Need Help Selecting Components (1 Viewer)

Hello all!


I was hoping someone out there with the home theatre IQ could help me build a system.


Long story short, to get started I arranged a Best Buy In-Home Consultation ($99 but it gets refunded if you buy at least $400 in merch).


I told the guy I was wanting a 5.1.2 Atmos setup and that I also wanted to add 2 additional speakers on the patio that can play something completely different (spotify, etc) than the 7 inside but at the same time.


I also told him that I was wanting to spend around $1-2k......


He told me in order to have the capability of being able to listen to something on the patio while a movie is playing inside that I needed a 9.1 channel receiver and suggested a Yahama AVENTAGE 1260W 9.2 Ch Network Ready 4k Ultra HD and 3D Passthrough A/V Home Theatre Receiver ($1599.98).


Soooo basically he recommeded a receiver that pretty much takes up the entire budget I was willing to spend.


As far as speakers, he recommended:


For the Center - Definitive Technology ProCenter 1000 4-1/2" Center-Channel Speaker ($219.98)


For Front Left and Right - Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 5-1/4" Bookshelf Speaker ($219.98 x 2 = $439.96)


For Rear Surround - Definitive Technology ProMonitor 800 4-1/2" Bookshelf Speaker ($144.99 x 2 = $289.98)


For the Sub - Definitive Technology ProSub 800 8" 300-Watt Powered Subwoofer ($399.98)


For In-Ceiling - Definitive Technology Disappearing In-Wall Series 4-1/2" In-Ceiling Loudspeaker

($219.98 x 2 = $439.96)


Definitive Technology ProMount 90 Articulating Wall Mount Brackets for Select

Speakers ($49.99 for pair x 2 = $99.98)


So basically, I am at $3,500 in equipment NOT including the rediculous $750 he quoted for install (mounting TV on brick fireplace, mounting 4 speakers, and installing two in-ceiling)


In total, the quote came to $4,815.28. Ummmm yeah…NOPE


Needless to say, I am NOT off to a good start.


So here are my questions:

1) Could I replace the receiver he recommended with a Onkyo TX-NR636 7.2-Ch Dolby Atmos Ready Network A/V Receiver w/ HDMI 2.0 ($499.00)?

a. Everyone at Best Buy told me that despite this receiver having a Powered Zone 2, that I could NOT have 9 speakers hooked up to it and that even IF I could find a way to wire it with 9 that there is NO way I could play two different things at once


2) If I can replace the receivers, will the Onkyo have enough oomph to power the DT speakers listed?


3) Despite what BB says, can the Onkyo REALLY have 9 speakers attached? (7 inside; 2 outside playing two different things at the same time?)


4) Can I swap out the sub listed for a BIC America F12 12-Inch 475-Watt Front Firing Powered Subwoofer ($202.80)?


5) I read about these DT speakers and they get pretty solid reviews...but is there something else out there that would be better? And maybe for a little less money?


I know enough to know that when it comes to speakers, you get what you pay for so I don’t want anything cheap…just less expensive. If the DT are really worth it, I can make it happen.


Someone please HELP!!


-Kyle


ps....not sure if its relevant, but my TV is a Sony 70x850b (STILL sitting in a box until i get this figured out!)


pps.....new to forums and this website in particular. So if I posted in the wrong place, I'm sorry!

ThrobbinHood_PoB said:

So here are my questions:
1) Could I replace the receiver he recommended with a Onkyo TX-NR636 7.2-Ch Dolby Atmos Ready Network A/V Receiver w/ HDMI 2.0 ($499.00)?
a. Everyone at Best Buy told me that despite this receiver having a Powered Zone 2, that I could NOT have 9 speakers hooked up to it and that even IF I could find a way to wire it with 9 that there is NO way I could play two different things at once

To do 9 speakers at once, requires 9 amp channels. You are picking a 7 channel AVR. 7 does not equal 9. You can connect 9 speakers to the 636, if you only want to use 7 at a time. It does have zone 2 preout. But that preout requires the amp on the other end to have volume control.

2) If I can replace the receivers, will the Onkyo have enough oomph to power the DT speakers listed?

Every receiver ever made has enough oomph.

3) Despite what BB says, can the Onkyo REALLY have 9 speakers attached? (7 inside; 2 outside playing two different things at the same time?)

No, explained above.

4) Can I swap out the sub listed for a BIC America F12 12-Inch 475-Watt Front Firing Powered Subwoofer ($202.80)?

If you want.

5) I read about these DT speakers and they get pretty solid reviews...but is there something else out there that would be better? And maybe for a little less money?

Tons of offerings for less monez

I know enough to know that when it comes to speakers, you get what you pay for so I don’t want anything cheap…just less expensive. If the DT are really worth it, I can make it happen.

Someone please HELP!!

-Kyle

ps....not sure if its relevant, but my TV is a Sony 70x850b (STILL sitting in a box until i get this figured out!)

pps.....new to forums and this website in particular. So if I posted in the wrong place, I'm sorry!

Click to expand...

Basically what you want to do can be done on budget, barely.

1) Sorry, I dont know what you mean by, "It does have zone 2 preout. But that preout requires the amp on the other end to have volume control."


2) I guess I should have been more specific and maybe "enough oomph" isnt what i should have asked about. Would the Onkyo receiver with the DT speakers be a good match? I seriously have no idea what to look for when analyzing watts vs amps vs ohms vs frequency response etc etc etc. I mean there HAS to be certain components that work well together and others that dont/wouldnt right?


3) I guess with best buy telling me that is the case and with you agreeing it has to be true. But my brother-in-law claims he has the onkyo 626 and that he has the 7 in house 2 on deck setup and that he can play a movie inside while listening to spotify outside at the same time. he has to be mistaken.


4) kind of goes back to my number 2 comment above. I am sure i COULD physically use a different sub. But based on all those specs I mentioned I dont understand, would the BIC sound good, have SOLID power, and work well in this setup?


5) any recommendations for the 5.1.2 setup?


You say I can do what I want within my budget but if i have to go to a 9.1 receiver, I dont see how that is possible while maintaining quality.


I mean, I could buy the Yamaha NSIW280CWH3P (Set of 6 Easy-to-install In-Ceiling 3-Way Speakers) on Amazon for $350. But 6 speakers for $350 cant possibly be good, right??


Ugh, this is frustrating....


dafsd

ThrobbinHood_PoB said:

1) Sorry, I dont know what you mean by, "It does have zone 2 preout. But that preout requires the amp on the other end to have volume control."

Preout is what "not self-powered" is. (explain more in "brother in law")

2) I guess I should have been more specific and maybe "enough oomph" isnt what i should have asked about. Would the Onkyo receiver with the DT speakers be a good match? I seriously have no idea what to look for when analyzing watts vs amps vs ohms vs frequency response etc etc etc. I mean there HAS to be certain components that work well together and others that dont/wouldnt right?

Watts is almost irrelevant(to a point). What matters is...

1. Ohm load. 6 and above any amplifer/AVR can safely run.
2. Efficiency. This plays a greater part in overall volume than "how much power you got". 98db efficient Klipsch RF28(If I got the model number correct) need 14x less lower than Pioneer AJ at 85db.

Meaning, you want 100db from two speakers at, say, 10 ft...

The pair of Klipsch need 4 watts each.
The pair of Pio AJ need almost 100 watts...each.

3) I guess with best buy telling me that is the case and with you agreeing it has to be true. But my brother-in-law claims he has the onkyo 626 and that he has the 7 in house 2 on deck setup and that he can play a movie inside while listening to spotify outside at the same time. he has to be mistaken.

No, your brother-in-law is using the preout to another amplifier...or those speakers are self-powered. If he doesn't know that himself...he must not have installed it...and just uses it.

4) kind of goes back to my number 2 comment above. I am sure i COULD physically use a different sub. But based on all those specs I mentioned I dont understand, would the BIC sound good, have SOLID power, and work well in this setup?

8" super cube vs a 12"? I'll pick the 12". Physics means "bigger wins" when producing bass. Freshman high school physics.

5) any recommendations for the 5.1.2 setup?

Have you checked at A4L on what they might have in refurb?

You say I can do what I want within my budget but if i have to go to a 9.1 receiver, I dont see how that is possible while maintaining quality.

I mean, I could buy the Yamaha NSIW280CWH3P (Set of 6 Easy-to-install In-Ceiling 3-Way Speakers) on Amazon for $350. But 6 speakers for $350 cant possibly be good, right??

Ugh, this is frustrating....

dafsd

Click to expand...

If I was doing this on $2000(any less is truly futile)...

Onkyo 626/727 from A4L. Whatever todays going price is.

Polk TSi/Monitor from Polk Ebay/NewEgg/Tiger Direct. Whoever has the best price the day you commit to buy.

Polk RTi from Polk Ebay. Crapshoot if those can be had and maintain a $2000 overall budget.

BIC DV from BB.com/Amazon. Whoever has the best price.

KEF from A4L. Crapshoot on what they got to stay $2000.

Wharfedale Diamond(a little too inefficient for my taste...but the tweeter they are using is to die for). Currently somebody has 10.5 demo pairs at $500.

List goes on...
Fluance
Infinity Primus(if...you can find any)
Sony SS. Cheapest thing that isn't outright junk. Hoops for a center speaker(namely, find a used one on Ebay. All others are available new)
JBL ES

The Zone 2...since a 9 channel AVR is out of the question...

I'm not sure if Denon or Yamaha offers volume control on Zone 2 preout at this price point either...that is a feature you want...if that feature keeps you under $2000(I doubt it).

Since Zone 2 is not volume controlled in the AVR...the other end needs volume control.

I'd buy a cheap TIC(that is a brand) outdoor 2 channel receiver, run the line out to it.

Pick two speakers of your choice...efficient and outdoor(I wouldn't buy anything under 92db efficient for outdoor use).

Thought of something else with the BiL...

Possible he set his AVR up using the IAD(Intelligent Amp Design) and forgot he did.

IAD allows you to connect 9 speakers. On the Onkyo he has the "4" would be....

His rear surround(or 6/7) and his Zone 2.

When using Zone 2, it "kills" the 6/7.

If he is using a 7 channel discrete sound mode(meaning 7.1 from a Blu Ray) then he can't access Zone 2.

If he is using a non-discrete 7 channel(meaning a 5.1 expanded to 7.1), then the AVR will kill the 6/7 and start the outdoor.

IF he is playing Zone 2 and chooses a discrete 7.1 BD, the AVR will automatically downmix the 7.1 to 5.1.

IF he isn't realizing any of this...

By the way, for you...the IAD could be used for the Zone 2 and Atmos speakers.

When using Zone 2...you just won't have Atmos...