Hi All...

I just bought a condo pretty excited. However I do not have a room for a dedicated home theater. So I have to once again try to manage with the living room. The condo does have a decent sized loft and was going to try there, but really awkward layout.

So I come to you gents to seek advice for 5.1 and future 7.1 setup. Right now have all the necessary components for 5.1 and hopefully soon will be buying two extra satellites for the 7.1

based on the picture any suggestions? Also I tried searching b/c I read something a while ago about some kind of stand or something to put the sub on to help dissipate bass travel for the neighbors?? ring a bell?

The speakers I have are the DefTec ProSat 800 with a Procenter 1000 and Procube for the sub. I'm running a Yamaha RX-V1700 receiver which I might be upgrading later.

Thanks in advance for your advice and suggestions.

Oh yeah, almost forgot on speaker placement.. should I put them up on the wall pointing down or on stands on the ground?

Thanks!! :)

Luke

You should move 2 of the back surround speakers to be postioned to the side of the listening area (slightly behind the main listening position). This would probably be the prefered set up for a 5.1 system. Then, when you move up to 7.1, you can add speakers behind the listening position. Regards to the sub, do a google search on "subdude" and you should find what your looking for.

ive posted a few times about using foam pads to 'acoustically decouple' (from the room/bldg) my spkrs in my apt. works very well. isolating subs is the big thing. you can buy pads at pro-sound comp's or make your own.
i just moved into this apt 2 months ago, havent had any complaints yet.

in a pinch or while waiting for pad delivery, try using old magazines, they work as well. no ones gonna see 'em or pads anyway.

Thanks for the replies! I am definitely going to use some type of pad or SUBDUDE for the Sub, it makes sense and should help some. I think once I have everything set up I am going to ask the folks to the right of me and below me if the bass is too deep and sound levels too high. That way I can sorta find my limits without bothering anyone. Or do you think its better to wait to see if they complain?? :-)

Also will acoustic paneling be useful on any of the walls? I'm trying to read and learn about how and where you are supposed to place them. Even though it's the living room I still kinda want to deck it out like a home theater, nothing too crazy, but subtle. Key is good quality sound, plus the panels look cool, but I want to make sure they are effective.

Where do you usually put bass traps (gonna search this one too)

Thanks all!

Thanks for the replies! I am definitely going to use some type of pad or SUBDUDE for the Sub, it makes sense and should help some. I think once I have everything set up I am going to ask the folks to the right of me and below me if the bass is too deep and sound levels too high. That way I can sorta find my limits without bothering anyone. Or do you think its better to wait to see if they complain?? :-)

Also will acoustic paneling be useful on any of the walls? I'm trying to read and learn about how and where you are supposed to place them. Even though it's the living room I still kinda want to deck it out like a home theater, nothing too crazy, but subtle. Key is good quality sound, plus the panels look cool, but I want to make sure they are effective.

Where do you usually put bass traps (gonna search this one too)

Thanks all!

u sound like u respect your neighbors which is more than some do. i'd go w first option, asking them.
the panels are a good idea but too much $ for my blood, curtains, etc. do the trick for us. id like to get and try out some tapestries.
not sure about traps.

I have never had my neighbors complain about noise in my condo, but then agan I don't crank it up, but I do watch movies fairly late into the evening.

Try tennis balls under the sub :)

Try tennis balls under the sub :)

LOL!

LOL on the Tennis Balls... but I see the idea of that. Save on cost, maybe paint them black to not stand out.

Yeah I think once I have everything set up, I'm going to introduce myself to my neighbors and then ask if I can do a test... that way I do know my limit, and they know who I am and will come to an agreeable sound and bass level. Also if they are cool, me introducing myself might detour them from wanting to complain in the future. Plus it's good to know your neighbor.

I'm lucky in this place b/c I only have the two neighboring units to worry about, one to the side of me which shouldn't really here to much b/c the dining room and kitchen are between the living room and their unit, and still that wall is probably their kitchen and dining area. So I should be cool there. The biggest thing will be the folks below. So Bass Travel. Since the SubDude is pretty cheap I might give that a go and see how it goes.

Being used to the apartment style living i've always had to keep the bass low, maybe here I can just take it up a notch or two.

I've been reading threads and Audioholics stuff for wiring through walls, setting up systems, etc. Are their any other good links to check out?

Also how big of a deal is it having high vaulted ceilings? Good? Bad?

Thanks again all!

get buttkickers

Funny you mention that... I was looking at seating and some came with that option and wasn't sure if that was good quality or not. Can you change the intesity of those? Is it worth it?

Thanks!