[PTS21]

I picked up the Denon AVR-1913 this weekend for a cool $299 at Fry's while on a family weekend getaway in Atlanta. I want to setup a 5.1 system in my family room. I'll be using zone 2 for my patio.


I'm almost embarrassed to say what my budget is seeing how much some of you audiophiles spend, but I really want to keep it under $500. It will get more TV use than music. However, I do want the music to sound great as well. I'm not an audiophile but I can understand and hear the difference when you invest the big bucks. I'm just not there yet.


The only real requirement I have (OK, my wife has) is that the speakers aren't boxy or cumbersome-looking, especially the center channel. Below is a picture of my family room so you can see what I'm working with. The center speaker will be mounted just under the fireplace mantle. The left/right speakers and the sub will go on top of the built-in bookshelves. If you have any suggestions on my tentative placements, I'm all ears.


The room itself is double story and opens into the kitchen directly behind where this photo was taken from and into a large open foyer to the left. I have a lot of real estate for the rear satellites so I'm not to worried about those.


I saw the MartinLogan MLT-2 deal on NewEgg for $299. Seems like a great system for the price considering my needs but I'm having a hard time finding some good photos of it. The speakers look too boxy and not as sleek as I would want. Again, I have to make sure it looks "nice" so the wifey won't yell at me or worse.




With respect to the outdoor patio speakers, I've narrowed it down to these two:

HTD Q50: http://www.htd.com/Products/Outdoor-Speakers/Q50-outdoor-speakers
OSD's Audio AP640: http://www.outdoorspeakerdepot.com/aphidepaspp.html


Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions. I will appreciate them.

 

[zieglj01]

This is what the MLT-2 looks like
http://www.martinlogan.com/products/mlt2


Do you really believe that you are going to fit a subwoofer, on that cabinet shelf?


I would somehow find a way to wall mount some flat panel speakers by the TV - HTD makes

some white ones (if color is a problem). With your projected set-up, the overall sound will be

somewhat weak and lacking. The imaging and soundstaging will also be poor.

 

[PTS21]



Quote:
Originally Posted by zieglj01  /t/1421558/got-the-denon-1913-avr-need-new-speakers#post_22244746


This is what the MLT-2 looks like
http://www.martinlogan.com/products/mlt2

Do you really believe that you are going to fit a subwoofer, on that cabinet shelf?

I would somehow find a way to wall mount some flat panel speakers by the TV - HTD makes

some white ones (if color is a problem). With your projected set-up, the overall sound will be

somewhat weak and lacking. The imaging and soundstaging will also be poor.

Picture might be deceiving but that MLT-2 sub would definitely fit. It's 16 inches and the space below the first shelf is 18 inches. Those shelves are also moveable so I could raise them up if needed but would prefer not to.


I have been looking at those flat panel speakers at HTD. They are definitely on my short list. If I got those now along with a decent sub, I'd probably have to sacrifice getting surrounds until a good deal comes around.


So you would recommend putting the left/right speakers where the candle holders are on the mantle? Would you move the center channel up to the mantle as well or would it work well where I envisioned it?

 

[mlk2106]

I'd also consider on/in wall options since those aesthetics are much nicer and cleaner. I'd put your Left/Right speaker where those candles are and the center channel right below the TV (you may have to raise the TV a few inches). As has been mentioned you will loose certain sound quality when you go in/on wall so don't expect to be blown away. I'm sure the wife will appreciate the looks of the on/in wall a bit more. You have plenty of options to look for in the manufacturers (Sonance, Klipsch, and Speakercraft to name a few amongst many many more). Good luck.

 

[zieglj01]



Quote:
Originally Posted by PTS21  /t/1421558/got-the-denon-1913-avr-need-new-speakers#post_22245279



I have been looking at those flat panel speakers at HTD. They are definitely on my short list. If I got those now along with a decent sub, I'd probably have to sacrifice getting surrounds until a good deal comes around.

So you would recommend putting the left/right speakers where the candle holders are on the mantle? Would you move the center channel up to the mantle as well or would it work well where I envisioned it?

Yes, that will work - and HTD Flat Panels do sound nice, and will perform better than small speakers,

placed inside cabinet shelves behind the TV.

 

[PTS21]

Anyone have any preference with regard to these two outdoor speakers? Or any others in the same price point?

HTD Q50: http://www.htd.com/Products/Outdoor-Speakers/Q50-outdoor-speakers
OSD's Audio AP640: http://www.outdoorspeakerdepot.com/aphidepaspp.html

 

[Szeppelin75]

I always tought that the front speakers should be placed between 6-8 feet apart, isn't the distance you are suggesting to place the FS too short?, on another thought, it looks like the best option though, to place them where the candle holders are.

 

[PTS21]

So I had my friend come over who is more of an audiophile than me. He brought some of his older -- but still good -- speakers and we tested out a few configurations.


Placing the speakers on the mantle just didn't cut it. Even after calibrating the speakers with the 1912, the sound appeared to be going over our heads while sitting on the coach. It also didn't seem to fill the room evenly. I think the height of the mantle was causing the problem. The speakers were a good 3-4 feet above ear level. Angling them toward the listening area helped a little bit but I still wasn't too impressed.


We then placed the speakers in the middle of the bottom shelves (which are real close to ear level). The difference in sound quality was drastically better, even before calibrating them. Once we did the calibration with the receiver, every corner of the room had amazing sound.


I went ahead and purchased the center channel speaker from HTD and got the Polk Monitor 30 Series II speakers and subwoofer from Newegg.


All will be arriving on Monday and I can't wait.


Thanks again to all for the suggestions and ideas.

 

[Elihawk]

I am not sure putting the subwoofer on a shelf of a cabinet is such a good idea...might need to find some floorspace for that!

 

[PTS21]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Elihawk  /t/1421558/got-the-denon-1913-avr-need-new-speakers#post_22275152


I am not sure putting the subwoofer on a shelf of a cabinet is such a good idea...might need to find some floorspace for that!

Ideally, that is the plan but with a curious rugrat and another on the way, it's not possible right now. The shelf is very solid and sturdy so it will do for now.

 

[ack_bk]



Quote:
Originally Posted by PTS21  /t/1421558/got-the-denon-1913-avr-need-new-speakers#post_22275366


Ideally, that is the plan but with a curious rugrat and another on the way, it's not possible right now. The shelf is very solid and sturdy so it will do for now.

Just be aware that this will most likely affect your sound.

 

[Elihawk]

I hear you...those 'rats can sure change the layout of a house

!

 

[ack_bk]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Elihawk  /t/1421558/got-the-denon-1913-avr-need-new-speakers#post_22275427


I hear you...those 'rats can sure change the layout of a house

!

Understood, I have thee under the age of 7 myself. Luckily, they have not done much to my subwoofer outside of sticking a few things down a port that I was able to fish out

 

[PTS21]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ack_bk  /t/1421558/got-the-denon-1913-avr-need-new-speakers#post_22275383


Just be aware that this will most likely affect your sound.

I know, unfortunately options are pretty low right now. The only other option I have is a sub built into the wall behind the coach.


I figure I'd try this route for now before I start putting more holes in the walls.