New Home Theatre Setup

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Uber Geek

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#1534577 17-Apr-2016 20:56

I don't think I'd ever recess a TV, the size changes so frequently that it won't be long before the new screen won't fit in the whole

Doesn't seem long since I bought a 29" CRT and visitors commented on how big it was...

mentor

132 posts

Master Geek

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#1534582 17-Apr-2016 21:10

Talkiet:

Dodgy history of reliability - over several generations of amps they clearly valued features and power above good design and reliability. Lots of fried HDMI daughterboards from overheating.

Cheers - N

This. My NR-609 had to be fixed due to hdmi daughterboard...luckily for free. I'd be looking at another brand when it comes time for replacement (soon)!

mailmarshall

349 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1534630 17-Apr-2016 22:36

Surferguy: I am looking to do something similar. Just wondering where did you get Nivo Essentia and the HDBaseT matrix (Alibaba link would be great)?

surferguy

15 posts

Geek

#1534646 17-Apr-2016 23:21

@mailmarshall:

Below is the HDBaseT matrix, good quality and works well... cost about $1800 landed. I did a lot of research and couldnt find anything near this price with the features I needed... had to be compliant with 4k / hdcp2.2 and splits the audio out to plug into the Nuvo, plus controllable via RS232/TCP for home automation system and able to send IR/RS232. This one ticks all the boxes...

http://hdcvt.en.alibaba.com/product/60401765055-221420725/4x4_HDMI_Matrix_Switchers_100m_HDBaseT_POE_RS232_IR.html

The Nuvo was through Amazon, comes with American plug but supports 240V and beats paying $4500 here. Again did a lot of research and all the reviews pointed to Nuvo over anything else. I needed someting with wall control panels and capable of 6 zones.

http://www.amazon.com/NV-E6GMS-DC-Essentia-6-Source-6-Zone-Stereo/dp/B004GEW9M8

Hope this helps!

surferguy

15 posts

Geek

#1534648 17-Apr-2016 23:24

shk292:

I don't think I'd ever recess a TV, the size changes so frequently that it won't be long before the new screen won't fit in the whole

Doesn't seem long since I bought a 29" CRT and visitors commented on how big it was...

The main reason is aesthetics... they look incredible when recessed specifically for that sized TV. I'm going with a 65 inch, for the room size its more than ample and am extremely unlikely to ever want to go bigger as simply wont have room.

WyleECoyoteNZ

1049 posts

Uber Geek

#1534863 18-Apr-2016 12:28

surferguy:

Thanks for the feedback.

Hadnt thought about going Atmos but something I will consider now. The only thing is I cant spend bucketloads on the receiver, 2k max. Any thoughts on something like Pioneer VSX1130? http://www.rapalloav.co.nz/pioneer-vsx-1130-k-7-2-channel-av-receiver.html

I definitely want to go with inwalls to save space as its not a huge room, and to make the whole setup fairly invisible. They might not perform as well as bookshelves but as I said Im not an audiophile just want a decent home theatre experience. The front Polk 265-RTs and 255-RT are purchased but havnt purchased the ceiling speakers yet, I was going to go with the RC80i as read they are timbre matched for the RTs and perform well for the price. Have read lots of good reviews about the 265/255 inwalls as performing well for the price (I imported them for half the price of what they are in NZ).

The speaker setup currently is 3 fronts and 2 ceilings, but as I said I would wire for 2 rears as well so could go with the recommended 5.1.2 ceiing setup (http://www.dolby.com/in/en/guide/dolby-atmos-speaker-setup/5-1-2-setups.html). In that case I would need 2x rear speakers so open to suggestions here... I havnt budgeted for any further speakers so they need to be affordable.

The Nuvo Essentia is already purchased (again imported for half the NZ price), mainly to easily switch audio in different rooms and control it via RS232, but also because I want inwall control panels . I'm going to connect a Sonos to it so can use the Sonos app for audio but then can also switch speakers to the TV audio from the various sources which are all centrally located. I got a 4x4 HDBaseT matrix off Alibaba to switch the video which works really well.

I'd go for a Yamaha Aventage RX-A1050, a little bit more than your 2k limit (2499), but it's what I'd be looking at

Masterpiece

247 posts

Master Geek

#1535178 18-Apr-2016 20:13

surferguy:
Hi all,

I'm part way through building a new house and have pretty much sussed out my AV setup.

So far this is how it will work:

HDBaseT Matrix will distribute video around the house via Cat6/HDMI and into receiver in media room (done)

Nuvo Essentia multi-room audio system will distribute audio around the house to ceiling speakers and into receiver in media room to amplify for home theatre (in progress)

Speakers for HT room are 2x Polk Audio 265-RT,1x 266C-RT around TV as below and a pair of Polk Audio RC80i in the ceiling plus external sub

Below are the drawings of the finished setup.

Two questions I need some advice on:

What receiver would you recommend for the home theatre? It's only 5.1 at this stage but will likely wire some rears in case I want to add them in future, so should be 7.1 and capable of running the above speakers for home theatre use. Im not an audiophile and don't want to go crazy but still want a decent sound.

Where would you recommend ceiling speakers are placed in the room below?

Looks like you are a fair way along the design and build.

I have a similar theatre room size, although utilizing length and end wall rather than the longer wall.
This size room does not require super amps to create good levels, so I'd be aiming at mid range spec AV unit.

The HDMI routing can still be problematic currently, there are a lot of additions, however most new units are HDCP 2.2, but not all HDMI2.0a, so watch out for these two main things.

ATMOS and DTS:X are still in infancy, I've pre wired for 7.2.4, for now running 7.1, Yam RX3040 AV and Paradigm Monitor 9 series (free standing) and similar range sides and rears.
For your arrangement I'd consider pre wiring for 5.1.4 or 5.1.2 as you a sitting across the width of the room, you don't really have the depth to do 7.1.4 justice. Also you need the sides/rears closer to ear level than downwards firing roof mount, roof and height suit ATMOS and DTS:X.

You have a nice visually balanced look with your TV, speakers and side cabinets. The Limitations of the arrangement you have; A display recessed has a nice look but has upgrade limitations should you want/upgrade to a larger format in years to come. Like wise the speakers would hold back a larger format display.

The sound field is going to relatively narrow for the front end, sound wise you might find merging of left and right into center. If you are precast with the design, maybe add some pre wired wall plates for left, right for free standing speakers(hidden in the recessed cabinets), then the current fronts could become height front for ATMOS/DTS:X at a later time.

Consider (If you aren't already, I see insulation on drawing), using soundline gib(13mm), double layered all around the room and 13mm on the roof. Even double layer the other side(room) of the wall where your seating is. Isolating the room, even if is modest can help systems improve the baseline performance of not just the AV units but the room. Head to the Gib website, they have pre made design guides for sound insulation that comply with NZ codes.

Hope that helps

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Batman

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#1535233 18-Apr-2016 22:17

If you really really want many speakers, I would recommend an amp that can do quad subs and that you run quad subs of the same model that can go down to 10 Hz. Then think about atmos and what not junk ;p

bales

116 posts

Master Geek

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#1535247 18-Apr-2016 22:58

position your ceiling speakers as if you are going to have surround backs on rear wall from a design viewpoint line them up with bookshelf centre. 600mm above ear level when sitting on couch it helps if nogs are at 800mm centres for backs on that rear wall. you can get sealed speakers for ceilings or acoustic enclosures

DarthKermit

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#1535253 18-Apr-2016 23:16

If you have more money than a bull can poop:

surferguy

15 posts

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#1558880 24-May-2016 19:02

@masterpiece Thanks for your thoughts, very helpful!

cokeman2

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#1561016 27-May-2016 22:27

i have brought the ONKYO TX-NR646 ..was pretty cheap at 775 does dolby atmos and dts x (soon) . it is a 5.1.2 setup only so only 2 ceiling speakers (but it suggests u can add 2 more speakers to the same ceiling terminals in the manual ) sounds brilliant...gives plenty of base etc

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mailmarshall

349 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1561060 28-May-2016 07:05

cokeman2:

i have brought the ONKYO TX-NR646 ..was pretty cheap at 775 does dolby atmos and dts x (soon) . it is a 5.1.2 setup only so only 2 ceiling speakers (but it suggests u can add 2 more speakers to the same ceiling terminals in the manual ) sounds brilliant...gives plenty of base etc

Cokeman2 where did you pickup that amp? 775 is a great price (NZ$)??

cokeman2

919 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#1561061 28-May-2016 07:09

mailmarshall:

cokeman2:

i have brought the ONKYO TX-NR646 ..was pretty cheap at 775 does dolby atmos and dts x (soon) . it is a 5.1.2 setup only so only 2 ceiling speakers (but it suggests u can add 2 more speakers to the same ceiling terminals in the manual ) sounds brilliant...gives plenty of base etc

Cokeman2 where did you pickup that amp? 775 is a great price (NZ$)??

i got from these guys in auckland http://www.avalon.co.nz/onkyo/685-onkyo-tx-sr343.html price gone a bit up but still pretty cheap for all the latest bells and whistles for 792

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Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#1561123 28-May-2016 10:42

JB HiFi will most likely beat the price... they've been almost as cheap in the past.

But as Avalon are the supplier of the amps, they may be a little begrudged in doing so?

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