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My living room is 16' x 19', with the TV centered on the 16' wall. I currently have AV123's reference mains and center (high end speakers), a HSU VTF3MK3 (huge and powerful sub), and 4 dirt cheap surround speakers. These are powered by a Yamaha RX-A3000 (nice receiver). I listen to about 80% movies and 20% music. I sometimes sit 3' feet away from the TV, 10' away or anywhere in between, but always centered.
I am very happy with this setup. My bride to be is not. She thinks the speakers are ugly and while she agrees they sound good she doesn't appreciate them. So what does an enamored audiophile do? Use this as an excuse to upgrade!
The only way I can out-do the ref's on my budget is to build my own speakers - something I am comfortable with and have always wanted to try. I already have some parts that I am playing with to build a pro-type to replace the surrounds. Since I can build a surround far better than what I have now for under $100, I can have as many as I want (depending on WAF, of course). Which brings up the question of how many I should build.
My receiver will power any 7.1 set up and anything up to 9.2 (might need a separate amp). Going 5.1 means placing the sides in the back corners, so no sound comes from behind when sitting far away and no side comes from the left and right sitting close to the TV. We might sit closer to the center of the room however as once my wife moves in as this is currently a movie/computer room/office and it will become more of a living room, entertaining and TV room. My budget will go farther towards a nicer set of 5.1 speakers which might also have a higher WAF than going 9.1.
Most movies are 5.1, but some of the newer ones are 7.1. Is that becoming the new standard?
Are 9.1, 6.1 or combinations other than 5.1 or 7.1 worth looking into? I ran 6.1 for a while and liked it, but one one seems to use this anymore. 7.1 is not any worse, but does not seem better to me in this room.
If I go 7.1 (or higher) do my surrounds need to produce as much sound as if I go 5.1? 2 mids or woofers per speaker gives more output. Are 4 surrounds with 87db max output better or worse than 2 surrounds that can do 90db?
I am very happy with this setup. My bride to be is not. She thinks the speakers are ugly and while she agrees they sound good she doesn't appreciate them. So what does an enamored audiophile do? Use this as an excuse to upgrade!
The only way I can out-do the ref's on my budget is to build my own speakers - something I am comfortable with and have always wanted to try. I already have some parts that I am playing with to build a pro-type to replace the surrounds. Since I can build a surround far better than what I have now for under $100, I can have as many as I want (depending on WAF, of course). Which brings up the question of how many I should build.
My receiver will power any 7.1 set up and anything up to 9.2 (might need a separate amp). Going 5.1 means placing the sides in the back corners, so no sound comes from behind when sitting far away and no side comes from the left and right sitting close to the TV. We might sit closer to the center of the room however as once my wife moves in as this is currently a movie/computer room/office and it will become more of a living room, entertaining and TV room. My budget will go farther towards a nicer set of 5.1 speakers which might also have a higher WAF than going 9.1.
Most movies are 5.1, but some of the newer ones are 7.1. Is that becoming the new standard?
Are 9.1, 6.1 or combinations other than 5.1 or 7.1 worth looking into? I ran 6.1 for a while and liked it, but one one seems to use this anymore. 7.1 is not any worse, but does not seem better to me in this room.
If I go 7.1 (or higher) do my surrounds need to produce as much sound as if I go 5.1? 2 mids or woofers per speaker gives more output. Are 4 surrounds with 87db max output better or worse than 2 surrounds that can do 90db?
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