[4HiMarks]

We're building a home gym, and I'm considering a HTIB for it to keep clutter at a minimum. We already have an Insignia 37" LCD which we will be mounting on the wall as high as possible. We plan to mount some shelves in the corner for any components.


Speakers should be small and unobtrusive wall mounts. Center can go on ceiling if possible, but it is a drop ceiling, so weight is an issue. It would be highly desirable to have a system with component inputs for our Wii, so we can do Wii Fit, EA Sports Active, etc. along with workout DVDs, and just watching TV from the treadmill.


This room is costing enough already, so I don't want to spend a lot. We already have a media room for serious viewing, so it will just be for working out. Due to WAF issues wires need to be hidden.

 

[cupfulloflol]

Since you said this isn't for serious listening/viewing, how about a soundbar? You could mount it below the TV on the wall, depending on which one you get, and have a sub placed elsewhere (some come with wireless sub). There are quite a few different brands, with different prices, and different sounds. Some just go for the 2.1 sound (no surround sound), others try to imitate surround sound. There are a few brands that seem to be pretty well received on this board. I haven't heard one in a home setting, only in a busy store display, but they didn't sound terrible.


The soundbar was just a thought. There are many ways to go about this if you do want a true surround sound setup. Depending on what you get you could probably mount your center in/on the wall under the TV, much like the soundbar. For the rear speakers you could get Rocketfish or something like that to make it so you don't have to run wires across the room.


1. What is your planned spending budget. I know you said not a lot, but that is different for a lot of people. If you can give a number, I am sure someone can give you more helpful hints as to where to look.


2. How big is your room/gym? High ceilings? Smaller speakers, and probably some soundbars will have trouble filling larger rooms with sound.

 

[Tulpa]

If it's just for Wii and workout DVDs, I'd just find a cheap receiver and some small speakers like Orb Audio or Mirage Nanosats or smaller Polks and do a 2.1 (or even 2.0 and forgo the sub unless you want thumpin' workout type music.) I don't see surround sound being necessary for this type of project. (Are workout DVDs mixed in anything but mono or stereo anyway?)

 

[4HiMarks]

A soundbar under the TV isn't going to work, as it would interfere with line of sight to the mirrors that are going on that wall. She is already not happy with how far down the TV extends.


It's not so much the surround either. 2.1 would probably be fine. We (i.e. she) just want clean lines and low clutter, so we are looking at an all-in-one solution, rather than receiver + DVD + Wii + STB + whatever else, each with its own cables and power cords that need to be hidden. Can't get around the necessity of the Wii being separate, but a DVD and receiver in one, with component inputs for the Wii would help a lot. The BB website claims the Panasonic PT670 has component inputs, but there are none in the picture of the back of it, and even that is a bit pricier than I was thinking.


At that point I might as well just get the Denon AVR3310 I've had my eye on and move my old Kenwood into the gym.