Home theater recomendations

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Parker

As for speakers I would take a good look at some internet direct dealers. Axiom and Aperion to name a couple. Look to SVS for subs.. you won't be dissapointed.

I was looking at the Axiom QS4 v2's what would you opinion be on using these for all the speakers instead of just the rear surounds?

Steve

[Parker]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

I was looking at the Axiom QS4 v2's what would you opinion be on using these for all the speakers instead of just the rear surounds?

Steve

The QS4's would be great surround speakers. They are bipole/dipole Axiom calls them Quadpolar. They are designed to disperse the sound creating a wide sound field. They wouldn't perform well as mains or a center channel.

From Axiom I'd recommend:
2 ea M60's for mains - ( you won't have trouble driving these speakers with a receiver from all the main players. The M80's are beautiful speakers but can dip below 2ohms which can make them difficult to power.
Depending on your room layout you could also scale down to M22's for mains.
1 ea VP150 for Center
4 ea QS4's for surrounds. - also depending on your room layout you could save a few dollars and go to direct firing rear surrounds such as the M2 or M3 and go with one pair of QS4's for side surrounds.

Axiom has a free in home trial period also, so if you don't like them you can return them with no questions asked.

Also if you look on the Axiom forums under the Hearing Things section you can look for people in your area who have offered to let people hear their set-ups. This way you can demo without the hassle of shipping.

[StirCrazy]

Ok here is an aprox layout of the room, the projector screen is red and will be a 92" screen. the brown retangle is the couch. purple is the speakers, and the brown outline in the L" area are the bar cabnets. I was thinking using a 5.1 setup for the actualy movie watching, but having two other speakers on the fireplace wall so I can do 7 channel sterio when I am listining to music and socilizing at the bar.

layout.jpg




Steve

[bullit67]

The layout looks good you should be OK with a 92 inch screen at 12 feet. One thing I suggest is that you put in heat registers that you can close when you run the projector it will help to keep the dust down if you dont have air blowing around in the room.

[Pescador]

I used a DIY screen kit from these guys, it turned out pretty good.
http://www.diytheatre.com/

Our room is basically the same shape and multi-function too but the screen wall is angled more facing the corner so 7.1 worked out pretty well.

[Clay&Chey]

I will have to put my 2 cents in for denon 4308 reciever even though it is a bit pricey you get what you pay for. It's an awesome amp. It does anything you need it to plus it comes with a mic that you use to set up the audessy eq. You basically move the mic around to 8 or positions in your sitting area and it figures out the optimal levels for all your speakers and each ones optimal eq settings. With a good set of speaker the sound puts a smile on your face. I also went with axiom speakers and it was a pleasure dealing with them. I got the epic 80 theater setup with upgrades. I have A pair of m80's v2 up front, my center is vp150 v2, my sides and rears are the qs8 v2 so 4 of them and my sub is the huge ep600 v2. The speakers really are something and axioms service was a pleasure to deal with. I considered the 1080p projector but to always having to control the light even just so you can seevwhat song to choose when you want background noise was to much of a pain. I went with a 1080p 52" LCD and have been happy ever since.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Clay&Chey

I considered the 1080p projector but to always having to control the light even just so you can seevwhat song to choose when you want background noise was to much of a pain. I went with a 1080p 52" LCD and have been happy ever since.

controling light to see menues isn't realy that big of deal, but I only have two small windows and am in the basement. I thought about going with a 55 or 60 inch plasma or lcd but I have a 52 inch upstairs so I want to make the one down stairs more of an experiance.

One thing I do need in a reciver is the ability to putput two different HDMI feeds. (or 1 HDMI and one componant) I am going to have the projector and a 42" plasma behind the bar and want to make it stupid easy to pick which one I am going to have on. so if the reciver can't do that it is out by default.

Steve

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Pescador

I used a DIY screen kit from these guys, it turned out pretty good.
http://www.diytheatre.com/

Our room is basically the same shape and multi-function too but the screen wall is angled more facing the corner so 7.1 worked out pretty well.

I looked at that stuff befor, have you used a cloth screen befor to give you a comparason between the two?

[Pescador]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

I looked at that stuff befor, have you used a cloth screen befor to give you a comparason between the two?

No I never have, the budget ran out. I was just going to go with the misty grey paint route but I figured I'd give these guys a try.

As for light concerns, I've had a Sony and now a Panasonic projector and I can still see the screen with the lights on.

Is your basement already framed? Fireplace is in?

A couple of the best ideas I stole, a PVC conduit in the ceiling from the projector to audio equipment for running wires. A closet behind the screen to access everything from the back. Remote dimmers for the lights can be learned by your remote.

Here's a pic from construction, cutouts for center speaker and equipment rack.

I went widescreen because we watch more movies than TV or computer. It ended up just about 100 inches.

[Parker]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

Ok here is an aprox layout of the room, the projector screen is red and will be a 92" screen. the brown retangle is the couch. purple is the speakers, and the brown outline in the L" area are the bar cabnets. I was thinking using a 5.1 setup for the actualy movie watching, but having two other speakers on the fireplace wall so I can do 7 channel sterio when I am listining to music and socilizing at the bar.

Attachment 4921

Steve

Your thoughts on 7.1 audio are a little off, what I would suggest is to do a 5.1 theater and have an amp that handles a second zone for the bar speakers.

If you take a 7.1 system and move two of the speakers out of the field your going to run into sound issues. You will get surround sounds out of the speakers your placing by the bar, not full range. Unless I'm misunderstanding your post.

The way you have your theater set-up now isn't a great set-up for a 7.1 theater unless your willing to hang speakers from the ceiling. The left surround would be too far from the listening area.


Could you flip the area?

Sort of like this?