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July 9, 2013 - 5:35pm
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Bkriirakn
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Joined: Jul 8 2013 - 5:45pm
2.1 HT setup for small condo

Hello everyone, 

Been reading reviews and information for quite some time on this site and finally decided it was time to join. I love music and video but Im realatively new to most aspects of hi-fi (playing everything on a computer right now).

My goal is to create a simple, good quality home theatre setup and I would greatly appreciate some more experienced input on the topic. 

My current situation is this:

1. 10'L x 17'W carpeted room. Due to space constraints, I cant see going larger than a 2.0/2.1 setup for now. 

2. Plasma TV in the middle of the 17'. The stand will force speakers to be about 9' (by coincidence) apart assuming 1' from the back wall. From what I've read this makes an equilateral triangle for listening assuming I place my seating just under 9' from the TV.

I have no other equipment, not even a disc player for the TV (its my first TV ever as mental as that may sound, Im hoping the Seahawks go to the SuperBowl and justify my purchase)

Budget: 5-10k

Been saving a bit, but I'm not 100% sure on equipments needs to satisfy my listening requirements which is why the range is somewhat broad. I'm willing to spend most of this budget on the speakers.

What I want for sure:

1. Oppo Bdp-103/105. From what I can tell, if I want superb video quality and to make full use of my TVs capability I should go with one of these two. 

Sound goals:

I listen mostly to Movie soundtracks, Radiohead/Muse and other percussive music and watch mostly Sci-Fi and action movies. Given this, I would like my future system to generate a really physical and powerfull bass (lots of current I believe) without making it sound boomy (if that makes sense). 

Concerns:

My biggest question is the 103 vs. the 105 when considering my goals. Sure, the 105 has the good chips in it, but I'm not sure about its ability to function as a pre-amp (which it technically isnt) and drive a pair of full range speakers (and sub?). Then again, I have a small room. 

Alternatively, I could go the 103 rout with a good AV reciever.

With the way Ive reasoned this out I guess alot of this depends on what speakers I get and how hungry they are. Thoughts and suggestions are much appreciated!

Thank you,

Brian

 

 

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July 10, 2013 - 6:45am
jackfish
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Joined: Dec 19 2005 - 2:42pm
For a 2.1 HT system an AV receiver is unnecessary.

The Oppo BDP105 will do all the video and audio processing needed. I'd get the 105. You don't say anything about future expansion. If you will expand to 5.1 later then maybe an AV receiver might be used. Do some research into and consider:

Oppo BDP105 universal player http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-105/ http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-105/blu-ray-BDP-105-Review.aspx

Emotiva XSP-1 stereo preamp with bass management http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/processors/products/xsp1 http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/preamplifiers/preamplifiers-reviews/emotiva-xsp-1-balanced-stereo-preamplifier.html

Emotiva XPA-1 mono power amps (pair) http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/amplifiers/products/xpa1 http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/power-amplifiers/power-amplifiers-reviews/a-secrets-power-amplifier-review98.html OR Emotiva XPA-1L mono power amps (pair)  http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/amplifiers/products/xpa-1l http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/amplifiers/emotiva-audio-xpa-1l-pre

Loudspeakers are a very individual consideration. I would try to listen to as many models in your price range as possible and choose based on your ears. Ideally, you can listen with the other components you are considering. Those which might work with your placement limitations are Totem and Vandersteen.

Rythmik F12 ot F15 subwoofer http://www.rythmikaudio.com/F12.html http://www.rythmikaudio.com/F15.html The best sounding subwoofers under $2000, maybe more.

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July 10, 2013 - 7:38am
commsysman
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System Choices

I will suggest the follwing for consideration:

A pair of Vandersteen Model 2CE Signature speakers ($2400)

An NHT B12D subwoofer ($800)

An Arcam A38 integrated amplifier ($2400)

An OPPO BDP-105 ($1200)

 

I see you already got your message from the Emotiva sales department, but IMO their equipment is mediocre. I would suggest that you look elsewhere for best sound quality.

I have the Vandersteen Treo speakers and they are fabulous, but they run $6000, so that is over budget for your system.

 

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July 10, 2013 - 5:48pm
Bkriirakn
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Joined: Jul 8 2013 - 5:45pm
Thanks

Thank you both for the suggestions, all the subs mentioned look superb for what im going for. I noticed you both recommended Vandersteen, and Jack specifically mentions them in a small room context. In either of your personal experience is there a specific attribute to them that lends itself to small room listening (apart from speakers with similar specifications)? 

I should probably mention that I'm in the middle of nowhere, around 5-7 hours hours drive from the nearest place that would have any speakers on this site. So listening is going to be hard to do, but I could make a dedicated weekend out of it I suppose!

Don't know if either of you have heard these two pieces of gear but from what I've read they look like attractive options (the amp is literally sexy as hell). 

PSB Synchrony One (pushing the price barrier a bit)

HK 990 integrated amp (on sale for 2k)

Thanks,

Brian

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July 11, 2013 - 6:48am
commsysman
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System Choices

 

Vandersteen speakers are simply the best-sounding for the price; period.

The Vandersteen Model 2 was first made almost 40 years ago, and it is still in production and selling well. It has undergone constant driver upgrades and incremental improvements over the years, but it is still excellent, especially for its price.

It is by far the best-selling high-end speaker in history; nothing else even comes close.

The Arcam integrated amplifiers will sound better than the HK990 IMO.

The Musical Fidelity M3i is another excellent one that is available for $1500 from Music Direct; I can recommend it highly.

You can find the list of Vandersteen dealers on their website.

The PSB Image T6 speakers are actually very very good, and under $1500.

I had them for 2 years and was very happy with them. The Synchrony One is very good, but at that price there are others i would prefer.

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