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Don Dongington
Sep 27, 2005

#ideasboom
College Slice
Also keep in mind you can't really go over 5M for HDMI without risking having transmission loss issues. 4k is only weakly guaranteed up to that point on passive cables, and active cables/Ethernet transports are expensive.

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kaffo
Jun 20, 2017

If it's broken, it's probably my fault

Don Dongington posted:

Also keep in mind you can't really go over 5M for HDMI without risking having transmission loss issues. 4k is only weakly guaranteed up to that point on passive cables, and active cables/Ethernet transports are expensive.

Yeah, good point. As is, 5m is about what I'd be running but I haven't measured properly around the skirting yet to work out the actual real length
I'm in an ancient apartment, so running cabling is a pain in the rear end. Even around the skirting it's going to look garbage so I'm trying to keep it to a bare minimum

Regarding the speaker config: I'm borrowing 2 KRK Rokit 6's right now, but I'm going to slowly swap them out for my own stuff, but be able to actually use the KRK's until I've got enough gear to for it to actually be useable

If anyone cares I can go draw my living room in paint and you can tell me how dumb I'm being

GOOD TIMES ON METH
Mar 17, 2006

Fun Shoe
Hey thanks for all the suggestions for my mom. I talked to her at length about it today and it turns out using her phone to do anything is out because that is absolutely terrifying for some reason. After much discussion she basically wants a bunch of clock radios she can spread out into each room and have playing the same FM station. So uh nevermind I guess.

Mr. Pizza
Oct 5, 2009


what you need is multiple echo dots streaming TuneIn or something like that

Don Dongington
Sep 27, 2005

#ideasboom
College Slice
I've been wondering for a while if it's possible to crack open a google home mini, which are cheap second hand due to Google literally give them away with their Pixel line, tap into a stereo line level off the PCB and create a cheap source of Chromecast Audios (They're $60AUD here) but then I also can't be hosed.

Irritated Goat
Mar 12, 2005

This post is pathetic.
This is a really dumb question and I feel like a moron but I'm kind of at my wits end.

I've got a LG SJ4Y-S Soundbar. We mounted it below the TV on the wall. The problem is, the receiver faces downward so the normal remote can't seem to interact with it from my couch. I tried a universal harmony remote but it had the same issues.

Any suggestions on either increasing the range or should I just consider taking it off the mount and moving it to my entertainment center below the TV?

Ak Gara
Jul 29, 2005

That's just the way he rolls.
Every now and again I'll look into building my own bookshelves and when browsing for drivers, I can't help but ask what's the point of 3"/4" drivers?

What can they provide that that the 5"/6.5" plus tweeter can't? Isn't it just adding an unnecessary extra crossover?

Panty Saluter
Jan 17, 2004

Making learning fun!

Ak Gara posted:

Every now and again I'll look into building my own bookshelves and when browsing for drivers, I can't help but ask what's the point of 3"/4" drivers?

What can they provide that that the 5"/6.5" plus tweeter can't? Isn't it just adding an unnecessary extra crossover?

Far as I can tell they're mostly used if space is at a premium. Personally I agree with you - find a good, quick 6.5" mid/woofer and put it in a nice cabinet

GnarlyCharlie4u
Sep 23, 2007

I have an unhealthy obsession with motorcycles.

Proof

Ak Gara posted:

Every now and again I'll look into building my own bookshelves and when browsing for drivers, I can't help but ask what's the point of 3"/4" drivers?

What can they provide that that the 5"/6.5" plus tweeter can't? Isn't it just adding an unnecessary extra crossover?

A simple, space saving, no-crossover (but I still use high pass and low pass filters) design that can reproduce voices REALLY well, if you're building an audio conference solution.
In other words: computer speakers for Skype.

derk
Sep 24, 2004
I have been thinking of finally upgrading my sound system. I have had Kenwood receivers and speakers in the past. I now run a Logitech Z5500 setup, honestly doesn't sound bad, but it is getting a little dated. I have been looking at klipsch speakers and not sure on receiver just yet, i dont need it to be the greatest receiver but i am going to go to 4K eventually, so just a receiver to handle the HDR and Dolby Vision passthru and the DTS-MA stuff, not looking at going atmos whatsoever, 5.1 works fine, maybe 7.1, but to start i would just stick with a 5.1 setup and just not sure what to bundle together.

qirex
Feb 15, 2001

What’s your budget? I’ll also repeat my advice from a while back and say maybe start with 2.0 or 2.1. If you like Klipsch the new reference RP series are supposed to be good.

Lil Swamp Booger Baby
Aug 1, 1981

qirex posted:

What’s your budget? I’ll also repeat my advice from a while back and say maybe start with 2.0 or 2.1. If you like Klipsch the new reference RP series are supposed to be good.

I was actually looking at getting a pair of the Klipsch R-26F speakers. Any idea if their more inexpensive offerings are any decent? I'm not ready to get a high end system yet but would like a decent stereo setup for movies when people come over and I can't use my LCD-Xs.

Speaking off, are there any decent budget receivers for around $200-300?

qirex
Feb 15, 2001

JebanyPedal posted:

I was actually looking at getting a pair of the Klipsch R-26F speakers. Any idea if their more inexpensive offerings are any decent? I'm not ready to get a high end system yet but would like a decent stereo setup for movies when people come over and I can't use my LCD-Xs.

Speaking off, are there any decent budget receivers for around $200-300?
The R and RP are pretty different and the older R definitely have that “Klipsch sound” that some people find harsh. For stuff you can get in stores the Polk Signature series might be another option. If you’re willing to do mail order Chane, Q Acousitics, Emotiva or HTD might be worth a look, they all make towers.

Get a refurb Denon or Yamaha from Accessories4less for a receiver. You can get a Denon X1400 for $249.

derk
Sep 24, 2004

qirex posted:

What’s your budget? I’ll also repeat my advice from a while back and say maybe start with 2.0 or 2.1. If you like Klipsch the new reference RP series are supposed to be good.

I have had 5.1 sound for 20 years, I will skip the 2.0/2.1 recommendation but thank you. My budget isn't exactly unlimited but i can take my time and piece it together. 300 or so on speakers, then a sub, and then a receiver. So essentially my budget would be about $1,000.

KillHour
Oct 28, 2007


Do not try to cobble together a 5.1 system and only spend $300 on speakers. Speakers should be the majority of your budget.

KillHour fucked around with this message at 17:33 on Dec 27, 2018

derk
Sep 24, 2004

KillHour posted:

Do not try to cobble together a 5.1 system for $1000.

I'm looking at Denon, Marantz, Yamaha for receivers

Klipsch for speakers?

Yamaha for subwoofer? 10-12" not down-firing.

KillHour
Oct 28, 2007


Unless you're buying used, 5 decent Klipsch speakers will be the entire $1000 or more.

Please link the equipment you're looking at.

Wibla
Feb 16, 2011

Buy the fronts and a sub first. Look at SVS for subs.

$1000 for a complete system will be very so-so unless you get really lucky with used components.

derk
Sep 24, 2004

KillHour posted:

Unless you're buying used, 5 decent Klipsch speakers will be the entire $1000 or more.

Please link the equipment you're looking at.

i'm not even sure what i'm looking at. i am not trying to build an audiophile system here, your budget seems high for speakers. i mean look at what i am using now. The Logitech Z5500 https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-THX-Certified-Digital-Surround-Speaker/dp/B0002WPSBC

https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/denavrs730h/denon-avr-s730h-7.2-ch-x-75-watts-networking-a/v-receiver-w/heos/1.html

KillHour
Oct 28, 2007


Wibla is right.

Systems like this



that you're probably used to don't hold a candle to a proper system. Going from that to a properly designed $1000 2.1 system would be a massive upgrade in every way that will change the way you think about home theater. More speakers isn't always better.

Edit: We know what you're coming from and this is exactly why we're telling you that you don't need 5.1. You think you do, but you need to experience a good 2.1 system to understand what you're missing. It's not about being an audiophile either - we're not talking about subtle changes you have to be in a carefully designed listening room to notice. A well designed 2.1 system will feel like sitting inside an imax theater compared to what you're used to. It's not even comparable and you will be able to use those speakers for decades if you care for them properly. Trust us.

KillHour fucked around with this message at 17:51 on Dec 27, 2018

derk
Sep 24, 2004

KillHour posted:

Wibla is right.

Systems like this



that you're probably used to don't hold a candle to a proper system. Going from that to a properly designed $1000 2.1 system would be a massive upgrade in every way that will change the way you think about home theater. More speakers isn't always better.

ok, i'm not looking at packaged things like this whatsoever. I get that more speakers isn't necessarily better, BUT, when i watch movies i like the immersion of 5.1 and my logitech does alright but i know i can get crisper, clearer sound with better quality speakers and a receiver. I used to have a nice 12" 100 watt powered woofer, receiver, lost all that in a breakup, had the z 5500's for my pc from said breakup and put those in my living room for now and got a Klipsch 2.1 system for my PC.

Wibla
Feb 16, 2011

My point is: get the amplifier, fronts and sub first, then save up some more money and get the rears later.

KillHour
Oct 28, 2007


You will get way more immersion from a really good 2.1 than you will from a mediocre 5.1. I used to have 5.1 in my living room and even still have the speakers run but I feel no need to put them back up. And I'm a compulsive upgrader who has probably spent 5 figures on equipment over the years. We can get you a $1000 2.1 system that will blow your mind. Promise.

Edit: and there's nothing stopping you from getting a couple more speakers later.

Incessant Excess
Aug 15, 2005

Cause of glitch:
Pretentiousness
I have a set of Polk Signature series speakers, sound pretty decent to me and fall within a 1000 dollar budget.

https://www.polkaudio.com/collections/home-audio/signature-series

KillHour
Oct 28, 2007


Alright, I dragged myself out of bed. May as well put something together here.


I was literally going to recommend this exact receiver. Should do you just fine.

If you're really into Klipsch, these are what I'd do on your budget.

https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-RP-250F-Floorstanding-Speaker-Ebony/dp/B00S2N4BDO

Please don't get Klipsch speakers without actually going to a store and listening to them first - they have a very specific house sound that many people don't like. Other options in the price range:

https://www.amazon.com/ELAC-Debut-Floorstanding-Speaker-Black/dp/B07B4V37VV/ref=sr_1_5
https://www.aperionaudio.com/collections/towers/products/intimus-4t-tower-speaker-stealth-black (I have these sitting in front of me. They're great and they do free in-home trials)
https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Floorstanding-Speaker-Single/dp/B000V2OQL6/ref=sr_1_6
https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Signature-S55-American/dp/B01LWB2LIX/ref=sr_1_5

Floorstanding speakers are sold individually; you must buy 2!

Lastly, you need a subwoofer.

Budget recommendation:
https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-12-Inch-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000092TT0 - I have this and for the price, it's crazy good. A little boomy, but so cheap for what you get.

Typical thread recommendation:
https://www.amazon.com/SVS-SB12-NSD-400-watt-Controlled-Subwoofer/dp/B009F8Y7SO - SVS makes some kickass subs, but they are a little pricey and if it comes down to it, I'd rather spend that money on my fronts.

There's your $1000. Get something like that and you can fill out the rest later.

KillHour fucked around with this message at 18:20 on Dec 27, 2018

derk
Sep 24, 2004

KillHour posted:

Alright, I dragged myself out of bed. May as well put something together here.


I was literally going to recommend this exact receiver. Should do you just fine.

If you're really into Klipsch, these are what I'd do on your budget.

https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-RP-250F-Floorstanding-Speaker-Ebony/dp/B00S2N4BDO

Please don't get Klipsch speakers without actually going to a store and listening to them first - they have a very specific house sound that many people don't like. Other options in the price range:

https://www.amazon.com/ELAC-Debut-Floorstanding-Speaker-Black/dp/B07B4V37VV/ref=sr_1_5
https://www.aperionaudio.com/collections/towers/products/intimus-4t-tower-speaker-stealth-black (I have these sitting in front of me. They're great and they do free in-home trials)
https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Floorstanding-Speaker-Single/dp/B000V2OQL6/ref=sr_1_6
https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Signature-S55-American/dp/B01LWB2LIX/ref=sr_1_5

Floorstanding speakers are sold individually; you must buy 2!

Lastly, you need a subwoofer.

Budget recommendation:
https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-12-Inch-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000092TT0 - I have this and for the price, it's crazy good. A little boomy, but so cheap for what you get.

Typical thread recommendation:
https://www.amazon.com/SVS-SB12-NSD-400-watt-Controlled-Subwoofer/dp/B009F8Y7SO - SVS makes some kickass subs, but they are a little pricey and if it comes down to it, I'd rather spend that money on my fronts.

There's your $1000. Get something like that and you can fill out the rest later.

Ok, besides Klipsch then, what are some other recommendations? I like the SVS subs but hot drat they are pricey.

KillHour
Oct 28, 2007


derk posted:

Ok, besides Klipsch then, what are some other recommendations? I like the SVS subs but hot drat they are pricey.

The ones I linked below the Klipsch are all solid. I have the Aperions and the Polk 505 sub in my office and I'm very happy with them. Buy the Polk sub on Amazon so you can return it if you don't like it. It's still a drat good sub. The Aperion's have in-home trials with free shipping both ways. I actually had both the 5T and 4T speakers sent to me so I could decide which I liked better. I liked them so much I kept both sets.

KillHour fucked around with this message at 18:38 on Dec 27, 2018

Wibla
Feb 16, 2011

derk posted:

Ok, besides Klipsch then, what are some other recommendations? I like the SVS subs but hot drat they are pricey.

Pay once, cry once.

You could look into getting a used one?

DoLittle
Jul 26, 2006
And the current $399 deal on Amazon while stock lasts is really quite a good price for the SVS SB-12NSD. The SB2000 replacement is quite a bit more expensive.

GnarlyCharlie4u
Sep 23, 2007

I have an unhealthy obsession with motorcycles.

Proof

derk posted:

Ok, besides Klipsch then, what are some other recommendations? I like the SVS subs but hot drat they are pricey.

Considering how capable they are, they're actually very cheap.
If you're looking to spend $300 on a sub you're not getting a sub, you're getting a wimpy fart box.

Previously mentioned alternatives like HSU and Rythmik are going to be similar in price with various tradeoffs.


DoLittle posted:

And the current $399 deal on Amazon while stock lasts is really quite a good price for the SVS SB-12NSD. The SB2000 replacement is quite a bit more expensive.

This is a solid deal.


Also came to parrot what everyone else already said: You should get a 2.1 setup. And acceptable fronts and a cheap receiver will run you about $1000.

KillHour
Oct 28, 2007


There's nothing wimpy about the 505. Would I rather have the SVS? Any day of the week. If I could find an extra $200, would I put it into the SVS over a slight upgrade in the towers? For movie watching, absolutely. Would I spend $200 less on the towers to go from the 505 to the SVS? Not a chance. If their $1000 budget is a hard cap, the 505 is fine for an entry level sub and they will sell it for almost what they bought it for. If they can scrape together the extra dough, it is a worthwhile upgrade.

KOTEX GOD OF BLOOD
Jul 7, 2012

Audiogon is sometimes a good place to find a cheap sub.

me your dad
Jul 25, 2006

I'm debating that SVS deal on Amazon.

My receiver is an older Yamaha HTR-5730 - rear inputs seen here

Can I connect that to the SVS? The receiver appears to have one line-out for a sub.

me your dad fucked around with this message at 15:38 on Dec 28, 2018

Wibla
Feb 16, 2011

Yeah, it'll work.

Ak Gara
Jul 29, 2005

That's just the way he rolls.
What's up with Klipsch's on Amazon? They're listed on Klipsch's site as NOT an authorized dealer, and their website states "products sold by unauthorized dealers are not entitled to Klipsch warranty coverage"

KillHour
Oct 28, 2007


Klipsch wants you to schlep your way to a Magnolia and is using the warranty as a stick.

KS
Jun 10, 2003
Outrageous Lumpwad
Amazon is an authorized seller. 3rd party sellers on Amazon are not. Make sure it says "ships from and sold by Amazon."

fknlo
Jul 6, 2009


Fun Shoe

KillHour posted:

Alright, I dragged myself out of bed. May as well put something together here.


I was literally going to recommend this exact receiver. Should do you just fine.

If you're really into Klipsch, these are what I'd do on your budget.

https://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-RP-250F-Floorstanding-Speaker-Ebony/dp/B00S2N4BDO

Please don't get Klipsch speakers without actually going to a store and listening to them first - they have a very specific house sound that many people don't like. Other options in the price range:

https://www.amazon.com/ELAC-Debut-Floorstanding-Speaker-Black/dp/B07B4V37VV/ref=sr_1_5
https://www.aperionaudio.com/collections/towers/products/intimus-4t-tower-speaker-stealth-black (I have these sitting in front of me. They're great and they do free in-home trials)
https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Floorstanding-Speaker-Single/dp/B000V2OQL6/ref=sr_1_6
https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-Signature-S55-American/dp/B01LWB2LIX/ref=sr_1_5

Floorstanding speakers are sold individually; you must buy 2!

Lastly, you need a subwoofer.

Budget recommendation:
https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-12-Inch-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B000092TT0 - I have this and for the price, it's crazy good. A little boomy, but so cheap for what you get.

Typical thread recommendation:
https://www.amazon.com/SVS-SB12-NSD-400-watt-Controlled-Subwoofer/dp/B009F8Y7SO - SVS makes some kickass subs, but they are a little pricey and if it comes down to it, I'd rather spend that money on my fronts.

There's your $1000. Get something like that and you can fill out the rest later.

I just got my first taste of decent in home music with the purchase of some nice headphones and am now looking at home audio stuff. I'm good with a nice 2.1 system. I need to be able to stream music in some form either through hooking up a laptop, off wifi, whatever and that's about it. My budget would be whatever I want it to be, but somewhere in the $1000-1500 range would be a good start. I would need everything including a receiver. Would these recommendations work for what I want as well?

Matt Zerella
Oct 7, 2002

Norris'es are back baby. It's good again. Awoouu (fox Howl)
I just bought a pair of Q150s due to Xmas funbux. I'm getting kind of sick of my boomy B6s and switching to 2.1 (the .1 is coming later).

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KillHour
Oct 28, 2007


fknlo posted:

I just got my first taste of decent in home music with the purchase of some nice headphones and am now looking at home audio stuff. I'm good with a nice 2.1 system. I need to be able to stream music in some form either through hooking up a laptop, off wifi, whatever and that's about it. My budget would be whatever I want it to be, but somewhere in the $1000-1500 range would be a good start. I would need everything including a receiver. Would these recommendations work for what I want as well?

Add a Chromecast. Maybe go a step up above the speakers I linked (those were all the lowest in their respective lineups, so just go a model higher). Definitely get the SVS sub.

Matt Zerella posted:

I just bought a pair of Q150s due to Xmas funbux. I'm getting kind of sick of my boomy B6s and switching to 2.1 (the .1 is coming later).

You live in NYC, right? Get an SVS for your .1. Your downstairs neighbors are gonna LOVE you.

KillHour fucked around with this message at 05:15 on Dec 30, 2018

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