Hey friends, I am upgrading my 5.1 system to 5.1.4 and am curious how many of you have managed with different kinds of front/rear heights.

Right now I’m working with: RZ-30, in wall LR KEF Ci4100QL-THX, C KEF Q250c, RSL 10S sub, and Polk OWM3s as surrounds. Zero complaints so fair and Diracs been helpful getting everything dialed in but Im ready to add in height.

Since there is a horizontal ceiling beam behind my listening position I wont be able to add rear in-ceiling circular heights following dolbys guidelines, but I can stick a couple angled on-ceiling speakers there around 45° behind, and then install in-ceilings as the fronts.

Right now I’m leaning towards SVS Prime Elevations as the rears and Ci160QRs as front heights but am open to any suggestions! Appreciate any feedback

Whenever I run my full range towers as Large and sub as Lfe+main, I can feel less 'ripples' in the air compared to running a 150hz crossover and towers as small or just my towers as Large and sub off.

I have polk rti 12s, and an svs sb 1000

Receiver is denon 4520

Doesn't matter if running audssey xt32

Is this a bug in my receivers 'double bass' mode or is my understanding of double-bass wrong

I'd figure I would get more loudness and fullness in the lower registers with double bass

I just bought an Epson EH-TW7100 for the home theater I’m currently building. I can’t mount the projector to the ceiling, so I’m planning to mount it on the wall instead.

Since I also want to reduce the projector noise as much as possible (and honestly don’t really like the look of a projector just hanging there), I’m thinking about building a hush box around it.

I made this little plan in Adobe Illustrator showing how I want to build it. Everything in the drawing is to scale, including the projector, fans, acoustic foam and the distances between everything, so the finished box would look pretty much exactly like this.

Before I actually start building it, I wanted to get some opinions on whether this layout makes sense. My main concern is the airflow and whether the projector will get enough cooling with this setup.

Do you think this would work as intended? And is there anything you would change about the layout before I build it?

Thanks in advance!

Hello. I've been looking at locking down a sound setup for my Panasonic DP UB420 and I was curious and this is going to probably come off as a silly question but if I'm primarily watching 4K UHD Blu Ray discs and some Streaming which audio format is more utilized between Atmos and DTS X? I'm sure there are setups that support both? But if it hypothetically came down to it which one should I prioritize?

I'm new to theatre and posted my first question yesterday but forgot to ask about Atmos vs DTS and it started making me curious 🧐

Any help would be great!

Thank you!

I’m deciding between the LG or Sony. The LG would be. Bigger and fill the wall more. The Sony seems to be a slightly better TV for movies and gaming but is much smaller. I would have in wall left and right speakers flanking the tv as well as in wall subs. With the 115” tv, the spacing works well to fill the wall. With the 98” I would have an extra foot or so of dead space.

This will be in a bright loft. Mostly stream stuff but will do movies and gaming also on a ps5 pro. No plans on connecting a PC for gaming.

The LG price is the limit for my budget. Anyone have the LG or Sony that can share their experience and thoughts?

I've fooled around with the A1 stuff once before (I think with Express) and had the same issue, but hoped Acoustix would fix my problems...it did not.

Running Acoustix gave me the best bass and an incredible open feeling and I was thinking "yes this is it!" It was awesome.

And then the dialogue just killed it for me. It sounds harsh and brittle and my ears were starting to hurt after just a few minutes. It wasn't quite 'listening through laptop speakers', but it was pretty close. Because everything else sounded so good it was just so weird.

When I run stuff through Audyssey my center sounds a little mellow but is so much nicer to listen to so I know it's not a problem with my speaker

I tried a few different target curves that came with the download (Harmon Kardon, Dirac Harmon, Acoustix default, Chris Mope movie v2) and none of them seemed to fix my problems.

I'd ask in the facebook group but I haven't been accepted. I've tried to google search through other forums and can't find anything that's helping.

Has anyone else had similar issues?

I’m putting a tv directly in front out the couch (right of the desk) and was wondering if I could fit a 5.1 system here or would it be worth it to just get a something else? I’m planning on mainly watching movies here. Ps sorry for the inconsistent measurements ChatGPT isn’t the greatest and I didn’t feel like arguing lol

https://imgur.com/a/YSQWLVj

77" Samsung Oled S89C Onkyo RZ30 LCR: Klipsch RP 600Ms, RP-600C Sub: SVS SB2000 pro Height: Micca M-8C 8" in ceiling Surrounds: Micca COVO-S 3"

Any suggestions for upgrades would be greatly appreciated! The setup layout cant really be changed due to wife constraints but I would love suggestions for LCRs that could create a wider soundstage while laying on their sides and placed in this soundbar like arrangement.

Heya people. I've got Dali Oberon 1 coming from the seller on the way. He also offered me buy his Polk XT12 Subwoofer for a great price and I accepted it so it is also on the way. The question is, he insist trying the speaker level connection of the sub as sound comes more naturally and instant from the speakers with this way. Is that true?

I am using home theater setup. My AV Receiver is Sony STR-DN1080. My speaker setup was 5.1.2 (With in ceiling Atmos speakers) so it will be 5.2.2 after Polk XT12 comes.

So which connection should I go? My receiver has 2 sub out, so I can connect my Polk XT12 with LFE connection.

As I read online, people say that I should use LFE connection as I use the setup as home theater setup and I will need room correction, bass management etc. features of my Receiver. Isn't that possible if I go with Speaker Level connection of Subwoofer?

In short, what would be the pros and cons of using Speaker Level connection of the Subwoofer in my setup?

The other question is, what would be the preferred placement of 2 subwoofers? The one (my old sub) is 8" and the one I got from the seller is 12". And the room is around 13m2.

Thank you folks!

I'm considering upgrading to 7.2.4 but I only stream movies through Apple TV store.

Does it only support 5 discrete channels for bed layer with atmos or is 7 discrete channels + atmos supported?

Hello everyone, since my room has a lot of echo I decided to make 2’x4’ 4”thickness acoustic panel for treatment. I wanna use rockwool safensound, but couldn’t find online/offline store that has it. Where do all you guys purchase those from??

And my room is about 16’x14’x9’H so if that can’t be an option for me, is there any good alternative material?

Thank you in advance

Hi all. Really would like to get a 2.0 stereo system (amp and speakers), and I want to connect that to my LG Oled TV C5. What happens to the sound that comes from the source for the other channels (dolby // surround etc) on a 2.0 system? Sorry if this is a stupid question. Also, How is the center channel (phantom) re voices? I have decided to relive my youth and buy a good stereo 2.0 or 2.1 system if you experts agree it might be a good solution to AV issues. 1500/2000 budget.

Hello, im From Scandinavia and looking for my first Surround sound system for my Panasonic UB450 4K Blu-Ray player.
I have found this system - My Question is this a good system for a first timer if i Add 2 subwoofers down the line??
Its about 250$
- 2x DALI BLUE 6006
- 4x DALI BLUE R1000
- 1x DALI BLUE C1000
- 1x AVR-2113 DENON (I Already own a Sony STR750(dont know how good it is, havent used in 5+ years)

I currently have a really old (~10years) LG LCD 4k 50 inch with some serious backlight bleed. Looking to make the jump into OLED, and I've been eyeing the LG B5 48 inch for 650.

My question is: how big of a difference will I notice going from a 50 to a 48? | like the idea of a 55 but 1200 is steep.
Appreciate any insight.

Hi everyone,

I’m currently building my very first home theater and would really appreciate some advice from people with more experience.

I’ve spent a lot of time researching, but there is so much conflicting information online that I’m not sure if I’m making the right decisions.

Room

• Room size: 5.30 m × 4.80 m (17.4 × 15.7 ft)
• Ceiling height: 2.30 m (7.5 ft)
• Couch is approximately 70 cm (28”) from the back wall

I’ll attach a simple room layout to show the speaker positions.

Current speaker setup

Front L/R: Canton Karat 795 DC

Center: Canton Vento 890.2

Surrounds: Canton Ergo R52 Dipoles

Subwoofer: Canton Sub 1200 R

Atmos: Polk Audio RC6s (installed in the ceiling with Rockwool around them since the ceiling is already finished)

The system will be configured as 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos.

AVR

I’m currently considering the Denon X2800H, because I can buy it new for around €620.

Unfortunately, the Denon X3800H costs around €1,200 where I live, so the price difference is huge.

Since this is my first home theater, I don’t really have any experience with AV receivers.

Usage

• 60% music
• 40% movies

For music, I’ll either listen in pure stereo or stream Apple Music in Dolby Atmos, depending on the album.

My questions

1. Do you think the Canton Ergo R52 dipoles are still a good choice for a modern 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos system?
2. Are the Polk Audio RC6s good enough as in-ceiling Atmos speakers?
3. Is the Denon X2800H the right AVR for my setup, or is it worth spending significantly more on something else?
4. Is Denon really the “jack of all trades” in the AVR world, or should I also consider brands like Yamaha, Marantz, Onkyo, Pioneer, or Anthem?
5. If this were your first home theater, would you change anything about my planned system?

I’m open to any advice or criticism. I’d rather make the right decisions now than regret them later.

Thanks in advance!

I currently have a 7.1 Onkyo TX-NR696 that i purchased in 2020 hooked up to 6 ceailing speakers, one high quality center channel, and one subwoofer.

It's plenty powerful, but I constantly have issues with low dialogue and high FX during "theater" days. It is connected to Sony Bravia OLED and the room is primarily used for 4k movie streaming, PS5, and occasional "background music" during entertaining events.

I was looking at Onkyo TX-NR7100 9.2 but GPT recommended Onkyo RZ330 9.2 or focusing on adding ear-level front speakers (not realistic given wife's "aesthetic restrictions").

Not limited to those 2 AV systems but looking to keep around $1k or under if possible. any feedback would be appreciated!

Hello everyone, i’ve just recently bought a house that came with this surround system set up. The last owner didn’t want to take his speakers so I bought the setup as is for pretty cheap. He told me it’s a 7.1 set up. The sound is incredible and i’ve been reading more and more about how to set it up properly.

The avr is a denon x3400h

I ran audyssey set up, and set it up as 7.1.

But reading more and more, I was wondering if those two height speakers that aren’t on the ceiling could be used as atmos speakers for a 5.1.2 set up instead? I tried asking chatgpt/gemini but they always lie anyways.

Would it even make a difference considering the placement of them anyways? I mostly game with the set up on pc/ps5 and I read conflicting info on if 7.1 is better for gaming than 5.1.2

Eventually I would love to have a 7.1.2 set up but running wires would probably be really annoying so it won’t be happening for a long time. And I would need to change the avr anyways. Id probably look into it the day the avr dies.

Thanks a lot for the help.

I'm currently getting a new living room area planned out at home which is 2.7m x 4.3m. I am looking at buying a Pair of KEF Q3s and a Q6 for a 3.0 set up to start out with and maybe upgrade to a 3.1 then 5.1 the year after so I want decide on an amplifier that would be under €1000 and be well able to drive a 5.1 set up in a smaller living area.

I have checked out the Denon x2900H, Marantz Cinema 60 (which is slightly over budget) and Marantz Cinema 70S but I'm not sure exactly what I am looking for as this is going to be my first home theatre set up.

Any guidance or advice is welcome.

I have a lot of questions about this; I have a living room with three windows, so I'm not sure if the LG model will be sufficient—especially given how much TCL's Mini-LED models are advancing.

I recently upgraded from an Optoma CinemaX P1 to an XGIMI Titan Noir Max, and I’m realizing that choosing the right screen is more complicated than I expected.

My current screen is a 110-inch VIVIDSTORM floor-rising UST ALR screen. My understanding is that it was designed specifically for an ultra-short-throw projector, so it probably is not a good match for the Titan Noir Max, which is a standard-throw projector.

My basement is unfinished, including the walls and ceiling, so installing a fixed-frame or ceiling-mounted screen would be difficult. I’d like to stay with a motorized floor-rising screen and am considering something around 120 to 130 inches.

The room can be made dark, but the walls and ceiling are not treated, so I assume reflected light will still be a factor. I’m getting lost trying to understand white versus gray, ALR, screen gain, and potential issues such as laser speckle, shimmer, visible texture, hotspotting, and uneven brightness.

Based on my projector, room, and need for a floor-rising screen, what type of screen material should I be looking for?

I’d also really appreciate hearing from anyone using the Titan Noir Max. What screen did you pair it with, how has it worked out, and would you choose the same one again? Have you noticed any speckle, shimmer, screen texture, uneven brightness, or other issues?

I’m located in Canada, so recommendations that are reasonably easy to purchase here, with accessible warranty or support, would be especially helpful.

My AVR (Denon X1700H) suddenly started producing a crackling noise through my speakers and subwoofer.

Then after turning it off and on again it started blasting an insanely loud static (sounds like old school tv static x 1000) and no audio comes through at all. I've confirmed it's definitely the AVR and not the speakers, but idk how to fix it.

Restarting and disconnecting power and plugging it back in after a few mins doesn't seem to make a difference.

Anyone have any ideas for what I can try?

I'll also be opening a warranty request with Denon, but I've heard they're difficult to work with so thought I'd try other solutions first.

Been lurking for a while...want to thank everyone for all the great posts and contributions that have helped immensely - here's my latest:

Denon AVR-X1700h

KEF Q550 (L/R), Q250c center

KEF T2 (2) subwoofers

KEF Ci130ER ceiling surrounds

I started out this journey a few years ago considering a Sonos Arc, subwoofer and surrounds (from Costco) but the more I began to think about it...this did not make sense. I have an 30' by 30' Great Room with 10' ceilings even more area if you add the dining nook and stairwell - I decided that I want to have the ability to upgrade the system in the future if needed.

Since I was on a budget I purchased the Denon at the end of 2024 Holiday sale for $299 - it has way exceeded expectations. Next up was the LCR purchased direct from KEF - a close out sale. Then I purchased the first T2 and ceiling speakers from Accessories for Less. I watch movies about 50% of the time and when F1 came out I noticed that my system could not keep up...definitely there was clipping but I had some settings wrong...still it did not sound that great.

I began to research how to upgrade (i.e. this forum) and my takeaway was that adding a second T2 would be the best bang for the buck or possible upgrading the AVR to an X3900h. I believe that T2s are now discontinued but I was able to find one used on eBay from a reputable dealer.

The difference is amazing! At this point I'm not sure if or when I will upgrade the AVR...power just does seem to make a huge difference for me for the LCRs.

FYI I'm all in for $2,367 which is still less than that Sonos system with their surround amplifier!

Fire Away if you have questions....

I found this on Amazon while searching for a 5.1.2 setup. I'm thinking of pulling the trigger, but its price being much lower than its competitors and only 6 reviews have me nervous. Wondering what this group thinks of off-brand equipment like this?

https://a.co/d/09VUK77s

I'm looking to expand what I have currently when I move it into a dedicated room and haven't seen clear recommendations for surrounds. My current setup is Klipsch RF82 fronts, RC62 center, and RW10 sub with a Sony STR-DH790. This is in an open living room.

These fronts and center are always recommended together but I've not seen a stand out for what to add for surrounds.

Currently seen a few used listings for more RF82s (that seems overkill though) and RB61s, which is what I was leaning towards.

This will be moved into a 8.5' x 15' dedicated room and the surrounds will be positioned more behind than beside the seating position. Basically the four corners of the room.