HT Super Novice in need of help with details on speakers (1 Viewer)

Hello just recently moved and I was able to acquire several "classic" speakers to create a mini man cave.

The room the setup is in is about 12' deep 11' wide 8' high.

I currently have:
Receiver: Sony STR-DN840
Sub: Infinity BU-1
Front & Rear: Polk Audio Monitor 5
Center: Sony SS-CN495H

This is the first time I've had an actual 5.1 System to utilize. I've been told for the room size equipment is more than adequate even though I've had opportunities to upgrade the sub and center with some Pinnacle BD series. I used the receiver calibration and everything sounds nice and I've even changed the setup manually from large to small speakers. This did increase quality based on my preference. The crossover is set to 70Hz.
I needed to know if there is anything more I should be doing or can do to better the sound. I'm confused in regard to the dB efficiency and sensitivity. I've read about if the center is higher, I should then set it to -XdB based on the difference. Trouble is that I cannot find efficiency for my center. Sensitivity is 89db. Based on Polk's site the Monitors are 90db efficiency. I would appreciate any audio knowledge as I don't think I'm doing my system any justice by just letting the receiver auto calibrate everything. Thank you.

First thing....Decide which ones you like better, Polk or Pinnacle. Then buy the matching center.On my phone, so I'm look that sub up later to see if there are better alternatives...and "how much" better will cost.

Hi,

I am definately keeping the Polk as I would then have to buy all new speakers if I need to match the speakers. I'm currently trying to find places that have better models for the Polk centers other than the one entry level. I was able to find a Martin Logan Motion 8 I did like that would work well in the event I just cannot find a decent Polk center. It looks like I'm deciding between the TSx150c or the TSi CS10.
I'm not sure which subs are known for good clear bass even at higher volumes.

The Martin Logan Motion would not work well. Its what known as a "folded ribbon tweeter." It will give you a much different character of sound than the Polks, the Motion will sound more airy and crisp. Your ultimate goal in a home theater application is a front stage that is impossible to localize, meaning you cant identify that any one speaker is making a sound. In a system that blends well all the sound will be originating from your screen and not from the speakers. Even an entry level Polk center would be a better choice than a Martin Logan Motion center.

http://www.audioholics.com/home-theater-connection/tip-of-the-day-mixing-and-matching-speakers

You might check Ebay for a Polk center. I'll describe it, as I have one, but there is no model number(which Polk is famous for rehashing anyway).It is the same size as the current CS1/10. But it only has 1 woofer to the right of the tweeter. The port is on the left side more off to the side...than "originated like the woofer".All Polk centers start CS...for Center Speaker...

Aahh The BU 1 is an 8" 50 watt.Barely qualifies as a sub.Anything 10" and bigger is an improvement.

Thank you for the advisal on the Martin Logan Center. I understand now how a really great speaker regardless of performance can ruin the whole song if it's not playing "with" the band.

Thank you for the description on the polk center. The CS10 in the TSi series is the one I'm favoring over the TSx series. I'm thinking this should do well with the Monitor 5 speakers I have after reading about the importance of matching brands.

Yes the BU-1 is very basic. SInce the room is small I didn't really have much thought about it and the speakers also do well with the lower ranges so I've never bothered to think if it would benefit from a better sub. I've only listened to a few subs and I assume I will need to listen to a few more. I have checked out the PSW111(8"), Pinnacle Baby Boomer(8"), PSW125(12"), and Energy ESW-C10(10"). Any thoughts?

All cost too much for what they can do. Of that group, the babyboomer is quite nice...if still overpriced.

For the cost of the PSW125, you can get the better performing BIC F12(or when available...the H100).

Not sure what ever happened to Lava, but their LSP12 is worth it.

If you wish to join the big boys(albeit their entry level), the HSU STF 1/2.

And for the price of the Baby Boomer...

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-1mk2.html

Here is where to get the Lava LSP12...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LSP12-LAVA-12-250-WATT-POWERED-SUBWOOFER-BLACK-/231188222605?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item35d3e4528d

$230 is a great price. You could have two for the cost of one HSU VTF1(almost 2).

Conjecture here(the webosphere is figuring "what is up" with Lava...)

Lava started hemorrhaging cash...sold all their stock and is regrouping...(maybe...who knows).

Anyway Lava is warrantying the subs bought via that seller.

Thank you for the advice on the subs. I realize the Engergy and the Baby Boomer are probably overpriced more than the others. I listened to the Energy at Best Buy who had it on sale for $350 also the PSW111. I will have to go back and listen to the BIC12 as it's only $180. I've mentioned the Polks and the Baby Boomer as they appear for good prices on woot.com occassionally. Based on your reccommendations It would seem I should wait around for the boomer when it comes back. Is the Supersonic comparable with the Hsu? $550 perhaps a bit much?

I'd love to test out the Mirage speakers they show but that would defeat the purpose of what I'm doing. Thank you again. Hopefully I will be able to go and test the other subs tomorrow and see which one has the best clear bass.


http://tech.woot.com/plus/home-theater-upgrades-5?ref=gh_tc_2_wp_3#

Best clear bass in the store has zero bearing on best clear bass at home.

Good point. Would what I think sounds clear in the store sound more full and deeper in my room that is obviously smaller? Or will it just depend individually on the sub?

Room gain does play a big factor in the way a sub will sound in a room. So does placement. You may put a great sounding sub in the wrong spot and you can't hear much bass in your favorite seat. Move to another seat and the bass will be overpowering.

Since you are going for a 5.1 system I assume you are going to watch movies. Since this is a man cave, you will watch manly movies with car chases and explosions. A lot of sound engineers for movies put in infrasonic information during these explosions so that you can feel the action on the screen. To recreate that in the home, you have to have a sub that moves a lot of air. Moving air is as simple as the size of the driver and how much it can move without distorting.

You will get used to a sub and want to upgrade. It happens to about 90% of us here until we get to this level - http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?7553-Something-a-bit-more-extreme-BIG-Subwoofer

Hello. I wanted to update everyone on the system setup. I was able to get the Polk Audio CS10 for the center speaker to go with my four Monitor 5 speakers. Also replaced the sub with a Pinnacle Baby Boomer. I wanted to get the BIC F12 but it ended up being way to big for the room. Also got the Boomer for $158 so that helped as well in the decision.
The sub is a lot more powerful than I thought it would be. It is about 4" from the walls and is set at medium volume with crossover at 70Hz. It is sitting near the corner to the right of the right front speaker. Since it's a dual 8", I initially had the firing sides facing the walls. Then I turned it to face the back corner and out into the center of the room. Before I make any more moves can anyone suggest a better idea or tell me if my next moves might not work.
1) turning sub to face right wall and opposite side facing to the left.
2) placing he sub to the right or left of TV and inside the left or front speaker. Speakers would remain equidistant from center.

Thank you.

Sub placement works best, where it works best.The orientation of a sub, in a spot, shouldn't make any difference. Unless it it ported, and the port is too close to the wall.