Condo DSX Theater and Gaming Lair

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Welcome To My Home Theater and Gaming Thread
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This is my second thread in this area. My old thread is out of date and I have added a substantial Gaming element since then, thus the reason for creating a new thread. My old thread can be found here if you wish to see my older specs and pics.

I'm an audio/video-enthusiast and love tweaking with my system. I'm constantly upgrading and adding new gear. I have a 7.2 configuration of Audyssey DSX with "Front Wide" channels in a 14 x 18 sized room. Due to limitations of my current receiver I cannot implement 'heights' but my next upgrade will be a receiver with 11.x ch, so I have something to look forward to. In regards to the seating, I know the chairs are ugly, eventually I will get nicer ones. I would love custom theater chairs like Berkline but that's yet another upgrade for the future.

On the gaming side of things I have two PS3's, two copies of Uncharted 2 and 3, and two TV's in the same room. This is a great game and those of you who are familiar with the Uncharted series know why I did this. Plus I hate playing split screen. Sometimes my friends will bring their PS3/Uncharted over and I set up 720p/1080p compatible computer monitors and a mini stereo as sound and we have 3 player co-op/multiplayer in the same room. I also have a PC LAN room for added diversity from just console gaming. More info about the LAN room can be found on lower post #5.

I have included pics of my theaters transition over the past few years. I would like to think I'm nearing completion, but who am I kidding, this is an addictive, expensive, never ending hobby!

I welcome all comments/questions. Thanks for looking!

Enjoy!

 

UPDATE (Sep.22/12)

Living Room has been renovated, Theater setup has changed, NEW PICS! on page 2

Edited by knight_40k - 9/22/12 at 5:19pm

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Gear List
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Speakers
Energy RC-70 (x3 L/R Front and Center)
Energy RC-30 (x2 Wide)

Energy RC-10 (x2 Height)
Energy RC-R (x2 Surround)

Energy ESW-V8 (Sub)
Velodyne DPS-12 (Sub)

Energy Veritas 2.2i w/ matching stands (2ch Music)

TV
Samsung LN52B530 52" LCD 1080p
Dynex DX-32L152A11 32" LCD 720p (Secondary Gaming Use)

Receiver
Onkyo TX-SR707

Preamp
Parasound New Classic 2100

Amplifier
Parasound New Classic 275

Power Center/Conditioner/Surge Protector
Monster Power Signature Series HTS 5100 MKII

Monster Power HDP 2400
Panamax M4300-PM (used in PC LAN room)

Bluray
Samsung BD-C5500

HD-DVD
Toshiba HD-A3

DVD
Pioneer Elite DV-49AV

Media Center
Custom HTPC (full specs on post #8)

Gaming
(x2) Playstation 3 (40GB) ...for Uncharted 2-3 Co-op
Nintendo NES

Remote

Logitech Harmony One
Logitech Harmony 520 (retired for the time being)

Audio Stand
Sanus AFA

Wall Mount
Sanus VMPL50B-03
Sanus MF215-B3 (for Dynex)

Acoustical Treatments
Auralex Studiofoam DST-114
Auralex SubDude (under the Energy V8)
Auralex Gramma (under the Velodyne)

Edited by knight_40k - 9/23/12 at 2:11am

Sep. 2012 (more pics on page 2)


Edited by knight_40k - 9/23/12 at 1:46am

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The Gaming Lair
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I've turned my second bedroom into a LAN room. I have 4 Gaming PC's which are fairly equivalent to each other and although they may not be considered 'top of the line' by most standards, they perform extremely well for the select games that we play. I host LAN parties once a month, sometimes twice. A few of my friends have their own laptops so we can easily have up to 8 player games going.

I custom built all of these units and they were pieced together at various times. I upgrade as needed and most of the upgrades come from my main system as I replace parts, but not always. For my next upgrade/rebuild, I am working towards making the spare units uniformed with identical components. This will make it easier to install drivers, trouble shoot any issues and give matched performance.

 

UPDATE Jan. 31/12
My LAN room has moved from the spare bedroom (9.5 x 11) into the master suite (11 x 14.5) giving more space and comfort for gaming. New pics are shown below and the old ones are still available, please feel free to comment on the change.

 

UPDATE Sep. 19/12

Thanks to my friend who recently upgraded his system, as payment for helping put it together and suggesting components, I acquired his old Mobo/CPU. That, along with spare parts I've collected over the years plus other donations from friends and co-workers I can almost put together another gaming computer. I still need a pair of speakers, Ram and a Video card but overall, not bad to get a Core i3 system. New pics coming soon.

Edited by knight_40k - 9/22/12 at 3:35pm

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System Specs
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-------PC #1--------
(Main System)

Case: Antec DF-85
Mobo: MSI Z68A-GD65 G3
CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K 3.3Ghz Sandy Bridge
CPU Cooler: Stock
GPU: Asus Radeon 5850 DirectCU 1GB GDDR5
RAM: Kingston HyperX 8GB DDR3 1600 (2x4GB)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200 SATA2
PSU: Coolermaster Extreme Power Plus 600Watt
Disc Drive: LG DVD-RW SATA
OS: Windows 7 Pro 64-Bit
Display: 24" LCD Samsung SyncMaster 2443BW (Native Res 1920x1200)
Speakers: 2.1 Logitech Z-3

-------PC #2--------

Case: Antec DF-30
Mobo: Asus Crosshair V Formula
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 3.4Ghz Black Edition
CPU Cooler: Stock
GPU: Asus Radeon 4870 DK 1GB GDDR5 (x2) Crossfire
RAM: Kingston 8GB DDR3 1333 (2x4GB)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 320GB 7200 SATA2
PSU: Corsair Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750Watt
Disc Drive: None
OS: Windows 7 Pro 64-Bit
Display: 21.5" LCD Samsung SyncMaster P2250 (Native Res 1920x1080)
Speakers: 2.1 Edifier M3300

-------PC #3--------

Case: Antec DF-30
Mobo: Asus M4A89GTD PRO/USB3
CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 555 3.2Ghz Black Edition
CPU Cooler: Stock
GPU: HIS Radeon 4870 512MB GDDR5
RAM: Kingston 8GB DDR3 1333 (2x4GB)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 320GB 7200 SATA2
PSU: Coolermaster Extreme Power Plus 600Watt
Disc Drive: None
OS: Windows 7 Pro 64-Bit
Display: 21.6" LCD Samsung SyncMaster 216BW (Native Res 1680x1050)
Speakers: 5.1 Logitech Z506 (only using as 2.1)

-------PC #4--------

Case: Antec DF-30
Mobo: Asus M3A79-T Deluxe
CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 555 3.2Ghz Black Edition
CPU Cooler: Stock
GPU: Sapphire Radeon 4850 512MB GDDR3
RAM: Kingston 4GB DDR2 800 (2x2GB)
HDD: Western Digital Caviar 320GB 7200 SATA2
PSU: Coolermaster Extreme Power Plus 600Watt
Disc Drive: None
OS: Windows 7 Pro 64-Bit
Display: 20" LED LG Flatron E2050T (Native Res 1600x900)
Speakers: 2.0 Edifier R18

-------PC GAMES--------

StarCraft
StarCraft 2
Age of Empires
Age of Empires 3
Dawn of War
Dawn of War 2
Lord of the Rings Battle For Middle Earth 2
WarCraft 3
Left 4 Dead
Left 4 Dead 2

**I have all expansion packs for each game.

Jan. 2012








Aug. 2011

Edited by knight_40k - 9/23/12 at 1:19am

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The Media Center
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The Media Center serves as my source of TV Shows. I currently have 5TB of internal storage with plenty of room for expansion drives and a matched amount of external backup drives. I tend to update the components regularly, whether that be adding a hard drive or modding the case in some way. so my specs may not always be up to date.

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System Specs
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Case: Thermaltake Mozart Media Lab
Mobo: MSI 890GXM-G65
CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 560 3.3Ghz Black Edition
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS8000A
GPU: Onboard HDMI Radeon 4290
RAM: Kingston 8GB DDR3 1333 (2x4GB)
HDD:

Western Digital Caviar Enhanced IDE OS Drive 160GB
Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB 5400 SATA2
(x2) Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB 5400 SATA2
PSU: Seasonic SS-460FL 460Watt
Disc Drive: Liteon BD Rom (iHOS104)
OS: Windows 7 Pro 64-Bit
Other Accessories:
HP eHome USB IR Transceiver
(x2) Startech 5.25" SATA Hot Swap for 3.5" Drive

UPDATE (Aug. 9, 2011)
Due to some unwanted noise, my CPU cooler and PSU have been changed. I apologize, the pics will not be updated to show the change. I switched the Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 LP for the Zalman CNPS8000A because even though the AC freezer says it's quiet, it's not. The Zalman runs very quiet after the fan mate is installed and even on the lowest setting still offers excellent cooling. The Seasonic SS-460FL now replaces the Macron 350w I was using. Much like the reviews, this Seasonic model is high efficiency and runs very cool even after 3 hours of use. The Macron ran much hotter and was causing issues with my CPU, thus the reason for the change. Now my HTPC is running nearly dead silent. Anyone looking for silent and performance components for their HTPC build, I would recommend both of these.

 

UPDATE (Sep. 23, 2012)

Pics now show the above change. Also I did a mod for front panel USB 3.0 and a mod for SATA Hot Swap to hold IDE HDD. I also put in a Radeon 5450 (again, pics don't show) but I may remove it as I don't see any difference from my onboard GPU.

Edited by knight_40k - 10/10/12 at 3:46pm

Sep. 2012 Build Pics (more pics on page 2)



Edited by knight_40k - 9/23/12 at 1:56am

Aug. 2011 Build Pics

 

Edited by knight_40k - 9/23/12 at 1:29am

Thanks guys...I aim to please!

@Rodrigues_Brazil Glad you like the pics, but I am no professional. I must just have an eye for "artsy"...call it a happy accident.

@|Tch0rT| I do notice a small difference with the DST-114, they help with reflection. The wall used to be bare, so there is definitely some improvement. I got mine from ebay super cheap and mounted them with double sided tape. How is XBMC working for you? Are you having any audio issues with MKV files?

Frankenstein how? Or should I say which part?

@pcweber111 Thanks, I'm actually trying to figure out if I can sqeeze a 5th desktop computer in that room somehow. The way I have it layed out now, the gap between desks under the window is just enough space for my A/C unit, and I need that option especially in the summer as it gets hot quick. Due to strata I can't put one in the window but my portable unit is allowed. I do have some idea's of things I can move or adjust, but it's just a thought at the moment. If I figure it out, there will be updated pics, you can count on that!

@Rodrigues_Brazil Separate speakers how? Can you give examples or whip up a quick mod layout using my photo's? The front line up Left-Center-Right is a little squished I suppose, but using 'Wides' mean you no longer need the Left-Right spaced out as far from eachother as you would in a traditional 5.1/7.1 setup but that doesn't mean put them as close together as possible. You are right, I don't have much space to work with, my room isn't quite wide enough but I suppose I could swap positions with the V2.2, giving my L-R a little more span.

@|Tch0rT| It comes down to how you want it to look in your room. I don't have WAF to consider, it's a bachelor pad, but I wouldn't say the DST-114 panels are total eyesores on the wall and they do what they're supposed to.

@Wizzack Thanks, glad you like it! One of these days I'll have a full basement to do with what I please and you think it's "balls to the wall' now, just you wait...

Your setup is also impressive, a very presentable room. Gorgeous speakers!

P.S I don't think Rodrigues was trying to rhyme, he's just offering suggestions, but as I re-read the post with your comment I can see why you would think that. LOL