h00kemh0rns

Any suggestions at all for this room? Are the 3 XL-23's and Icon 500 sub good? If not what are the recommendations?

Which ones do you recommend in lieu of these then?

I already have a dedicated media room (http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/thread/1064083.aspx) and now I want to set up a 3.1 downstairs. What I'm looking for is a 3.1 system that is wall mountable. 5.1 is out of the question b/c running rear surround fwould be a nightmare (no walls behind seating and wiring would be hard with vaulted ceiling.) Now I get a 60% discount and I'd be looking to spend ~900 (after discount.) Anyone have opinions on this setup or offer an alternative?

Downstairs for my everyday viewing/listening I use the Sony 4300 (Got it for $399 plus tax/shipping) Upstairs in the theater I have the Onkyo 875 (Got it for $799 plus tax/shipping)

Batman begins will be a new one on my list without even having it yet. Hands down the HD DVD version was amazing. Good to know on Patton...I love that movie and might pick this up at BB tomorrow.

My current top 10 BD: Troy Fifth Element Bladerunner Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy Rambo 3:10 to Yuma Swordfish Master and Commander The Last Samurai Live Free or Die Hard Honorable Mention: Cars Ratatouille Spiderman trilogy The Rock I am Legend Crank

I love these posts by people like Yurab that come in and give nothing to the forum. IMHO, his post should be removed b/c his use of quotes and mention of VR means its all in his head. Why clutter the thread with that?

Wiz...this is a nice room. Have you ever thought about flipping everything around and getting a projector/screen for the other wall?

Which goes to the statement that Sony never thought this fully as an HT solution. Gaming was on the mind and BD was icing on the cake. But then with this I also have to ask...is not having 5.1 analog outputs really a negative? Wouldn't you rather use the HDMI to a Receiver solution? Especially if audio is one of your main uses of the PS3.

I like the aesthetics of the WF34's, WC24, and the XW300D. I won't be needing the WS24's as I have no intention of trying to run speaker wire in this room. It's a sloping roof line with no crawl space...and running wire underneath the carpet is not preferred. My biggest questions deal with sound. If I go with an LCR solution and put the speakers up near the TV then: Is there an issue with how high my tv is up and the audio quality? Though TV is playing now in this position and doesn't seem to be a problem. What is the difference between the RVX and XL lines? If I go with the Icon W series: Same question with audio. With the TV being up off the ground (see picture in first post) will the speaker placement make the audio seem odd? Anyone have these speakers to give input on audio vs. the LCR speakers? I don't want to create another home theater but rather a good listening experience in the LivingRoom for everyday watching, occasion cable movies, or whatever.

I don't think there are many players that will be profile upgradable via software only. I believe Profile 1.1 requires additional hardware to decode and display a second audio/video trackset, and Profile 2.0 requires at least an ethernet connector. The PS3 was designed for the longhaul, so the hardware was designed in before the SW became available. Most, if not all other 1.0 and 1.1 players don't have the extra hardware to get to the next step. This is my basic understanding and I could be misinformed, but I don't think I am. No, you have it right. But this probably came more of blind luck as Sony thought of the PS3 as first a gaming machine and second a BD player. With the latter not being the revenue generator/reason people buy the PS3. But, now that the BR/HD war is over the PS3 was set up with the right specs as a gaming machine to basically entrench itself as the only player that is future proofed for virtually any new BD profile that comes up. This is why they hit a homerun with this machine. As what some have said this machine isn't perfect but you have really nit pick to find things you don't like. Here are some (including one listed above): No display on PS3. Unable to view track information when playing cd's. Loud fan. Only kicks on when it hits a certain temp range (typically most components are in the 90 degree range.) Personally I've never heard the fan come on and I house mine in a component low boy with a egg fryer aka the Onkyo 875 Receiver. No IR feature. This is why I think Sony didn't think of the advantages of this as a BD player for HT use. Most people, me for one, have everything in IR (lights, curtains, receiver, cable, etc.) however the PS3 comes in the blue tooth flaver. This is a minor annoyance as there are two excellent companies that offer an IR 2 BT solution allowing you to use your programmable remotes for everything. I would have put the types of audio it outputs (ie PCM linear, Bitstream, etc) however I'm not all that familiar with the full limitations yet of the types. For me it outputs exactly what I need for movies and I allow my Onkyo to decode the audio.

What's the difference in the RVX and Synergy speakers? What about doing a couple floor standers, center, and sub from the ICON line? Anyone have input on any of these three?

Can you post a link to the photo? I second the studiotech as that's what I have (U22T) http://www.studiotech.com/products/component_cabinets/ultra_u-22t/index.html

I went through this same thing and after 6 mos of research (numerous screen materials tested) I came to find this one: Screen Innovations Black Diamond Color, Contrast, Whites are going to pop but the biggest thing is the way it handles ambient light. You can watch this screen in full on lighting (bright livingroom or with lights on in the HT.) Watch the video on their main screen and almost halfway through they have a scene paused on screen (hand) and look to the ceiling. What you'll see is the light bouncing off of the screen (using a 1.0 gain white matte as an example.) They then roll up that screen to reveal the Black Diamond and as it does the light is absorbed back into the screen. This results in the light being reflected back to the viewing area creating that "pop" and allowing you to view in any light. You will never get that wash out look like in any other screen material. I've had this screen (.8 gain and I'm using the same Panny as you) for a couple months and love it. You will not be disappointed. Oh, and when the projector is off the screen looks like an oversized Plasma. Nice touch especially when your buddies come over for the first time to see the HT and say "Holy $hit that's the biggest plasma I've ever seen."

Yes, you can update the firmware. Buying refurb is actually the best way to go. I work for a computer company and all of my notebooks/desktops I've purchased have been refurb's. I know the process they go through. And like Youthman said, they replace the part then put it through the same tests a new one would go through, and give it the same warranty. But, b/c it came back they can't sell it as new so they have to discount it. The other thing to realize (at least with my employer) is that any item that comes back (open box or not) is considered refurb. So, it's a possibility to have a refurb that was just simply buyers remorse.