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I am thinking about trying the DIY hobby so I am asking all you experienced hobbyists (and pro's) for an opinion on LCR home theater speakers for my first build with 90% HT use but still sound slightly above average for 2ch. I would a total budget of $1000 or less for all five speakers of 5.1 (exclude sub) so $800 for front three if possible. I am flexible if there is a huge step in quality to spend a couple of hundred more or on the flip side save a little if there isn't enough gain after passing $600 to justify a couple of hundred more unless I go all the way to $1500.
Room is 15X20 ish with vaulted ceiling and hardwood floors, the floor plan has two open entries along the long left wall with a fireplace/mantle in center see pic attached. Speakers shown for L&R are Boston T930 with Linn AV-5120 center until I get my Linn AV-5140's repaired, the surround split on the mid's at the end of the cone like someone took a razor blade an sliced a clean line.
I thought of doing on wall for a clean look but I don't want to sacrifice output and sound stage but if you have a a design that works I am open to all thoughts.
I have moved all electronics to a closet so the front wall is open to all options. What I desire is to feel the sound so a non fatiguing sound that can produce a lot of SPL with ease. I was in the audio business for a few years around 1991, I was a car audio guy but did wander over to home hi fi on occasion so I will give you a reference of what I liked back then. IIRC my favorite home speaker we carried was the Kef 105 or 107 not exactly sure and for car audio it was the ADS 320i which I perceived to be on the warm and mellow side of sound. I do like ample amounts of bass (probably a bass junkie but not a boom junkie) so I will be using some type of dual subs (currently using HSU VFT3) like the Emotiva sealed 12's which may not be earthquake amounts of bass but the user interface, 1000 watts of power and room EQ options make it very appealing. I am also considering the DIY servo system with dual sealed 15's that is in the future which has 600 watts of power. The subs will either reside under the TV or in the right corner along the right wall side by side or single enclosure if DIY.
Amplification will be handled by an ATI 1505 which at a 4 ohm load should produce in the area of 250wpc IIRC with a B&K 5x100 if extra channels are needed and Emotiva LMC-1 processor until the XMC-1 becomes available which will have auto room EQ options.
Hopefully that is enough info to get us started so please share your wealth of info.
One last question, would three identical front speakers sound better (more natural) than the horizontal match option. WAF is not usually an issue, it factors more on weird vs normal but she will accept my decision if I feel strong enough about my choice and there is no similar alternative in the price/performace category.
Thanks for your time to read my ramble.
Room is 15X20 ish with vaulted ceiling and hardwood floors, the floor plan has two open entries along the long left wall with a fireplace/mantle in center see pic attached. Speakers shown for L&R are Boston T930 with Linn AV-5120 center until I get my Linn AV-5140's repaired, the surround split on the mid's at the end of the cone like someone took a razor blade an sliced a clean line.
I thought of doing on wall for a clean look but I don't want to sacrifice output and sound stage but if you have a a design that works I am open to all thoughts.
I have moved all electronics to a closet so the front wall is open to all options. What I desire is to feel the sound so a non fatiguing sound that can produce a lot of SPL with ease. I was in the audio business for a few years around 1991, I was a car audio guy but did wander over to home hi fi on occasion so I will give you a reference of what I liked back then. IIRC my favorite home speaker we carried was the Kef 105 or 107 not exactly sure and for car audio it was the ADS 320i which I perceived to be on the warm and mellow side of sound. I do like ample amounts of bass (probably a bass junkie but not a boom junkie) so I will be using some type of dual subs (currently using HSU VFT3) like the Emotiva sealed 12's which may not be earthquake amounts of bass but the user interface, 1000 watts of power and room EQ options make it very appealing. I am also considering the DIY servo system with dual sealed 15's that is in the future which has 600 watts of power. The subs will either reside under the TV or in the right corner along the right wall side by side or single enclosure if DIY.
Amplification will be handled by an ATI 1505 which at a 4 ohm load should produce in the area of 250wpc IIRC with a B&K 5x100 if extra channels are needed and Emotiva LMC-1 processor until the XMC-1 becomes available which will have auto room EQ options.
Hopefully that is enough info to get us started so please share your wealth of info.
One last question, would three identical front speakers sound better (more natural) than the horizontal match option. WAF is not usually an issue, it factors more on weird vs normal but she will accept my decision if I feel strong enough about my choice and there is no similar alternative in the price/performace category.
Thanks for your time to read my ramble.
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