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Help please for HT choices for small living room
#263917 06/16/09 07:45 PM
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katmu Offline OP
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Hello-

I've been lurking for a while, great info here. I am basically starting from scratch, so I'm planning to purchase a Panasonic 42" 1080p plasma, AV receiver (either an Onkyo or a Marantz SR6001 or SR4002), 2 bookshelf speakers (I'm thinking M3s) and a subwoofer. I'm stumped about the subwoofer. The room is only 13' X 13' although it does have 2 wide openings to the adjoining rooms. Would the EP175 be a good choice in a room this size?

I would add a pair of QS8s as budget allows.

Thanks in advance.

Kathleen

Re: Help please for HT choices for small living room
katmu #263921 06/16/09 08:30 PM
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Welcome to the forum!

Either receiver would work great with the M3's. If you watch a lot of movies I would recommend going a step up with the EP350. The QS8's are on of the most loved speakers around here but you could even get away with using the QS4's in a room your size.

Are you going to be using any sort of centre channel for your setup?

Cheers!


I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
Re: Help please for HT choices for small living ro
BlueJays1 #263922 06/16/09 08:39 PM
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Thanks.

Forgot to mention in my original post, the plan is that I would add a center channel at the same time at the surround speakers. I'm thinking the VP150.

I was thinking the subwoofer was more of a priority than the center channel or surround speakers but I'm open to input.

Re: Help please for HT choices for small living ro
katmu #263923 06/16/09 08:50 PM
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Do you mostly listen to music vs watching movies or a combination of both?

I agree, getting the main speakers and subwoofer first would be the best way to start building your system piece by piece (others would disagree and say go mains, surrounds).


I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
Re: Help please for HT choices for small living ro
BlueJays1 #263924 06/16/09 08:52 PM
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Mix of music and movies. The teenage sons also do a bit of gaming (XBox 360).

Music wise, it would be mostly rock and blues.

Re: Help please for HT choices for small living ro
katmu #263925 06/16/09 08:59 PM
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IMO this setup would excel in all areas (music, movies and videogames)

M3
EP350v3
QS4
VP100 or VP150


I’m armed and I’m drinking. You don’t want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

-Max Payne
Re: Help please for HT choices for small living ro
BlueJays1 #263942 06/17/09 01:39 AM
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Welcome, Kathleen.

Don't feel obligated to get a VP150 in that size room; I have a VP100 in a very large room and am quite happy.

I would definitely start with mains+sub, especially if you watch a fair number of movies.

I have heard neither the EP175 nor EP350, but conventional wisdom around here seems to be that there is a very significant difference between the two and that the EP350 is worth the extra money. The wide openings you have into other rooms would probably warrant the upgrade. Depending upon what you want, where you live, and how important it is to you to have the finish on the sub match the finish on the mains, you might also entertain the notion of a sub from another quality manufacturer.

My opinion on the overall setup matches Dr. House, although if you can spare the extra money, moving from the QS4 to QS8 might be a consideration. Personally, I'd rather have the QS8/VP100 than QS4 and VP150, especially in that size room. The QS8's have a deeper bass extension that you might find valuable with all kinds of content.

People love Denon receivers. Although I have owned them in the past, I've never thought they were a particularly good value, and the manuals and remotes are just horrible. Some people I trust and respect have reported reliability issues with Marantz. I am currently running an Onkyo 805 and am happy with it. I also have an older Onkyo still chugging away trouble free in another system. I think they provide pretty good value nowadays.

Don't let these guys try to talk you into an expensive receiver. Just get the features you think you need/want. Many units in the $400-500 range are amazingly capable, and you don't need a retarded amount of power in that size room.

If you don't need pre-outs, zone2 or seven channels, the 4-HDMI, Audyssey-equipped refurb TX-SR507 at Accessories4less is a bargain for $269. They also have the 607 for $100 more.

Another good place to check is http://www.shoponkyo.com

Enjoy your journey!


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: Help please for HT choices for small living ro
tomtuttle #263945 06/17/09 02:14 AM
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katmu Offline OP
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Thanks Tom.

I was looking at both Onkyo and Marantz at Accessories4Less. Still trying to decide which route to go on the receiver.

For the sub, I would lean towards one that matches, unless I can figure out somewhere to put it where it won't be too obtrusive. The option for oak finishes is a plus for me as I thought it might fit better with the room (oak floors and trim since the house was built in 1930).

Re: Help please for HT choices for small living ro
katmu #263964 06/17/09 04:15 AM
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There is a big difference between the EP175 and EP350. The 175 is probably big enough for your room, but it will not reach as low as the 350.

personally I would go for the 350. If size is an issue, but not budget, the EP400 puts out huge bass in a very small package.


Fred

-------
Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!
Re: Help please for HT choices for small living ro
katmu #263988 06/17/09 10:35 AM
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 Originally Posted By: katmu
The option for oak finishes is a plus for me as I thought it might fit better with the room (oak floors and trim since the house was built in 1930).

Don't forget to request samples from Axiom if you want to match a finish....

And I think the 350 would be suit the needs of the X-Box! \:\)

Oh.... and welcome!


::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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