At long last I have a media room in my home, so it's time for y'all to spend other people's money. Within reason. It's probably going to be a frankensystem to some degree, so looking for input with a long term goal of upgrading the speakers to something much better.

The room is 14' x 24' with 12' ceiling in front and a single riser to the back. The screen is only 100", which I've decided to live with for now, but I'll probably go bigger in the future.

The electronic components the sellers left behind are overall pretty stale, so I'm focusing there first.

Equipment I Have:
1. Front speakers - choosing between the Phase Technologies V-12's that were left behind and my B&W 602 S2 that I brought from the old house. Matching centers for each set here. From the looks of things, they didn't get a lot of use, but who knows. Eventually I'll upgrade to something worthy.

2. Surrounds-
Phase Technologies bipole/dipole mounted at the riser directly in between the rows of seats
TDG Audio NFC-62 in-ceiling speakers. My in laws have a dozen or so of these laying around from when they scuttled initial theater plans in a new build. I plan to use these for the height/surround channels. They may not match everything else, but freebies at $450 each retail is too good to pass up.
https://soundapproach.com/tdg-nfc-62-6-5-in-ceiling-speaker.html

3. Subwoofers
Phase Technology 12" sub and a B&W 10", each matched with respective LCR sets
Possibly a NFC in wall sub, but that may be gone

4. Marantz NR-1605 slim receiver. DTS / TrueHD 7.1 receiver that was quality, but it's older and with HDCP2.2, it's a pain to connect to current sources. Also simply not powerful enough for a room this size.

So my first question is should I keep the old larger speakers for the room or go with B&W. I hate to give up the B&W for the relative unknown, but either set is fairly dated anyway. And the reviews I've found seemed like the Phase speakers were pretty decent back in the day. I'm not concerned with the fronts matching the side surrounds in any case.

Second, I'll probably end up with a two sub situation anyway, so I'll hang on to both or use the in-wall if that's available.

So I'm in the market for:

1. Projector - I'm a movie guy and not a gamer, so something that can do 4K at a decent price. Looking at Crutchfield, I don't think a Native 4K unit is in the budget here. The throw is right at 14'. I assume that's not a problem for most projectors, but if there's a conflict with size let me know. I want to leverage the in place cable runs etc if at all possible.
Here's my current Crutchfield search. Any of these stick out? The $2k range here would be ideal
https://www.crutchfield.com/g_160150/Projectors.html?fa=1#&nvpair=AG_Resolution|FF4K_Via_Pixel_Shift&nvpair=AG_Mounting%20Options|YCCeiling&price=1460-3430

2. A/V Receiver setup - had a false start last year with AdamsBQ on here last year, but I'm in a buying mood now. Something in the $3k range would probably get me there, maybe the Marantz Cinema 40 or the Denon 6800 are the ones I've been looking at most. Unfortunately separates aren't in the cards.

I'm also looking for input on configuration. I figure the dipole can be the side surrounds, and I'll use the NFCs for the height channels. I'm a novice at Dolby Atmos configuration, but it looks like I could pull off 7.2.4, but my rear surround have to be ceiling mounted. 5.2.4 may be the way to go instead.

Lastly, would it be stupid to keep my old Marantz and use it to power some of the speakers with the new receiver as the processor / preamp?

A few pictures, and please disregard the mess. The room has been neglected since we moved in. I hit jackpot when they didn't take the furniture with them. No idea if it's any good, but it handles my kids just fine.

Quote:

---

The room is 14' x 24' with 12' ceiling in front and a single riser to the back. The screen is only 100", which I've decided to live with for now, but I'll probably go bigger in the future.

---

Good, you've already discovered the biggest issue... now you just have to do something about it.



Congrats on the media room, that's a very cool setup! And with the wet bar at the back you've got a ton of options to make that space whatever you want it to be. I'm not an audio expert so I'll leave that to others, but I'm of the opinion most decent setups all sound great. Enjoy the process.

Can recommend projectorpeople.com for projectors.

I'd also suggest putting some sound absorbers on some of the main reflection points. You can diy with some 4" rock wool insulation, plywood, and some acoustic fabric.

Make sure to get a receiver with some sort of dsp capability - Dirac, odyssey, etc

javajaws said:

---

Can recommend projectorpeople.com for projectors.

I'd also suggest putting some sound absorbers on some of the main reflection points. You can diy with some 4" rock wool insulation, plywood, and some acoustic fabric.

Make sure to get a receiver with some sort of dsp capability - Dirac, odyssey, etc

---

Good call on the absorbers. I recall that from your other thread, which naturally is why I've been lusting after your setup.

I've looked into Dirac, but I have a real problem with a subscription service for what should be a one time setup as far as my ear is concerned. I've used Audyssey in the past, and I think it's fine for me.

Any dsp is fine. Dirac isn't subscription at least for my receiver and license I bought. Might want to double check on that.

Agdoc pretty much covered it.
Check the cabinet in back with the glass door for ventilation. If you're going to put a receiver with a bunch of watts in there, and there's no ventilation, you might have problems with shortened equipment life span from it overheating. If you have ventilation and wiring access from behind that cabinet, I hate you and I'm jealous.

I've daisy-chained two receivers together before and it sounds fine. Does generate quite a bit of heat though.

I'd argue that you already have 2 good sets of speakers. I'd upgrade the screen to 120" (or bigger) first. Relatively cheap and you'll want to make sure the projector location and the model you choose works with the bigger screen. You have to spend a lot of money to get better sound than what you currently have. Bigger picture is cheap and easy.

agdoc2001 said:

---

Few tidbits:

1. In your room, 5.2.4 is definitely the way to go. The rears would be way too close to your side surrounds and rear atmos channels that you wouldn't really even hear them

2. Space is a little bit of a premium for you, so I would do in-wall speakers for my L/R surrounds if possible. For surrounds, any cheap speaker would work and mount them at about ear level between your 1st and 2nd rows

3. 2 subs aren't 100% necessary - remember that additional subs don't give you more bass, they give you more EVEN bass. So if you use 2 subs, they should be in diagonal opposite corners (1 at the front of the room and 1 in the back opposite corner) and this will insure that the bass sounds the same across all 6 of your seating positions. If you are always going to sit in the same spot, and you don't care if other people get the "optimal bass experience", I'd sell both of those subs, buy a 12" SVS, Hsu, or Rythmik and stick it where you want.

4. AV-Receiver: You only need 9 channels of amplification (3 fronts, 2 sides, 4 atmos) so you could get away with the Dennon 3800 which you can get refurbished from denon for $2k.

---

Thanks, doc. 5.2.4 it is, which will make life pretty easy. There are a pair of can lights in back that I don't even want, so I'll repurpose the cutouts and probably convert to under cabinet lighting on that switch.

On the receiver, I may never go fully bananas, but I'm a buy-once-cry-once guy when I do spend the money. Either of those options I posted would leave me comfortable using the receiver as a preamp of I did decide to add separates one day.

No ventilation on the cabinet, so I do plan to add something to help. The back wall goes into a hallway, so unfortunately rear access isn't feasible. I'm not looking forward to the wiring part of this for sure.

I'm pretty much only budgeted for a receiver and projector right now, so Phase 2 will be the screen, and Phase 3 will be the speakers.

If you are happy with a 100" screen, you could absolutely ditch the projector/screen and just go with a 98" tcl or 100" hisense.

If you want a projector, the Epson 5050ub is the class of that group you listed. You can save a bit of money by going with the 5040ub.

1. Upgrade that screen. At least to 135"

2. Ditch that receiver and go separates. Not for any quality reasons but the fact that AMPs and speakers last a very long time. You can just upgrade your processor as new tech comes out.

3. Mounting my projector was a ***** and a half... get a mount that will slide vertically as it will be almost impossible to mount perfectly center.

4. Emotiva is a great company for ampifiers at a decent price.

5. 5.2.4 will be rocking... be careful reading audiophile forums as they all believe you need perfectly spaced out speakers or it will sound like ***** The Truth... you room will be awesome and enjoyable for movies/sports.

Holy scope creep! But I like where your head is at.

I've been getting served Emotiva ads for the last year or so, but I hadn't really researched them. Glad to have a recommendation

Update

Just ordered the Epson 5050UB and the 120" screen from above.

Had some unforeseen new home expenses, so will be holding off on the audio components for awhile, but will keep y'all posted.

Scriffer said:

---

agdoc2001 said:

---

Few tidbits:

1. In your room, 5.2.4 is definitely the way to go. The rears would be way too close to your side surrounds and rear atmos channels that you wouldn't really even hear them

2. Space is a little bit of a premium for you, so I would do in-wall speakers for my L/R surrounds if possible. For surrounds, any cheap speaker would work and mount them at about ear level between your 1st and 2nd rows

3. 2 subs aren't 100% necessary - remember that additional subs don't give you more bass, they give you more EVEN bass. So if you use 2 subs, they should be in diagonal opposite corners (1 at the front of the room and 1 in the back opposite corner) and this will insure that the bass sounds the same across all 6 of your seating positions. If you are always going to sit in the same spot, and you don't care if other people get the "optimal bass experience", I'd sell both of those subs, buy a 12" SVS, Hsu, or Rythmik and stick it where you want.

4. AV-Receiver: You only need 9 channels of amplification (3 fronts, 2 sides, 4 atmos) so you could get away with the Dennon 3800 which you can get refurbished from denon for $2k.

---

Thanks, doc. 5.2.4 it is, which will make life pretty easy. There are a pair of can lights in back that I don't even want, so I'll repurpose the cutouts and probably convert to under cabinet lighting on that switch.

On the receiver, I may never go fully bananas, but I'm a buy-once-cry-once guy when I do spend the money. Either of those options I posted would leave me comfortable using the receiver as a preamp of I did decide to add separates one day.

---

I've got a Denon 4800H (https://www.denon.com/en-us/product/av-receivers/avr-x4800h/300608-new.html) for my 5.1.4 and it sounds great. It does struggle at times to handle video switches when my X-Box Series-X does different video modes.

I can't imagine a 5.2.4 for my space. Not to mention, with little kids most of my very limited viewing is with closed captioning on, anyway.

Got the projector and screen mounted with a buddy this afternoon.

Still getting the image dialed in, but I'm digging it so far.

Just realized I forgot the Pic. Thanks for the input all.

Looking forward to Phase 2 next year to take the sound to the next level

I'll agree with SVS, my family room is far from ideally located and laid out but the SVS PC-2000 that I bought fills it right up.