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Need help with a setup for my family room

post #1 of 14
2/8/09 at 12:25pm
Thread Starter 
First off, I am completely new to this and starting from ground zero. I moved into a new house 6 months ago and plan to do one room at time as I can afford it. I don't need the best, most expensive setup just something that sounds good.

My first project is my family room (23 feet wide 15 feet deep, 12 foot ceilings). I currently have a Samsung 46' LCD and the sound leaves much to be desired. My wife and I watch a lot of movies and sports, music is also a consideration but not as important. The biggest problem with the TV is that the dialogue is often drown out by the background noise.

So what should I buy? I plan to get a Blu-Ray player and unless someone has a better suggestion I will probably just get a PS3. From what I have read it seems I should put together a 5.1 system with a good receiver. I don't really have a budget since I will just get each piece as I can afford it, of course if it's cheaper I will have it done sooner but I don't want something so cheap I want to replace it immediately.

I also have plans for a dedicated HT in my basement so I don't need this to be an amazing setup just good. I'm sure anything will sound better than the TV.

I'm open to any and all suggestions. Thanks in advance.

Nate
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post #2 of 14
2/8/09 at 12:54pm
A nice AVR, a Polk Surround Bar and a sub. Should be able to put this together for around $1000. It ain't real true surround sound, but sounds very good for casual tv, movies and watching sports. And no cables to hide or run through walls or under carpeting. You and your wife might like it, mine did, as it has a nice clean uncluttered look about it. And if you set up your AVR and Sub right, the sound can really knock your socks off for what it is.

Here is my old Denon with the Polk 43" Surround Bar and 46" Sony. The Polk Surround Bar is on the bottom shelf.



Just my .02

Also check out these guys http://www.thespeakercompany.com/ Allot of good reviews for the money.

Some other guys will chime in with some AVR's, I am partial to Denon and Marantz. Which can be had refurbished for a good price, or new on eBay for a few dollars more, usually with free shipping.

Here is a good place too, http://www.6ave.com/shop/home.aspx

Hope this helps!

Mike
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post #3 of 14
2/8/09 at 12:57pm
Budget? Size constraints? WAF? Start with the speakers. If dialogue is important, pay attention to the center channel.
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post #4 of 14
2/8/09 at 1:15pm
Thread Starter 
I like the idea of sound bar and sub but how does the sound compare to something like an Energy 5.1 package or 5.0 with a better sub?

I have room for floor standing speakers but i would also consider bookshelf speakers if the sound was comparable.

Budget: $1,000 - $2,000 for speakers and receiver.

Nate
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post #5 of 14
2/8/09 at 1:15pm
deftech procinema setup with an onkyo 876.
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post #6 of 14
2/8/09 at 1:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by natecobbs View Post

I like the idea of sound bar and sub but how does the sound compare to something like an Energy 5.1 package or 5.0 with a better sub?

I have room for floor standing speakers but i would also consider bookshelf speakers if the sound was comparable.

Budget: $1,000 - $2,000 for speakers and receiver.

Nate

Hell, get the 5.1 if you don't mind hiding the cables and such. The bar and a sub sounds great, for what it is. I would rather have the 5.1 myself... But, the clutter of the 5.1 was why we went with the bar. The wife was tired of looking at all of the speakers. And I had to agree with her, it did look cluttered.

But, I thought I would throw it out here, as most guys will laugh at the bar setups. But hey, if no one says anything, you would never know. Personally, for the viewing we do, which sounds similar to what you guys do, the bar is great.

The big guns are down stairs, Denon 4308ci, Sony 52" XBR2, SVS PC13-Ultra sub, Polk RT2000i L/R, Polk CS1000p center and Polk fx500i surrounds. It will make your eyes bleed down there in the man cave. I can only use it when the wifeypoo is in a good mood.

Mike
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post #7 of 14
2/8/09 at 1:50pm
Thread Starter 
It does sound like we are in the same situation.

So if i went with a bar, what would you suggest for the sub and blu-ray?

Nate
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post #8 of 14
2/8/09 at 1:54pm
Here is what I would do, saying you have up $2 grand to spend. And I am saying this because you want to go HT downstairs.

Look at these http://www.svsound.com/products-sys-sbs_black.cfm And upgrade the sub a notch or two.

One of these http://www.6ave.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=YAMRXV663BL

Or this http://www.6ave.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=MARSR4003

The Yamaha has video upconversion, and a little more oomph.

Something else to think about.

Mike
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post #9 of 14
2/8/09 at 2:02pm
The Sub, there are a few. I like SVS, but there is also HSU, Velodyne and a couple more that others will chime in on.

With a bar, the sub is where you want to put the money. Because that is where you get the oomph from. I have an older Velodyne sub with the bar, and it still irritates the wife when it shakes the house. You don't here it, you feel it. And the bigger the better, especially in a room like yours.

And ask your wife. Does she want speakers or no clutter? Great sound, or very good sound? Personally, the bar fits OUR needs, maybe not yours. If I want to crank it, I go downstairs when the wife is not home.

Mike
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post #10 of 14
2/8/09 at 2:08pm
The Blue Ray, probably the Sony BD550. Panasonic had that cat by the tail with their BD35, but have since changed models. From what I have been reading, the Sony seems to be ahead of the game right now for the money. But, even a PS3 will get the job done. And personally, I would just go with the PS3 if you game. No gaming, no kids, a stand alone player would do.

Mike
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post #11 of 14
2/8/09 at 3:07pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all the help Mike.

After talking it over with the wife, I think the bar with sub will be the best choice. Now I just have to shop around for the best prices. I'm going to check out the sites you mentioned. As far as cables what all will I need? Will I need an amp?

Thanks again for all the help.

Nate
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post #12 of 14
2/8/09 at 3:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by natecobbs View Post

Thanks for all the help Mike.

After talking it over with the wife, I think the bar with sub will be the best choice. Now I just have to shop around for the best prices. I'm going to check out the sites you mentioned. As far as cables what all will I need? Will I need an amp?

Thanks again for all the help.

Nate

Cables, get a half dozen 3' HDMI cables off of Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Prom...4135305&sr=8-2

And 3 of these http://www.amazon.com/Premium-High-R...4135368&sr=1-3

Sounds silly, and some will baulk, but at these prices you cannot go wrong. And when you need to add something, you have a cable. Just check the lengths that you will need.

Grab three of these too... http://www.amazon.com/Fiber-Optical-...4135519&sr=1-1

I know, this sounds silly, but these are the same cables I am using, and they work fine.

Here is a steal on a Polk Surroundbar, but it is titanium. But, it is a STEAL... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882290090

Man, now you have some money left over for a really nice AVR and a sub.

Mike
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post #13 of 14
2/8/09 at 3:51pm
Here is an AVR unit, see it here http://us.marantz.com/Products/2514.asp And I found it on ebay from a guy that I have bought from before, http://cgi.ebay.com/Marantz-SR5003-S...3286.m20.l1116

And here is your sub.... http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-sb12plus.cfm

This is fun! I am spending all of your money! Just kidding!

This is just off of the top of my head while I sit here suffering from a head clod and one stopped up ear. Others will chime in and give their opinions. Myself, this is the route I would take. Maybe find the bar in black though.

I hope this helps. And don't pass up those Amazon cables, I use them and they are fine, just as good next to the $100+ Monster stuff I own.

Mike
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post #14 of 14
2/8/09 at 5:32pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Mike! That saved me some time. Now I just have to wait for it to show up.
My wife says thanks! She thinks you should get a commission. Thanks for all the help.

Nate
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