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New member that needs advice

post #1 of 21
12/3/12 at 3:57pm
Thread Starter 
Hello all I'm new to the forum and to home audio. I've been lurking around for the past week or so trying to get ideas for my man cave/game room. I oringinally was going to get a sound bar for my TV (42" led), then thought about a 5.1 or a 5.2, and now I debating to just do my own setup. My budget is up in the air as of now since I went from looking at $300 sound bar to $1000 5.1 speakers.... I'd like to keep it below $1000 and honestly cheaper is better but I know I'll regret getting something that's sub par. The room the speakers are going in is 11x12 and the ceiling goes from 8' at one end to 10.5' at the other. Here are some of the setups I've been looking into
In no particular order
1. definitive pro 600 5.1
2. Energy 5.1 Take Classic Home Theater System
3. BIC Acoustech PL-76 Home Theater System with PL-200
Bic America FT-6T theater system
5. BIC America HT8W 8-Inch 3-Way Acoustech Series In-Wall Speakers. With surround speakers
6. Full monoprice in wall/ceiling speakers
7. JBL speakers
As you can see I'm all over the place lol. I'm still not sure about the reciever either but I guess I have to figure out what speaker I'm getting to match them up. I know I want a 2 zone reciever to expand in the future. Please help me out!!!!
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post #2 of 21
12/3/12 at 5:04pm
At $1k, here is what I would get:
2 x Infinity Primus p163 = $170
Infinity Primus c351 = $200
2 x Pioneer SP-BS21-LR for surround speakers = $85
Hsu VTF2 mk4 = $612

Altogether $1067 shipped, and I think it would be much better than the choices you have listed.
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post #3 of 21
12/3/12 at 5:18pm
Thread Starter 
Do you have any other recommendations for a sub in the 200-300 range? Or is that one pretty much the cats @$$ and there's no other substitute?
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post #4 of 21
12/3/12 at 5:39pm
I have had this sub in my system for over 5 years and it still blows the roof off

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Synergy-SUB-10-Subwoofer-Speaker/dp/B000M59GQ2
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post #5 of 21
12/3/12 at 6:13pm
Thread Starter 
That's a little more in the price range... Isn't the Bic pl200 or f12 comparable to that?
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post #6 of 21
12/3/12 at 6:42pm
You can get a cheaper sub, but for the price the VTF2 is a killer sub, and will be much superior to any BIC or Klipsch Synergy sub. It depends what you are willing to settle with for bass. The VTF2 will give you very strong bass at 20 hz and big output above that point. You can also get a Hsu STF2, or VTF1, or SVS PB1000, and those will be 370, 500, and 500 respectively, but they just won't be on the same level in sheer output. In my opinion, the VTF2's level of performance is where subs start getting serious. Another comparable sub is the Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus, and it is basically the same price. I should say though that if you have neighbors in adjacent rooms, the VTF2's potential might be wasted if you wouldn't ever be able to crank your system. In that case I would go with the entry level Hsu or SVS subs.
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post #7 of 21
12/3/12 at 6:55pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah I have a 1 year old right now and most of the times that we have movie night it's when she's sleeping. But I see how the saving process goes and I might get it. What about a decent reciever with 2 zones?
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post #8 of 21
12/3/12 at 7:38pm
I would look at a mid level Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon, Pioneer, or Harman/Kardon. Also Marantz. You might look for open box deals or refurbished. Sometimes there are great deals at newegg.com, and also keep an eye on the lightning deals they have at Amazon. It depends on your budget. Lots of receivers meet your criteria in the $300 to $400 range.
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post #9 of 21
12/3/12 at 7:51pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks man that helps a lot. How about mounting those speakers on the wall?
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post #10 of 21
12/3/12 at 8:08pm
These AM40 pinpoint mounts are some of the best, and they do not require you to drill holes in your speakers. They are a little pricey though. If drilling holes in your speakers doesn't bother you, you might try these for the surrounds. If you need to mount the front speakers, I would go with the AM40s or bookshelf speaker stands.
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post #11 of 21
12/3/12 at 8:37pm
Thread Starter 
Hmmmm do you think there's a way to fabricate a backing for it do your not drilling into it?
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post #12 of 21
12/3/12 at 10:33pm
In order to avoid drilling into the speaker but using it with one of those mounts, you would need to build some kind of clamp for it, and make the screw holes on a piece on the clamp. Either that, or build some kind of shelf for the speaker. Remember when shopping for speaker mounts that the mount be rated for the weight of the speaker.
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post #13 of 21
12/4/12 at 6:24am
Thread Starter 
The only thing I see wrong with the mono price mounts is they are rated for a max lbs of 10lbs. Amazon says those infinity speaker are 17? Is that right?
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post #14 of 21
12/4/12 at 1:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ircfiremedic View Post

The only thing I see wrong with the mono price mounts is they are rated for a max lbs of 10lbs. Amazon says those infinity speaker are 17? Is that right?

Yeah the Infinity speakers weight closer to 17, you can not use those monoprice mounts with them. You would want to get either the AM40s, but you could also build a shelf for them, just take a run up to Home Depot if you have one near, and see what they have, that would be less expensive. You could use the monoprice mounts with some light surround speakers though.
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post #15 of 21
12/4/12 at 4:17pm
Thread Starter 
With those monoprice mounts you said earlier that you have to drill into the speaker... What are the odds of damaging the speaker? Also is that going to affect the performance by cause air leaks in the box? I know in car audio that can be an issue but wasn't sure with HT.
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post #16 of 21
12/4/12 at 6:28pm
You have to be careful not to drill into the crossover, if the crossover is mounted on one of the sides of the cabinet. the screws should seal the holes, so you don't have to worry about air leakage once they are mounted. I would just be careful not to use long screws, and not drill into the speaker by more than half an inch. Whatever speaker you get that you would drill into, look online to see if there are any pictures that lets you know where the crossover board is inside the speaker.
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post #17 of 21
12/5/12 at 8:42am
Thread Starter 
Ok I'll look into that. I may even look into ikea and see if the have some book shelves that are at least half way decent. If not I guess I'll just have to drill them
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post #18 of 21
12/5/12 at 8:44am
Thread Starter 
BTW what do you think about this reciever for a selection? http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0077V88W2/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1354725788&sr=8-1&pi=SL75
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post #19 of 21
12/5/12 at 11:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ircfiremedic View Post

BTW what do you think about this reciever for a selection? http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0077V88W2/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1354725788&sr=8-1&pi=SL75

I stayed away from Onkyo myself because of all the talk on here about problem with HDMI after 6-12 months and Onkyo's lack of concern in addressing the issue.
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post #20 of 21
12/5/12 at 2:14pm
I recommend Onkyo, but with some caveats. First of all their receivers have historically run a bit hot, and heat is the enemy of long-term reliability in electronics. Second, their customer service does not have a great reputation, in case you ever do have a problem. This being said, it doesn't seem like Onkyo receivers are generally more problematic than their competition from Yamaha, Pioneer, Denon, Harman/Kardon, etc. and they definitely have a great feature set and amplifier power for the dollar. I have an Onkyo that has always run a bit hot and this has concerned me, but I have to say I have had it for some years and have never had a problem with it.
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post #21 of 21
12/6/12 at 7:33am
Thread Starter 
how is the denon 1613?
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