I've used the search functions and found a few threads to be helpful, and some not so helpful. What I need are thoughts and opinions, realizing that in the end it is my ear that will make the final decision. Figured this would be a good starting place. I realize that the room I'm using is less than ideal, but it is what I have to work with.
My setup will be in a 26x24 great room with a plate height of 12' and cathedral ceiling 18 feet high. There will be a 65" LCD over the fireplace on one of the longer walls (don't even start...I know, it's my only option) with bookshelves on either side. The fireplace will be 6' wide and the bookshelves 5' wide by 9' tall The seating area will be about fifteen feet from the screen which provides for a reasonable viewing angle, although still a bit high. Other info, hardwood floors with a rug and several pieces of furniture, tongue in groove ceiling with exposed timber trusses (so some variety of acoustic treatments).
So...what I'm looking for is an AVR around $800. I have been told that Onkyo, Integra, Denon and Marantz are probably the brands to go with. Any other ideas are welcome here as well, but what are the benefits/drawbacks of each, which gives what type of sound, easiest to use, etc.
Speaker-wise, I am totally open for mains/center for about $2000. I'm mostly looking for input on speaker characteristics (warm vs. bright, power vs. realism, towers vs bookshelves, etc). We will probably be about 70/30 when it comes to HT (5.1 setup) vs music, but I really enjoy my music and still want it to sound good. Again, I realize that speaker tastes are very subjective, but if I can mold your descriptions to what I know I like it might give me a bit more direction from the get-go.
The mains will likely set on either side of the fireplace or in the bookshelf (need to be front-ported as they won't have a lot of room).
The center will be built into the mantle and from what I hear will be a very important speaker. I'm trying to get it as close to ear level as possible with this setup.
The subwoofer(s) will be in the middle base of each cabinet on either side of the fireplace. I imagine it/they will need to be pretty stout to fill this size of a room. Can afford about $500.
The surrounds will have to be in the vaulted ceiling as the wall behind the viewing area is open below the plate and the left sidewall is a wall of windows. Do you use in-wall or in ceiling for this task? Thinking maybe $500 for the pair here also.
Does speaker wire matter? If so, in what way?
Have no clue as to what to go with for DVD/CD player. I would imagine I would go with something of a similar brand to the AVR, but if there is a better idea, let me know. Probably have between $500 and $1000 to spend here.
Also if you have other thoughts that are different than what I am proposing, please feel free to share them. The more info the better, and if you're willing to be patient with me I can hopefully figure out some of the more technical aspects of things if that comes into play, despite my challenged viewing/listening area.
Thanks in advance to all of you who take the time to respond. I could REALLY get into all of this if I had more time and more money, but for now a casual interest with a fairly tight budget will have to do.
My setup will be in a 26x24 great room with a plate height of 12' and cathedral ceiling 18 feet high. There will be a 65" LCD over the fireplace on one of the longer walls (don't even start...I know, it's my only option) with bookshelves on either side. The fireplace will be 6' wide and the bookshelves 5' wide by 9' tall The seating area will be about fifteen feet from the screen which provides for a reasonable viewing angle, although still a bit high. Other info, hardwood floors with a rug and several pieces of furniture, tongue in groove ceiling with exposed timber trusses (so some variety of acoustic treatments).
So...what I'm looking for is an AVR around $800. I have been told that Onkyo, Integra, Denon and Marantz are probably the brands to go with. Any other ideas are welcome here as well, but what are the benefits/drawbacks of each, which gives what type of sound, easiest to use, etc.
Speaker-wise, I am totally open for mains/center for about $2000. I'm mostly looking for input on speaker characteristics (warm vs. bright, power vs. realism, towers vs bookshelves, etc). We will probably be about 70/30 when it comes to HT (5.1 setup) vs music, but I really enjoy my music and still want it to sound good. Again, I realize that speaker tastes are very subjective, but if I can mold your descriptions to what I know I like it might give me a bit more direction from the get-go.
The mains will likely set on either side of the fireplace or in the bookshelf (need to be front-ported as they won't have a lot of room).
The center will be built into the mantle and from what I hear will be a very important speaker. I'm trying to get it as close to ear level as possible with this setup.
The subwoofer(s) will be in the middle base of each cabinet on either side of the fireplace. I imagine it/they will need to be pretty stout to fill this size of a room. Can afford about $500.
The surrounds will have to be in the vaulted ceiling as the wall behind the viewing area is open below the plate and the left sidewall is a wall of windows. Do you use in-wall or in ceiling for this task? Thinking maybe $500 for the pair here also.
Does speaker wire matter? If so, in what way?
Have no clue as to what to go with for DVD/CD player. I would imagine I would go with something of a similar brand to the AVR, but if there is a better idea, let me know. Probably have between $500 and $1000 to spend here.
Also if you have other thoughts that are different than what I am proposing, please feel free to share them. The more info the better, and if you're willing to be patient with me I can hopefully figure out some of the more technical aspects of things if that comes into play, despite my challenged viewing/listening area.
Thanks in advance to all of you who take the time to respond. I could REALLY get into all of this if I had more time and more money, but for now a casual interest with a fairly tight budget will have to do.
) think of a bunch of different speakers (funkmonkey, ChicagoTC and myself all review a bunch of speakers). Hopefully it will help you.
