I have a budget of $10K to blow on a home theater setup for movies and gaming from the ground up (including TV and receiver) as part of my home reno. This is for a living room. The only thing is that my wife wants everything to look super clean and the only floor space I can use would be for a small sub.
Including TV, receiver, and speakers, and keeping in mind the requirement to hide the speakers as much as possible, can you think of a better way to allocate my budget?
Total: $9,744 (we can hand-wave the tax / shipping / cabling for now)
How can I do better?
Note: I need eARC because the receiver is going to live in the next room, and TV has to go on top of the fireplace which is why a soundbar might be ok from a height perspective. I've attached a rough idea of the speaker layout, and the fireplace with flanking windows, which should help visualize the space I'm working in.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
P.S. I have room for a 77" OLED but the LG 77" OLED is kind of a budget buster at ~$3800 on Greentoe...
For your surrounds since you are doing Atmos you should try to get these behind you and at ear level. Being right at your sides with Atmos speakers behind you isn’t ideal.
As for the sub middle of the room is worst place as it can cancel out at certain frequencies. What’s behind your fireplace? Right by your miter saw....
Looks like you could do an infinity baffle sub. It allows massive low frequency, in a better location, front corner, and won’t require a box in the room just a grill to let the sound out
Hi @kwoody51 , thanks for the ideas! I know 90-100 degrees is not ideal for the surrounds but if I’m going to put them in-wall I don’t have other good options that will be even close to symmetric due to the walkway that goes to the kitchen.
I’d never heard of infinite baffle subs before. It’s an awesome idea but beyond the fireplace is the side yard and to the right of it is the front yard, so I don’t have space to mount anything in the wall beyond the 3.5” gap of the wall. :crying:
I am banking on 4 atmos being better than 2, despite the issues with the surrounds, but I could potentially drop the rear atmos speakers and just do the front ones if that would somehow be better in terms of balance...
Your photo really looks like there is some space beside your fireplace... but will trust you know what's there!
For your Atmos speakers check out RSL. They are significantly less than the ones you are looking at and likely as good or better. LCR you want the best you can afford (RSL are also really good) but for atmos and surround no reason to spend ~$300+/ speaker. This savings could allow for that 77" OLED which would be NICE! They might have in walls, not sure as I didn't need those.
That Paradigm 1SC certainly i$ beautiful! Did you consider three traditional bookshelf or matching centers across the top of your mantle? I don't think they'd be any more intrusive than the 1SC. This would provided better frequency responses and the additional funds could funnel towards larger screen. I think you could also consider utilizing smaller (P65) inwall/ceiling drivers. I don't think the compromises made for WAF and room constraints are unreasonable . I'd consider a more balanced speaker selection but continue with your plan for 5.1.4.
That Paradigm 1SC certainly i$ beautiful! Did you consider three traditional bookshelf or matching centers across the top of your mantle? I don't think they'd be any more intrusive than the 1SC. This would provided better frequency responses and the additional funds could funnel towards larger screen. I think you could also consider utilizing smaller (P65) inwall/ceiling drivers.
Additionally , it does appear that this room is under construction? Do you actually use the doors on either side of the fireplace?
I don't think my wife will be on board but maybe 3 center channels would be acceptable. I'll see if I can save some money there but nice center channels are expensive.
Yeah, the room is under construction but those are windows that we plan to keep. They are small though and kind of up high (30"x30").
Additionally , it does appear that this room is under construction? Do you actually use the doors on either side of the fireplace? You're floor plan clearly shows another exterior door at the back of the room. If you otherwise have convenient access to the yards I'd re frame/drywall over those.
You can save money on the receiver, you don't need 140 watts/channel in a room that size. Look at the onkyo RZ830 (currently $699)....the onkyo actually has a bigger power supply. Do you really need eARC?
Skip the OLED. Get a Q series 82" Samsung, in the 2-3K price range depending on model. The blacks are getting really good on these.
You can save money on the receiver, you don't need 140 watts/channel in a room that size. Look at the onkyo RZ830 (currently $699)....the onkyo actually has a bigger power supply. Do you really need eARC?
Skip the OLED. Get a Q series 82" Samsung, in the 2-3K price range depending on model. The blacks are getting really good on these.
Thanks for the ideas, but if I'm going to have a nice atmos system and put the receiver in the next room then I think I want eARC as an option. It's true I could run the cabling without eARC though. I think 140W/ch is also overkill (frankly worried about blowing out the smaller speakers too) so maybe I can compromise there. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll look into that angle.
Regarding OLED, the LGs really are very pretty... But you're right QLED is always there if I need to find some cushion in the budget...
If you can, definitely push for a bookshelf LCR. A sound bar is a horrible idea for a “nice” Atmos system. You’ll be glad in the long run for sure, and can mitigate upgraditis. I’d also look for a denon 4400/4500. Iirc. The 64/6500 is barely incremental between the 4500 and 8500. For a subwoofer, maybe consider a cylinder from SVS. Smaller footprint, but good performance. I definitely agree with the nod to RSSL c34e’s. I used 4 of them and they are great. I disagree with getting them “behind” you. With a 5ch bed layer, I would stay around 110°.
I definitely understand WAF but I think it’s too easy to lose to it. IMO, it’s your house too so if it’s important, stand up for it. But don’t be a steamroller. Lol
Agree that a traditional LCR setup will be better than a sound bar. You can find some nice white speakers from definitive technologies pro monitors 800. I have a small white pair in my living room you can barely see. The wider spread of the L and R vs center really helps with the sound stage/ imaging.
As for receiver you may want to check out a NAD 758v3. This is the lowest cost receiver with Dirac. You will need a small class D 2 channel amp for ~ $60 for one pair of your atmos speakers. Dirac is a game changer for room EQ and works wonders in a room that looks like a room not a EQ treated non WAF room. Much better than Audyssey. Don’t let the lower watts rating fool you, it will have plenty of power for your room!
Also agree with others that the 3600/4400/4500 would work if you want to go with Denon. The 6500 just gives your more power and 2 channels you don’t need. Extra $$$ you don’t need to spend. You can get an 4400/4500 for around $700 at the right time of year. I had a Denon 4400 that I sold and replaced with a NAD because I wanted Dirac. Was worth the upgrade for me....
I would trade eARC for Dirac. Also you can hook up a streaming device like Apple TV straight to receiver vs streaming from the TV. You will get better results sending everything to receiver and then let receiver send the video signal to the TV. This is what I do.
I would also check out Rythmik F12 for a sub. It’s small as it’s a sealed sub but it has very nice punch.
Thanks all for the great suggestions! Your ideas helped a lot. I tried to convince my wife to go with 3 center channels, or bookshelf speakers on the mantle, but it was a no-go. We compromised with a large 77" TV and the biggest passive soundbar I could find, to get some separation between the channels. I also went with a less beefy receiver as suggested and added a 2nd zone (with 4 ceiling speakers and 2 stereo amps to drive them) in the dining / kitchen. I decided to stay with enclosed ceiling / wall speakers to minimize sound leakage to other rooms / outside.
Here is where I landed, roughly at my desired budget. Hopefully will pull the trigger in the next few days!
I am not sure I get any benefit from the HEOS amps for zone 2 because I will just use the line-level inputs and probably don't need the wireless features... still deciding on that. I can save an additional $800-$900 if I go with something more along the lines of the Fosi for my 4 speakers in zone 2, so maybe it's worth starting there.
Actually to be honest I wonder if my wife is going to freak when she sees the size of the 15" HSU. Maybe I should consider the Rythmik 12, even though it's more expensive than the HSU.
***Without a doubt, get the largest screen size you can get, period. That can't be changed, easily, after you've set everything up (cost wise.) The number one regret of anyone buying a TV is that they didn't buy bigger. Dolby Atmos is definitely worth it as it adds a lot of enjoyment and immerses you into any movie your are watching. I agree that if you can, an eARC compatible AVR is a nice option. But keep in mind - - eARC is still a couple years away from reality and streaming sites like Netflix and Amazon Prime use DD+ via current ARC specifications for Dolby Atmos audio. And you'll get a lot of debate on this (compressed versus uncompressed or lossy versus lossless Dolby Atmos (uncompressed or lossless only via Bluray disc right now with future eARC capability) - - but many people cannot tell the difference between lossy or lossless audio. So, to me, eARC is a nice option but not an absolute must.
No soundbar. Ample L/C/R speakers and the sub does not have to be huge. There are many subs that crank out great sound that do not have to be overly big in size. Speaking of the WAF - - if you are watching together, then you can crank up the sound. If you are in different rooms, be prepared to have her ask for you to turn down the sub. That's my WAF experience.
Remember - - with Samsung no Dolby Vision. Netflix has a lot of Dolby Vision content with Dolby Atmos soundtracks as a "ride along" with DD+. Since I do not have a Samsung TV - - maybe others can chime in on how much DV is available via HDR & 4K with Samsung. Lastly - - do NOT skimp on your center channel. In fact, if you can find the right L/C/R combination with the best center channel, you will be very happy. A strong performing center channel is critical for movie enjoyment (dialog) and is very noticeable, quality wise. Try to keep the center channel on the same plane as your L/R speakers and closer to ear level (probably sitting) if you can. Enjoy your journey!
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