New Home = New HT -- Please Help!

[Causedawg 83]

Alright guys, some of you may have seen pictures of my new house... but if not, Here's a link. About 4 or 5 pictures in are pictures of my living room, which is where the sound system is going.

The Living room area is 18.1' X 13.7', and it has vaulted ceilings.

My best friend is quite the audiophile, so he'll be helping me find and set up my system, but I wanted the advice of some of you guys as well.


Y'all talk a lot about SVS, so I'm at their website right now. Here's a link to what I'm looking at: SVS Setup. Do you guys recommend SVS speakers too? Or just the subs?

Bookshelf speakers are ok, but I've always wanted floorstanding tower speakers. I want a sub that sounds great, but puts out a high quality sound. I hate it when things rattle. Rattling is BAAAAD.

I'll be willing to put some money into the receiver.

I don't have a set budget, and I know my wife isn't terribly excited about spending bookoos of money on a sound system, but if I can be directed to the right sound system that will last a lifetime, I'm pretty sure I can convince her it's worth every penny. That being said, I don't want to set a limit (because then I'm tempted to go right up to the limit), but I'd like to stay well under 2 grand if possible. The lower the cost, the more likely I won't get too much protest from my wife.

I don't have a blu-ray player yet, but I don't want to have to upgrade anything when I decide to buy one.


So there it is. Post away and tell me what y'all think.

It's all very much appreciated.

[Causedawg 83]

Per my friends recommendation, he suggested I find a nice deal on the front and center speaker, save my money on the rear speakers (I'm not fond of the idea of running speaker wire anyway), and put that extra money towards a badass receiver and SVS sub.

I've also been looking at Klipsch speakers for the front and center channel.


Thoughts on Klipsch as well?

[Causedawg 83]

Also looking at this: Klipsch RF-35 Home Theater System

[Woundup]

Axioms rock!

[ZoomZoom71]

Hey, Cause, if you can, make a panorama movie of the room with a digital camera that does video. Then, we can all get an idea of the area. Make sense?

[Causedawg 83]

Yeah, makes sense... only I won't have access to the house again for a while.

[MadBryan]

can't really agree with not running rears. Try these if its just the speaker wire thats stopping ya Review: Rocketfish’s Universal Wireless Rear Speaker Kit » Floppyhead - Digital Media and Home Theater Computers

[Peench]

Cause - your friend has pretty good advice. The receiver, center and sub are going to make the biggest difference in your sound system. The receiver because that's the heart of your system in terms of power, switching, etc. The center will be where the majority of your sound comes from - and all speaking in movies. The sub is where you get the kick-in-your-pants out of any movie and SVS subs will definitely give that to you!

Unlike most people here I am still running the same receiver I bought for my first system. It's a Yamaha RXV-995 (or something like that). It was about $1000 when I bought it back in 1996/7/8 (can't remember exactly when). I also bought a nice little system with Paradigm speakers all the way around. Since that time I've upgraded the center, front speakers and sub and used my old speakers for an alternate system in my office.

If you are going to be listening to lots of music, you'll want kick ass front right and left speakers. If you are going to be using the speakers for mainly movies, then huge arse front speakers aren't as much of a necessity. The rear speakers are for ambient sounds mostly (and some directional every once in a while), so those aren't as important.

Ultimately when it comes right down to it you will have to listen to the speaker and receiver/amp combo you are interested in. Klipsch have horn tweeters and to some have a "harsh" sound (very high highs b/c of the horn tweeter). Paradigms have a more laid back sound (hard to describe unless you hear them A-B). The receiver/amp also makes a difference in how the speakers will sound. Certain amps will deliver a certain style of sound and others a different style. Listening to the combinations will give you the best idea of what you like. Once you find something that sounds good to you, go with it!

[MadBryan]

By the way that Klipsch you linked to looks very nice. I wouldn't hesitate to buy those. As soon as I can sell my Polks I'm getting some gear from these guys.
Store - Award Winning Speakers - Aperion Audio

[KEEZY]

What's the negative to the polks? Just outgrew them? I may be interested down the line.

[MadBryan]

Nothing really. They are great its just I suffer from upgraditise

[KEEZY]

I know how that is!

Good luck Cause. You gotsta have rears though! 5.1 is baller as hell.

[subject 117]

My wife wasn't really too excited about the money I was spending on the sound for our home theatre. Once I got the 6.1 hooked up and we sat down to watch a movie, she loved it. She thinks it was worth it.

She hasn't been as impressed with the 1080p tv, which I just don't get. The picture is just beautiful. I guess she just doesn't see the difference in the definition.

I for one would really encourage the rear speakers. Also, that rear center speaker really fills in the room nice. I use my system for tv, movies, and gaming, not for music. I have a Yamaha RX-V1200 receiver and Infinity Entra for speakers.

As far as future proofing, maybe make sure your receiver has decoding for the HD sound formats, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. You will not be dead in the water if you don't have them, but you may be thankful later if you do. Also, the more HDMI and component inputs the better. I don't know how many different pieces of equipment you have, but I ran out of inputs a couple years ago.

Btw, congrats on the new house.