Firestorm's HT

[firestorm]

I've been hanging around here for a while, and I finally have some pictures worthy of sharing.

Equipment:
- Yamaha RX-V1300 6.1 Receiver
- Sony Wega KV-27FV16 (only tolerable thanks to 16x9 wide mode)
- JVC XV-N50BK DVD Player (thanks Sony, for the POS DVP-S360)
- Home Theater Master MX-500 universal remote control

Speakers:
Mains - Paradigm Monitor 7 floorstanders
Center - Paradigm CC-270
Rear - Boston Acoustics HD8 bookshelves
Sub - DIY Dayton 15" Quatro w/ 240W plate amp in a sealed 2.48c.i. enclosure.
Speaker cable - Belden 5000 12guage wire recently replaced 16 guage Monster XP wire.

View from the "Sweet Spot":


Screenshot in 16x9 Wide/Squeeze Mode:




I'm very happy with this setup, with the exception of the fact that it is in our living room and the TV is small. The room is actually large enough, but the arrangement of doors, windows, etc... result in less than ideal acoustics. With Ben's (our 1 year old son) toys strewn about, it feels cramped at times. The HT adversely effects the layout of the rest of the room. I have a feeling we'll be in a new house before I get a chance to finish the basement.

The picture on the Wega is outstanding, and the resolution terrific with 16x9 wide mode (AKA squeeze), given the small 27" size. I love the JVC DVD player, given our current needs, aside from a long delay during layer transitions.

The Paradigm Monitor 7 floorstanders, tied with the Yamaha RX-V1300 receiver, are by and far my favorite components. The sound quality, imaging and pure output of them are perfect for our needs and tastes. They sound wonderful with music, and can hold their own as far as output, even without the subwoofer.

Last... the DIY sub is crisp and clean, and punches hard, but it can be mildly boomy up high (likely room acoustics), and doesn't reach 20Hz with as much authority as 30Hz. The smallish sealed enclosure was a rushed first stab at a cabinet for this combo, and I've been waiting for an opportunity to build a vented cab to replace it. But, for under $300, this sub is no slouch! Who knows... may build a servo sub to replace it.

The current arrangement of furniture has provided a huge leap in acoustics. Facing down the length of the room, plus having no windows behind the speakers, has dramatically reduced reflections. It also allowed placement of the surrounds slightly behind the listener, making them harder to locate by ear. The 'Digms also sound better, but the biggest improvement has been with subwoofer. The sound has flattened out considerably, and is very acceptable as is. The draw back is that the room is not nearly as open as it was before (more pictures later).

Obviously, I went for big sound over big picture. That's just how it worked out. Even if I hadn't promised to wait 5-10 years before buying a new TV, I believe I would have still put an emphasis on sound; particularly due to our 2 channel (music) use.

[Pirate]

Nice setup!

Damn, everyone has a better sub than me.

[firestorm]

Thanks

Originally Posted by piratehunter

Damn, everyone has a better sub than me.

LOL. Well, it isn't because I have money, that's for sure! I built it just over a year ago, with "birthday money", and I kinda wish I knew people who wanted the same thing. Although I rushed the build, it was fun, and I'd love to build more (if I had time). Unfortunately, everybody I know that is into music or movies lives in an apartment.

Here is what I used for LFE for over a year and a half:


I only used the integrated amp, which was connected to the LFE out of the RX-V1300, and the two massive towers, which were tactically hidden behind furniture. It was far from great, but gave LFE some authority that the old Boston HD8s couldn't provide.

I sold that entire system, cabinet, original manuals and all, for $20 to some kids in a garage sale last Friday. My parents bought it about 20 years ago, and everything still worked, aside from a some burned out backlights. I played some Blue Man Group, and the amount of bass (with the help of the EQ and loudness button) had the kids eyes gleaming! I was a little sad that an older gentleman didn't return in time (interested because of the turn table), since that amp actually sounded quite nice with decent speakers.

[tomdkat]

Love the new furniture!

Peace...

[EM3]

Now you need a bigger tv to go on the bigger stand. Nice setup you have going. I'm jealous.

Where did you get your info on the DIY Sub? Was it at www.avsforum.com ?

[firestorm]

Thanks for the comments. It took 2 years to piece the audio gear together, but while modest by some standards, it's more than I ever hoped for.

I've hinted at the bigger TV (jokingly), but I know we don't have the money for it. I'm simply happy to have the "big sound" portion complete. Idealy, we would have a dedicated room (either by finishing the basement or a new home), and then get a projector. I'll just have to make sure my wife see's my uncle's HT occasionally. But, I do have a buyer for the Wega.

Lighting wasn't ideal when I took those pics. Hopefully I can take pictures of the rest of the room later.

The DIY sub: I was originally looking at the Parts Express Titanic MKIII kits. I read great reviews on them, but the 12" kit was over $500, really stretching my allowed budget at the time. The folks at www.pesupport.com (Parts Express Tech Talk) steered me toward the Quatro/240 combo. Everything indicated that the larger 15" driver and efficiency of the Quatro would give me the output of the 12" kit, even with the 240W amp (vs 500W with the 12" Titanic). It's also a very fast driver, so even at 15", it is very musical. I looked at other combos, but I couldn't beat the price of this combo, or the fact that the Quatro has a 5 year warranty (amp 1 year).

[ganthc]

You should show some pictures of the leather furniture too. I like the sound setup you have, and the TV stand is awesome. Sony Wega's are great for picture quality, as I had a 32" one similar to yours before I upgraded to a Grand Wega. I think that the Wegas show impeccable PQ.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by firestorm

I've hinted at the bigger TV (jokingly), but I know we don't have the money for it. I'm simply happy to have the "big sound" portion complete.

I had surround sound long before I had a "big TV" and found I valued the audio much more than the large display. My first time watching Gladiator and U-571 were on a 20" tube TV. The audio on both DVDs kicked my ass to the point of the small screen not being an issue at all.

Now, I don't regret getting my 57" Toshiba HDTV but adding that to the mix wasn't as huge of an improvement as a more current surround sound system was in my HT.

Peace...

[firestorm]

Just for kicks, here's a screenshot of the Wega in 16x9 anamorphic wide mode:

Click for 1024x768 shot.

Remember, that's SD and zoomed in.

Ethen Allen Archer Leather Sofa (Saddle finish) & Storage Ottoman:


Ethen Allen Woodstock Recliners:


Better shot of the "front" of the room:


And one of the things that makes this room a nightmare, acoustically (big doorway):


I sold my wife on the Brady sofa, but it turned out that it didn't come in the color we liked (as depicted in the catalog). The ottoman became a compromise, and I figured we may as well get the cool storage version.

We have 4 oak bar chairs (matches the dining set) that fit nicely behind the sofa, and we discovered at my son's 1 year birthday that it makes for nice stadium seating! What you don't see is that there are shelves directly behind the sofa; nice for drinks and such.

New media racks are in the works, but the furniture, birthday, bathroom remodel, etc... tapped us out, and I really don't want to get back into credit card debt.

That's our humble setup. We think it's spectacular, and I think we spent just enough money for it to be so and yet be a "budget wise" entertainment investment.

[firestorm]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

I had surround sound long before I had a "big TV" and found I valued the audio much more than the large display.

I'm in no way itching to upgrade at this point. I'd love a bigger screen, but then what? Gotta have everything HD that goes with it! I just can't go there yet. Like you said, the sound is enough to emerse you in the experience. The ONLY time I really realize it is too small is when there is something I simply cannot make out or read. The majority of the time, I believe it's not something you were necessarily meant to see clearly anyway.

Ideally, we'll finish the basement or buy a new home, get a projector, and keep the Wega for the living room. Afterall, you can tell that this room (house built circa 1925-1932) was never intended to have this much "crap" in it.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by firestorm

Just for kicks, here's a screenshot of the Wega in 16x9 anamorphic wide mode:

Click for 1024x768 shot.

Remember, that's SD and zoomed in.

That screenshot is unacceptable! It’s doesn’t show the definition of SD and will only serve to dissuade people from adopting SD-DVD!

I like the room. It's nice and warm looking.

[firestorm]

Just wanted to add something.

Belden 5000UE 12 AWG wire from bluejeanscable.com and bananas (included shrink tubing for each banana plus one for the "Y"):


I had Monster XP cable before (16awg IIRC), which was fine. The bad part was the over priced "twist crimp" Monster Cable brand bananas that I had. They mangle the wire, which is apparently bad enough, but would come off with a nice tug... as in, the connector pulls right off of the wire. With a toddler running around and pulling on things, that made me extremely paranoid. I considered going the "bare wire" route, but really wanted to stay with bananas on the rear of the receiver... might as well buy 4 more for the mains (rears have pinch connectors and received bare wire).

With the new arrangement of the room, I needed a longer run on one side in the rear, and used it as an excuse to upgrade to 12AWG cable. No splices! And I couldn't upgrade the rear only.

For reference; I believe I paid $30 per 50' spool of XP cable (100' total), plus $15 for two pairs of bananas (8 pairs total)... or $120. From BJC, I paid roughly $75 with shipping; 100' of 12AWG cable and 8 pairs of bananas.