New audio/theater setup help needed

Are you planning on using the entire room for your theater or are you considering walling off dedicated space for you listening room/theater?

Im going to recommend a different subwoofer. Check out the offerings from the ID companies like outlaw, hsu research, Rythmik, and Power Sound Audio.

Speaker wise, I've never heard those polks so can't comment.

If at all possible, I'd suggest getting Denon's 2113 instead of the 1913. The version of Audyssey (2EQ) in the 1913 does not equalize the subwoofer.

Your main speakers the Polk Tsi 500 s are at the upper end of bass competence as floor-standers and this is good. Not that they won't benefit from a good sub, but to really obtain a SQ advantage you need something more than an econo-sub which seems to be all you have mentioned so far. Spending as much on the sub as you spent on both fronts is far from being excessive. Basically, go with the earlier recommended manufacturers and plan on spending $500-1,000 or more.

I'm not sure what you mean by "losing the in-concert feeling."

The room equalization software available in most modern receivers is intended to make the sound you hear coming from your speakers much more accurate than it would be without the equalization. It tries to compensate for infelicities in your speakers and the listening room. Of course, you should still use the highest quality speakers you can afford and apply appropriate treatments to the room to eliminate sound reflections, low frequency modes and other sources of audio degradation.

MN, you can certainly get to the sound you are looking for, though it will be challenging at your price point. You can definitely make a start with your first system. High efficiency speakers will make that an easier task. Perhaps some used Klipsch Heresy speakers with a strong sub will fill that room to your desired level. My other question was about keeping that sound contained, which easier in a dedicated room. Don,'t forget to think about your room insulation and sound blocks to keep sound away from the rest of the house. This makes your room much more usable.

A quick sketch would be good. Is your floor carpeted?

The 1913 has MultEQ, not 2EQ. Here.

Sorry: my confusion. I remembered that the 1913 has a lower grade of Audyssey than does the 1713, but misremembered the level the 1713 and 2113 both have MultEQ XT, while the 1913 has only MultEQ. In other words, it'll do an adequate job of EQing the sub, but the 2113 will do much better. (The 1713 is missing other features that the 1913 has. Apparently they had to go with a less expensive version of Audyssey in the 1913 in order to keep its price down.)

No problem.

But, to make matters clear Audyssey's MultEQ and MultEQ XT have the same filter resolution in the subwoofer channel (128x), while the difference is in the satellite channels (MultEQ = 2x, MultEQ XT = 16x).

Here's the comparision chart:



Hope this helps you as well as the OP.

Hi, let's take another look at this picture:



1. Do you really need that fireplace in the basement? That central place could be ideal for a big size display with a center channel speaker under it.

2. Tower speakers could be properly placed left and right of the screen for best sound stage imaging.

3. And if it were me I would definitely consider to put up a dry-wall (with a door) behind the couch in order to close the space acoustically, making it a kinda "dedicated HT room" separated from the rest of the basement area.

Whaddaya think?

MN,

I see what you want to do with your space and don't think you should opt for one of the other rooms. You need this larger space to make this a real entertaining area.

I completely agree with mogorf in his thinking on the back wall. I have built theater/listening rooms in two different homes by taking space out of larger basement space. Not only does it improve the acoustics in the room but it also isolates it from the rest of the house so it does not disturb others (especially wife) while you are enjoying it. It also creates a room with a wow factor (if done correctly) and adds value to your house. The house with my first room sold in one day earlier this year and the new owner specifically required that the media room gear and treatments be part of the sale. No problem I already factored it in to the price of the house. And the good news is that you don't have to change anything right away. You can set up your room right now with the gear you decide to buy without needing the back wall.

When you can, I see putting in a single wall to tie the outer wall with the end of the room to the right. You could put the TV above the fireplace for now and enjoy video content or put on the fire for music only. Lots of fun! Your 5.1 could set up symmetrically around the room's center. Down the line, you could add a projector and put a motorized drop down screen to come down over the fireplace/mantle for a big screen solution when you want it.. With your wet bar, this will be a big wow room.

Good luck working out your design and details.

+1.

I have to admit that I was biting my tongue due to laziness while typing my earlier post because I did not want to tackle the larger problem, which was the horrible acoustical and practical nature of the basic space.

For entertaining, it would be far better to wall off the listening room and build a food and drink bar outside. That eliminates wars between people who want to listen to music (usually a minority) and those who want to talk and snack (the vast majority).

If there is a wife who prefers what we see, she must be a young lady who does not watch what people do at parties when given some choices.

Could you move the TV to the center of the room to the left of the glass door in the "basement3" picture? Then you could place the sectional facing that direction. That would give you a better, more centered setup for your speakers.

For the sub, I agree with the others in this thread about internet direct companies. I like HSU and SVS personally.

For the receiver, as long as you go with a Denon that has Audyssey you will be in great shape. But if you can afford it, why not get the better version of Audyssey.

For the speakers, unless someone knows of some really good ID speakers that beat those polks for the same price (can't seem to think of any at the moment), then go ahead and get the Polks.

Hmmm, did you say you have a spare bedroom?

I can see why you have it set up the way you do in the new pics. That is the best obvious layout for a hangout/party room for sure. I don't think it will sound that bad setup how it currently is, but you just need to decide which is more important to you, a great room layout for hanging out with freinds and family or the best possible acoustical layout. I mean, even the hardcore guys on this forum have to admit that a nice pair of tower speakers and a good sub will sound good even in this arrangement to the average person. Put up some heavy cloth curtains on that sliding door, that should help a little as well.

You just need to choose which is the top priority to you.