AVR and HT Recommendation(s) Sought

[FlameTheory]

Long time listener, first time caller. Apologies if this would be better in a different topic.

A gracious and kind relative who needed garage space has gifted me some excellent gear, and I am looking to build out a hybrid home-theater/music space.

A recent move means I’m starting from a strange mix of equipment and room organization.

Intended Use

All genres of music at modest-to-occasionally forceful volumes. Probably not north of 85 dB SPL at listening position sustained. Stereo for music playback, but I could be persuaded that multichannel is a boon.

The source will usually be Spotify connect or a similarly convenient streaming platform type of integration. (Open to suggestions.)

I am inclined to either stereo or 5.1 playback for movies. Movie playback will likely be a PS5, unless someone convinces me that X is a superior choice.

Games on both PS5 and Switch.

I am a tinkerer at heart, so in all likelihood I will have a measurement mic and spend time trying to gild the lily.

Room

A very strangely laid out half of a rather large living room. The media half is about 18’ x 14’. Placement will be a challenge for any setup. Major construction is discouraged, room treatment is an option.

Different seating arrangements are almost certainly in the cards, as are strategic curtains for light shielding. The existing carpet is quite thick and the room seems pretty ‘dead’ already.

Ideally would seat 6-7 people for movies.

Existing Equipment

• - 65-inch 4K LG TV. Some sort of costco special with shockingly few inputs (2 HDMI in, 1 of which can do ARC, ethernet, and an optical out.)
• - PS5
• - Nintendo Switch
• - Yamaha RX-A740 https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/av_receivers_amps/rx-a740/specs.html
• - 2 x Outlaw 2220 for fronts https://outlawaudio.com/shop/power_...gXYA0FZ-qUNDRXE5wPJgpLZyzN9TRCCFb4mFPSJQXhhE2
• - Front LR Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v2
• - Paradigm center channel
• - Paradigm bipole rear channels x 2

Budget/Space/Reasonableness

I’d like to shoot for a first 90/95% kind of diminishing returns knee on the cost-benefit graph, more than a strict budget, a habit that drives my various interlocutors nuts, because it requires weighing things on two axes at once.

All the listed equipment is paid for, but none of it is required to be used.

It seems like future-proofing for power amps is “easy” and future-proofing for video formats is essentially impossible, so I’d probably shy away from the cutting edge stuff.

Outside of OLED/miniLED, which is amazing, I’ve been underwhelmed by zone-based HDR solutions, so it’s not a high priority. (But maybe seeing the best of the best solutions in a good room could change my mind.)

I’d rather increase the perceived contrast ratio by adding bias lighting, in most cases.

I’d say I’m in the ‘objectivist’ camp in terms of equipment. If an analyzer says something is good, that’s enough for me. In favor of tone controls/EQ/DSP.

Current Quasi-Plan

1. Acquire a subwoofer. Probably sealed, probably a Rythmik F12 (https://www.rythmikaudio.com/F12.html), if I had to pick now. (High risk of a second subwoofer appearing to propitiate room modes.)

2. Find an AVR which supports at least:

* Spotify connect

* At least 2x HDMI input

* Some form of measurement mic/level matching/room correction.

* Volume controlled pre-outs for FL/FR

* Power out for C/RR/RL

* Pre/Line outs for powered subwoofer, with option for at least two.

3. Mount/fit TV/rears, center.

4. Various curtains for light and seating for seats, etc.

Questions

Any input welcome, and thanks for your time.

1. Which subs?

2. Which AVR? Signal routing gotchas to be aware of?

3. Is there a better music-listening experience available?

4. Is there a quality increment to be had on music-listening?

5. Different TV? Which one? Projector?

6. Sell the Outlaws because I will never need that many watts?

7. Creative ideas or suggestions?

 

[Golfx]

You have not received any answers probably because you asked a lot. I will just answer a few that would matter to me.

Regarding streamers spotify is low fidelity compared to HiRes Amazon Music HD, Tidal., Qobuz & apple. I would probably go with a different higher res streamer. You will definitely hear the difference. There are also apps that will transfer you playlists between service streamers.

AVRs—you should probably choose based on the features you desire and fewest bugs. I would probably go with a Denon 4800 or above (good features fewest bugs). It would power your speakers and/or serve as a prepro as well for your outlaws. Denon also has internal HiRes streaming called HEOS. This connects “directly to streamers servers” and not through your phone limits. But there is a phone app to select streamers (tidal, amazon, spotify, etc) and songs/playlists.

Subs—these add emotion to your movies and music. There are many reasonable ones to choose from. If not played loud they all will approximate satisfactory bass with lower distortion. Played loudly cheaper subs show their weaknesses and start distorting and rattling. You should buy two identical subs if you can afford them. Your room will likely ruin your bass smoothness and two helps offset that known problem. Stay away from internet direct subs without reviews or CEA 2010 measurements. Rythmik are an ok choice. Visit audioholics for sub reviews.

 

[Beershaun]

I would keep and use what you have for now and only buy what you are missing. Then go from there.

The main limitation in your existing equipment is lack of modern HDMI spec support, and modern streaming services built in, and no subwoofer.

One setup option to consider is plugging your video sources into your TV and then use eARC HDMI output to the AVR. That will simplify the video switching a bit. So getting a TV with 3-4 HDMI inputs with one being an eARC output may be a way to solve your AVR HDMI limitations.

For Spotify and music streaming id suggest getting a Wiim pro music streamer. I can plug in to your AVR and serve as a music streaming endpoint for your phone. This is a very affordable and high quality streamer.

For subwoofer id suggest taking a look at the subwoofer measurements page on this forum. It will give you a spreadsheet of specs on which subs perform best to the test spec. Generally the two most popular well measuring brands are monoprice monolith and SVS.

Your speakers are all fine for now. Keep the outlaw amps and use them. They definitely are more powerful than the Onkyos internal amps according to their specs.

 

[FlameTheory]

Perhaps my approach of adding every detail in the first post was gauche or seemed demanding.

Regardless, thank you both for your input, and if anyone else wants to chime in I am happy for jumping off points for more research.

 

[Golfx]

Perhaps my approach of adding every detail in the first post was gauche or seemed demanding.

Regardless, thank you both for your input, and if anyone else wants to chime in I am happy for jumping off points for more research.

Naw it was the time required to answer all your questions which scared away first responses.

 

[Miker 1102]

That's a lot of questions. The avrs currently out from Denon should meet your needs. My preference would be something past the 4800 level. Svs subwoofers are simply a great value based on my experience. The streaming part or whether an avr should be used for two channel music is really subjective. I love multichannel music so the avr is a wonderful treat for me. I also believe that bass control and room correction add a lot to the equation so a good Denon should give you all the features you need for an excellent sound.