HT Setup Recommendation

[NoS9]

Hey guys,

I have recent moved to a new place and I am planning a resurrection of my HT over the holiday period.  I have an existing 5.1 setup.  I am planning to initially set it up as 5.1 and then upgrade later to Atmos or other alternative format of 3D sound set up.

I dont know much about Atmos setup – and clueless with sound treatment and stuff…hence this post.

The current gear that I have at my disposal are:

·         AVR: Denon 3313

·         Amp: Emotiva XPA-5 Gen-1

·         Front: Paradigm Studio 100s

·         Rear: Paradigm Studio 20s

·         Centre: Paradigm Studio CC-590

·         Sub: SVS PB12-NSD Subwoofer

·         Synology NAS

·         Mac-Mini running Kodi and Plex

Other stuff I also have to play with:

·         NAD C-272 Stereo Power Amp

·         KEF LS50s

I am pretty much limited to what I can do in term of reno and stuff… ie.. use the room as it is.  I have attached my plans and a picture of my current room for opinions and recommendations/advice.

My issues/questions:

·         I can’t use speaker stands for the SR/L since it will hinder the walk way into the kitchen.  Was thinking of a wall mount speaker stand halfway down the wall?  Is there a wall mount stand strong enough to hold the Studio 20s? It is somewhat heavy.

·         I am planning a 5.1.2 setup in the future – however don’t really want to punch holes in the ceiling (drilling holes for cables is ok – since I can patch it up later with hole-fillers if I want to move).  What options for speakers do I have? Also wall mount bracket?

·         Atmos AVR or AV pre and buy cheap 2 channel Amp for the two additional channels.  My previous 5.1 setup the amp section of the Denon 3313 didn’t even get used at all.

·         Speakers placement – room treatment (ie..curtains and stuff) – please recommend.

My initial plans in term of finance/buying stuff: 

1.       Get 65’ Samsung QLED TV mounted on the Wall – This is pending financial approval.  I can at least get the 5.1 setup up and running.

2.       Get Atmos AVR or AV Pre and speakers - this might take a while but at least from the recommendations I’ll know how much $ to ask and apply for J.

Visio-HT.pdf

[Snoopy8]

Do you have idea of your budget? 

 

For your rear speakers, have a look at Selby's wall brackets which will carry the weight of your Studio 20s.

 

As a general statement, AV pre are usually a lot more expensive  than an AVR.  For a good AVR, recommend the NAD T758V3, will do the 5.1.2 setup without you needing to buy additional amp.

[NoS9]

Budget is a good question :).  1.5K - 2.5K but can stretch if it's justifiable.

 

Just had a browse at the AV-Pre - yeah it's pretty steep.  Always want to try AV-pre since with the AVR option the amps rarely get use in my set up and it seems like a waste of amps.  But might have to be content with the AVR path since it will be the least cost option.

 

What about speakers?  Can I use normal bookshelf speakers and mounted on top of the side walls and point it down?  Not really sure what speakers I should get.

 

Thanks for brackets link.  This one looks good - https://www.selby.com.au/tv-brackets-stands/speaker-brackets/heavy-duty-wall-mount-clamp-speaker-brackets-black-30kg-sa35x2.html

 

Thanks

 

[SGS]

It's an awkard shape for you to work with. Personally I would consider changing rooms around. The dining and lounge rooms would make a nice ht room. Especially as you are getting a qled for viewing. Wouldn't you want to watch that most evenings when relaxing.

[Snoopy8]

On 17/11/2018 at 11:33 AM, NoS9 said:

What about speakers?  Can I use normal bookshelf speakers and mounted on top of the side walls and point it down?  Not really sure what speakers I should get.

Have a read of the Atmos guide, pages 7 & 8.

[Quark]

Your current room would work a lot better if you could get rid of the powder room. Whether it might cost you a divorce is another thing altogether...

[NoS9]

Dining room and lounge room have high ceiling...see pics...  Not sure if that's suitable as it's all open and hiding wires will be hard.

 

Yeah - getting rid of the powder room is a no...been told to just make do with what is there so I'd rather have something then nothing.  

 

The spa doesn't work by the way...I'll have to find something to cover it up.

[Irek]

Upgrading AVR is a good idea, the Nad was recommended few times. When it comes to Atmos there's is actually very little content of it on the market. You can always buy some second hand speakers and hang them temporary to see the difference. For me quality is more important than quantity. 

[NoS9]

In term of speakers - was checking paradigm to keep all speakers the same brand - was recommended somewhere.

• Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
• Paradigm MilleniaOne

Any comments on these?  What's different between the two in term of function except for the price?

 

Thanks.

[Irek]

Hi, 

What are those speakers for? 

[NoS9]

The 5.1.2 Atmos speakers.  

[betty boop]

3 hours ago, NoS9 said:

In term of speakers - was checking paradigm to keep all speakers the same brand - was recommended somewhere.

• Paradigm Monitor SE Atom
• Paradigm MilleniaOne

Any comments on these?  What's different between the two in term of function except for the price?

 

Thanks.

I dont know what the room is like these speakers are going into but for most rooms I'd suggest those speakers on brackets for .2 use are going to be sticking out like dog's B's .... literally hanging off the ceiling ! 

 

unless some period home with some ornamental heritage ceiling or something. its not a tragic thing to make holes in ceilings. even if ever selling they will be easily patched just keep the cut outs, and they'd go back sealed in and a coat a paint be as if nothing ever happened.

[Irek]

25 minutes ago, al said:

I dont know what the room is like these speakers are going into but for most rooms I'd suggest those speakers on brackets for .2 use are going to be sticking out like dog's B's .... literally hanging off the ceiling ! 

 

unless some period home with some ornamental heritage ceiling or something. its not a tragic thing to make holes in ceilings. even if ever selling they will be easily patched just keep the cut outs, and they'd go back sealed in and a coat a paint be as if nothing ever happened.

I think those speakers are going to be attached to rafters or timber V groove ceiling (as per photo). 

[betty boop]

2 minutes ago, Irek said:

I think those speakers are going to be attached to rafters or timber V groove ceiling (as per photo). 

thats not the room going into is it ? I thought they were adjoining rooms ? couldnt think of messing up the look of the rooms with large speakers hanging off the rafters in any case ? 

 

have we got a picture of the actual room ? 

 

 

[Irek]

Pdf file: Visio-HT.pdf 

No pictures, just floor plan. 

[Irek]

 

Maybe something like this? 

Paradigm H80-R

Round, 2-Way In-Ceiling Speaker (Each)

In-Ceiling Round Speaker (Optional Square Grille)

1" PTD™ Dome Tweeter, 8" Mineral-Filled Polypropylene Mid/Bass Driver, Bezel-Free Micro-Perf Grille

 

 

[NoS9]

See picture of room attached.  I was thinking of hanging speakers (white ones) on top of side walls above curtain & window (the square box ).  But I might have been convinced now to punch holes and put ceiling speakers.

 

Yeah - I was checking out those round Paradigm ones as well at Eastwood.  But there are so many there I don't know what to get..if my budget is around 500-1K for a set of paradigm ceiling speakers, what would you recommend?

 

Cheers.

 

[Irek]

 

[Irek]

For atmos I would go with those round once and cut the ceiling. I don't know which model would be the best , probably the most expensive one. So surround speakers are going to sit on stands?  

[betty boop]

7 hours ago, NoS9 said:

See picture of room attached.  I was thinking of hanging speakers (white ones) on top of side walls above curtain & window (the square box ).  But I might have been convinced now to punch holes and put ceiling speakers.

 

Yeah - I was checking out those round Paradigm ones as well at Eastwood.  But there are so many there I don't know what to get..if my budget is around 500-1K for a set of paradigm ceiling speakers, what would you recommend?

 

Cheers.

 

I am confused. is there going to be much of a height differential between your surrounds and your height speakers ? 

 

are the square things the surrounds and the round things the in ceiling speakers ? if the case atmos isnt going to happen. 

 

ideally you want your surrounds floor mounted. or otherwise about say 900mm above ear level at most if have reasonably high ceilings then if have in ceiling heights you get enough differential between your floor or wall mounted surrounds for your heights to work as heights.

 

otherwise if there isnt much height differential between your surrounds and your heights its all going to meld in as one bit of sound all above ....

 

I dont know what you plan for your seating layout but as per irek you need something along those lines what I am seeing in your photo doesnt particularly look very conducive to setting up a home theatre ? 

[NoS9]

See my proposed layout attached.  For SR/L - I am planning to use this wall mount brackets and position it halfway down the side walls.

I know this room isn't ideal and I won't get the best sound out of the 5.1.2 setup but I need to make the most of what's there hence why this post.

 

The seating position will be approximate 4m from a 65" Q-LED.  Should I move front speakers all the way back near the screen (the spa is there but it's not operating - i won't be using it for anything - I will put a piece of ply wood sheeting over it or something)?

 

Cheers

[Irek]

Hi, 

what if you place entertainment unit in the black rectangle: 3 speakers + sub + TV? I would say seating 2.5 - 3m from 65 TV is better when watching movies. 

[NoS9]

Yeah guess I might have to resolve back to that cause that's how I set it up before. Thought it might be better hanging a big tv on the wall. Maybe further down the track when I move the powder room.[emoji16]