Jim Kosinski
Auditioning
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2002
- Messages
- 14
I am currently in the process of finishing the basement into a gameroom with a home theater, and will soon need to purchase a number of stereo components (including speakers).
Unfortunately, I am not very "home theater" capable and do not have a lot of time to run around different stores comparing speakers. Plus, by the time I drive to the next store i've pretty much forgotten how the previous store's speakers sounded! So, I need some advice.
The theater portion of my basement is approx 20w x 22 deep. My TV will be located in the middle of the 20' wall, and the viewing area will be relatively close (within 14-16 feet). The viewing area's ceiling is approx 9.0 feet, and is surrounded by a bulkhead at approx 7.5 feet. At the rear of the room, one side of the rear wall (approx 50% of the rear wall) opens to an area for a pool table.
I have some existing equipment that could possibly (but does not have to) be used. It includes:
- a small powered Proton center channel speaker (probably 10 years old, but works ok.
- a set of Boston A100's from the early 80's. One needs a new woofer (the kids must have hit it with a flying Hot Wheel's car)
- a set of ADS L1090's
Regarding basic configuration, I am thinking of the following:
- A floor standing right and left channel speaker
- Center channel above the TV (typical)
- Powered subwoofer in one corner
- center rear in the ceiling (I am planning on purchasing a 6.1ES receiver). Given the ductwork in the bulkhead, it will be approx 6' behind the seating. I am thinking of a round in-ceiling with a pivoting tweeter.
- right/left surrounds that will be on the side walls and be either flush in-wall units or surface mounted on a bracket. These can be anywhere from 4' to 6' behind the seating area.
The following are my questions:
1 - Existing Speakers - Does it make sense to use my existing Boston Acoustics A100 or ADS L1090's for the main right/left front speakers? How about the Proton center channel?
2 - Speaker Manufacturer - If it does not make sense to use my exising speakers, I want to purchase a complete set from one manufacturer. I am thinking Boston Acoustics (I have always liked my A100's), Paradigm (lots of posts on this forum seem to like Paradigm) or Polk (I remember wishing I had the money to purchase a Polk Monitor 10 when I got the A100's). What is your opinion of these manufacturer's? Is there another manufacturer I should be considering? Why are so many people down on Polk? Are their speakers junk now? I guess I could spend around 2K, but would obviously like to spend less but could spend more if it really made a difference. I guess I'm looking for a safe mid-high quality system that I will not regret purchasing some day down the line when I become more knowledgeable regarding home theater systems.
3 - surround speakers - Since 50% of the rear wall opens to an adjacent room, does it make any sense to consider dipole speakers? If not, would an in-wall selection be better than bracket mounted cabinet speakers? If cabinet speakers, is the Boston Micro 100 any good? The local store is recommending it. Each manufacturer has many speakers that could be used as wall-hung surrounds and I am completely confused.
thanks for reading through my long post. I really appreciate any help and/or guidance you could give.
Unfortunately, I am not very "home theater" capable and do not have a lot of time to run around different stores comparing speakers. Plus, by the time I drive to the next store i've pretty much forgotten how the previous store's speakers sounded! So, I need some advice.
The theater portion of my basement is approx 20w x 22 deep. My TV will be located in the middle of the 20' wall, and the viewing area will be relatively close (within 14-16 feet). The viewing area's ceiling is approx 9.0 feet, and is surrounded by a bulkhead at approx 7.5 feet. At the rear of the room, one side of the rear wall (approx 50% of the rear wall) opens to an area for a pool table.
I have some existing equipment that could possibly (but does not have to) be used. It includes:
- a small powered Proton center channel speaker (probably 10 years old, but works ok.
- a set of Boston A100's from the early 80's. One needs a new woofer (the kids must have hit it with a flying Hot Wheel's car)
- a set of ADS L1090's
Regarding basic configuration, I am thinking of the following:
- A floor standing right and left channel speaker
- Center channel above the TV (typical)
- Powered subwoofer in one corner
- center rear in the ceiling (I am planning on purchasing a 6.1ES receiver). Given the ductwork in the bulkhead, it will be approx 6' behind the seating. I am thinking of a round in-ceiling with a pivoting tweeter.
- right/left surrounds that will be on the side walls and be either flush in-wall units or surface mounted on a bracket. These can be anywhere from 4' to 6' behind the seating area.
The following are my questions:
1 - Existing Speakers - Does it make sense to use my existing Boston Acoustics A100 or ADS L1090's for the main right/left front speakers? How about the Proton center channel?
2 - Speaker Manufacturer - If it does not make sense to use my exising speakers, I want to purchase a complete set from one manufacturer. I am thinking Boston Acoustics (I have always liked my A100's), Paradigm (lots of posts on this forum seem to like Paradigm) or Polk (I remember wishing I had the money to purchase a Polk Monitor 10 when I got the A100's). What is your opinion of these manufacturer's? Is there another manufacturer I should be considering? Why are so many people down on Polk? Are their speakers junk now? I guess I could spend around 2K, but would obviously like to spend less but could spend more if it really made a difference. I guess I'm looking for a safe mid-high quality system that I will not regret purchasing some day down the line when I become more knowledgeable regarding home theater systems.
3 - surround speakers - Since 50% of the rear wall opens to an adjacent room, does it make any sense to consider dipole speakers? If not, would an in-wall selection be better than bracket mounted cabinet speakers? If cabinet speakers, is the Boston Micro 100 any good? The local store is recommending it. Each manufacturer has many speakers that could be used as wall-hung surrounds and I am completely confused.
thanks for reading through my long post. I really appreciate any help and/or guidance you could give.