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Recommend 2.1 AV setup
This thread has 14 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Thursday November 29, 2018 at 13:45
Edenlights
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Looking to upgrade main av listening system.

While I have long hoped for building a dedicated room, I have realized it's not going to happen. So I am looking for a main living room setup. Room is 13x24 with tv area on one side and sitting area on the other. I am looking for a 2.1 channel focused av solution that retains a Sonos zone capabilities.

We Rarely watch movies, but love live concerts, musical shows, appletv, and Tidal. Direct TV system.

In room speakers are out of the question. Currently running Sonos playbar with those sources. Things that I have considered are.

1. New Sonos amp, inwalls, and amp. Direct TV remote and
Sonos app. New Display with HDMI arc.

2. One of the new Sonos controlled HDMI 2 channel receivers with a connect, Pioneer and Onyko have one I believe. Inwall speakers with sub. Not sure how switching back and fourth would go.

3. Speaker switch with two different systems, Sonos amp and Av system.

4. Standard AV system on TV and install a Sonos zone with inceiling speakers in the sitting area.

Of course system 1 would be easy but SQ is unknown at this point.

System 2 would probably have ease of use and good SQ.

Budget is around 2k for speakers, 1k for receiver and or amp, give or take about a grand.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and or comments.
Eddie
Post 2 made on Thursday November 29, 2018 at 14:08
buzz
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If you want 2.1, then AMP is out of the question because it does not support a center channel.

Really, if you are not a movie buff, two channel will be fine and AMP would be appropriate.

That said, if the L-R speakers are close to the TV and image reasonably well, center channel is redundant and AMP's for front and surround is appropriate. If you add SUB in your size room, you can easily run levels that match IMAX theaters. Note that SUB can be aggressive and you may discover things inside the walls that make noise. I had to subdue a few windows after installing SUB.
Post 3 made on Thursday November 29, 2018 at 14:33
oprahthehutt.
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[Link: paradigm.com]

Sonos Connect into AVR of your choice. I would go Anthem MRX3xx series.

Then add a Sub.

[Link: paradigm.com]
Post 4 made on Thursday November 29, 2018 at 15:11
Neurorad
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'in-room speakers out of the question' - looking for an in-wall subwoofer? Free-standing sw, tucked back behind the couch, in a corner, should work fine.

I guess you're looking for the best L-R on-walls, or in-walls, for your budget?

Any lines you can get access to? Somebody here could sell you something, I'm sure, if you ask.
TB A+ Partner
Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. -Buddha
Post 5 made on Thursday November 29, 2018 at 15:40
Ernie Gilman
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On November 29, 2018 at 14:08, buzz said...
If you want 2.1, then AMP is out of the question because it does not support a center channel.

2.1 is left, right and sub. Why is center an issue? Is it because a downmix is needed?
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 6 made on Thursday November 29, 2018 at 16:02
Mac Burks (39)
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With option 2 your sonos experience will be seamless (according to the manufacturers marketing department). Selecting the room with sonos will turn the receiver on, select the input and control volume. As far as i can tell your video sources will still require you to use multiple remotes or a programmable remote.

Option 2 also gives you the typical "media room" topology (SOURCE/AVR/TV) so if the sonos feature isnt reliable you could turn the AVR on with a universal remote and then use the sonos app to control the connect. This is what you would have to do with any "regular" receiver.
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Post 7 made on Thursday November 29, 2018 at 16:49
SB Smarthomes
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My recommendation would be the new Sonos AMP with a pair of in-wall speakers and Sonos sub.

I've been a beta tester for the Sonos AMP, so have had one at home for 3-4 months and have been really impressed with it.

If you don't want to upgrade the TV right now for ARC, you can connect the Sonos AMP to your existing TV using an inexpensive HDMI > digital optical converter that would connect the AMP to your TV the same way you're connecting the existing Playbar.

Operation would be the same as what you have now, but you'd have much better audio quality with the AMP/inwall speakers + Sonos sub.
www.sbsmarthomes.com
Santa Barbara Smarthomes
Post 8 made on Thursday November 29, 2018 at 18:52
Brad Humphrey
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On November 29, 2018 at 16:49, SB Smarthomes said...
My recommendation would be the new Sonos AMP with a pair of in-wall speakers and Sonos sub.

I've been a beta tester for the Sonos AMP, so have had one at home for 3-4 months and have been really impressed with it.

If you don't want to upgrade the TV right now for ARC, you can connect the Sonos AMP to your existing TV using an inexpensive HDMI > digital optical converter that would connect the AMP to your TV the same way you're connecting the existing Playbar.

Operation would be the same as what you have now, but you'd have much better audio quality with the AMP/inwall speakers + Sonos sub.

+1 for this setup.
Post 9 made on Thursday November 29, 2018 at 19:44
imt
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On November 29, 2018 at 16:49, SB Smarthomes said...
My recommendation would be the new Sonos AMP with a pair of in-wall speakers and Sonos sub.

I've been a beta tester for the Sonos AMP, so have had one at home for 3-4 months and have been really impressed with it.

If you don't want to upgrade the TV right now for ARC, you can connect the Sonos AMP to your existing TV using an inexpensive HDMI > digital optical converter that would connect the AMP to your TV the same way you're connecting the existing Playbar.

Operation would be the same as what you have now, but you'd have much better audio quality with the AMP/inwall speakers + Sonos sub.

+2
Post 10 made on Thursday November 29, 2018 at 20:06
buzz
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On November 29, 2018 at 15:40, Ernie Gilman said...
2.1 is left, right and sub. Why is center an issue? Is it because a downmix is needed?

That’s what I get for reading too fast. I read it as “3.1” because this is how most of these discussions unfold. Of course PLAYBAR + SUB is 3.1.
OP | Post 11 made on Thursday November 29, 2018 at 20:13
Edenlights
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Thanks for the responses. I am wanting a 2 channel setup and in-room sub. I currently have a sonos sub paired with the playbar.

SB Smarthomes, do you feel that the Sonos Amp would compete with say the Onkyo TX-8270 mentioned in my Option 2?

My next question is what would be the in-wall speaker recommendation in that say under $2500 for the pair price range? Do you like back boxed speakers or no? A bedroom is on the other side, but there is a closet between the rooms which does mitigate some sound from going into that room. Are 2k speakers/pair a waste with a SONOS amp? This is my listening room unfortunately and I have to work with it or just keep rolling with the playbar.

If anybody wants to reach out with a sale, I am open to that. The only remaining dealer in this Music town has Revel, B&W, and Klipsch. I have been shopping there for 34 years, but my salesman didn't seem excited with sonos amp, inwalls, and maybe a display. Maybe he was in a food coma from Turkey Day.

Thanks again
Eddie
OP | Post 12 made on Thursday November 29, 2018 at 20:21
Edenlights
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I have pictures of the room if someone can update me on that task? :)
Eddie
OP | Post 13 made on Thursday November 29, 2018 at 20:23
Edenlights
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I am still considering this option Burks, thanks for the reply.

On November 29, 2018 at 16:02, Mac Burks (39) said...
With option 2 your sonos experience will be seamless (according to the manufacturers marketing department). Selecting the room with sonos will turn the receiver on, select the input and control volume. As far as i can tell your video sources will still require you to use multiple remotes or a programmable remote.

Option 2 also gives you the typical "media room" topology (SOURCE/AVR/TV) so if the sonos feature isnt reliable you could turn the AVR on with a universal remote and then use the sonos app to control the connect. This is what you would have to do with any "regular" receiver.
Eddie
Post 14 made on Thursday November 29, 2018 at 23:18
SB Smarthomes
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On November 29, 2018 at 20:13, Edenlights said...
Thanks for the responses. I am wanting a 2 channel setup and in-room sub. I currently have a sonos sub paired with the playbar.

SB Smarthomes, do you feel that the Sonos Amp would compete with say the Onkyo TX-8270 mentioned in my Option 2?

My next question is what would be the in-wall speaker recommendation in that say under $2500 for the pair price range? Do you like back boxed speakers or no? A bedroom is on the other side, but there is a closet between the rooms which does mitigate some sound from going into that room. Are 2k speakers/pair a waste with a SONOS amp? This is my listening room unfortunately and I have to work with it or just keep rolling with the playbar.

If anybody wants to reach out with a sale, I am open to that. The only remaining dealer in this Music town has Revel, B&W, and Klipsch. I have been shopping there for 34 years, but my salesman didn't seem excited with sonos amp, inwalls, and maybe a display. Maybe he was in a food coma from Turkey Day.

Thanks again

The quality of the amps and converters in the new Sonos AMP are really top notch. I'm not familiar with the Onkyo you mentioned, but I expect the AMP would sound better.

The Sonos AMP uses Class D (DDFA) amps with 125w (8ohm) and 250w (4ohm) per channel and was said to have a s/n ratio of 116dB.

Sonos has been doing their demos with a pair of large floor standing B&W speakers and I've been doing most of my beta testing using a pair of Krell Resolution 3 which are a 2-way bookshelf speaker that had a list price of around $4k.

There's so many in-wall speakers to choose from that it's really difficult to make a recommendation... try to listen to what you can locally.  If the shop is a Sonos dealer maybe you can convince them to connect the speakers to the Sonos AMP so you can audition both together.
www.sbsmarthomes.com
Santa Barbara Smarthomes
Post 15 made on Friday November 30, 2018 at 01:18
buzz
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On November 29, 2018 at 20:13, Edenlights said...
but my salesman didn't seem excited with sonos amp, inwalls, and maybe a display.

Has he actually listened to AMP with a decent pair of speakers? AMP is a decient piece, not just a warmed over CONNECT:AMP.

Yes, in-walls with a back box are a good idea because the "enclosure" volume can be controlled. If you use SUB, you don't need huge in-walls.

Finally, you will have a certain amount of sound "leakage" into the bedroom behind. If this is your bedroom and you will be watching TV or sleeping, this is not a big deal, otherwise you'll need to jump through some isolation hoops. A reasonably effective approach would be to add a layer of drywall to either side of the current bedroom wall, construct a new wall on the livingroom side that does not touch the original wall, then mount your speakers in the new wall, filling the space between the walls with insulation. (trying not to touch the old wall) Not quite as effective would be to line the stud space containing the in-walls with some sound deadening sheets. (if you have enough space behind the speakers)


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