Some amplifier questions

Wemfan,

I agree with Finsup: you may find you don't need a sub once you have it up n running and listen for a few days. You may want one since the LS50s only reproduce bass down to 47hz. I'd wait to make sure, though, since it may save you a punch in the face from your neighbor.

The possible need for a sub was the only downside I could think of when using the LS50s. If you do decide you need one, just make sure you get one with a built-in amplifier, which most come with, anyway. Once you decide on a center speaker, the A31's 3-channels will all be spoken for.

I know you received my post info on the stands after you had already bought the Sound Anchors. My recent replies have been slow to post for some reason.

In any case, you made a good choice with the Sound Anchor stands; I think they'll perform well. It's just that the Argosy stands may be just as good for a much better price.

I'm looking forward to the results since they should be very good.

I read you may be constructing some more systems in the future. If this one meets your expectations, I will be available if you'd like, at my usual fee.

Enjoy,
Tim

All the better if I don't need a sub. i really don't want to clutter up the room any more than i have to, not to mention the expense. I think I have decided on the R-600 as the center. It will take a month to get my stands so I will order it a little while later but everything else is on the way.

Your post didn't appear until after I had already ordered the stands and I really don't like canceling out on somebody. A deal is a deal and the guy was nice and spent a half hour trying to make sure I was getting what I needed. If it was a big chain store I would have considered canceling but not on a small business guy. I have had my posts appear slow too. I wish I had seen yours earlier.

How about cables? What should I do there?

I do have several more pieces to acquire and I do want your help. Your usual fee fits perfectly into my budget. :-)

Thanks, Bill

Wemfan,

As Tim wrote, if you are going to get a sub, get a self-powered one. Whether you get one or not may have something to do with the neighbors. Whether you need one depends on your listening habits and what you are expecting out of the system.

I know I am beating dead horse here. Tim thinks this is an HT system. It probably is but you have not actually stated exactly that in your thread. If it is TV and maybe a little music (for now), I would just stick with the speakers.

Every speaker involves compromises. Your speaker placement positioning is a little limited. I don't quite agree with Tim that all speakers are placement sensitive. Some speakers can be put up against a wall while others need from several inches to several feet behind them to the front wall to sound good.

Finding the speaker's balance - that is the place where the bass is not over-emphasized or muddy, or where it doesn't sound thin and the image is too diffuse will require some time on your part to find that balance.

Since you are using stand-mount speakers, one challenge you will face if you use a sub is to integrate with the speakers. Therefore, try working on speaker placement first. Once you get them dialed in as best you can, then see if you need a sub.

Besides, you write that this is one of three rooms you are going to be working on and you can direct some of your funds there. Maybe one of the other rooms will be more suitable for an HT environment where a sub is essential in my view.

I have not set up a bedroom system so I don't have any experience with trying to deal with a large piece of furniture such as a bed in a 16'x14' room. Hopefully others who have done so will chime in.

I'm thinking about the sub question a little more. SVS has a cylinder subwoofer, the PC12-NSD. Other than having a small footprint, which I would consider important in Wemfan's room, would using a cylindrical sub have any superior advantages over the typical box sub in Wemfan's room?

Finsup,

I think I will wait until I get it all together before I ad a sub. I don't know what size I would need but I did look at JL Audio Fantom series and they look good to me. A cylinder sub also sounds like a great option. i have never heard of one before but space is always a concern. As far as placement goes there won't be too much room to adjust. They will go pretty much where they go. My closest neighbor is 300 yards away so I won't be bothering anybody no matter what I do.

I rarely watch a movie but I do watch a good amount of television and as good as this thing should sound my music listening should go way up in this room. I actually have three more rooms to work on.

1. Our master if I can talk my wife into it.
2. The living room
3. The studio

I have a studio where I mess with my music and I have some audio gear out there that I am updating so I have lots to do over some time.

The Parasound amplifier arrived today and I also just ordered the KEF R-600 center so I have everything ordered and on the way except for a sub but I will take your and Tim's advice and wait.

As always, I really appreciate the input.