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Have a better suggestion for HT audio?

I'm building a relatively modest HT system in my family room, so size and WAF are big factors in my choices.  My sonic preferences run toward neutral, but my biggest must have is a center channel that's not much higher than 7" tall and that has the juice to believably produce heft, especially in the lower mids (think being able to credibly and accurately portray Darth Vader's voice).  Also needs to have good dispersion so people around the room largely hear the same quality center sound.  Second priority is tight and impactful bass that will let me feel the rumble of effects in my chest at least to some degree, although room shaking bass is not a requirement, and size is definitely a limiting factor here.  Third priority is a relatively seamless sound across the front 3 speakers.  Room is 23' x 13.5' with 8' ceilings and has open archways to other rooms on two walls.  Budget is roughly $2000 new or used (already have TV).  I'm mostly a 2-channel guy but dabble in HT, so would be interested in your recommendations here.  This is what I'm currently thinking of going with.  I'm fairly certain I'll be happy with this setup from a sonic, size, and WAF standpoint, but if you guys have better suggestions given my priorities I'm all ears.  Thanks in advance. 

Front L/R/C
Aperion Intimus 5C and 4T -- strong bias to center with tweeter mounted above mid or mid woof.  Prefer small and thin floorstanders to monitors due to little ones running around and very limited space. 

Surrounds
Gallo Nucleus -- due to WAF cannot have small rectangular boxes hanging in back corners of the room.  Little white balls might go over better.  Trying to avoid in ceiling but may go that route so options welcome.  Would probably just go with Intimus in ceilings if I do that. 

Sub
SVS SB1000 -- a 13" cube is about all I can cram into our spot (hence the sealed box design), but may stretch to SB2000 if added bass foundation would meaningfully up the HT experience. 

AVR
Yamaha RXV479 -- this pretty much has all the features, reliability, and sound quality I'm currently looking for, but might stretch to RXV679 if it's significantly more future proof and/or offers some useful features I might be overlooking.  Particularly I'm thinking about it having 3 HDMI 2.2 inputs with the 679 instead of only 1 as in the 479, although not sure if I need more than 1 if I'm not planning on doing Blu Ray. 

Sorry for for the long post but just wanted to give you guys all the pertinent info to work with.  Looking forward to your thoughts and recommendations. 



soix
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 
Your surrounds should match the fronts, and the perfect match would be another pair just like the fronts. Since you can’t do that, you should at least use something from the same company, like in ceiling, as you suggested.

http://www.soundandvision.com/content/matching-front-and-surround-speakers

Looking at the Aperion speakers, they appear to need more power than the Yamaha will provide. The 5C recommended power is 50-150. Now I know some of the published specs for the Yamaha seem OK, however those list only 2 channels driven, or even 1 channel. Look at this test for an older "4" series Yamaha. It doesn’t have the latest features or digital capabilities, but the amplifier section has the same ratings, and will be basically the same as the 479.

http://www.soundandvision.com/content/yamaha-rx-v475-av-receiver-ht-labs-measures

With only 2 channels driven, it does measure at least to the given spec of 80w/ch, however with all 5 channels driven, it only measures 23.6w/ch. This is typical of A/V receivers in this price range, so another brand will not be much different. Unless you plan to step up to a much more powerful receiver, even above the 679, I suggest using a speaker system with higher sensitivity that will be easier to drive. The sound will be much more dynamic, and HT without dynamics is just TV sound. This system should work well with the 479.

http://www.klipsch.com/products/reference-premiere-floorstanding-speakers#rp-250f

http://www.klipsch.com/products/reference-premiere-center-speakers#rp-250c

http://www.klipsch.com/products/reference-in-ceiling-speakers#r-1650-c

As far as juice in the center channel, the 5C would require approximately 10 times more power than the Klipsch to produce the same sound due to the difference in sensitivity.
 
And yes, if your budget will stretch to the better subwoofer, then do so.



soix OP
9,651 posts
 
Very good points tls.  I'll need to look into this further.  One question is if all channels not being driven as hard (i.e. rear channels) would that provide more headroom to the front channels?  Also noticed 4Ts are a bit more sensitive than the 5C and min. power requirement drops to 25W I assume because the 4Ts are ported and the 5C is a sealed design.  So I find myself wondering if with the relatively lower loads on the L/R and surrounds if there would then be enough power to then run the 5C adequately.  Not sure there's an easy answer to this, but doesn't seem like an optimal situation regardless.  Might toss this question out to Aperion.
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

Soix, true that rear channels are not as demanding as front, but I think that is irrelevant here. The output of that 475 dropped significantly when put under a load, so any load, even with just 2 speakers, could cause the same issue.

I am retired now, but worked in the audio industry, with experience in numerous areas, one being the design and supervising the install of HT, and actually using Yamaha and others. I don't think the Yamaha's are any better or worse than others in this price range. No entry level receiver ever did well with floorstanding speakers, not enough amplifier. I can't seem to find something I read earlier, but the 4T was described as a not so dynamic speaker like some other floorstanders, and had dynamics more like a monitor. This would also make me question trying to drive them with the 479, especially using the 5C as the center. Sure, talk to Aperion, however keep in mind they are not going to say anything that would lessen the chances for you to purchase their speakers.

The Aperion speakers seem to get decent reviews, but I don't see the 479 being able to extract the performance from them, like trying to run a Tundra pickup with a 4 cylinder Corolla engine. I'm sure the combination would sound fine on elevator music, but for HT with dynamics it would fall short.

Again, if you want the system to sound like a dynamic HT, you'll need much better power for the Aperion's, or speakers like I have suggested for the 479.


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