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Another Newbie Man Cave question (1 Viewer)

jus10

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We're building out a new basement room that will serve as both my office and a media room. I've attached a rough plan here.

Screen Shot 2014-08-18 at 9.20.04 PM.png


The TV will be on the slanted wall, and there's a hollow cabinet space above it that will serve perfectly for a media rack. Before they put up the drywall, I've had the electrician run power up there, and speaker wire from there all over the room.

I'm looking for suggestions for a TV and audio set up that will sound and look good, but won't break the bank. The room is pretty small, even without the desk, so I'm wondering if it's even going to work to have rear speakers.

I have a pair of venerable Paradigm Studio 20s (v1) that I've been using to listen to my music in my current office for >15 years that I've grown to love, but I'm not really sure it makes sense to preserve them when I move down into this new room.

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions.
 

schan1269

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An LCD is going to be a nightmare with those viewing angles. Buy a plasma while you can.The speaker wires...Ceiling?Walls?Baseboard?
 

jus10

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The TV can be mounted on an articulated arm, if that helps.

Speaker wire in the walls to the left and right of the TV and left and right of the couch (as much as possible given the doors). Nothing in the ceiling or baseboards.
 

Robert_J

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I'm looking for suggestions for a TV and audio set up that will sound and look good, but won't break the bank.
Everyone has a different "bank". Provide a hard number and we will try.
 

Robert_J

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I think it can be done easily for that price.

What's behind the slanted wall? You mentioned cabinet space above but what about below? I'm just trying to find you some place to put a sub so you won't trip over it.
 

jus10

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Robert_J said:
I think it can be done easily for that price.

What's behind the slanted wall? You mentioned cabinet space above but what about below? I'm just trying to find you some place to put a sub so you won't trip over it.
It's a solid concrete foundation wall behind the drywall.
 

jus10

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schan1269 said:
Are you wanting in-wall, or someting to put on the wall(KEF T)?
I think in-wall will be tough, given the narrow spacing of the studs in the wall. Although looking at KEF T (for the first time), they might fit.
 

jus10

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I just learned that a great 51" plasma 1080p is on sale today for $500. Samsung PN51F5300AFXZA

I wonder if I should grab it while it's available -- or should I go larger? It's a small space, but I've heard you get a lot out of a 1080p at short range....
 

Robert_J

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I was thinking 60" or larger based on the room layout. If the mount moves then it will put you a little closer to the screen.
 

jus10

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Jim517 said:
It depends on how far you will sit from TV. If it's more than 6' or 7', I would go larger than 51".
The dimensions have been hard to determine until they put the drywall up today. It looks like the TV screen will be about 6'8" from someone sitting on the couch. My wife thinks anything larger than 51" is going to be too big, and I think I agree -- her exact quote: "Your internet friends will never come over to watch the thing. I'm trying to have an open mind but 60 seems way big."
 

jus10

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The question is less about optimal viewing size and more about whether the TV will totally dominate a small room. This isn't really a man cave, since my wife gets some say in the matter!

Aside from the TV dimensions, did anyone have any advice on what specific equipment to pick up, and how to set up the audio? Thanks to everyone for their comments so far.
 

Robert_J

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My first big screen was 65" and I kept it about 18 hours. My wife took one look at it and "suggested" a downgrade to 55". The other side of the barter was me getting to finish the theater room sooner and that was a 103" screen.

Have you made a decision about the KEF speakers? As far as receivers go, any with an auto calibration system will work as long as it has enough inputs. I'm a fan of Pioneers and their MCACC auto setup. If you go with the KEF, speakers then you need to think about subs. How much space are you willing to sacrifice? Some subs are as small as a shoebox and go up to the size of a dorm room fridge. http://www.powersoundaudio.com/ is a site sponsor. SVS has cylinder subs that take up less floor space - http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/cylinder If you want to use some "unused" space then an angled box under the TV as a stage would not look out of place but it would be a DIY type solution.
 

schan1269

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FWIW, the flat T KEF sub doesn't suck.It won't kick you in the gut, but the price(if bought as a 5.1 set) is fair for what you get.
 

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