.

Also, looks like you are building 7.2.4 system, not 11.2.4 system (so 7 bed channels, not 11)? As far as center channel, are you looking for horizontal center to pair with a TV or you have the option to use AT screen and use exactly the same LCR?

I will likely redo the basement, so say the layout is roughly 19ft x 20ft. There will be a flat wall for the TV, L/C/R.

Yes, you are right, I misspoke, I meant 7.2.4.

Will use Dirac Live and ART.

Yes, I would like a horizontal center, because, I will use a LCD TV.

 

[Oddball]

I will likely redo the basement, so say the layout is roughly 19ft x 20ft. There will be a flat wall for the TV, L/C/R.

Yes, you are right, I misspoke, I meant 7.2.4.

Will use Dirac Live and ART.

Yes, I would like a horizontal center, because, I will use a LCD TV.

That is a pretty large room. Might need another sub or two in due course to better pressurize the room.

BMR monitors and center might be a good choice for the budget, but others might have better suggestions as not that experienced in this price range. I would also use monitors as surrounds and then for the back surrounds one could cut corners a bit more.

I am sure that at the end it will sound fantastic.

 

[PristineSound]

That is a pretty large room. Might need another sub or two in due course to better pressurize the room.

BMR monitors and center might be a good choice for the budget, but others might have better suggestions as not that experienced in this price range. I would also use monitors as surrounds and then for the back surrounds one could cut corners a bit more.

I am sure that at the end it will sound fantastic.

The room is a multi purpose room, home theater, game room, bar and general entertaining space. That's why it's a big space. But I haven't fully made my decision, on how the layout should be yet.

 

[Oddball]

The room is a multi purpose room, home theater, game room, bar and general entertaining space. That's why it's a big space. But I haven't fully made my decision, on how the layout should be yet.

I am with you and like large spaces as well. It is just that in order to make high SPL impact in large rooms, expensive speakers are generally required. But then if you usually listen to -20dB to reference, that is going to be much easier to achieve - and by most standards is still pretty loud.

This is even true with ART that takes away the low extension requirement from bed channels, but they will still do SPL that they are capable of. While lots of speakers will be capable of average 85dB level (aka reference), when peaks come, it might spoil the fun as those could be at 105dB. While most peaks are below 100hz (aka in ART sub range), it is not exclusively so. So, for the most part, the math works even with lower SPL speakers.

 

[PristineSound]

I am with you and like large spaces as well. It is just that in order to make high SPL impact in large rooms, expensive speakers are generally required. But then if you usually listen to -20dB to reference, that is going to be much easier to achieve - and by most standards is still pretty loud.

This is even true with ART that takes away the low extension requirement from bed channels, but they will still do SPL that they are capable of. While lots of speakers will be capable of average 85dB level (aka reference), when peaks come, it might spoil the fun as those could be at 105dB. While most peaks are below 100hz (aka in ART sub range), it is not exclusively so. So, for the most part, the math works even with lower SPL speakers.

Good to know. At this budget conscience moment, I think I will lean towards below reference. The other alternative is exploring the used market, but it's going to be a bit challenging to find 2 or 3 pairs of matching speakers, but the good news is I have time. Going on FB marketplace and USAM to save some search alerts.

 

[Paul7777x]

There seems to be some Revel in wall speakers about at silly prices. And they are by all accounts quite excellent.

If you fancy a clean room without lumps of speaker all over the place it might be worth considering them.

 

[PristineSound]

There seems to be some Revel in wall speakers about at silly prices. And they are by all accounts quite excellent.

If you fancy a clean room without lumps of speaker all over the place it might be worth considering them.

The only challenge with in-wall is that I don't have 4 walls, one side is open to a bar.

 

[PristineSound]

All right folks saying good bye to both of my systems for 3 to 5 months. Packing everything up to get ready to show out home, then don't plan to unpack it until we move and complete renovations.

 

[PristineSound]

Here is a great option that is on my short list

'Ascend Acoustics CBM-170SE2' https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/ascend-acoustics-cbm-170se2.71869/

 

[PristineSound]

I know I am far out from building my home theater, I haven't even closed yet, let along renovations.

But I think I have narrowed down to KEF Q Meta series. Just need to figure out which in ceiling speakers I am going to go with.

Also waiting on more details on the Ascend CBM-170SE2, but as of right now, unlikely due to the typical abysmal vertical directivity.