I have the onkyo hts 7300 7.1, and it does a fabulous job! Wires are color coded and it sounds amazing!!
Choosing a home theater system for a small 12x14 crowded room
Hi,
I'm slowly upgrading my ancient equipment. First came the Panasonic BMP BD60 Blu-ray player, then the Samsung LN40B650 TV. I got an HP E-140f computer with an i5 processor, 1TB memory and 8 GB RAM to stream Hulu and Crunchyroll (anime).
Since my last TV was a tube TV, now I need a sound system, something I've never had before. I'm not into gaming, and base vibrations give me terrible migraines, although I LOVE music and agree that music doesn't sound right if you can't hear the deep notes-I just have trouble with the vibrations. However, I seriously want a 7.1 surround sound system.
So. The choices are overwhelming. The room I live in (an apartment; I have neighbors I don't want to bother) is not only small-12x14 feet-all the walls have bookcases lining them, as my room is a combination bedroom/library/den. So my room is, in effect, actually a few feet smaller.
I've been doing some research online. Acoustics-wise, the bookcases may actually improve the acoustics, as I have the books pushed back to make room along the front for various resin/plastic figurines, which ought to act to reduce echoes, is that right?
Also, my room has wall-to-wall carpeting, a twin bed, a small Laziboy recliner (cloth-covered, not leather, if that makes a difference) and a flat-topped particle-board computer table with 23" flat-screen monitor. There are two windows (one opposite the door, the other on the wall between that window and the door-wall), covered with heavy lined drapes that do not reach the floor (the bottom 2 1/2 feet are bare wall, to allow for fresh air due to severe allergies).
The effect of all this wall-covering stuff and furniture is that you notice an immediate sound-muffling quality when you step through the doorway, which is a plus in my book since it means it acts as a buffer between me and my apartment neighbors.
I want a 7.1 surround sound, which I think will work as the seating is approximately in the center of the room.
I have no experience and not much inclination to fiddle with wiring, so I was thinking of going with a Home Theaters in a Box, HTiB, if I can get something of decent quality. Since it's a small room, with (I think) good acoustics(?) I won't need an extravagant system, right? Also, I'm paranoid about reliability.
So how should this affect my choice of home theater components? Any words of advice will be welcome!
onder:
Gemseeker
I'm slowly upgrading my ancient equipment. First came the Panasonic BMP BD60 Blu-ray player, then the Samsung LN40B650 TV. I got an HP E-140f computer with an i5 processor, 1TB memory and 8 GB RAM to stream Hulu and Crunchyroll (anime).
Since my last TV was a tube TV, now I need a sound system, something I've never had before. I'm not into gaming, and base vibrations give me terrible migraines, although I LOVE music and agree that music doesn't sound right if you can't hear the deep notes-I just have trouble with the vibrations. However, I seriously want a 7.1 surround sound system.
So. The choices are overwhelming. The room I live in (an apartment; I have neighbors I don't want to bother) is not only small-12x14 feet-all the walls have bookcases lining them, as my room is a combination bedroom/library/den. So my room is, in effect, actually a few feet smaller.
I've been doing some research online. Acoustics-wise, the bookcases may actually improve the acoustics, as I have the books pushed back to make room along the front for various resin/plastic figurines, which ought to act to reduce echoes, is that right?
Also, my room has wall-to-wall carpeting, a twin bed, a small Laziboy recliner (cloth-covered, not leather, if that makes a difference) and a flat-topped particle-board computer table with 23" flat-screen monitor. There are two windows (one opposite the door, the other on the wall between that window and the door-wall), covered with heavy lined drapes that do not reach the floor (the bottom 2 1/2 feet are bare wall, to allow for fresh air due to severe allergies).
The effect of all this wall-covering stuff and furniture is that you notice an immediate sound-muffling quality when you step through the doorway, which is a plus in my book since it means it acts as a buffer between me and my apartment neighbors.
I want a 7.1 surround sound, which I think will work as the seating is approximately in the center of the room.
I have no experience and not much inclination to fiddle with wiring, so I was thinking of going with a Home Theaters in a Box, HTiB, if I can get something of decent quality. Since it's a small room, with (I think) good acoustics(?) I won't need an extravagant system, right? Also, I'm paranoid about reliability.
So how should this affect my choice of home theater components? Any words of advice will be welcome!
onder: Gemseeker
1 - 20 of 41 Posts
Welcome to Home Theater Shack
It doesn't matter how good your room accoustics might be, an entry level sound system will still sound like an entry level system. If you want decent sound you have to buy a decent sounding system.
Since you LOVE music and live in an apartment not wanting to disturb neighbors, I would suggest buying big bookshelf speakers, or small tower speakers and skip the subwoofer.
The only way I would recommend using a subwoofer in an apartment is if you use small bookshelf speakers that need a sub to play the bass properly. If not using a subwoofer, you can set your AVR so that all LFE (the signal normally for the sub) will be routed to your main speakers.
Here are 2 examples of systems with a lower and a higher price point, let us know what kind of budget fits you:
1. (more expensive) PSB
main speakersSB Image B6 bookshelf speakers $439/pr (the Image B6's are near the bottom right side of this website http://www.saturdayaudio.com/picturepages/psb_bstock.htm ).
surround speakersSB Image B4 compact bookshelf speakers $264/pr (the Image B4's are on the same website directly under the Image B6's).
2. (less expensive) Pioneer
main speakersioneer SP-BS41-LR bookshelf speakers $170/pr ( http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS...S6DE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332915332&sr=8-1 ).
surround speakersioneer SP-21-LR bookshelf speakers $80/pr ( http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS...WZE4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1332915524&sr=8-2 ).
Since you LOVE music and live in an apartment not wanting to disturb neighbors, I would suggest buying big bookshelf speakers, or small tower speakers and skip the subwoofer.
The only way I would recommend using a subwoofer in an apartment is if you use small bookshelf speakers that need a sub to play the bass properly. If not using a subwoofer, you can set your AVR so that all LFE (the signal normally for the sub) will be routed to your main speakers.
Here are 2 examples of systems with a lower and a higher price point, let us know what kind of budget fits you:
1. (more expensive) PSB
main speakers
SB Image B6 bookshelf speakers $439/pr (the Image B6's are near the bottom right side of this website http://www.saturdayaudio.com/picturepages/psb_bstock.htm ).surround speakers
SB Image B4 compact bookshelf speakers $264/pr (the Image B4's are on the same website directly under the Image B6's).2. (less expensive) Pioneer
main speakers
ioneer SP-BS41-LR bookshelf speakers $170/pr ( http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS...S6DE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332915332&sr=8-1 ).surround speakers
ioneer SP-21-LR bookshelf speakers $80/pr ( http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS...WZE4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1332915524&sr=8-2 ).
I have no set limit, but although quality and reliability are important, but I don't want to spend crazy amounts of money, either. I would not feel comfortable spending more than $400 or so.
I will be using this system 85% movie, 13% music, 2% audiobooks, more or less.
Thanks for responding
I will be using this system 85% movie, 13% music, 2% audiobooks, more or less.
Thanks for responding
1 - 20 of 41 Posts
