Multi room speaker setup for Denon AVR 891 receiver

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skc

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#70508 25-Oct-2010 16:55

Hi there.

This is my very first post, as I'm a newbie to all this. I would like some advice please...

We have just built a new house, and trying to set up two rooms for tv and audio. Our separate lounge will have the Samsung PS50C7000 tv, and we want to set it up with surround sound speakers. In our other lounge/family room we have another plasma tv, and speaker holes in the ceiling. We have just bought a new Denon receiver, which we want to run with My Sky, Blue Ray, and the two rooms for sound. What I need help with is the speakers. What would be some good surround sound speakers for the lounge to go with the tv, for movies/music etc. Also what would be some good in ceiling speakers to go into the lounge/family room as well?

We want to be able to play music and tv through both rooms.

What sort of speakers should I look at for the surround sound - something to match our receiver that is medium price range? And where should I go to look?

What are good in ceiling speakers for music and tv?

Thanks for your help. Any advice would be appreciated.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#395518 25-Oct-2010 17:30

For in-ceiling speakers, will you have specific listening positions? Ie, chairs in which you'll sit? If so, you can get ceiling speakers with direction cones from the likes of Klipsch etc.
These allow you to focus the sound on your general seated position.
If it's not what you want to achieve, grap some standard speakers (from Klipsch, JBL, Jobsite, Jensen, StudioAcousitcs etc) that will radiate their sound through out the room... giving you more of an ambient setup.

For your main room, what sort of budget do you have?
Do you want floor standers all around? Bookshelves? Proper surround speakers etc?
A little more info would be great.
:-)

skc

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#395562 25-Oct-2010 20:29

Hi there - thanks for your reply.
No, there will be no specific listening positions for the in-ceiling speakers. We just want sound throughout the room, the area covers family room, dining and kitchen area, so just a good sound that can go loud! I notice there are a lot of different varieties within the same brand so knowing what to go for is quite hard.

In our main lounge, it's not a huge area - about 6 x 4.5 m with a high ceiling. I don't want floor speakers all around, just maybe the two at the back? Our tv is on the wall in the middle, so the front speakers would probably be on the walls in the corners. Budget is a hard one, as I do want something decent, but doubt if we could afford top of the range. Not really sure what price would give us that - maybe $1000 - $1300? What would be the price range?

Thanks again.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#395686 26-Oct-2010 08:40

Hmmm, if you want the ceiling speakers to be turned up, go for larger drivers if you can.
But do remember, cheap speakers with big drivers won't equate to good sound...
On top of that, if you put speakers in the ceiling, you won't be getting a decent bass response UNLESS you run a sub in the family area too (something your amp is capable of).

And also, remember to budget for a sub for your main listening room - it won't be anywhere near as good without it. If it was me, I'd look to budget $1000 - $1500 per room. Sorry if it looks expensive, but it's worth it, especially if you're wall or ceiling mounting speakers...

bazzer

3438 posts

Uber Geek

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#395762 26-Oct-2010 13:04

Also, remember that if the 891 is anything like the other Denon models I've played with (i.e. excluding the high-end ones) Zone 2 is analog only. This means you'll need to run analog audio for each component you'd like to hear in your second zone.

This was a surprise to me, but turns out it's pretty common amongst the entry/mid level models. If this is a problem for you you may have to move up to at least the 3311/991 (this allows 2ch PCM via optical/digital but no HDMI so you still have to run another cable and it won't work if the input signal is 5.1).

You don't mention if you have a PS3 but if you do there are a few tricks. You used to only be able to output via HDMI or analog at any one time which was a hassle for Zone 2 but now you can output both via a setting. However this also means only 5.1 and 44.1/48kHz output via HDMI while that setting is active.

Jaxson

8042 posts

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#396172 27-Oct-2010 11:13

As Bazzer says, plus a quick comment/question about who is going to be using this gear, and how do you intend to switch CDs/Radio stations/change volumes etc? I have yet to find a cheap multiroom receiver that actually operates like most people initially envisage.

If it was me I'd take the advice from Dunnersfella and Bazzer above but look for a receiver for one room and a separate mini system for the other room. If the mini/midi system has 8 ohm speakers then you can still use the in ceiling speakers in the second area, and you'll also have a local point of call in the same room to adjust volume and play CD's etc right there. Technically it could all cost a fairly similar amount and be far easier and enjoyable to operate.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#396606 27-Oct-2010 23:26

As an aside, one of my favourite Mini Systems is this Marantz...
http://www.bwspeakers.co.nz/default.asp?action=product&p_action=show_product&id=374
But the added cost may well tip the balance back towards the dual zone AVR instead.
Still, it looks nice, sounds great and is easy for everyone to use too.

skc

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#397854 30-Oct-2010 20:54

Thanks for the comments. No, we don't have a PS 3 - my girls aren't really into gaming that much, but do play PS2 singstar etc. Our aim is to have tv, music, my sky, blu ray dvd player etc in a cupboard in a central place (prob hall cupboard) so that we can run everything from there in the two living areas using remotes etc, Our house has supposedly been wired for this. Would the likes of the speaker packages from JB hi fi or similar be suitable for the surround sound lounge room, and then different ceiling speakers in the other famiiy room? I don't really want to get a another receiver when the Denon one cost $1900. Thanks.

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Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#397924 31-Oct-2010 00:06

If you list the speaker packs you're looking for, we can give you a heads up re: quality / sound.
There's a lot of different brands / sounds that may suit your needs. Others... that, well, may not.

skc

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#403475 11-Nov-2010 16:10

Hi again.
I've been looking at some speaker packs from JB Hi Fi and Harvey Normans.
JB have Jamo 5.1 packs, one is $1444 with two big back speakers. HN have Wharfdale Diamond and Vardas speaker packs, also Polk and Yamaha. Any views of these? I'm liking the look of the Jamo pack at this stage. Thanks again.

Jaxson

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#403774 12-Nov-2010 09:41

Have you listened to any of them or are you buying based on the 'they look pretty' principle?

I'm a big fan of the Whafedale Diamond series, but these are floorstanders.

I can only comment on in wall speakers if you are going smaller than floorstanders as I have not used the cube type systems etc before.

If you want this for music then the front left and right main speakers need to be the best you can buy. If this is for movies then the centre speaker is more important in my opinion, followed by the front left and right and the subwoofer. All my personal opinion only.

skc

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#405106 15-Nov-2010 22:21

No I haven't listened to them as yet, but will take in a CD to have a listen. I wanted to see what was around - I wouldn't exactly pick any just because "they look pretty", but I still have to like them. I think the space in our lounge wouldn't really suit all big floorstanders which is why I think the back two could be, with either book shelf or in-wall speakers at the front - and a sub.