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2.1/3.1 Speaker Setup

post #1 of 6
11/30/08 at 6:57am
Thread Starter 
Hi all, I want to get my family room setup with a nice speaker setup and having a lot of difficulty understanding what is important and what is not. I am very new to this so any information regarding specific speakers/receivers or just general information would be very helpful

I want to setup my family room with a good sound system for movie/TV watching (75%) and listening to music (25%). I am not an audiophile, but would like to get a decent setup that will last for 5-10 years. I would hate to buy some gear and then immediately have buyer's remorse and start looking to upgrade my system.

The setup of the room is a large factor in determining what I can do. I have attached a quick diagram.

The difficulty is that my TV/Stereo setup is in the middle of the room and there is no easy way to run wires to the back of my room for surround sound. The room is roughly 30 feet long x 12 feet x 20 feet high. Most of the seating area is located 5-8 feet away directly in front of the TV, but I would also like to have music sound good when sitting down for dinner in the dining area which is right next to it. My max budget is $1,000

So, I guess what I need to know is what setup should I be looking at.
2.1 - Will this be sufficient to give me good sound or is this a waste of $$?
3.1 - How much does the center channel matter?
5.1/7.1 - Are wireless speakers any good? I could hire some guys to put in wall wiring but it is definitely expensive and I would not want to do it unless it will sounds just amazing
Receiver/Speakers - I am completely baffled by the technical stuff I am reading. Are there special 2.1/3.1 receivers? Will 7.1 receivers like the Onkyo 606 work or be overkill? What should I look for in speakers/subwoofers?

Sorry for the list of questions, but I am just looking for a bit of guidance. If you can give me information, need more details, or if this has been covered in other threads please let me know. Thanks for all your help
LL
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post #2 of 6
11/30/08 at 3:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by samir_goel View Post

So, I guess what I need to know is what setup should I be looking at.

2.1 - Will this be sufficient to give me good sound or is this a waste of $$?
3.1 - How much does the center channel matter?
5.1/7.1 - Are wireless speakers any good? I could hire some guys to put in wall wiring but it is definitely expensive and I would not want to do it unless it will sounds just amazing

Receiver/Speakers - I am completely baffled by the technical stuff I am reading. Are there special 2.1/3.1 receivers? Will 7.1 receivers like the Onkyo 606 work or be overkill? What should I look for in speakers/subwoofers?

Sorry for the list of questions, but I am just looking for a bit of guidance. If you can give me information, need more details, or if this has been covered in other threads please let me know. Thanks for all your help


There are 2.1 stereo receivers (Yamaha, Denon, NAD) and then there are 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 and up to 11.2 or there abouts for the real HT enthusiast. One can enjoy a 2.1 system for movies (I have) if the main speakers image well and can throw a solid center (phantom) channel. Speakers that don't image well (most inexpensive speakers) need a center speaker for dialog to be heard clearly. The center speaker is the main dialog speaker.

Overkill is when you power $100 speakers with a $1000 receiver. The Onkyo 606 goes for $320 on Amazon and is in the ballpark for your $1000 limit. The front 3 speakers should be from the same mfg for continuity of sound, but the rears can be from another mfg. Of course there are the guys that have 5, 6 or 7 identical floor standing speakers for their HT system.

I would choose a 10" minimum woofer for your sub for a more pleasurable HT sound. Picking loudspeakers is a very personal choice so what I may like, you may think they sound like nails on a chaulk board. Go listen to your friends systems and what is available locally in hi fi stores.

I have never been amazed by the sound out of rear channel speakers. 90% of the sound comes from the front 3 speakers. I am not familiar with wireless speakers.

For a budget of $1000 I would concentrate on a nice 3.1 system at first and then you can expand to 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 when funds and or technology permits. Buy the best sub you can this time or you'll be looking to upgrade your sub when it bottoms out on War of the Worlds or some other movie.

HT receivers are ridiculusly complicated IMHO with on screen programming of all the speakers and all the various theater sounds that the receiver can mimic. The rear of the units looks like a NASA geeks wet dream, so sometimes simplier is better.

And yes, your questions have been covered in the 10,000 threads of this site, but it would take many days to research them all so a post like yours is ok.

Good luck
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post #3 of 6
11/30/08 at 7:22pm
For a little more than 1000 you can get a very nice 5.1 system from av123

http://**********/component/page,shop...art/Itemid,37/

If you have a carpet then you can hide the wires for your rear speakers by tucking them in the gap between the carpet and the trim on the floor and circling to the back along the wall. If you have hardwood floors then you can hide the wires under a floor rug. The floor rug will also help the acoustics in your room. As for the music sounding good in the dining area...you will be able to hear it but clearly you cannot get good imaging since the speakers will not be properly positioned for listening in that area.
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post #4 of 6
11/30/08 at 8:22pm
Wireless speakers come with their own amplifiers and their own special problems. They may interfere with other wireless gadgets in your home or your neighbors if they are in close proximity.

My suggestion is you start with a 3.1 setup with the Onkyo 606 receiver and go from there. If you are happy with the 3.1 setup then no further outlay of money will be required. Audition some speakers in your price range and see what sounds good to you. Explain to the sales person the room you have. Understand what their return policy is should you decide the speakers you just bought aren't the same ones you heard in the showroom. This happens more than you may think.
Be prepared to hear a different speaker in the home than you did in the showroom. They set them up to showcase speakers so they can sell them and they have no clue how your room might be different.

If you decide you want rear surround speakers later, buying the same brand and model will give you the best sound, but that isn't something written in stone. Mixing and matching happen all the time often with great results. I use a JBL S Center speaker with Infinity Interludes at the 4 corners. Works for me.

YMMV
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post #5 of 6
12/1/08 at 10:03am
Thread Starter 
Thank you so much!

Seems like a 3.1 system should be adequate for what I need. I also like the idea of starting with a 3.1 with the ability to upgrade to a 5.1 in the future. Since the Onkyo 606 is a good deal and in my budget so I will just get that once I figure out what speakers I want.

usp1 - Thank you for the reply, but running any wires across the floors or up the walls will drive my wife nuts. Sadly, that means it's a non starter.

Just two follow up questions regarding speakers -
1) Are there any technical specifications I should be looking for when purchasing speakers with good 'imaging'? I understand the need to actually listen to the speakers and make a decision based on that, but is there anything else I should look for?

2) Is there any danger purchasing used speakers off of Craigslist? Do they degrade in quality?

Thanks again,
Samir
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post #6 of 6
12/1/08 at 4:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by samir_goel View Post

Thank you so much!

Seems like a 3.1 system should be adequate for what I need. I also like the idea of starting with a 3.1 with the ability to upgrade to a 5.1 in the future. Since the Onkyo 606 is a good deal and in my budget so I will just get that once I figure out what speakers I want.

usp1 - Thank you for the reply, but running any wires across the floors or up the walls will drive my wife nuts. Sadly, that means it's a non starter.

Just two follow up questions regarding speakers -
1) Are there any technical specifications I should be looking for when purchasing speakers with good 'imaging'? I understand the need to actually listen to the speakers and make a decision based on that, but is there anything else I should look for?

2) Is there any danger purchasing used speakers off of Craigslist? Do they degrade in quality?

Thanks again,
Samir

I don't know of any specs that will identify a speaker that images well, it's a black art IMHO. Quality of the drivers and the crossover determines the ability of a speaker to image well. Normally that takes $$$ and brains. Again you gotta listen.

There is always "danger" of buying used speakers from craigslist and eBay, but I have bought new & used speakers off of eBay and have been satisfied with my purchases. Ya pays ya money and ya takes ya chances.

Boston, Infinity, JBL, Polk and others make fine 3.0 systems in your price range. Sometimes getting a great system at a great price is a matter of luck when finding the right sale and there is always a sale if you look hard enough.

Subwoofer? check out the subwoofer forum for the best punch for the buck.
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