I figured I'd post a picture and summary of my final audio setup, since I was able to get it all moved into its final resting place in the basement this weekend. I posted a couple threads here on receivers and speakers, and got some great practical advice so I wanted to say thanks to everyone who contributed! The pic's a bit grainy, cell phone camera wasn't liking the basement even though it's decently lit, but so be it.
Here's what I've got. Polk Monitor 70's ($300), Polk CS2 ($99), Yamaha RX-675 ($370). And then I had to buy a new TV stand ($299), since the CS2 is massive and my wife wasn't down with hanging the speaker or the TV on the wall. So I had to find a stand that would fit the speaker, which was a real pain! I know that putting a rear ported center speaker in a TV stand isn't ideal, but some battles you have to concede. Getting the sound system was victory enough.
So far, I’m really liking what I hear. My basement is massive and not an ideal environment at all, but in the couple hours I had it running last night I had no complaints. I did have it temporarily set up in a different room over the last couple weeks and was able to get the sound tweaked to where I like it. That seems to have carried over OK to the new location, but I did have to pop the volume up about 5db to get to where I thought the sound levels were about the same. I suppose that’s the larger room. I'd like to have the speakers spread out a bit further, but I'm blocked in by the door to the furnace room and a fireplace on the other side.
I got the CS2 last week on a New Egg Black November Sale and just hitched it up yesterday, so it probably needs some time to break in. It needs to remain in the TV stand for the near term, so are there any tips/techniques I should use to reduce the negative impacts of its location? It’s set on large, and I have dialogue lift turned up one notch. I could take the back out of that section of the stand, if it would be beneficial. It didn’t sound “boomy” last night, which is what I was warned about with this placement, but we were just watching football and TV.
So far, so good I think. I know it’s not an audiophile grade system, but I think I got some good value for my money. I’ll do surrounds and a sub someday, but I may actually focus on getting the second zone going upstairs first. But before that, I’ve got a 65” TV on my shopping list. Probably a Samsung LED, but I keep circling back to the Panasonic Plasmas too. Fingers crossed for a good Black Friday or Christmas deal!
Here's what I've got. Polk Monitor 70's ($300), Polk CS2 ($99), Yamaha RX-675 ($370). And then I had to buy a new TV stand ($299), since the CS2 is massive and my wife wasn't down with hanging the speaker or the TV on the wall. So I had to find a stand that would fit the speaker, which was a real pain! I know that putting a rear ported center speaker in a TV stand isn't ideal, but some battles you have to concede. Getting the sound system was victory enough.
So far, I’m really liking what I hear. My basement is massive and not an ideal environment at all, but in the couple hours I had it running last night I had no complaints. I did have it temporarily set up in a different room over the last couple weeks and was able to get the sound tweaked to where I like it. That seems to have carried over OK to the new location, but I did have to pop the volume up about 5db to get to where I thought the sound levels were about the same. I suppose that’s the larger room. I'd like to have the speakers spread out a bit further, but I'm blocked in by the door to the furnace room and a fireplace on the other side.
I got the CS2 last week on a New Egg Black November Sale and just hitched it up yesterday, so it probably needs some time to break in. It needs to remain in the TV stand for the near term, so are there any tips/techniques I should use to reduce the negative impacts of its location? It’s set on large, and I have dialogue lift turned up one notch. I could take the back out of that section of the stand, if it would be beneficial. It didn’t sound “boomy” last night, which is what I was warned about with this placement, but we were just watching football and TV.
So far, so good I think. I know it’s not an audiophile grade system, but I think I got some good value for my money. I’ll do surrounds and a sub someday, but I may actually focus on getting the second zone going upstairs first. But before that, I’ve got a 65” TV on my shopping list. Probably a Samsung LED, but I keep circling back to the Panasonic Plasmas too. Fingers crossed for a good Black Friday or Christmas deal!
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