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planing a HT setup

#1
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3/14/09 at 7:09am
  • Joined: March 2009
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I have a 46" sharp Aquos 64U series tv and sony Blu Ray BDP-S300. I would like to add a custom home theater system. I would like to be able to hear two different sources of the music in two different rooms, Watching a baseball game over the surround and play music in another room at the same time. Been reading up on things and see that I would have to integrate everything into the reciever? Not sure if it will work or how exactly to set it up with an Ipod, blu ray(HDMI), and TV(HDMI). I am thinking i need a dual zone reciever with 7.1 and direct the two channels to the other room. Is there another solution? I have read people recommend the Onkyo Tx-SR606. I believe this will do what i need but just want to make sure. I am not up all the Lingo and doing my best to understand how things work. My Tv is in a corner and for the the back speakers i would like install them in the ceiling. Can anyone suggest which speakers to get. i know its personal taste, but would like obviously affordable and decent. Any sets i can buy that would include The L,R,C and Bass for the front and in ceiling for the rears. Thank you for your help.
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#2
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3/14/09 at 4:02pm
  • Joined: May 1999
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Re: planing a HT setup

Hi Doug - welcome to HTF!

Wow - you have done your homework. You do need a dual-zone receiver to do exactly what you are talking about. And the Onkyo is at the top of a lot of recommended lists right now.

Speakers:

Here you have a problem. You do NOT want to mix different brands or kinds of speakers in your room. You want the sound to not change as they swirl around.

Your better solution is a set of 5 or 7 monitor-style speakers and an external subwoofer.

Many good speaker companies sell these (Hint:SVS just won a product of the year award for one of it's sets.)

Many good speaker companies come to mind like Energy, Polk, Definitive, Klipsch, etc. Just make sure to buy a brand where the speakers are the companies main focus.

If you do want to mix in-ceiling with external speakers - look at Polk as they make both.

But I strongly suggest if you go in-ceiling - you do this for all your speakers. You may have to hire an installer but its worth it.

SUBWOOFER:

You dont need the same brand sub as the other speakers. Some good brands are SVS and HSU Research.

Hope this helps.
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#3
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3/14/09 at 9:50pm
  • Joined: March 2008
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Re: planing a HT setup

Another brand that i've heard a lot of good things about is Paradigm. I was told their in-wall/in-ceiling speakers are excellent. With the right budget and the right installer, they can really rock.
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#4
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3/15/09 at 7:24am
  • Joined: March 2009
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Re: planing a HT setup

I would like to do all in ceiling speakers except i know you want to throw the sound at you. If i put them above the tv, wont the sound be going directly to the tv and not to the couch. I read the polk has the aimable tweeters but will that be enough. I wouldn't mind getting the rectangle wall speakers next to the tv but the tv is in a corner and those would also not be aimed at the couch. Installing them is no big deal to me cause im an electrician, but where i place them matters.

Also i just read the Onkyo is coming out the new tx-sr607 7.2 surround with a new hdmi port in the front. It will be coming out in april and retails for $600 but i found it on a site to pre-order for $500 w/ free shipping. I thinki i will hold out and wait for the 607. I have read reviews about the 606 and the only thing that people don't like the is the 1080p upconversion. They leave it on pass through for non 1080. But i don't know if they fixed the upconversion of the new model.

Onkyo TX-SR607 - 7.2-Channel Home Theater Receiver | Model Information | Onkyo USA Home Theater Products

Thanks
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#5
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3/16/09 at 4:35pm
  • Joined: November 2008
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Re: planing a HT setup

Two things you need to be aware of,

I have an Intergra 6.8 receiver which is made by Onkyo and it has a second zone which has the option to power a second set of speakers or a second amp. However, the second zone is stereo only, and when you turn on the second zone your main zone reverts to a 5.1 system. This is not a problem for me as my main zone is 5.1. But you should be aware of this before you buy.

If you want decent surround sound I don't think anyone on this forum would recommend an in ceiling speaker installation. These type speakers are meant for shopping malls and dentist offices for background music. They just can't do the job for HT.
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