Your LP is your bed and you are going to do 9.2
And the .2 are 18 inches
Assuming a bedroom this is a lot of bass

I will try to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge, and my ability to pass it on, many time I express myself the wrong way

For "What would you suggest for a real processor and amp(s) if my budget for both is $2000? What would a real processor gain me? (Actual, serious question)"

This last one, I have to be conscious not to steer in the wrong direction since it is not my money!!!
The way of up grades to be heard as to biggest improvement to the least are;
-Speaker and sub/s first and room acoustic.
Both can play a big difference in your sound, so both are equal.
-Power, either from a receiver or power amp, if the power source ran out of juice, you will run into distortion and worst, clipping, a very dangerous place to be for speaker, since clipping can damage speakers. This is where a power amp make a difference for the power.
-adequate electronics and cables, speakers wires and cables should be of the proper sizes and I am guilty to over size when not needed.

How many channels do you need for a power/s amps?
This would be my second upgrade if you do not have room treatments.

Last but the most important one for the budget.
The processor fall into electronics. This one is difficult to explain and will try to do my best.

Processor use better parts;
DAC (Digital to Analog Converter)
Resistors, capacitors and so on.
At the end, it result into a more spacious sound that make the speakers disappear.

My most important suggestion to you.
Buy an AVR for now!
The words of electronics is moving to fast for the formats wars.
2 years ago, my processor was a reference piece, now it is a boat anchors.
When all the format settle, then you can move into processors if you still so desire

Ray

Yes, you are correct. I am hoping to make this a 9.2 system, and the .2 are UM-18s, and they kick ass in the room. I run (iNuke 3000DSP) anywhere from 60% - 70% gain and run them about 2-3dB hot. It's a 12x12x8 room, not 100% square, but basically.

*One thing that I was still unclear about, can you mix monopole and di/bipole speakers?* I currently use HTD Level 2 towers as surrounds. If I added rear surrounds, they would need to be mounted on the back wall. This is the same wall where the headboard is, so the surrounds would be mounted on the wall behind be. I was just seeing if there would be any real benefit in adding the rear surrounds for a more immersive experience or have an ill affect because of placement. Ill post a picture later on.

I still have 6 acoustic panels to hang. I was just waiting to mount them after I get the surround situation figured out incase I had to rearrange anything.

I do have a Denon x4100 which I got after the x4200 was released (http://usa.denon.com/us/product/home...rsht/avrx4100w).
This has Neo:X, Atmos decoding (which I don't intent to use in this room), 9.2 channels of processing, but only 7 amplified channels (I know I will need a 2-channel amp if using all 9 channels), 125 wpc 8ohms 2-channels driven. I already have plans to audition an XPA-3 after I get my surrounds hooked up. But I want to see how the x4100 handles everything first, then do a comparison by giving the Denon a break of the three main channels (80hz crossover all the way around).

EDIT: scratch my info about the amps, here is a pic from Denon's website description.

Question: You have a Klipsch & JBL storefront display in your house?
Answer: Lol.


Question: I'm confused about the reasons for a "wall of sound." Do you have massive speaker selector switch or are you attempting to run all those speakers at once?
Answer: I believe you are confusing a "wall of sound" with a "show of force"...the arrangement was simply for a photo. I am not running all the speakers at once.

If you clicked on the YouTube link you would see the answer in the description. Also, included in the video and slideshow is a spreadsheet detailing the both the specs and what each speaker is used for in the home theater.

For the last ten years or so, I used the JBL Studio Series 9.1 configuration. I recently purchased 11 Klipsch Reference Series II speakers and the 4 15" subs. I decided to line them all up and take a photo of both series simply because when would you ever see both collections together like that again?


Question: Sorry, but I just can't wrap my head around this installation. You seem to have a pile of center speakers, but no screen for the common use of them as part of a AV system. The collection looks like...a collection of all the speakers with black cabinets and copper colored drivers. You forgot KEF LS-50 and special edition Reference series, and probably a few others.
Answer: I don't know anyone that would attempt to use a pile of center speakers. They were simply arranged like that for a photo as mentioned above. My nephew will get the JBL collection when he gets older. I thought he would like this photo showing his speakers in his Uncle Tony's theater when he gets the gift years from now (he is five now and we took some shots of him in front of both collections which I haven't made public).

I know the link to the Photobucket slideshow had at least two photos showing the motorized screen (although the screen was up near the ceiling, so I could see how you might easily miss it). I thought I included at least one of those photos in the post above but I could be wrong. The purpose of the photos was not to show my entire home theater room, it was to show the speakers as this is the speaker sub-group of this forum. Maybe one day I will decide to post the entire theater in that section of the forum (once I purchase my final amp solution which will include separates).

As described in the description on the YouTube link provided in my post, the set-up is as follows:

Klipsch:
4 Klipsch R-115SW subwoofers
1 Klipsch RC-64 II center speaker
2 Klipsch RF-7 II front floorstanding speakers
2 Klipsch RF-7 II front wide floorstanding speakers
2 Klipsch RB-81 II front height surround speakers
2 Klipsch RB-81 II side surround speakers
2 Klipsch RB-81 II rear surround speakers

JBL:
1 JBL S-Center speaker
2 JBL S412P tower speakers
2 JBL S36 front height speakers
2 JBL S38 side surround speakers
2 JBL S36 rear surround speakers



Question: What amplifiers are you driving those with? Are you ever trying to light them all up at once?
Answer: I am using two Denon receivers for now. My Denon AVR-X5200W power the Klipsch center speaker, the front towers, the front wide towers, the side surrounds and the rear surrounds. The four Klipsch subs are also connected to this receiver. I use the pre-amp output labeled Height 1 to connect to my older Denon AVR-4802. That receiver powers my front height surrounds, completing the 11.4 speaker configuration.

Next year, I will purchase a separates such as the two NAD Masters Series 22 amps (both are 250W X 2 and each will power one pair of front towers), along with the NAD Masters Series M27 amp (which is 180W X 7 and that will power the other 7 speakers in the Klipsch collection) and the NAD Masters Series M12 Pre-amp/DAC (that will replace the Denon processor)...although I have not started my research yet to determine my final solution.



Question: Very confusing array, but shows a lot of money spent. Congratulations.
Answer: Thank you. I hope the above responses answered all of your questions. If I didn't, please feel free to PM me.

Question: Thanks for the explanation Tony. I had clicked on the video within the forum posting and that didn't explain anything at all. It was just 9 minutes of pictures and music I don't care to listen to.

Answer: I thought this photo, shown in both the vid and the slideshow, explain to the viewer the position of each speaker (it's listed right in the column heading) but I guess you missed it (one thing that may have been a little confusing is the placement of the subs which normally reside in each of the four corners of the room)...


Source:
http://s578.photobucket.com/user/ton...ter%20Speakers

Also, the following is listed in the description of the video...
Published on Nov 26, 2015
Klipsch:
4 Klipsch R-115SW subwoofers
1 Klipsch RC-64 II center speaker
2 Klipsch RF-7 II front floorstanding speakers
2 Klipsch RF-7 II front wide floorstanding speakers
2 Klipsch RB-81 II front height surround speakers
2 Klipsch RB-81 II side surround speakers
2 Klipsch RB-81 II rear surround speakers
Source:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfMQczX-VU4

Question: Not to be critical, rather I'm curious as to how big the room is for an 11.4 system and so many large speakers. My room is probably smaller at 13.5' x 19'. With KEF R500, R200C, SVS SB1000 sub and smaller KEF surrounds in a 5.1 system it fills my room pretty good. I might try up to 7.2.4 as absolutely max, so if your room is considerably larger that Klipsch set might not look so intimidating. I don't see any room treatments, just bare, square walls and a tiled floor. Have to taken steps to avoid a cacophony of bouncing sound waves?

Answer: You can be critical, or have a different opinion/s, lol. Imagine how boring the world would be if everyone had the same speakers! I just go by the motto, if an individual is happy with their system, than that is the ultimate system for them. There's nothing worse than guys that think there is one correct solution for everyone (and it's the one they have). But to have a different opinion/s...that's normal. My room does have significantly more square footage but you should remember just because someone has large speakers does not mean that they are always played at max capacity. Also, different speaker sizes sound different. For example, bass from a 15" subwoofer sounds different than the base produced by 12", 10" or 8" subwoofers. I believe the set-up may have looked intimidating because in the photos I posted with the old JBL system side-by-side with the new Klipsch system, there was no spacing between speakers and the new Klipsch reference series II system was all bunched together to get all the speakers in the shot (which we were never able to do BTW).

When listening to movies I enjoy having front height, side and rear surrounds for effects, to complement my center and front channel speakers. When listening to music, t.v. or games I enjoy using two pair of front speakers (as well as playing all 15 speakers at times). My room sounded very good with my old JBL Studio Series collection. For over 10 years, I had 7.1 in the room, until last year when I added the front height surrounds to make it 9.1. So, while an 11.4 is not required it's just nice to have. Kind of like how I had work done on my Mercedes-Benz. Did I need to set both world records for fastest and quickest 1/4 mile and both world records for most RWHP/RWTQ? Was that necessary? Certainly not. Is it cool that I did. Oh yeah! My friends and co-workers absolutely love it. It's a hobby that I share with my father who is retired. My nephew thinks it's awesome...so what's better than that?

I took a holistic approach when designing my home theater. As previously mentioned, since I was posting in the speaker sub-forum, I chose to have the speakers as the focal point of the photos. I think you may have missed the rug in the photo, but there are many more objects in the room to absorb sound waves and prevent harsh, unpleasant loud sounds that weren't shown. Here are some basic tips and tricks I have incorporated to address sound reflections: 1) all recliners in the room are away from the walls and speakers, 2) there are thermal insulated blackout curtains measuring 8' by 6' along the side wall, 3) the area rug is 12' x 9', 4) on both sidewalls approximately two-thirds of the way back from the front wall there are bookshelves that are approximately 6.5' tall, and 5) my Denon receiver came with Audyssey, the advanced room correction technology that automatically calibrates the speakers. Everyone that has listened to the system loved it and many wish they could do the same in their home. Most importantly, it sounds great to me.


Question: Your potential head end upgrade to the NAD Masters products is a good path. That is similar to my long term plan. I wish you the very best. You have some excellent quality speakers there.

Answer: I have done minimal research regarding the separates I will purchase next year but I do not believe I will be able to purchase any of the following brands to power my 11 speakers for a budget of $14,000-16,000: McIntosh, Krell, Mark Levinson, Audio Research, Parasound, Crown, IcePower and Cello. So, far I have only come across two options: 1) the NAD M17, the NAD M22 (two of them), and the NAD M27, and 2) Emotiva XPA-7 and Emotiva XPA-2 (two of them)...couldn't find an Emotiva pre-amp on their site for 11 speakers. I will ask around in both the Klipsch sub-forum and the Amp sub-forum here on AVS before I purchase to see what the community recommends for a synergistic effect when combined with the Klipsch Reference Series II speakers.

Best of luck to you with your future upgrades.

I just upgraded from my first 5.1 setup that is 15yrs old.
Now it is...
-Pioneer Elite SC-91
On order
-Monitor Audio Silver 10s
-MA Silver center
-MA Silver surrounds

Currently researching a sub.

Any pics?


For the subs, here's a few good place to start;
http://www.svsound.com/pages/subwoofers
http://www.hsuresearch.com/subwoofers.html
http://www.powersoundaudio.com/collections/subwoofers
http://www.rythmikaudio.com/


Good luck with your search


Ray

Ray brings good suggestions - I can speak out of experience:

- HSU VTF-15 (MK1): great sub, all-around performance, very good price point
- PSA V1800: even better, but even more remarkable being doubled up. Smooth, precise, and pressure all over!

I cannot speak for either of the others, however, I highly value the price point of both, HSU and PSA.

Especially I value the fact that Tom V. from PSA is personally available for you if needed!

Take care,

Kev

Any pics?

For the subs, here's a few good place to start;
://svsound.com/pages/subwoofers
://.hsuresearch.com/subwoofers.htm
//.powersoundaudio.com/collections/subwoofers
//.rythmikaudio.com/

Good luck with your search

Ray

Hi guys! Need some advice. I've got a 5.1 setup at the moment. Definitive Technology all the way around. ProMonitor 1000s and ProCenter1000 up front and Prominitor 800s in the rear. Also have a 10" ProSub. I'm upgrading to Atmos 5.1.2 (small room). Rear speakers will be 6' up on side walls about 3' behind couch, angled in and slightly down. Front speakers and subs will remain in their current spot (behind my Acousticallg transparent screen). My question is: for my two overheads, should I get another pair of ProMonitor 800s? Been thinking about the BP1.2x Bipoles for overhead since it'll make a wider, more diffuse sound since our ears aren't really good at localizing overhead sounds. Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions? Would appreciate it!

Thanks for the links and advice! I will look into them. Also looking into the JL e-110.
No pics yet. I will get them up asap I ordered speakers on Saturday and should be here later in the week. I'm building a base under my 65 DLP base so I can get the bottom of the center channel about 20" from the floor (about 9" now).
Old setup is Klipsch RF-3s with center,surrounds and KSW-15 sub.
It is in an L shaped great room in a townhouse which is open to the kitchen. It's about 25x25' total w/8' ceilings. I'm going to build some wall treatments since I have invested a bit, but I won't tackle that for a few weeks. Treatments are new to me so I have to read up on that.

i do like to think i have a good ear for quality, but sadly my wallet cant afford the quality i would like.

I currently have a nice front set-up, but im in the market for a nice pair of floorstanders.
Sub- Sony WA-2500 Powered 10"

I'm new to the forum.
Just bought a 9.2 demo set.

KEF Q900 x 2
KEF Q300 x 2
KEF Q100 x 2
KEF Q800ds x 2
KEF qQ600c x 1
POlk Audio PSW505 x 2

Modest 5.1 living room system - front LR's are Chane A5rx-c's, center is a Chane A2rx-c, surrounds are Def Tec PM800's, and the air is pressurized nicely with a PSA S3000i.

I'll have to stage a shot for the thread - right now there is a long plastic gate protecting the speakers and electronics so our 8-month-old cannot make any "adjustments" (he's learned how to crawl now!)

I just converted from Kef r700 and r600c to MA Gold series. The Kef R series was great, but I had so many paintwork problem with them. So I'm returning the r700 and buying parasound halo integrated to power my GX300 fronts. The GXW15 in the background is awesome.