Hi,

My dad is really sick with lung cancer and has maybe a year or so to live. He loves music and he's always wanted a really awesome music room. He, and I, really know nothing about high-end audio, so we could really use some pointers in designing something to give him a few months of happiness.

The room he's going to have is going to be his bedroom which is maybe 10X10.

Stuff he currently has:
Thiel speakers - CS3-6NC
Rotel amp - RB1080
Rotel pre-amp RC1070

He's got maybe a $30-$50k budget for this and he'd like to get a TV as well (we were thinking maybe that Pioneer PRO-151FD) hoping we could have the audio equipment also do double-duty in a little home theater set-up.

If you were to advise someone in this situation, what should he get? Also, if you happen to live in the DC Metro area, is there a reputable dealer/consultant we could use to help us?

thanks much for any help you're able to offer,
--oliver.

anyone? even maybe just some ideas to get started?

Oliver,

I'm really sorry to hear about your father. I hope getting the room he's always wanted can bring him some happiness.

I would recommend finding some local dealers in your area who carry quality audio equipment. You can check your yellow pages and see who sells brands like Revel, KEF, Dynaudio, Paradigm, B&W, Dali, Gallo, etc. Or check out the owner forums for these brands (and more, these are off top of my head) and ask about local dealers. Or go to the websites for each brand and see where they're sold in your area.

A store that carries one of these brands will likely carry other reputable brands.

Once you visit a few dealers, I'm sure you will find someone who can assist you with demo's, advice on how to set up the room and installation.

Good luck
Dan

I guess I would first ask him what he does not like about his current system.
It is respectable.

My concern would be trying to put $30k+ into a 10x10 room. It might almost be better to put the money into a new room.

Otherwise, assuming your father is still mobile, you might want
to make the shopping part of the experience.

Sorry I don't have any specific recommendations, and I don't know the DC area.

Best wishes.

My concern would be trying to put $30k+ into a 10x10 room. It might almost be better to put the money into a new room.

Or at least some bass traps and other acoustic treatment. In this case the room is the weak link by far, no matter much is spent on new gear and loudspeakers.

--Ethan

dftkell: thanks for the tip; i'll start calling around to ask about those brands and x-post in owners.

dknightd: i don't think he has any problems with his existing equipment per se, but he just bought it without a plan or a specific setup in mind. He's really looking for a total comprehensive package for the room he has now.

Ethan Winer: thank you for your feedback; given that the room is the weak link, should I also be looking for some sort of architectural or acoustic type guidance?

thanks again all who responded!

Ethan Winer: thank you for your feedback; given that the room is the weak link, should I also be looking for some sort of architectural or acoustic type guidance?

Sure. I do that professionally for free as part of the sale of my company's products. I'm not here to sell stuff, but rather to explain to folks that acoustics and room treatment are very important generally. If you'd like to discuss this further you can email me through my company's Contact Page (http://www.realtraps.com/contact.htm) whether you buy our products or not.

--Ethan

Hi All,

Just wanted to say "thanks" for all the pointers. I followed the advice to look up for a dealer of one of my dad's sound components (Thiel) and my dad now has his setup. We also had special home theater curtains (my sister found this part, they're quite heavy from what I've heard) installed along the openings into the former living room area...

Here are some pictures...

http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u110/faboojen/media%20room%20plus%20curtains/?action=view&current=TV012.jpg

http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u110/faboojen/media%20room%20plus%20curtains/?action=view&current=TV014.jpg

http://s166.photobucket.com/albums/u110/faboojen/media%20room%20plus%20curtains/?action=view&current=TV015.jpg

and a breakdown of what the consultant put together for us:
Pioneer PDP-6020FD
Integra CDC3.4 6 disc CD changer
Anthem AVM40/ARC Theater Processor
Crestron CP2E control system, gateway, power + touch panel
JBLS5160 5 Channel Amp
JBL1500 Array Subwooffer
Thiel MCS1 Center channel
Triad Silver Surround speakers
Furman Elite15i Power conditioner
Mid Atlantic PD-920R-NS Power Distribution 20A

My dad is thrilled! =)

My dad is thrilled! =)

Glad to here it.