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Projector and speaker setup question

6K views 48 replies 5 participants last post by  scottyent 
#1 ·
Hey everyone,

I had a question about setting up a projector and speakers that it would seem would be best aimed at people in this forum! I have been poking around, and clearly you guys know your stuff. I think my question is most likely basic for you!

I am buying a projector for my living room instead of a TV, and I am purchasing speakers to go along with it since obviously the built ins are terrible. However...I'm having difficulty mapping out the projector to speaker connection without having a 25 foot aux cable running across the living room.

I am looking to buy some good but very affordable speakers on Amazon (most likely the Genius 1250), but I am a bit concerned about that long aux cable. Will it be subject to lesser quality because of the length? I saw the 25 ft on monoprice for 2 bucks...wow. (Thanks to a recommendation from posts here). Would it be fine to just run that across, and have those speakers set up on the floor under the image?

Also, price is a serious concern for me, so if there is a more elegant solution that is expensive, I would most likely just deal with this set up!

Thanks in advance for any advice!
 
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#2 ·
Hi and welcome to the HTS

By "aux cable" are you referring to the HDMI cable that goes to the projector?
A few questions should be answered first, is your living room space able to be made dark? No nessisaraly completely dark but dark enough that there is very little external light hitting the screen?
Speaker placement directly on the floor is not ideal as carpet will absorb to much of the highs and if you have hardwood the reflection point so close to the speaker will sacrifice sound quality as well. The tweeters on the speakers should be at ear level when sitting.
 
#3 ·
Hey Tony!

Thanks for the advice! By aux cable I was thinking a traditional aux cable, 3.55mm to 3.5mm, however I wasn't thinking about what the output is on the projector. I believe it's an RCA stereo connection, so it would have to be a Y aux cable.

As for the projector questions, yeah the living room gets dark enough, though most viewing will be in the evening anyway. I'm prepared to buy blackout blinds if there is too much external light.

The speaker level thing is great to know.... It will be on carpet, so it would affect it. I will start looking for some small plant stand looking things to put the speakers up on!

Thanks again for the advice!
 
#4 ·
Do you have a receiver that you will be using with this setup?
 
#5 ·
No, I really wasn't even aware of a receiver (I'm not a tech noob, but clearly am inexperienced at high quality home theater setups), but from what I see when searching for one.... They are pricey.

If I can get away with an aux Y cable into a computer speaker system like the genius 1250, I think I will be satisfied for what I can afford. I also realized the satellite speakers have wall mounts so I'll just mount them low on the wall and as close to ear height as I can get without interfering with the projected image.
 
#6 ·
Ok, I think we need to back up a bit and understand what you want to accomplish.
You have a projector, where will you be placing it? (Ceiling mounted or on a table)
What will you be using as your source? (DVD player, BluRay player or computer)
What is your plan for speakers? Are you using self powered computer speakers or bookshelf and a sub?
 
#7 ·
Ok, I think we need to back up a bit and understand what you want to accomplish. You have a projector, where will you be placing it? (Ceiling mounted or on a table) What will you be using as your source? (DVD player, BluRay player or computer) What is your plan for speakers? Are you using self powered computer speakers or bookshelf and a sub?
The set up is this: on one wall I will have a shelf with a projector on it projecting to the opposite wall 12 feet away. Source will be a variety of things, Apple TV and an Xbox 360 mostly.

The projector has an audio in and audio out. If I can use the audio out to have a cable running from there to the opposite wall where a self powered computer speaker system will be, that would be great.

If the source audio needs to be connected to the speakers individually, than that is an entirely new problem, however since the xbox and Apple TV have an HDMI connection to the projector, I assume having an aux cable coming from the audio out on the projector will feed that sound back out to the speakers its hooked up to. If that's NOT the case.... Then my plan would make zero sense haha

The self powered speakers would be the genius 1250 (I can't link yet but they're an easy find on Amazon), I would merely plug the sub in, leave it along the opposite wall because I'm not willing to pay for a wireless sub set up, and then mount the two satellite speakers on the wall just under where the image will project.

I'm making a quick albeit terrible diagram because I am not a very good drawer haha
 
#9 · (Edited)
OK, Unless I am missing something, and your PJ has audio outputs, it should work the way you are setting it up and a 25' cable will be fine. As long as you have the inputs on your PJ to except your sources then you go from the audio outputs on the PJ to your powered speakers and it should be fine. I asked about the reciever because I didn't know about your powered speakers.
 
#11 ·
I agree. I don't even know of any PJ's that have audio outputs. :dontknow:
 
#12 ·
Ok I see what you mean! That makes sense. Man this is turning into a mess haha

The Apple TV only has an HDMI or an optical audio cable out for audio, and as far as the projectors manual says, the audio out is a MONO mix down, so it would be better to hook directly with speakers. Well since the Genius 1250 doesn't have optical audio, I guess I could either buy a more expensive speaker system, or just deal with mono sound?

Don't even get me started with the Xbox... Unfortunately I have to buy a component to digital converter because it's an older xbox, and apparently the audio part that it converts is only coaxial which the xbox doesn't have... Such a mess. So for the xbox, I could hypothetically just move the speaker system over to the couch side of the room and just plug them directly to the xbox for video games and DVD watching. Just wouldn't have the speakers opposite me.

Idk about the Apple TV problem though, if the only option is mixed down mono (idk how really bad that would be, thoughts?) or buy speakers or receiver that has optical audio... I don't know what to do.
 
#14 ·
You need a receiver, even a basic one will get you going and make this so much easier. Do you have any budget in mind? You can get a receiver for as little as $200
 
#16 ·
Hey tony, that's the kind of advice I was waiting for haha there must be an easier way with a receiver.

However, 200 on top if what I'm already spending really is above my price range.

With the video converter, audio converter, and cables... I'll end up spending like 90 bucks.

The projector is 350.

The speakers are 50.

I'm not looking to spend more than 500 max on this set up, and that's about what it works out to will all this jerry rigging.

How would it work with the receiver? Would I buy a receiver than only speakers?
 
#15 ·
And I can just get a female to male RCA extension which would solve the xbox problem!

It would mean I have two separate cables running across the room, the Apple TV sound running through a converter and the xbox video running through a converter, but if it all works it would be brilliant! Hahah
 
#17 ·
Well, this IS a little different! Someone who'd be happy with mono sound, or a stereo down-mix in these days of 5.1/7.1 and up. Can't say as I know anyone that would do that.

You have a projector, and probably a pretty good sized screen image. 50% of the experience is audio. If you want to maximize your investment, get an AV receiver, even a modest entry-level one, and a full set of speakers, left, center, right and at least 2 surrounds, and a subwoofer. Even a HTIB (Home Theater In a Box) packaged system would be a huge improvement at modest cost. Starting budget figures would be $250 (Denon AVR-1613 refurb is $230) and $500 for speakers (Polk Audio TL 1900 Blackstone package is $499 Amazon, and acceptably decent for the price). Sell off the existing speakers to subsidize your new system. Set it all up, run Audyssey on the AVR to calibrate it, and enjoy a MUCH better experience. You'll also have remote volume control, input switching, and a high degree of coolness.
 
#19 ·
Well, this IS a little different! Someone who'd be happy with mono sound, or a stereo down-mix in these days of 5.1/7.1 and up. Can't say as I know anyone that would do that. You have a projector, and probably a pretty good sized screen image. 50% of the experience is audio. If you want to maximize your investment, get an AV receiver, even a modest entry-level one, and a full set of speakers, left, center, right and at least 2 surrounds, and a subwoofer. Even a HTIB (Home Theater In a Box) packaged system would be a huge improvement at modest cost. Starting budget figures would be $250 (Denon AVR-1613 refurb is $230) and $500 for speakers (Polk Audio TL 1900 Blackstone package is $499 Amazon, and acceptably decent for the price). Sell off the existing speakers to subsidize your new system. Set it all up, run Audyssey on the AVR to calibrate it, and enjoy a MUCH better experience. You'll also have remote volume control, input switching, and a high degree of coolness.
Lolololol

Well, for the $750 dollar reason you outlined, I can't just outfit my living room with the home system I WANT. What I am attempting to do is to create a system that is passable and gives good enough audio to listen to movies. I.e. I'm sure the genius 1250 computer speakers would be loud enough for our apartment when turned up, and good enough quality that I wouldn't be disturbed while watching a movie.

I would love to have an easier setup, better sound, and more control... But that comes with price tags that I can't afford. Perhaps in the future but not now.
 
#18 ·
This receiver here >>click here<< would do you just fine and then all you need is to get some used speakers, I'm sure you can get some from even a friend.
 
#20 ·
Unfortunately I just moved to a new city, so finding a friend with speakers probably won't be happening. I love the idea of AirPlay on that system!

How about something like this though:

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/ele/4451669816.html

If that person is telling the truth, is that a reasonable deal?

My advantage here is that I'm starting entirely from scratch, I haven't purchased ANYTHING yet, so I can adjust what I'm buying in order to fit the budget, so long as it is relatively affordable.
 
#22 ·
#24 ·
That receiver does not have any HDMI outputs and given the projector your getting uses that I don't know if that's the route I would get these Yamaha speakers from the same place as the receiver I linked to before http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/yamnsbp101bl/yamaha-ns-bp101-hifi-bookshelf-speakers-black-pair/1.html
I can't find many reviews about those speakers elsewhere, do you have personal experience with them?

Ok, so if I got this setup, I would spend:

Projector 350

Receiver: 190

Video converter for xbox approximately 50

Speakers - 50

Cables ~ 5 bucks

That's 645.... A little rich for my blood. I could drop the video converter and do without xbox for awhile I guess.

I don't know. I understand that the audio will be much better, but I have to think for a little bit about whether I can afford this setup. I'll also do some more speaker and receiver research, and see if I can get something used for a good rate.

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/eld/4466333290.html

If I could convince that person to give me 2 speakers and a receiver for 100-150, that would make it affordable. I just don't know much about that receive so i would have to ask.
 
#25 ·
You won't need a video converter with the receiver for the xbox as the receiver will do that for you. The Yamaha NS series of speakers have gotten good reviews for the money. I've owned in the past some larger ones of the same line but sold them. They sounded great.
The speakers he is selling with that setup are garbage and not even for free would I use them.
 
#26 ·
You won't need a video converter with the receiver for the xbox as the receiver will do that for you. The Yamaha NS series of speakers have gotten good reviews for the money. I've owned in the past some larger ones of the same line but sold them. They sounded great. The speakers he is selling with that setup are garbage and not even for free would I use them.
Woahhhh, game changer! So the receiver would convert my component to HDMI video signal as well... That's a pretty huge plus. That 50 buck converter was going to be useless the day I buy an xbox 1 in the coming 6 months or so.

Thanks for the info about that listing, I figure most deals like that are bad, and unfortunately since I don't have the expertise to tell, I don't really want to risk it.

Alright, so without that video converter we are down to under 600... Only 100 bucks more, plus added bonus of wireless connecting with I-devices for listening to music, having one place to plug everything in so no need to constantly if and unplug video source out of the projector, and just overall a lot better sounding audio with option for expanding to full surround and better speakers in the future...


Sounds awesome to me! Well I'll think on it a little longer, but that option sounds too tempting to pass up.

Thanks so much for your help guys!
 
#29 ·
#30 ·
What do you think about this one

http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...hannel-3-d-ready-home-theater-receiver/1.html

It's 120, has component as well

The problem with that Yamaha is that I would have a hard time paying 10 dollars more to lose the ability to wireless connect with iDevices. It says there's a 45 dollar adapter to do that, but that is a bit pricey.

This Onkyo doesn't have that wireless ability either, but for 70 dollars less, I would just suck it up
 
#32 ·
Hahaha I literally just had a palm to forehead moment.

I don't need the airplay system built in because...... The Apple TV obviously has airplay and it's connected. DUH. wow, can't believe I didn't realize that. Well, then now it's just a matter of finding a good enough quality receiver for under 200 that has component video input! That Yamaha is a possibility, as is the Onkyo.

Obviously Onkyo won't be as good, but as a complete beginner, will I even realize?!
 
#33 ·
Alright so it comes down to these 4:

http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...hannel-3-d-ready-home-theater-receiver/1.html - $119 + 25 shipping = 144

http://www.accessories4less.com/mak....1-home-theater-receiver-from-ht-s3500/1.html - $129 + 25 shipping = 154


http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...-5.1-a/v-digital-receiver-like-rx-v371/1.html - $150 + 25 shipping = 175


http://www.accessories4less.com/mak...-5.1-channel-a/v-home-theater-receiver/1.html - $199 free shipping


Let me know if you think the extra 25/50 bucks is worth it. I am leaning towards the $154 slightly more expensive Onkyo, that way with speakers I'd be just over 200!
 
#34 ·
The most expensive Yamaha in that list comes with auto room eq/setup. for a beginner like yourself that can make it much simpler to get the system sounding its best. It also up-scales everything to HD resolution via HDMI so thats the one I would use.
 
#36 ·
No speaker in the price range your looking at will give you great bass (the NS PB100s are rated at 60Hz-50kHz) but they will sound good. You will definitely want to get a subwoofer at some point
 
#37 ·
Well I think we have different definitions of good bass :)

I do live in an apartment so I'm not exactly looking to rumble the building, just be able to hear and feel a tiny bit of bass with good quality.

I'm sure because you recommend these speakers, they'll be more than good enough for me!

The reason I asked is that the genius 1250 speakers I was looking at come with a subwoofer, not really sure how large of a difference there would be between them and the Yamahas.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0056BPUQC?pc_redir=1400334354&robot_redir=1
 
#38 ·
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