Church Theater Room (1 Viewer)

Our church is in need of some new equipment in its theater for the kids. Dimensions of the room are 20' deep and 19' wide and 9' high(all concrete) with 6 rows of stadium seating,. I think they had a dvd/htib setup but things are starting to not function properly and all that.

What would recommendations be for a full setup - ht receiver, bluray player, speakers, and projector. Keep in mind simplicity, something of good quality is desired, but no need to go all audiophile. Thanks for any ideas.

Kevin:

If you don't need something huge...I would recommend this Onkyo HT system (S5600). I've heard this in person and think it does quite a serviceable job.

That's an option that would cover your HT receiver and speakers. You would still need to purchase a Blu-ray player and projector.

The nice thing about the Onkyo system is that it allows integration with outside sources and the capability to change things out if they break. In other words, the parts are not proprietary and can be mixed in with parts from other manufacturers.

That'll get you started and I'm sure others will be chiming in shortly.

How big is the screen in the room? Any idea?

Did not measure screen...rough guess is 80-90" wide and 5' tall.

What's the budget for this project? Do you already have wiring and mounts for the speakers? Are you looking for network integration, Wifi, Bluetooth?

Screen size is 90" wide by 64".

No network, but I think a bluray player with wifi might be a good idea(would probably need to get a hardwired connection due to concrete box) and no need for bluetooth. Just trying to rig up something decent and not a hodgepodge of castoff components.

Still working on budget; is under $900 doable? Or could do the sound system/bluray player first and get a new projector a little later?

I'll take a stab at this...it's hard not having a budget.

AVR - Denon S700w - $400 You can get cheaper units but this one both wired, wireless, and Bluetooth. You just never know what you might need in the future. If your budget won't allow it you can step down to a less expensive unit.

BRP - Sony BDPS 5200 - $60

Speakers - Main pair: BIC DV62 $105, Center: BIC DV62CLRS $112 and Surrounds: BIC DV62 (same as mains) $105. These are bookshelf speakers so you can wall mount, stand them on furniture or get actual stands for them. Seemed more versatile than floor standing units. I also like the fact that these will reach into the 40's for freq response. You might not need a sub with these unless you really want to do some heavy action films. This will save some money.

This is just my quick project put together. You'll have to ask someone else about the projector I'll leave that to them.

Working total for this is $722 without wire, cables, mounts/stands ect.

Any thoughts on the Onkyo HTS3500 5.1 System for $389? OR Onkyo HTS3700 5.1 for $399?

Yamaha YHT395BL $399(Discontinued)
Yamaha YHT399UBL $349

Sorry for no links, but not seeing how to do that.


Currently they have a Panasonic SA-HT822V so I think anything suggested here will be a great deal better.

I am thinking of around 400-450 for sound system max plus a bluray player/w wireless. I have seen bluray players in the $60 range, but no idea on quality.

A cheaper Blu player will get the job done...the question is usually durability (how much use is it going to get? how long will it last?).

I'm not sure the 3500 or 3700 Onkyos have powered subwoofers. You do NOT want a passive subwoofer for a room that size. I'd stick with one of the Onkyo HT-S5xxx systems. I misspoke above. My son has the Onkyo HT-S5400. It is the one I've heard and have been impressed with.

dudeinmi said:

Any thoughts on the Onkyo HTS3500 5.1 System for $389? OR Onkyo HTS3700 5.1 for $399?

Yamaha YHT395BL $399(Discontinued)
Yamaha YHT399UBL $349

Currently they have a Panasonic SA-HT822V so I think anything suggested here will be a great deal better.

Click to expand...

The Yamaha YHT399 is not a bad way to go. The speakers are two way vs full rangers and you're getting an 8" sub. The only thing I have against it is the AVR won't have the network integration that I think will come in handy later down the road. Controlling the system via an app on your phone/tablet is cool and easy.

I would forget either of those Onkyos as they are more expensive, and have full range speakers, and passive subs.

Ok...seriously considering the Yamaha YHT399. I have a budget finally. Looking at around $1000. The Yamaha system is around $350 so that would leave 650 for a projector and ceiling mount. Currently the projector is on the back wall, but a request was made to raise it up so people would get in the way of the projection.

A question on speaker mounting location and heights. How do you figure what height to locate rear speakers and their location? same with front and center.

Thanks

Speakers should go ear height...when seated.

Speakers should go ear height...when seated.

Click to expand...

That's the correct placement of course, but I wouldn't put them there for a non-family set-up. Since this room is meant for multitudes of kids, who get bored and look for things to muck around with, I say put them up above arms reach and angle them down.

Al.Anderson said:

That's the correct placement of course, but I wouldn't put them there for a non-family set-up. Since this room is meant for multitudes of kids, who get bored and look for things to muck around with, I say put them up above arms reach and angle them down.

Click to expand...

As far as rear speakers go, the back row of seating is directly against rear wall, so would they go side wall back corner facing each other or back wall (mounted near ceiling) angled down facing front?

dudeinmi said:

As far as rear speakers go, the back row of seating is directly against rear wall, so would they go side wall back corner facing each other or back wall (mounted near ceiling) angled down facing front?

Click to expand...

Either.When deviation from the "norm" happens, just point them into the center-ish of the seating.

Been thinking...how much improvement would I see not buying htib? Meaning buying the A/V Receiver plus 5 speakers and a sub...more money obviously.

1 Example-
Yamaha rx-v375 5.1 $199
Polk Audio TL1900 Blackstone 5.1 Speaker system. $299 - open to suggestions here.

That would be around $140 more than the Yamaha HTIB...Keep reading that the speakers are usually the weak spot in a htib..but realize I can only improve so much with a small budget.

Well...

HERE'S another set of decent enough speakers for

The real question is do you want a sub or not? If you don't want a sub get larger speakers, either towers or larger bookshelf unit. That's what I was going for in my first reply. If you do want a sub you can get away with smaller speakers like the sats in the sets or smaller books like the Pioneer BS22's you're looking at.

How much do you want to spend? Do you think the kids will leave the sub alone and mess with it?

If you do want to go with Pioneer bookshelf set buy them separately and get a different sub. I've heard that the Pioneer sub is so-so at best. Just get 2 set of the Pioneer BS22 for $96 each and the matching center for 67 for your 5.0 setup. Hook them up with the Yamaha 377 and see how it sounds. If you like it you're in business. If you think it needs more bass then get a sub.

You could also look at my first post with the BIC DV62 and change out the AVR to the Yamaha 377. Those go lower than the Pioneers and probably wouldn't require a sub. The only trade off is they are slightly larger.

What you could do...Buy 3 pairs of BIC DV62. Use one as center(there will be room to stand it up). Keep one as a spare in case a kid pokes one(also a learning lesson). 5 of those and you may not need a sub at all. And if you do, so what, buy one later(start perusing CraigsList and find a deal).As for AVR, the Yamaha 377 or Onkyo 333 should be your choices. Onkyo are easy for everyone to use. Yamaha are just a step behind.