Your advice...

[germ79]

Hello everyone! I've been reading up on the forum here and am interested in purchasing some new speakers and a sub for my home theater. I'm having trouble deciding which sub to get. I will have these speakers for quite some time, but I don't want to over do it. I'm kind of leaning towards the 3.3 HO with the possibility of later adding the turbo if necessary.

I will attempt to try and attach a Word document drawing I conjured up to give you an idea of my current setup. The red dots are satellite speakers that are on swivel-mounted on the wall. They are all hung approx. 6 ft high. The red rectangle is the sub. I'm thinking about putting the new sub in the corner between the couch and chair though.

Ideally I would like to have the front speakers lower, but I don't really have much room next to my TV as you can see from the floor plan. If I put them on stands they would have to be RIGHT next to the TV. I also have two 2-year olds and am a little nervous about them knocking them off their stands.

So, my plan is to get something like the 3.3 HO sub, an HC-1, and 4 HB-1's. Since they are bigger than my current satellite speakers, however, I'm having trouble figuring out how to set everything up.

I have a PS3 (mostly for Bluray movies) and will soon have a new receiver capable of 7.1 via HDMI 1.3. Am I going to be missing out on a lot by only having 5.1? I'm not sure how I could even squeeze the extra 2 speakers in if I wanted!

If anyone can advise me on which sub to get and on new speaker placement I would REALLY appreciate it!

Thanks in advance!

Jeremy

[Pete_Hsu]

Hi Jeremy,

If possible, I would place the subwoofer in the rear left hand corner of the room. If that is not an option, then your current subwoofer location specified in the diagram looks good. The speaker placement also looks good with the exception of the rear right satellite. Try to put that on a stand and move that closer into the room and in line with the front right satellite if possible.

Sincerely,

[germ79]

Thank you for your timely reply. I think the sub would work perfectly in the place you suggested. The right rear satellite is actually right across from the right front but my diagram is a little off!

So, just to clarify:

1. The HB-1's would be ok hung in the location of my current satellites
approx 6' from the floor pointed to the main listening area? How should I aim the rears?

2. What would be your suggestion on a subwoofer? 3.3 HO too much?

3. Should I try and squeeze in 2 extra surrounds for 7.1 instead of 5.1? The room isn't huge, so I'm not sure how much of a difference it would make. Would I even notice?

4. I've read posts on speaker stands, but what is recommended as far as wall mounting options for the HB-1?
Thank you again for your help!

J

[Picture_Shooter]

Germ79,

Your staging area is kind of like mine.

I been reading up on HSU for sometime and it seems if you can relocate that sub either next or behind your sofa; I hear it's best in those area.

Traditionally I used to place my sub on the left or right front corner of the TV viewing area. Bass was always effective, but that was when I ran a VRP1200. I am sure HSU would do the same effect, but I sold my VRP1200 to even try putting it close to my seating area ;)

So if you can, try that.

As for 5.1, 6.1 & 7.1.

IMHO, 5.1 is truly plenty and I owned a 7.1 channel ONKY and never used all 7-channels. I really have not meet anyone that cared to go to that extreme to place that many speakers. More money and clutter. I say go 5.1 and SMILE!! Enjoy that HSU sub!!

[cacihome]

Germ79,

Your staging area is kind of like mine.

I been reading up on HSU for sometime and it seems if you can relocate that sub either next or behind your sofa; I hear it's best in those area.

Traditionally I used to place my sub on the left or right front corner of the TV viewing area. Bass was always effective, but that was when I ran a VRP1200. I am sure HSU would do the same effect, but I sold my VRP1200 to even try putting it close to my seating area ;)

So if you can, try that.

As for 5.1, 6.1 & 7.1.

IMHO, 5.1 is truly plenty and I owned a 7.1 channel ONKY and never used all 7-channels. I really have not meet anyone that cared to go to that extreme to place that many speakers. More money and clutter. I say go 5.1 and SMILE!! Enjoy that HSU sub!!

There is only 1 or 2 movies in Blu-ray that has 7.1 channel soundtrack, so dont worry for now about this...

However when DTS-HD MA and Dolby True HD soundtracks are more common in the HD-DVD, Blu-ray players... then buy the other two speakers...

[germ79]

There is only 1 or 2 movies in Blu-ray that has 7.1 channel soundtrack, so dont worry for now about this...

However when DTS-HD MA and Dolby True HD soundtracks are more common in the HD-DVD, Blu-ray players... then buy the other two speakers...

Thanks for the advice. I noticed you have the Onkyo 805. That is the receiver I am looking at. Can you tell me how you like it?

J

[germ79]

I forgot to ask again if anyone can recommend a sub. I posted some thoughts about subs on my first post, but no one has addressed it yet. Any words of wisdom for me?

J

[Pete_Hsu]

Jeremy, do you think you will be adding MBM-12 and/or Turbo at any time in the future, and do you listen to a lot of pipe organ music? If the answers are no, then just go for a VTF-3 Mk3 in max output mode. Otherwise, consider a VTF-3 HO.

Thanks

[germ79]

Pete,

Well, it just so happens that I am a connoisseur of pipe organ music. Well, not really. That would be quite a coincidence though, wouldn't it?! :)

Hmm... I'm not a home theater expert, so I'm not attempting to put together a super high-end system. I just enjoy watching movies with my family and occasionally listening to music or playing a video game. I currently have the speakers from a home theater in a box right with a Harmon-Kardon receiver. I just want a nice sounding setup that I can be happy with without going overboard. I don't mind spending an extra couple hundred bucks though if I will thank myself in the future. If it won't really matter though, I would rather be frugal.

With my layout would I even want an MBM-12 or a Turbo in the future?


Thanks again!

Jeremy

PS. So it is ok to have the HB-1's wall mounted approx. 6ft high like my current speakers?

[Pete_Hsu]

Jeremy, I think that the VTF-3 Mk3 run primarily in max output mode is the way to go for you. The MBM and/or Turbo can certainly boost performance, but you should be in good shape starting with a -3 Mk3 first.

It's ok to wall mount the HB-1, but try to point them towards ear level.

Sincerely,