New HTPC/AV Set-up: A Few Questions

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johnnynj

Limp Gawd
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Mar 21, 2008
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I'm looking to upgrade the set-up in my studio apartment (read: small) and I'm considering "ditching" my desk/monitor/tower for a laptop and a combination of the following:

Monitor/Television ($2,500-$X,000):
52" Sharp/55"Sony XBR8/65" Sharp/XX" Samsung ToC LCD or Pioneer's 60" Plasma ...Will the plasma work as well with a HTPC if I want full-PC functionality on the screen? What size(s) should I consider if I'm going to sit about 8" away? I'm not averse to zooming text on web pages and changing my desktop DPI settings as I already have to do this on my 24" LCD but I would prefer to "do less zooming."
​
Sources ($3-4k - I have 90% of the PC equipment ready to go and a blu-ray burner):
Home-built HTPC as source ...I've been building systems for about 10 years now so I'm all set in this area. I'm going to water cool the set-up using two Silverstone cases :cool:

Receiver/Preamp/Amplifier(s) ...I need a lot of hand holding here. I like Outlaw, Onkyo, Yamaha and NAD but I'm 100% open to suggestions. :confused:​
Mounts ($whatever it takes):
Scissor or Cantilever wall-mount for television ...all that I need is L/R panning, no tilt, swivel or motorization. One important consideration: I only have about a 17" wall footprint to work with (part of the wall "juts out" and I'm not even 100% sure that I can put the TV there because it might be a building conduit but that's the current plan). Looking at this OmniMount but I need a more exact measure of the wall.

***Very hard for me to research thus far*** :confused:​

Speaker Mounts attached to TV ...I would like to find a way to mount high-end speakers to the sides and a center channel either on the top or bottom of the TV so when I swivel it, I'm still "in the sweet spot." Does anyone know a solution for this that doesn't require me to buy "flat" speakers or can anyone recommend good flat speakers (I'm looking closely at what Klipsch has to offer because I love their sound but I would prefer Klipsch's non-flat speakers) I've seen these for the Bose demos in stores but I can't seem to find these types of mounts anywhere... ​

I appreciate all of your feedback - thanks! :D
 
Monitor/Television ($2,500-$X,000):[/U][/B]
52" Sharp/55"Sony XBR8/65" Sharp/XX" Samsung ToC LCD or Pioneer's 60" Plasma ...Will the plasma work as well with a HTPC if I want full-PC functionality on the screen? What size(s) should I consider if I'm going to sit about 8" away? I'm not averse to zooming text on web pages and changing my desktop DPI settings as I already have to do this on my 24" LCD but I would prefer to "do less zooming."
​
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Monitor / Television
I would go with the Samsung lna630 line as it does not have the glossy screen, just my preference as I can't stand glare's.

$1799 for the 52"
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-LN52A...ag=camelcamelcamel-20#&tag=camelcamelcamel-20

Receiver/Preamp/Amplifier(s) ...I need a lot of hand holding here. I like Outlaw, Onkyo, Yamaha and NAD but I'm 100% open to suggestions. :confused:
Click to expand...

Receiver
Couldn't say I know much about the > $600 range of receiver, but Onkyo makes a solid product.
Onkyo sr-606 (Probably the most popular receiver overall)
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR60...&qid=1235848414&sr=1-5&tag=camelcamelcamel-20

If you want a step up
Onkyo sr-706
http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-SR70...&qid=1235848414&sr=1-4&tag=camelcamelcamel-20

Speaker Mounts attached to TV ...I would like to find a way to mount high-end speakers to the sides and a center channel either on the top or bottom of the TV so when I swivel it, I'm still "in the sweet spot." Does anyone know a solution for this that doesn't require me to buy "flat" speakers or can anyone recommend good flat speakers (I'm looking closely at what Klipsch has to offer because I love their sound but I would prefer Klipsch's non-flat speakers) I've seen these for the Bose demos in stores but I can't seem to find these types of mounts anywhere...
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Please don't ever use BOSE and high end in the same paragraph, I think you meant High end prices for Piece of Shit Speakers.

I am all about sound quality here, I have some Infinity Beta Speakers and they are not small by any stretch of the imagination, as most high end speakers are not. Klipsch makes pretty good speakers but are a little bright IMO, most likely you are going to have to go to larger speakers if you want a true high-end system. Way to many choices for me to pick one and tell you to go with that one. See AVS forum under the speaker section for the many options you have. I went with Infinity Betas because I am very "value" oriented and was able to pick them up at ridiculously low prices.​
 
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96redformula said:
Please don't ever use BOSE and high end in the same paragraph, I think you meant High end prices for Piece of Shit Speakers.
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Thanks for the input: I appreciate it.

You don't think I should go for a larger TV? I've seen a 52" from 12' away, granted I'm only 8' max, and I know that I wouldn't want to use it as a computer monitor...

On the topic of Bose: you seem to actually be pissed -- because, quite literally -- I used them in the same paragraph. I don't like their "colored" sound. I was referring to their "display set-up" at retail stores where they employ, bug-antenna-like arms with speakers mounted to them. They even place two overhead, so you can hear the surrounds. Furthermore, I don't prefer Bose sound relative to their competitions offerings at similar prices. On the other hand I do admire the way they build and defend their brand. This is why I focused strictly on their product representation. :cool:

My conundrum, with more granularity:
I want the speakers next to the TV but I don't want to have to use a 'flat- speaker design" because my cantilever mount will place the TV over 5" from the wall anyway (and the wall "juts out" so I could strap a boombox to each side if I wanted to) and I feel like if they were placed about 3-4" from the edges of the TV: I could use L/R/C reference speakers. ;)

To the point, are those Onkyo receivers popular as preamplifier-output-devices? What company do you believe makes the best speakers for "small-room," low-volume sound?
 
Juts a fyi I have heard good things about the Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K receiver. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882117251

As for the speakers I am using Boston acoustic's for the center and rear channel (HD5) ( (only 5.1 here :( ) And some dynalab floor speakers for the fronts. Does not sound too shabby, and maybe one day ill upgrade to 7.1.
I have mounted the rears with el cheapo wallmart mounts.
 
for receivers:
- onkyo makes top notch products at a budget, more of a function over form company.
- NAD makes quality products, I've owned 3 NAD integrated amps. Don't have any experience with their HT line, but I think it would be a good choice.
- Pioneer Elite's, had 1 a few years back but ended up switching to separates.

for preamp/amp combos, or just amps: I'd add emotiva to the list. Solid products, very reasonable prices; kind of like Outlaw a couple of years ago, now a days because they've become popular their prices are still reasonable but are starting to creep up.

Ever thought about trying a MSI Diva motherboard? Been tempted to try it out, the main drawback is, there's no inputs to be able to fully take advantage of the pre-amp feature. Hopefully a change can be made so you can set inputs or add to them. Also, it's an amd only board.

for speakers, lots of choices, but the bottom line is -- if you can, audition them with material that you are very familiar with and like to listen to. Lots of value available on direct purchase makers on the internet and most have 30 day guarantee's and some have free return shipping as well. If you're not in a hurry and don't mind the hassle, might be a good option to go with. If you are lucky enough, maybe you have a local retailer who offers a take home audition over 2 days -- had one when I was still leaving in the Bay Area, and boy do I miss them.

regarding Bose -- I do agree with the poster above, my main problem with them is the price they charge for the product they sell. Not saying I'd buy them even if they lower their prices, but I think people wont be as critical if they would lower their prices to entry level ones =). I know some people who are die-hard fans of them, I respect their decision, it's just not for me; for the price they charge and the quality they deliver, there are tons of other options to be had that are superior and cheaper.

sorry, don't have any inputs for TV's or mounts; I still use a rear projection TV, might be at least another yr or so before I'd even start thinking about replacing it.

avsforum is an awesome resource, but in as much as it is helpful, try not to be led into buying something based on other people's reviews. Yes, there are a lot of choices out there and it might be overwhelming to go and test products out yourself. Hopefully you can enjoy the process. In the end, it will be your eyes and ears that will be using the products you decide to purchase.

Hope that helps...
 
Now I know most people look down on HTIB (Home Theater In-a-Box), but take a look anyway.

Onkyo HT-S9100THX

If you can find it in stock somewhere, it is the best home theater in a box I've ever heard. It is basically individual components packaged together. The receiver is similar to the SR-606, maybe a little lower, but perfectly capable of 1080p. I picked up mine at my local Fry's, though it's discontinued there now.
 
theduck said:
for receivers:
- onkyo makes top notch products at a budget, more of a function over form company.
- NAD makes quality products, I've owned 3 NAD integrated amps. Don't have any experience with their HT line, but I think it would be a good choice.
- Pioneer Elite's, had 1 a few years back but ended up switching to separates.

for preamp/amp combos, or just amps: I'd add emotiva to the list. Solid products, very reasonable prices; kind of like Outlaw a couple of years ago, now a days because they've become popular their prices are still reasonable but are starting to creep up.

Ever thought about trying a MSI Diva motherboard? Been tempted to try it out, the main drawback is, there's no inputs to be able to fully take advantage of the pre-amp feature. Hopefully a change can be made so you can set inputs or add to them. Also, it's an amd only board.
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That does help: thanks.

Checking emotiva.

The computer driving the set-up will be a Core2Quad q6600 @3.6Ghz, 8GB ram, 8800GTX, X-Fi prelude transport (may upgrade) and 4 WD6600AAKS HDs (may go SSD for system too) in RAID10 (140MB/s read & 110MB/s write) - fast. I'm watercooling both the CPU, 8800GTX, RAM and motherboard chipset.



epimetheus said:
Now I know most people look down on HTIB (Home Theater In-a-Box), but take a look anyway.

Onkyo HT-S9100THX
Click to expand...


I think that's going to be better at putting out big sound as opposed to reproducing nuance. I've owned a top-of-the-line Onkyo HTIB in college and that thing only sounded great when it was shaking the floorboards. I also see the first reviewer on Newegg mentioned that too. To me, they are like the nissan/infiniti of sound: power first.
 
theduck said:
Yep, that's a nice amp ...not sure if you saw it on their page, the UMC1 pre-amp is coming soon (well, people are hoping it comes out soon). For $699, it's a STEAL...
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Yes and thanks again for the tip: going to save me a lot of $$. I'm heading down to Sound By Singer today or next weekend to go audition equipment. Should be fun...
 
sprak74 said:
Have you consider 1080p projector?
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The wall isn't flat and I need something that will "follow" me as I swivel the set. I have a studio apartment that is longer than it is wide and I want to be able to swivel from couch to lounge chair to bed.
 
How willing are you to jury-rig something together? Usually the wall-mount brackets for LCD/Plasma TVs have lots of extra holes... I'd imagine you could extend those up to support a speaker bar, which might be what you're looking for instead of separate center and front speakers. Here's a place to start... http://www.home-theater-systems-advice.com/sound-bar-speakers.html

As for an amp, most of the folks in here seem to be either going for the Harman Kardon AVR-347/354 or the Onkyo SR-606
 
One problem with using a plasma as a PC monitor is you have to be concerned with burn in. If you do go plasma make sure you set the screen saver to pop up after a minute or 2. Also be wary of doing word processing, because that background is easy to sit still for a long time without realizing it.
 
Karkas

That settles it: I'm between the Samsung 950 and Sony XBR8 LED-backlit sets.
 
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