lochy Posted April 21, 2024 Posted April 21, 2024 Hi all, Apologies if this is the wrong sub-forum. Been through multiple posts about what to look for in terms of a setup and kind of narrowed it down to what I think would suit my budget. Looking to upgrade my TV later on in the year when the model im chasing is released so I thought I'd get a head start on a home theater unit. Will be going into a room that measure roughly 3m(10ft) x 5m (16ft) x 2.8m(9ft). Couch sits along the long side of the room with the TV on the opposite wall. Would ideally like to goto 5.1.2 in the future but will slowly build to this and start with a 3.1 for roughly AUD$4,000 Ive narrowed it down to the following [Receiver] Denon AVR-X1800H - $769 (Next step up is the X2800h for $1695) [LR Speakers] KEF Q350 Bookshelf - $1,099 (Also considered SVS Ultra $1699 or the Polk R200 $1199) [C Speaker] KEF Q650c - $1,195 [Sub] Monolith M-10 v2 - $1,249 (Also considered the SVS PB-1000/Pro for $899/$1574) Brings the total price to $4,312 Managed to find the above on sales at the moment to nearly fit within the budget. Just seeing if there are any weak links in the above setup or maybe some better options. Thanks.
Craigandkim Posted April 22, 2024 Posted April 22, 2024 (edited) On 21/04/2024 at 3:56 PM, lochy said: Couch sits along the long side of the room with the TV on the opposite wall. Generally accepted better sound to be obtained from speakers firing from the shortest wall into the length of the room with seating located slightly forward of or slightly behind middle point of room length. Is that possible or room layout won't allow it? Have you listened/auditioned the speakers? Always a good start to have an audition with potential purchase of speakers & amp. When auditioning make sure you have a familiar song or section of movie to compare & take note of the listening environment - is it similar to your room (small) or is it substantially larger with acoustic treatment? Also consider the matching of amp & speakers - is the amplification capable of driving speakers without clipping to your desired volume levels? You're on the right track with matching front L, R & C speakers, have you thought about floorstanding fronts? The Monolith has some good stats and features. Have you thought about 2nd hand? Always good deals here on stereonet with people upgrading gear. Anyway, exciting times ahead - just be sure to audition different gear combinations - you'll know what you want when you hear it Regards I see one of the audio shops who happens to be a commercial member here has some receiver & speaker packages available atm: https://www.westcoasthifi.com.au/receiver-speaker-packages/ https://www.westcoasthifi.com.au/packages/yamaha-yht-6a-5-2-2-home-theatre-package/ Could be worth checking out Example 2nd hand: https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/beechboro/home-theatre-systems/bowers-wilkins-683-s2-ds-5-1-system-yamaha-rx-a2060-9-2-receiver/1317082821 https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/chermside/radios-receivers/marantz-sr5015-7-2-channel-av-receiver-3-months-old/1307351999 https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/cranbourne-north/home-theatre-systems/marantz-4k-7-2-channel-amplifier-/1324044219 Edited April 22, 2024 by Craigandkim update 1
hopefullguy Posted April 22, 2024 Posted April 22, 2024 hi mate, as said above dont use the short wall, your sound will be hard to set up. try for seating at 2/3rds the length. its always difficult to start a setup and we all have our own ways of doing things. i only buy 2nd hand unless its a major purchase.. for me thats the center speaker/subs. avrs come and go and can be had at reasonable 2nd hand or refurbished prices. look at Excel hifi. i think Westcoast Hifi have used/demo/trade avr's sometimes. the thing is the x1800 and say the yammy rxv6 are too basic imo, 2nd hand/refurb lets you get a much better model for the same $$ subs:well Monoprice have been on special for a long time and from all my research there is a problem with them that you MUST sort out if considering their subs. in the U.S. if you have a fault, any fault even a grill problem, they require the entire sub to be shipped back. you need in writing that they will send the parts hat are faulty for you to fix or that any shipping is paid by them. svs were on sale, along with the new Klipsch RP subs, during black friday sales 30% off. not usually on sale at other times. i would not be paying retail for a sub. i dont ind bookshelf speakers, the centre does about 65% of the work and should you go bookshelf then get the same speakers for your surround and even the height speakers for atmos. if you go the length of the room you can do 5.1.4, thats why a better avr is important. as you are doing things slowly there is no rush, a special one day will happen again. go into a store and look, feel, listen to some speakers. do the research and then when you see a "special" or 2nd hand/refurb you will know if it is worth buying. 2
Hansel Posted April 28, 2024 Posted April 28, 2024 6 minutes ago, Craigandkim said: That’s my ad, so feel free to yell out if you have any questions
Guest Posted April 29, 2024 Posted April 29, 2024 On 21/04/2024 at 3:56 PM, lochy said: Will be going into a room that measure roughly 3m(10ft) x 5m (16ft) x 2.8m(9ft). Couch sits along the long side of the room with the TV on the opposite wall. As the others have mentioned, TV and couch should be on the short side of the room. And please do not put the couch on the back wall; you should allow some space between back wall and couch. Suggest you plan for a 5.1.4 setup, much better than 5.1.2 https://www.dolby.com/about/support/guide/speaker-setup-guides/5.1.4-overhead-speaker-setup-guide/ But, if funds are limited, start with 2 or 3 front speakers and a sub and expand from there. On 21/04/2024 at 3:56 PM, lochy said: Ive narrowed it down to the following [Receiver] Denon AVR-X1800H - $769 (Next step up is the X2800h for $1695) The cheaper the AVR, the less power it has. And please do not be bamboozled by the long list of specifications from the vendors. It is difficult when just starting out, but used, higher end AVRs (with lots more power) are better value. Last, but not least, you need to educate yourself by auditioning some set ups.
lochy Posted May 1, 2024 Author Posted May 1, 2024 On 22/04/2024 at 12:57 PM, Craigandkim said: Generally accepted better sound to be obtained from speakers firing from the shortest wall into the length of the room with seating located slightly forward of or slightly behind middle point of room length. Is that possible or room layout won't allow it? Have you listened/auditioned the speakers? Always a good start to have an audition with potential purchase of speakers & amp. When auditioning make sure you have a familiar song or section of movie to compare & take note of the listening environment - is it similar to your room (small) or is it substantially larger with acoustic treatment? Also consider the matching of amp & speakers - is the amplification capable of driving speakers without clipping to your desired volume levels? You're on the right track with matching front L, R & C speakers, have you thought about floorstanding fronts? The Monolith has some good stats and features. Have you thought about 2nd hand? Always good deals here on stereonet with people upgrading gear. Anyway, exciting times ahead - just be sure to audition different gear combinations - you'll know what you want when you hear it Regards I see one of the audio shops who happens to be a commercial member here has some receiver & speaker packages available atm: https://www.westcoasthifi.com.au/receiver-speaker-packages/ https://www.westcoasthifi.com.au/packages/yamaha-yht-6a-5-2-2-home-theatre-package/ Could be worth checking out Example 2nd hand: https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/beechboro/home-theatre-systems/bowers-wilkins-683-s2-ds-5-1-system-yamaha-rx-a2060-9-2-receiver/1317082821 https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/chermside/radios-receivers/marantz-sr5015-7-2-channel-av-receiver-3-months-old/1307351999 https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/cranbourne-north/home-theatre-systems/marantz-4k-7-2-channel-amplifier-/1324044219 Not MIA, just a busy life unfortuantely which doesnt leave me too much time to check on things. Unfortunately with the room layout, and my current furniture, I can't really do the short wall option as the only two short walls are my front window and the opposite wall has no power outlets etc. and would require a new point and chasing it up the wall as its not double brick. I do have a powerpoint on the otherside of the wall so I will look into that with an electrician but still doesnt solve the layout with my current furniture. Have managed to find some decent amps on marketplace at dicounted price so i may go that route instead of new as well as the deal posted above but that wouldnt leave me for much room for speakers and sub etc. 1
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