Speakers and Sub Ordered, Need Receiver Help, Dolby Atmos, Multiple Subs, etc. (1 Viewer)

Okay, I have a pair of Klipsch RF-62iis, an RC-62ii, and a pair of RB-61iis on the way, along with a single LFM-1 Plus sub on the way. Display will be a Sony HW40ES and Carada 110" Screen. Will be using a Sony BDPS6200 Blu Ray player, and playing PS4 games. Not a lot of music. My room dimensions are attached. I need help picking out a receiver, and have some questions I need some help with the ensure I buy the right product.

1 - Given my speakers, sub, and room dimensions, is a 2nd sub something I should look into in the future? If so, do I NEED a 7.2/5.2 receiver or is there a Y Splitter cable that can be used with receivers that only have a single sub output.

2 - Right now I'm only doing 5.1. With the room dimensions(two rows of seating), I'm sure 7.1 would work, so in the future I may add it. Just kinda confirming that it would work in that space and if you guys think 7.1 is worth getting a 7.1 receiver now in case i go with 7.1 in the future.

3 - Dolby Atmos. This is the big thing for me. I know it's just starting out. Should I try to get a receiver with Dolby Atmos now? The cheapest I found one of those would be the Onkyo TX-NR636 for $450. Now, if I opted for one w/o Atmos I could get a Denon or something nice than Onkyo(I've heard they are not the best. Also, I notice most other Atmos receivers are closer to $1000 or more. Why is this one so cheap? I don'd wanna get a receiver that's not good JUST so I can have atmos. I know Transformers 4 Blu-Ray has Atmos, do any others, and will a lot of Blu-Rays in the future have it?

4 - This kind of depends on the answer to number 3, but what brands are best. I currently have a Pioneer that will stay hooked up in another room, and it's alright. I've heard Denon are really good, with features and Audyssey(is that what it's called?) making it easy to set up your speakers and such.

So, that's about it. For price, it really depends on the answer regarding Dolby Atmos. I would like to spend $250-$300 or less and get something nice that meets my needs, but I realize this won't get me Atmos. If that Onkyo with Atmos for $450 is good and worth it I could get it, but no way can I afford the $1000 ones with Atmos. Another option is I upgrade receiver to Atmos one later, but just trying to decide before I buy one now.

Thanks for reading!

Always look into "future proofing." Rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Go with a 7.1 receiver. Anyways, with Dolby Atmos, you need a 7.1 receiver. Atmos is looked at as "5.1.2" as the most basic set up. I've installed 3 Onkyo TX-NR636's and they are fantastic. I just hooked this receiver up in my room yesterday and downloaded/updated the firmware, so it now offers Dolby Atmos It's an absolute monster for a mid level receiver. It also has 2 sub pre-outs, so if in the future you decide on the second sub, then go for it. It's all what sounds best to you, ultimately. Denon makes a great product. I've always had Denon products until I just made the switch to Onkyo for the Dolby Atmos feature. You can't go wrong. Onkyo's are known to run a little hot, so make sure that you've got some air flow wherever you place the unit. Good luck and enjoy!

1. You can never have too much sub . No, you don't "need" a receiver with separate sub outputs, but it does help to have them (as long as they are independent - sometimes you get 2 sub outputs that are just a Y cable internally).

2. 7.1 works best when you have space behind the back row of seats. Does it make a big difference? IMO, not much. Having said that, I do have a 7.1 setup. BTW - There's no such thing as 5.2 or 7.2 - even though you have 2 subs (and even with separate gain controls), there is still only one LFE channel).

3. I skipped Atmos this time around as well. I opted for last years model AVR and saved a ton. IMO, wait until the technology matures.

There's nothing wrong with Onkyo. They have been the leader in low cost AVRs for years. I had a 705 since 2008. I just moved to a Denon X4000 (mainly because I am a fan of Audyssey EQ and Onkyo no longer includes it).

4. Pioneer, Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha, and Harmon Kardon all have good reputations and all include some kind of auto setup software. Pick one that has the features you want (and remember watts is NOT a feature).

I've heard some people say that the lack of Audyssey made them opt for Denon or another brand over Onkyo. Is Audyssey really that much better vs the other equivelants?

So I will for sure try to get one with 7.1 then. And just so I understand this part correctly: A receiver that is 7.1 used with a Y splitter for 2 subs will work just as well as a receiver that has 2 sub outputs included? Is there any benefit or quality increase to getting a receiver with 2 actual outputs?

As for Atmos, I already spent a lot on speakers(more than I planned), so I really don't wanna spend extra if I can help it. That, with the fact that despite numerous films having an Atmos track(Star Trek, Godzilla, Guardians, etc), only one Blu-Ray with atmos is out so far as far as I know, which is Transformers 4. I don't really understand why this is, but if this is the case then maybe it's not worth paying the really high prices for an Atmos receiver right now.

I liken Auto EQ(whatever name is on it) to turd polish. For amusement...google turd polish(Dr. Guff), there is still a website for it.

Onkyo used to run hot. Not any more. My 707 and 807 just came back from being fixed. A vast majority of X07/X08/X09/X1X are covered till 2018 under the various recalls. So Onkyo should no longer be held to a standard of making sub par product. What did Denon do on their X90/XX10/X91/XX11/XX12 that puked their guts under a 7ohm load?

Regarding .1 vs .2...there is no .2 content. Like said, on most AVR(and ALL OF THEM under $1500) the .2 is BS marketing. Integra started offering independent sub control a couple years ago. Some higher end AVR have followed suit.

As for Onkyo abandoning Audyssey. Onkyo rules the roost for analog fans. If you are interested in vinyl(and others reading this post...not you since music is not a priority)...Onkyo is 1st on the list. Audyssey could not make their system work with Onkyo's desire to go Pure Analog Path on the main channels. If you have a turntable or external DAC and listen to analog music...listen to a new Onkyo...you must.

And there is misinformation on what AccuEQ is. People think it is Onkyo proprietary. It is not. It is their brand of Texas Instruments Aurelius(something close) room EQ.

Heh...I had to google it lol.

So pretty much this:

If I decide I don't need a receiver with atmos, and my priority is gaming and movies with little music, I should aim to get a receiver with 7.1(.2 doesn't matter because it's just an internal Y splitter/marketing BS), and with Audyssey. Onkyo is not a bad brand and should still be considered along with the other major ones.

Exactly. You have efficient speakers...so even a lowly Sherwood RD-5405* would make your ears bleed...power wise.

Want a front HDMI or USB. Buy one with one.
Want app control...Buy one with remote apps.
Use iTunes...get AirPlay.
Have a Roku, get one with a Roku-ready remote.

*The fact that AVR is still "new" on Amazon is a complete joke.

Pulls 2.3 amps off the wall(so it probably coughs up 20wpc when you attempt to ask it to run all 5 at once).
Doesn't pull audio off the HDMI(and this was a "current" AVR 2 years ago...)
Doesn't decode DTS at all...

Alright, thanks for the advice!

Also, what is your opinion on Atmos? I'm thinking wait it out, seems too much in its infancy especially as far as content/Blu-Rays.

My reason for not jumping on Atmos this year is half-baked HDMI 2.0.

I have 5 "home theatres" in two houses.

My main is a 9.1(with height) and living room is 7.1(width). I've been doing theater outside of the "norm" since DSX/IIz/Presence debuted(I had a Presence setup 10 years ago).

Half baked hdmi 2.0 ...?

Trogdor796 said:

Half baked hdmi 2.0 ...?

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Yep. There is currently no chip out there that can do 4:4:4 color* and HDCP 2.2.

Onkyo/Integra chose HDCP 2.2 with 4:2:0 color

Everybody else chose 4:4:4

We'll see who was correct next year when 4K BD shows up.

*The actual "choice" was 18g data transmission...or HDCP 2.2.

There are many things HDMI 2.0 allows at the higher bit rate. 2 person gaming on the same screen(both wear your 3D glasses, but you each see a different screen).

So...Onkyo/Integra chose 10.2g transmission(essentially HDMI 1.4) with copy right.

So...Next year 4K content that has 60FPS, Onkyo won't pass it unless you choose 30fps or 24fps.

Or, Next year 4K content that is copy protected...if you don't have an Onkyo...it won't play at all.

Interesting...So since all the atmos receivers have 4k but not true hdmi 2.0 you aren't gonna buy one until there is a chip out there that is correct. Hmmm sounds like a good idea to wait.

Trogdor796 said:

Heh...I had to google it lol.

So pretty much this:

If I decide I don't need a receiver with atmos, and my priority is gaming and movies with little music, I should aim to get a receiver with 7.1(.2 doesn't matter because it's just an internal Y splitter/marketing BS), and with Audyssey. Onkyo is not a bad brand and should still be considered along with the other major ones.

Click to expand...

7.2 is marketing BS. However, there are some receivers that allow separate trim controls for 2 subs (and will auto balance them). This is worth it, IMO. That is one of the reasons I opted to replace my old Onkyo. I am moving to a 2 sub setup and I wanted this function. This would not be a reason to double or triple your budget.

Trogdor796 said:

Interesting...So since all the atmos receivers have 4k but not true hdmi 2.0 you aren't gonna buy one until there is a chip out there that is correct. Hmmm sounds like a good idea to wait.

Click to expand...

Pretty much.I had already planned to buy the top Onkyo...and they weren't even announced. I was actually hoping for a 5030 model. That might still happen when new product arrives in Feb/March...Anyway...when the news broke about the half-baked spec(the current displays are the same way)...I waited.My current theatres are ran by a NR1008, NR807, NR708, SR707 and DTR 7.8(Integra).When Atmos arrives I plan to have a legit 4K projector already.I expect by next summer I will have my DTR 5.8(been out of duty since now the 707 and 807 both work) and either the 707 or 807 for sale.(Oh yeah. Didn't buy any of my AVR new. I didn't buy a HDMI AVR till after the format war ended. I bought the 5.8 when it was already 2 years old for $200)

Alright, I'm just gonna try to find a Denon for around $250 I guess. Is Audyssey Bronze(the lower one) still good enough, to the point where I don't need to spend more to get a receiver with the better version?

I'd wait until next year to add Atmos: there's very little to watch and next year's offerings will be less expensive and include the latest HDCP variant. There is also 4 k Blu Ray slated for next year, so you want to be sure what you have will work with it. You do have the space for 7.1, but I have it and it adds very little, if anything to the surround experience.

Trogdor796 said:

Alright, I'm just gonna try to find a Denon for around $250 I guess. Is Audyssey Bronze(the lower one) still good enough, to the point where I don't need to spend more to get a receiver with the better version?

Click to expand...

Your choice.

Trogdor796 said:

Alright, I'm just gonna try to find a Denon for around $250 I guess. Is Audyssey Bronze(the lower one) still good enough, to the point where I don't need to spend more to get a receiver with the better version?

Click to expand...

I would not spend more unless you are going to Audyssey XT32 (way over your budget). It will do a decent job of getting the speakers setup. Then you can decide if you like it turned on or off.

Just an update. After a lot of back and forth I went with a Denon x1100w from accessories4less. With a three year warranty total came to $365.More than I planned on spending but it had all the features I need now and some I may want in the future, so it was worth it in my mind. The denon x2000 was another option but it didn't have free shipping so it didn't make sense to spend the same for that unit after shipping costs. Thanks for the help everyone, I'm looking forward to setting it up!