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Front Stage Advise

Hello all, brand new to the community and in need of some advise about a front stage from our home’s dedicated home theater.
About me, been out of the component audio game for a long time and after several months of research I feel I have learned a great deal, but all of the information has created more confusion for me. Especially on amps.

I am looking for advise on a front stage that will give the theater room (18’W x 22’L x 10’ H) a great experience. There are nine dedicated theater seats situated in two rows.

I would really like to know your preferences for the speakers and amp/s that would make a great front stage. Right now my budget for this portion of the project is around 10-12k.
Thanks in advance for all recommendations and responses.
128x128logdog
soix
9,456 posts
 
The Anthem MRX-1120 is a receiver so it does all amplification as well as all the signal processing in one box, and given that it worked well in the review mentioned previously it may well be all you need.  If you want to go the separate amp route I’d still recommend going with the MRX-1120 and use it to power the surround speakers and a d-sonic M3a-1200-3 three-channel amplifier ($2175) for the more critical front three speakers.  But, frankly, I think you’ll be thrilled with just the 1120, and you can always add a separate amp later if you still feel the need.  Hope this helps. 
logdog's avatar
logdog OP
4 posts
 
Cheers soix3,
Thanks for all your help!
elliottbnewcombjr
5,375 posts
 
I'll try saying it differently.

home theater is complicated, especially when using HT in 2 channel stereo mode (both 2 channel video and 2 channel music only).

Surround sound (recorded/streamed/reproduced right) is terrific. However, much streaming video sounds better in 2 channel mode. Learn how to over-ride the decoder when something is not great, to select/listen to 2 channel, stay or back to surround (you will be surprised). Knowing this, more frequent use of 2 channel mode, influences your selection of front l/r mains.
.......................................

2 Channel Video, or 2 channel stereo, center speaker is OFF
MUSIC: Dedicated listening spot needs a narrower center image
VIDEO: needs to create a WIDE center image, i.e. 3 people on a couch.
Thus, choose front l/r mains, and position them accordingly. 
............................................

Center speaker HEIGHT. Any surround mode: center channel is definitely needed, and it's height location is very important to connect the dialog to the image. I find just below the image most successful with my small HT 55" monitor. Other's can discuss their solutions for very large screens to get the dialog height correct. 

.........................

SUB(s) can be great, 

CROSSOVER where? in AVR; in SUB; Separate component?
Always ON, or Sometimes OFF, depends on connection method.
Thus, choose your mains' bass capabilities accordingly.

ONE SUB, omni-directional, position anywhere that works
TWO SUBS, directional, near front l/r, preserve imaging i.e. Bass Player's location, dinosaur coming from which side?

simple, right?

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