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Seeking Advice for a Home Theater

post #1 of 10
3/11/10 at 3:13pm
Thread Starter 
I'm putting together a 7.1 home theater system, and planning to spend $8k-$10k on a Processor, Amp, Speakers, and Cables. My source will be a PC supporting DTS Neo:PC over optical.
I am looking for some advice on specific components. What forum would you all recommend for head-fi-quality advice?
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post #2 of 10
3/11/10 at 4:35pm
Headfi is to headphones, as AVSforum is to Home Theater. Go over there for some great reading.

I'll give some advise as well. In my view you should figure out which speakers you want first. Then depending on how power hungry they are go find a suitable amp and processor.

Start auditioning speakers in your price range. Just like headphones you need to spend some quality time listening to music and watching movies you know by heart. Bring a few CDs and movies with you when auditioning.
When I was looking for speakers I looked up some brand's websites and found dealers and contact numbers in my area.

How big is the room? What is in the room? If the room is crappy acoustic wise I would buy some acoustic treatments. It will make a big difference if the room is very reflective.
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post #3 of 10
3/11/10 at 9:13pm
Thread Starter 
I was looking at the Bowers and Wilkins 685 Theater (For 7.1, I imagine I would get 4x 685, 1x HTM62, 1x ASW608, and 2x 686) due to their reputation. My home theater is going to be in a large room, but the actual seating area is relatively compact. Loudness is not an issue, so I don't need anything too powerful. I'd also like to keep the recommended power under 150W, as it makes for a much cheaper amplifier. The 684's do seem nice for front speakers, at second glance...
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post #4 of 10
3/12/10 at 1:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by oshox View Post
My home theater is going to be in a large room, but the actual seating area is relatively compact.
Hmm... sounds like you might not actually need or be able to take advantage of a 7.1 over 5.1. I would get the room dimensions and draw out the seating and where you plan on placing the speakers then ask the guys over at AVSforum for some opinions. Lots of guys who design theater rooms for a living over there and also lots of guys that have been there and done that.

Quote:
Originally Posted by oshox View Post
I was looking at the Bowers and Wilkins 685 Theater (For 7.1, I imagine I would get 4x 685, 1x HTM62, 1x ASW608, and 2x 686) due to their reputation. .
Yes, great company B&W are and I would love to pick up something from their 800 series. I actually auditioned their 600 series and I really was not impressed compared to others in the same price range. Have you found a local dealer?
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post #5 of 10
3/12/10 at 2:37pm
I would deff reccomend the B&W 600 line, if you could a couple changes would make this quite the set up. Change the 685 for 683, dont bother with the 684 the 683's are a much better speaker. You get the 800 series midrange driver, and two larger bass drivers. And go for the 610XP or the 608XP if the have one, 608 is entry level decent performance. But the 610 is better and the XP is much better, I believe the XP has a better amp and a larger magnet.

As for your Receiver I would suggest a Pioneer Eliete VSX-21 (i cant remember which way their models go) but any of the high end Pioneers are great. Great sound, lots of features, and the best quality in the business. Or the high end Denons like the 4000 series or even the 3000 or 2000 series, stay far away from anything else in their line for receivers though.

Pioneer Eliete BDP-23 for a blu ray, but if you can stretch get the BDP-09, its the best player I have seen yet.

Whats do you have for a TV?
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post #6 of 10
3/16/10 at 2:25pm
Thread Starter 
I've gone around and around with Processor/Amp combinations, and have decided on two combinations:
Outlaw 990 + Outlaw 7900
Emotiva UMC-1 + NAD-M25

The choice will depend on the power requirements of the speakers I choose. I'm trying to set up demos of:
Paradigm Studio 20/60
Bowers and Wilkins 683/684
Atlantic Technology 6200 (THX-certified)
Monitor Audio RSA (Available cheap due to closeouts)

My TV is a 46" Samsung 46A650
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post #7 of 10
3/16/10 at 4:54pm
In all honesty I would cut back some on my speakers and amp/processor and get a bigger display. I have a 60" plasma and sometimes I wish it was bigger.
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post #8 of 10
3/16/10 at 8:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ronnielee54 View Post
In all honesty I would cut back some on my speakers and amp/processor and get a bigger display. I have a 60" plasma and sometimes I wish it was bigger.
Could not agree more,90% of a movies sound track is through one speaker all the others are just for a few effects.
Watching on a large display is the only way to go.

Depending on distance from the screen a 46" full HD is the minimum size to contemplate.
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post #9 of 10
3/16/10 at 8:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ronnielee54 View Post
In all honesty I would cut back some on my speakers and amp/processor and get a bigger display. I have a 60" plasma and sometimes I wish it was bigger.
You are very lucky where you live as you still have the large RP tv's available.
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post #10 of 10
3/17/10 at 1:17am
Thread Starter 
Although I appreciate the recommendations, I bought the TV about 2 years ago. I'm about 8ft back from the screen, and I can read 12pt text clearly at 1080p. Also, I'm happy I went with LCD versus plasma.

I'm looking to replace my M-Audio Studiophile AV 40 pair with a pre/pro, amp, and a set of high-quality 5.1 speakers. My Beyerdynamics have totally spoiled me, so I'm planning on sinking $8-10k into the audio system.
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