First Time Home Theater Purchase Help

[Chromatischism]

EDIT: I don't know if you're going to buy more speakers beyond stereo...in which case AVR make sense.
If you're only doing stereo with subs, then you won't need an AVR, and can get away with integrated and power amps of course....that saves you $.

I use the same AVR for 2 speakers and 2 subs. There is no simpler way to get a bass managed room corrected system. Trust me, I've looked. Runner-up seems to be something like a MiniDSP SHD, which actually costs more.

 

[sweetchaos]

Good point.
I forgot to say...you save $ with power/integrated amps (over AVRs), but you often give up room correction.

 

[Chrispy]

Good point.
I forgot to say...you save $ with power/integrated amps (over AVRs), but you often give up room correction.

And bass management....

 

[banjo!]

Ignoring SPL levels, the #1 culprit of any objects that rumble in your house is certain subwoofer frequencies resonate objects in your house.

You can try playing a simple SINE WAVE to find out what's ratting around the house.

Erin does a demonstration in this video (time-stamped):

Also, yes, the deeper the frequency extension the sub have, the more you're going to feel "pressurization" effect of subwoofers. Below 20hz, for example, it's ultrasonic, so you won't hear it, but you'll feel it in your chest.

I could see maybe having a 5.2 sometime next year. I don't see us ever having more than 7.2. It really just depends on the experience of the others.

 

[sweetchaos]

Then my suggestion still stands...Denon AVR3700H for US$1500.

There's really no other well-measuring AVRs (with room correction that works) below this price point.

I'm curious to what Denon is going to introduce in 2 weeks...I would wait personally, since we're this close.

 

[Holmz]

I could see maybe having a 5.2 sometime next year. I don't see us ever having more than 7.2. It really just depends on the experience of the others.

What do the experiences of other have to do with your’s?
(Unless we live vicariously?)

 

[Certainkindoffool]

I would also wait for the new lineup and keep monitoring prices. I picked up an x3700h for 1200CAD after observing that an online retailer on Amazon changed prices several times a week. Just kept checking and eventually lucked out.

 

[Webninja]

I want to get two subs that help bring out great sound, but not ones that rattle the room. What do you think would be best?

I’ll echo the other great suggestions, go for the HSU or Rythmiks that @Chromatischism suggested. Two of either will be great for your setup.

I would recommend single-driver sealed subs like Rythmik E15HP2 or HSU ULS-15 MK2.

I have the x3700h, couldn’t find a better processor (I’m not using the internal amps) for the money.

 

[banjo!]

What do the experiences of other have to do with your’s?
(Unless we live vicariously?)

Haha I was just meaning the experience of my other speakers up front.

 

[banjo!]

Then my suggestion still stands...Denon AVR3700H for US$1500.

There's really no other well-measuring AVRs (with room correction that works) below this price point.

I'm curious to what Denon is going to introduce in 2 weeks...I would wait personally, since we're this close.

I'm going to wait and see what happens. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Holmz]

Haha I was just meaning the experience of my other speakers up front.

Yeah, I’m with you now… LCR would be a great start.

 

[banjo!]

Here's my area for the TV. Where do you think it would be best for the TV area? Also for the cubic square feet measurement, should I have included the hallway and kitchen area since they open into the den?

 

[Chromatischism]

Against the 15' wall at the top. Row of seats right where it says Den. Put drapes on the windows.

 

[banjo!]

View attachment 170981
Here's my area for the TV. Where do you think it would be best for the TV area? Also for the cubic square feet measurement, should I have included the hallway and kitchen area since they open into the den?

Do you think the hallway would affect anything? It's pretty long.

 

[Chromatischism]

It wouldn't be part of my consideration. You want to be on the short wall with equal distance to side walls (for best stereo sound and mounting of surrounds) and with no walk ways going through the area, so I only see one good way to set things up. With 11' to the kitchen, you should have the space to have the seats ahead of that pocket door.

 

[Chromatischism]

Something like this would be my ideal.

You could even move the seats forward and have a front row of 3 so you have a middle seat, and a back row of 2. Depends on if the family demands a traditional couch or not.

 

[banjo!]

Something like this would be my ideal.

View attachment 171137


You could even move the seats forward and have a front row of 3 so you have a middle seat, and a back row of 2. Depends on if the family demands a traditional couch or not.

Thank you, that looks good. As for placement for the subs, is it best to just try different locations or typically in the front?

 

[Chromatischism]

I would try, in my order of preference:

• Next to or underneath the center speaker and along the 8ft span behind the LS speaker (I like putting equipment racks in the front corners for organizational purposes and to keep the middle open for center speaker and/or sub placement)
• Barring that, both front corners

That is based on the experience of a single upfront sub doing best not in a corner, but somewhere around the middle of the wall. Also time/phase alignment to the center is super simple if they are next to each other.

 

[banjo!]

I would try, in my order of preference:

• Next to or underneath the center speaker and along the 8ft span behind the LS speaker (I like putting equipment racks in the front corners for organizational purposes and to keep the middle open for center speaker and/or sub placement)
• Barring that, both front corners

That is based on the experience of a single upfront sub doing best not in a corner, but somewhere around the middle of the wall. Also time/phase alignment to the center is super simple if they are next to each other.

Right now, I'm just going to LCR and two subs.

 

[banjo!]

Something like this would be my ideal.

View attachment 171137


You could even move the seats forward and have a front row of 3 so you have a middle seat, and a back row of 2. Depends on if the family demands a traditional couch or not.

Right now, we have the TV between the two windows. Do you think that would be a good place until we do more than just LCR and two subs?