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New Home theater setup - Suggestion please

post #1 of 20
10/2/12 at 7:16am
Thread Starter 
I am finishing my basement. Initially thought of putting a separate home theater room but realized that then the basement will be small, which will be a handicap for my kids to play specially in the winter. So now, planning to put the setup in part of the basement which will measure 20 * 20, of which some 8 ft on the left is not closed, (connected to the other small half of basement). No big windows only a small one. (10*10).

I have the Bose Acoustimass 16 system currently in my living room and have another Bose Acoustimass 15, but realized that 15 wont suit my new setup. So had put the 15 on sale and planning to buy new setup within 2K. I already have the Onkyo 608 for my Bose 16. Planning to use that for the basement and get some used Onkyo RC210 for the 16. Also I have a two Media centers powered by core i3/620 and one with MSI R6570-MD1G/LP Radeon HD 6570 1GB with LG blu ray drive . I also have a PS3. I have wired the basement for a 150" screen and 9.2 setup and need a 3D home theater setup mostly for movies(90%) and some games.

I may go with FAVI16:9 150" or Elite 135".

So in short I have these things

Projector - Optoma HD33 (bought this when it went on sale on Amazon)

Blu ray player - Media center / PS3

Receiver - Onkyo 608. (Wondering whether this will be under powered for the room, as it can push only 100W). Its a 7.2.

Need to buy these

Projector screen - FAVI/Elite ( within $400) - ?

Sub - Woofer - ?

Tower - ?

Center - ?

Side and Back - ?

Please give your honest suggestion. I am thinking of the PIONEER SP series, which were on sale on New Egg the other day
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #2 of 20
10/2/12 at 9:47pm
The Pioneers at Newegg are a good value for their price. However, if you are worried about having enough volume, go for more sensitive speakers than the Pioneers.
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post #3 of 20
10/2/12 at 11:57pm
BOSE? my condolences
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post #4 of 20
10/3/12 at 6:29am
So you have $2000-400 to spend on speakers/subwoofer?

I would recommend
Ascend Acoustic CMT-340 SE MINI-TOWER MONITOR, $ 568.00/pr
Ascend Acoustic CMT-340 SE CENTER , $ 298.00
A cheaper pair of surrounds 100/pr
That would leave you with around 5-600 dollars for a good sub.
With that system, you will be wonder why the hell you kept the Bose for so long....
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post #5 of 20
10/3/12 at 6:33am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elihawk View Post

So you have $2000-400 to spend on speakers/subwoofer?
I would recommend
Ascend Acoustic CMT-340 SE MINI-TOWER MONITOR, $ 568.00/pr
Ascend Acoustic CMT-340 SE CENTER , $ 298.00
A cheaper pair of surrounds 100/pr
That would leave you with around 5-600 dollars for a good sub.
With that system, you will be wonder why the hell you kept the Bose for so long....

Thanks Elihawk, I will take a look at them.

Do you think the reveiver Onkyo 608(100watt per channel) in enough for the above said speakers?
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post #6 of 20
10/3/12 at 6:42am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elihawk View Post

So you have $2000-400 to spend on speakers/subwoofer?
I would recommend
Ascend Acoustic CMT-340 SE MINI-TOWER MONITOR, $ 568.00/pr
Ascend Acoustic CMT-340 SE CENTER , $ 298.00
A cheaper pair of surrounds 100/pr
That would leave you with around 5-600 dollars for a good sub.
With that system, you will be wonder why the hell you kept the Bose for so long....

Another question. I see four input in the back of the tower monitor, are they for cross over? If so How should I connect them?
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post #7 of 20
10/3/12 at 6:55am
the combination of your Onkyo rec and that speaker will work fine- you will have plenty of power and volume. Those speakers are pretty sensitive (92 dB) and yes, you would have the option of adding an amp with the biwiring. However, unless your AVR is underpowered, there would be little advantage to doing that.
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post #8 of 20
10/3/12 at 7:49am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RR Cholan View Post

Another question. I see four input in the back of the tower monitor, are they for cross over? If so How should I connect them?

Thanks again. I saw some good used ones (speakers) in CL. Will check them this weekend.
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post #9 of 20
10/3/12 at 7:52am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cel4145 View Post

The Pioneers at Newegg are a good value for their price. However, if you are worried about having enough volume, go for more sensitive speakers than the Pioneers.

smile.gif

I am having the 16 series for nearly 2 years and I am pretty satisfied. But for my basement size I think it wot work. For the living room it blends very well and the Acoustimass module is hidden near the sofa. Eagerly waiting to see the difference between 16 and the new setup. Will post here once the basement HT setup is done.
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post #10 of 20
10/3/12 at 8:36am
Bose does two things really well- provide a small (stealth) form factor; and very easy set up. However, I think you will really appreciate the sound quality of a truely full range speaker. I don't own the Ascends, but I have a friend who does- and man, those sound good. Very balanced and neutral!
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post #11 of 20
10/3/12 at 9:45am
I like distortion and a frequency response that looks like a smiley face. Can I join in this thread & talk about Bose too?
Edited by ousooner2 - 10/4/12 at 7:06am
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post #12 of 20
10/3/12 at 9:48am
Thread Starter 
Yor and your suggestions are welcome.
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post #13 of 20
10/3/12 at 2:18pm
fwiw, hsu hybrid3 5.1 package ($1588 delivered)great speakers and sub with some pinpoint am40 wall mounts. this will get you more floor space than towers or books on stands and out of harms way with the kids
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post #14 of 20
10/4/12 at 6:28am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by smasher50 View Post

fwiw, hsu hybrid3 5.1 package ($1588 delivered)great speakers and sub with some pinpoint am40 wall mounts. this will get you more floor space than towers or books on stands and out of harms way with the kids

How does this compare with Ascend Acoustic CMT-340 SE Main/Center combination with Pioneer BS-21 surrond performance wise, any idea
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post #15 of 20
10/4/12 at 6:46am
HSU is a very good speaker company and is highly regarded, especially for sub woofers! Having never heard the HSU speakers, I cannot comment on them, but they get good reviews here on the AVS forum.
One things I will add...the HSU speakers have horn (compression) tweeters and while many people love the clarity and sensitivity of a speaker with Horn tweeters, some find horns to be shrill and fatiguing. MAKE SURE you listen to a speaker with a horn tweeter before you buy!
Spect comparison
HB-1 MK2 : 60Hz – 20kHz +/- 2 dB, 92 dB / 1m, 6.5 inch woofer horn tweeter.
Ascend Acoustic CMT-340 SE: 45Hz - 20kHz +/- 3dB, 90dB @ 1 watt/ 1 meter, 2 6.5 inch woofers, dome tweeter
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post #16 of 20
10/4/12 at 7:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elihawk View Post

HSU is a very good speaker company and is highly regarded, especially for sub woofers! Having never heard the HSU speakers, I cannot comment on them, but they get good reviews here on the AVS forum.
One things I will add...the HSU speakers have horn (compression) tweeters and while many people love the clarity and sensitivity of a speaker with Horn tweeters, some find horns to be shrill and fatiguing. MAKE SURE you listen to a speaker with a horn tweeter before you buy!
Spect comparison
HB-1 MK2 : 60Hz – 20kHz +/- 2 dB, 92 dB / 1m, 6.5 inch woofer horn tweeter.
Ascend Acoustic CMT-340 SE: 45Hz - 20kHz +/- 3dB, 90dB @ 1 watt/ 1 meter, 2 6.5 inch woofers, dome tweeter

I can say that I do find some horn loaded tweeters fatiguing (example lower end Klipsch speakers) but when I was able to demo the Hsu speakers I did not find them fatiguing at all. Both Ascend and Hsu are highly regarded. With that size room, you definitely don't want to skimp on the subwoofer.

As for screen size I don't think I would go bigger than 130" or so with that Optoma projector. Remember that bulbs slowly dim over time and I think trying to project on anything larger is asking too much from that projector. Especially for 3D where you can expect 75-80% lumen loss with the glasses on.

As for a screen, I would look into Jamestown:
http://www.jamestownhometheaterscreen.com/

I have heard good things about the Visual Apex screens as well:
http://www.visualapex.com/Projector-Screens/VisualApex-Projector-Screens.asp

For receivers, Acessories4less sells both Denon and Onkyo refurbished receivers at a good discount. They are an authorized reseller and all receivers come with a 1 year full manufacturers warranty:
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/AVReceiver/Home-Audio/Home-Theater-Receivers/1.html

I own both Onkyo and Denon and recommend them both, but Denon does tend to give you Audsyssey MultiEQ vs Onkyo 2EQ with their lower models for the money.

For speakers, I would also recommend researching Infnitiy Primus for home theater:
Mains:
http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Primus-P363-Three-way-Floorstanding/dp/B0046A8R3M/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1349359695&sr=8-4&keywords=infinity+primus
Center:
http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Primus-PC351-Three-way-Center-Channel/dp/B0044D1788/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349359695&sr=8-1&keywords=infinity+primus
Surrounds:
http://www.amazon.com/Infinity-Primus-P153-Bookshelf-Satellite/dp/B004649W1Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1349359695&sr=8-2&keywords=infinity+primus

This would give you plenty of money for a subwoofer...
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post #17 of 20
10/4/12 at 8:12am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elihawk View Post

HSU is a very good speaker company and is highly regarded, especially for sub woofers! Having never heard the HSU speakers, I cannot comment on them, but they get good reviews here on the AVS forum.
One things I will add...the HSU speakers have horn (compression) tweeters and while many people love the clarity and sensitivity of a speaker with Horn tweeters, some find horns to be shrill and fatiguing. MAKE SURE you listen to a speaker with a horn tweeter before you buy!
Spect comparison
HB-1 MK2 : 60Hz – 20kHz +/- 2 dB, 92 dB / 1m, 6.5 inch woofer horn tweeter.
Ascend Acoustic CMT-340 SE: 45Hz - 20kHz +/- 3dB, 90dB @ 1 watt/ 1 meter, 2 6.5 inch woofers, dome tweeter

Thanks Elihawk. I will definitely try to audition them.
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post #18 of 20
10/4/12 at 8:35am
Thread Starter 
Thanks ACK_BK. I was waiting for this kind of detailed reply from a senior member. I was browsing eBay for a replacement receiver, but here its really cheap. Screens are also cheap and good.

I may be getting, used Ascends front and center for around $600 with more than 4 years of warranty left. If it works Can I go with Infinity surrounds or any other? If I don't get the Ascends I will consider the complete Infinity series.

Regarding the receiver, I think you are suggesting to get one with high watts output for this setup right or is my Onkyo 608 is good for the setup?

Projector - Is there any other one you have in mind other than Optoma 33.

Screen I will be going with 120 or a 125 one.

Thanks again for all the links and suggestions.
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post #19 of 20
10/4/12 at 10:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RR Cholan View Post

Thanks ACK_BK. I was waiting for this kind of detailed reply from a senior member. I was browsing eBay for a replacement receiver, but here its really cheap. Screens are also cheap and good.
I may be getting, used Ascends front and center for around $600 with more than 4 years of warranty left. If it works Can I go with Infinity surrounds or any other? If I don't get the Ascends I will consider the complete Infinity series.
Regarding the receiver, I think you are suggesting to get one with high watts output for this setup right or is my Onkyo 608 is good for the setup?
Projector - Is there any other one you have in mind other than Optoma 33.
Screen I will be going with 120 or a 125 one.
Thanks again for all the links and suggestions.

Used Ascends would be a good move IMHO. If you already have the Onkyo 608, then I would not upgrade right now. I did not realize you already owned it.
You already own the Optoma 33, and if you cannot easily return it, then don't. It is a great value when it was on sale and would be hard to beat at that price point. Are there better projectors out there? Yes. But they will cost more.

Screen size, keep in mind this is based on seating distance too. How far back do you plan on sitting from the screen?

I think you are on the right path and have some great deals. You definitely want a good subwoofer, and I recommend looking at Hsu, SVS, and Rythmik. Power Sound Audio is a new player but looks very promising at the price points.
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post #20 of 20
10/4/12 at 11:42am
The Ascends are the best speaker I have heard that didn't cost some insane amount of money! Very balanced with good low, midbass and high performance. Easy to listen to, but boy those speakers can get loud too!
The Ascends also hit pretty low...so if you needed to wait awhile for a sub woofer, they would do a better job than other speakers mentioned in this thread at producing some lows. For movies, you will definately want to get a subwoofer pretty soon!
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