Home theater space

[mutz]

I have a JBL 5.1 cinema system. The four front and rear speakers are on slim rod stands I can move around, which is pretty convenient unless I knock one over pulling the drapes. The TV is in a corner with the center on top. The sub is next to the TV so I can see the control lights.

This works very well. The front three speakers and sub carry most of the audio and the rear mainly effects, which is not all too critical. It is best when all five satelites stand around seated head level, you get less floor and ceiling reflections

Room acoustics depend on room shape and everything in the room. I try to keep the orthodox setup whenever possible. In the studio it is a must. But at home, you can do all kind of unorthodox things and it will sound fine. Beware of hard surfaces, but otherwise move things around til it sounds good. Your ears will tell you what they like, the rest is a head trip in my experience.

I've done a lot of professional acoustic work, recording and reinforcement. I've found that most people think they hear things that they really don't.

[RhinoZ]

You know, you guys have all nice furnishings. My living room is kind of drab, but having two kids also has something to do with that. I had to get rid of all my plants and little niknacks that my kids would play with all the time.

Okay so now I'm going to have to spring for an expensive bottle of wine (red of course) and see if I can convince the wife about moving the living room around a little bit. We'll see how it looks and go from there. I think this is going to cost me a paint job and a new coffee table.

Hi KvH,
Any setup with B&W's would sound great. There is a MOM and POP stereo place around here that carry the B&W's and he has a trade up program. I always drool when I go into that place. I bought my CD player, and turntable from this guy 7years ago, but since then he has really gone into the expensive stuff so I haven't been in there for awhile. Looks like it may be worth it to go and see what he has to say.
Also people are telling me that Denon is great but pricey, Yamaha is too bright, Onkyo might be alright and stay away from Harmon Kardon.
Thanks for everything guys and I'll let you know how the weekend goes.

[Wombat]

I think Denon is actually very good for the money. They often compete with Yamaha and Onkyo, though the Onkyo is a gamble.

[Jammrock]

The upper end denon, with the bigger internal amps and fancier chips, are pretty expensive. For the price, the lower end AVR line (AVR-3803 and below) are very competitively priced. Just make sure you stick with the AVR line.

As for furnishing ... my new listening area doesn't even carpet and drapes yet.

Jammrock

[RhinoZ]

So no to Onkyo. Okay I'll keep a closer eye to Denon. What about Marantz this guy at work just loves Marantz.
But like I said I haven't even got the wine yet

[Jammrock]

Marantz is about Denon quality, but costs more, afaik.

Jammrock

[mutz]

Yeah, Harmann is now just a marketing org. Shame they took over JBL. I'm not so hot on Marantz either 'cause they've gone the consumer route too. Name and a front panel, but behind the scenes, anh. That leaves you Denon, which will probably give you a good bang for your buck.

Of course it also depends if you want your home cinema system to double as a music system. My JBL system is just for TV and DVD. Not so hot for CDs, but an earth shaker for movies.

I just had a glass of Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape in your honor. Makes everything rosier and nothing seems so important. Can I pour you one? *Clink*

[Jammrock]

I thought Marantz was owned by Phillips? Kind of like their higher end home electronics subsidiary. They do have some really nice stuff, it's just pricey.

For the money my favorite is Rotel. They have some all-in-one AVR's, on top of their seperates, that sound very good:

http://rotel.com/products/surround-sound-receivers.htm

The cheaper one I think is around $1300 USD and the big one is around $2000 USD. They sound better, at least to me, than any other AVR I've heard. And for the money they should.

Jammrock

[RhinoZ]

Thanks for the glass of wine mutz, I hope your head feels okay this morning. I bought a red last night which is a favourite of mine at $12 CDN. Even thou its cheap it's a very nice wine. It's called St. Stephen Crown from Hungary. The cabernet is nicer than the merlot, as the merlot is a little dark for the summer/ fall. It's great for winter to keep the toes warm.
Also I went to see a stereo shop not far for the liquor store and they had a NAD t742 on sale for the same price as a DENON 1603 (5.1 setup). I liked the nad better for music, it really sounded nice especially female vocals ( got to get eva cassidy- over the rainbow I never heard of her but wow what a song) but the Denon had some nice features. Something to think about as I keep dreaming last night about these two receivers dancing in my living room.

[Indiana]

Originally posted by RhinoZ
Thanks for the glass of wine mutz, I hope your head feels okay this morning.

His head will definitely feel OK after a Chateauneuf-Du-Pape.

Finally someone that knows a good wine...

[mutz]

NAD should definitely be better for sound. 5.1 is great for movies. Since Dolby & ilk I think most manufacturers avoid making systems that are good for both. Sell more "systems" that way. Marketing rules. If you really want high fidelity, you gotta go for components and bigger bucks.

Most of the better brands couldn't hold out against Sony, JVC, Sharp 'n such and have gotten bought up by marketers for name and licenses. Forget-his-name bought Harmann Kardon, JBL and Revox and ruined them all. I don't like any Philipps products either. They are good at invention and innovation but lousy at actualization. Gotta buy other brands to get their licensed gizmos done right.

I want to update my music (not cinema) system too. Gonna have to put time into it soon.

Let us know what you decide and we'll crack a Gevery-Chambertin or a Nuit St. George to celebrate!

[Wombat]

Originally posted by RhinoZ
I liked the nad better for music, it really sounded nice especially female vocals ( got to get eva cassidy- over the rainbow I never heard of her but wow what a song)

Oh man, you're missing out. I love her stuff, like dancing to "Wade in the Water," for example. And I've had girls in close doing some amazing things to her version of "Ain't No Sunshine."

Ahh, good thing I'm going dancing tonight.