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Sad but true – budget HT 10 years in making


While I realize you generally get the home theater you pay for, I also subscribe to the notion there are occasional outliers on this exponential curve of diminishing returns – and occasionally the right combination of equipment (used and new) punches well above its weight.

It was with this premise that I purchased a Yamaha RX-V659 receiver about six years ago - my decision based largely on this excellent review:

http://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/yamaha-rx-v659

I’ve moved into a house where I can now set up my first proper home theater – in a raised basement with 7’4” ceilings, wood floors, brick rear, and sheetrock front and side walls. This room will only be used for watching HDTV and movies (mostly streamed with very infrequent Blue-ray). The 20’ by 15’room is wired for 6.1 sound, with in-ceiling or ceiling-mounted surround and rear speakers, and front or rear sub.

The speakers I currently own (but are not married to) include B&W DM CCS2 (specifications: http://bwgroupsupport.com/downloads/specsheets/bw/CC6%20S2%20InfoSheet.pdf) center and DM 601S2 surrounds (specifications: http://bwgroupsupport.com/downloads/specsheets/bw/DM601%20S2%20InfoSheet.pdf). These would be mounted up front in/on stereo cabinet and stands (yet to be purchased).

I am now looking for L/R surrounds, a rear speaker (all three to be mounted in or on the ceiling) and a floor subwoofer. I’m ready to buy used and would like to keep overall expenses between $900 and $1,500 - but could go up to $1,900 if I sold the B&W’s.

Since I can’t afford to be ignorant, I’m asking for help to make some very smart speaker decisions!!

Truly,


Sam
samah
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
If you like the sound of your current B&Ws, it would make the most sense to remain within that product line. This will provide you with timbre-matching and a much more seamless soundfield. And those characteristics are VERY important for the best sound quality.

Folks who mix and match speakers in a multi-channel system are cheating themselves of the opportunity to have a truly immersive multi-channel experience...

-RW-
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,337 posts
 
Did you audition Pioneer's Andre Jones designed SP-BS22-LR for the L/R surround? For the "one rear" speaker you can go with the center channel speaker in the same series. Do you HAVE to spend $900-$1500? As RW mentioned above, if you are happy with the current sound, then stick with B&W. The Pioneers will let you splurge in the subwoofer. I see a lot of subwoofers in the Audiogon used section.
Nothing to be sad about. Cheerup and watch a nice movie :-)
goheelz's avatar
goheelz
292 posts
 
Have a look at Hsu Research subwoofers. Excellent value.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
If you are going to use B&W, you may want to pick a different amp. Your Yamaha will work but it may have trouble driving the speakers to their full potential. If you go in under powered, your system will never sound right.
samah OP
7 posts
 
This is so helpful!

What I am hearing is that I should avoid mixing speakers in a multi-channel system - and therefore, because I am not particularly enamored of my B&W's, I could sell them and go with Pioneer's Andre Jones designed SP-BS22-LR all around - four monitors and two centers at a cost of $720.

I couple of further questions:

Is it important to also match the subwoofer or could I mix in anything with the Pioneer's (like one from Hsu Research)?

Also, is it possible to mount the surrounds and rear speakers to the ceiling? I guess the front center and L/R would go on a stereo cabinet or stands (which I have not yet purchased).

Thanks for your help everyone!

- Sam
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