BMW Driver

Thanks for all of the valuable information. I will be checking out some of the websites mentioned. Thanks! Shaun

I am considering stepping up to a touchscreen remote that I can customize, use macros and control a lighting system. I have looked at the Marantz and Phillips entry level models. I think that the Pronto Neo from Phillips seems like the best fit for my budget and likes. Are there any other choices I should consider? Does anyone have any positive or negative feedback on the ProntoNeo. It seems to me that the Marantz is just a more expensive Pronto, am I correct on this? Thanks! Shaun

My current HT setup. See the conduit running from my main speakers.

My favorite wire management solutions would be a black conduit that they sell at Bed Bath and Beyond. It's very inexpensive. You just tie your like cables together and enclose it in the conduit. You can use different lengths for different runs. I also use it at my computer desk. Shaun

Just wanted to share the good news. Now if I could just get the wife to let me upgrade to the RF3's instead of the RB3's. One day soon I will have a dedicated home theater, but until then enjoy pics of my living room HT! Shaun There's a good chance that the images won't show up, HTML isn't exactly my forte.

SSH - Sorry I haven't responded yet. My internet has been down. My sub is currently snug in a corner. I have read that this is a good thing. What are your thoughts on it? As far as wall coverings I'm thinking about finding a lightweight fabric application that I have seen used in other theaters. Something in a very neutral grey as to not interfere you your perception of color on the display. Shaun

I will be framing the walls to create that shape. It will require a little bit of math to get the angles right. I have a support beam to contend with on the right hand side and the exterior wall on the left. This shape will best give me square footage I desire for the room, and it should have acoustical benefits as well. I have been watching threads that you have posted about your theater. It looks like a very nice setup as well. I will be looking forward to seeing the finished product. Shaun

I'm getting ready to put my home theater plans into action. I would love any constructive (pun intended) comments members of this forum may have. You'll notice in the attached drawing that there are no parallel walls to minimize standing waves. There will be a 6" high platform so that the second row will get an un-obstructed view. Oh yeah, and my drawing doesn't have the RC3 mentioned which will sit on top of the Mitsu 65". I do plan to wire for 7.1 but don't have the speakers yet. Will probably get RF3's to replace my fronts and move the RB3's to the back. Enjoy! Shaun

One reason they may be playing their reference material at what you consider excessively high volumes is that most recorded material (especially movies) are intended to be played so that a full range pink noise recorded at -20db max peak level would register 85db on an spl meter. This can be a little too loud for most people, but as you decrease the output level below 85db (for -20db from peak) you start to lose details and dynamic range. Bass response seems drasticaly lessened as well. Have you ever been to a movie theater, the don't just play the soundtrack loud to drown out the yenta's talking in the row in front of you. Most people can tolerate 75db but that is still pretty loud. Consider this, on most receivers the volume is indicated as a negative db integer, this is because for most receiver / speaker combo (especially klipsch speaker which are highly efficcient) -20db on the volume control will be the volume that the director/sound engineer intended for the material. The sales people are probably just trying to let you hear everything the speakers have to offer. At lower volumes it becomes more difficult for the average buyer to differentiate. Shaun

Obviously action movies will satisfy your need for whizzing bullets and pounding bass 9which I, by the way, love). One of my favorite alternatives, however, is the DTS track for American Beauty. The movie is awesome, and the DTS tracks has a seemless ambiance in the score and his dreem scenes are really intense with the DTS surround track. Shaun

I'm supprised no one has mentioned the wood finishes available in the 5's as opposed to the 3's. The 5's come in the same beautiful finishes as the 7's. Shaun

I upgraded my system from teh Quintet system to the system below. The difference was incredible! I probably wouldn't recommend placing the RB3's or the floorstanding models in any sort of hutch. It will definately affect the sound. Shaun

Thanks Rob for your 2 cents. I converted it to US currency and had enough change for my morning news paper From the responses, I think I may be looking at getting a subcontractor involved. There's a lot to consider!

Yeah, the main reason I was considering the Sunfire was it's size. I think my wife would relly hate the looks of the SVS subs. Then again, if it's going in my dedicated HT room, I guess she shouldn't mind. I think I am leaning towards the reference subs though. I know I would like the Sunfire, but I think the price is too high for me. I would like to compare the SVS and the RSW with each other personally before making a final decision, but I don't think anyone in central Ohio sells SVS. I think I will like the RSW for it's prowess with music. Even though I watch movies the majority of the time, the music reproduction in movies and when I listen to SACD/CD sources is more important to me than hearing those awesome explosions at 120db in action flicks. Shaun

Why can't I find a decent retailer of Klipsch in central Ohio? The only stores which carry (an extremely limited line of) Klipsch speakers is Stereo Limited. Limited is right. The have a couple reference series speakers, no reference series subs, no heritage speakers, and their stores are in the worst neighborhoods. The focus entirely on the car audio market which is their bread and butter business. The best location I had found to buy klipsch gear was the Tweeter in Naperville, IL and now they were kicked out of the Klipsch fold (brilliant move guys!) I just wish someone would bring an upscale A/V retailer, with staff that know their product, to Columbus. They would dominate this untapped market. My $.02. If anyone knows of a good retailer in in Columbus, Cinci, or Dayton please let me know! Shaun

I think that I will be looking into the RSW's and the SVS offerings. Also the Sunfire subs come to mind. Anyone have any experience with those. Now if only I can find a decent retailer in Central Ohio that has these models to check out. Shaun

Thank you all for the great advice. This is definately the kind of feadback I was looking for. I had never thought about the heating/cooling issue before. Something to look into for sure. I will definately look into to vapor lock material for issurance against leaks. I will probably be adding a raised subfloor so that I will get less residual coldness from the conrete floor and less chance of the carpet holding moisture. This should still leave me with almost 8' ceilings so I think I will be ok. Thanks again for all the advice! Shaun

Thanks. I guess I'd beter start saving my pennies!

Ok, thinking about getting a second KSW 12 for my home theater. The usage of my system consists of 80% movies and 20% music. I have a 5.1 configuration (with aspirations of moving the RB's to the back when I can get a pair of RF3's for front mains for a 7.1 system) and have a 15' by 17' room. Would this be a good investment? Should I just consider getting a RSW series sub. Then again there is always SVS? I think my KSW12 is OK (for the $250 I paid for it brand new) and like it's relatively flat frequency response. I'm just lokoing for more Oomph. Thanks! Shaun

Thanks for helping a newbie! I will definately be looking to create a storage/equipment room seperate from the viewing room. I will be constructing walls in front of the concrete walls and probably creating a floating floor above the cement one. I have already used an excel spreadsheet that I downloaded from stereophiles guide to HT to determine an appropriate size for the room. I would be interested in finding the thread on this board that discusses that topic as well. I think my biggest problem to overcome may be installing a 53-61" rear projection monitor. I'm not sure it will fit down the stairs! I have thought about the DLP front projection systems, but the cost is a factor and I'm not sold on most of the moderately priced models performance. Thanks for advice! I will definately send some pictures to the board when I get started! Shaun

I am in the process of building a home and it will have a large, unfinished basement when complete. I was thinking this would be the perfect enviroment for my home theater. I have some concerns, however. 1. The basement is supposedly going to be waterproofed, but is there a danger of inherent dampness. Is there a way around this? 2. Douse anyone have experience with the aucoustical challenges that may be a problem in a basement. I already know I will have to do something to isolate the mechanicals of the house which are already in the basement. Anything else? 3. Does anyone have any other pearls of wisdome from your own basement to home theater conversion? Thanks for the replies! Shaun