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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

Showing 5 responses by samah

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
samah OP
7 posts
 

Tls49, thank you for spending the time to respond.

Your knowledge of the RX-V659 is very helpful and confirming… it is a great AV receiver!

Given that you have heard the DM601’s powered by the Yammie, I am much more inclined to go with B&W over HSU or Pioneer (as I take it you have not heard the 659 with either of them). Thanks also for the setup tip (set the 659 to “small” in the menu once a subwoofer is added). I assume you would also recommend setting the 601's up with 8 ohms?

So now I am on the lookout for a used pair of 601’s and a CC6 for the rear!

All I will need then is a subwoofer – and I would greatly value your ideas of what brand and model sub might fit in well with this system. Again, I’m ready to buy used.

Any good sources for ceiling mounts, stands and stereo cabinets, would be welcome as well!
samah OP
7 posts
 
I'd like to spend no more than $400 or $600 on the sub. I'm not looking to rattle the house - just fill out the cinematic experience.

Curious, do you recommend the S2 over the S3 as well, or are you just recommending the DM601 S2 to match the ones I own?
samah OP
7 posts
 
Tls49,

What do you think about Hsu's VTF-1 MK2, might it also mate well with the B&W 601 S2's?

Also, separate question, have you actually heard the HB-1 MK2 or have you just heard good things about these monitors? I'm interested because I'd rather take your advice on a speaker you have actually heard play. Also, did you ever hear the B&W 601 S3's with the RX-V659?

Thanks so much for your help!

- Sam
samah OP
7 posts
 

You are right.

The HSU series has received excellent reviews. As soon as I started researching the VTF-2 MK4, I became sold on the whole package. I'm now strongly considering:

1 x VTF-2 MK4, sub
1 x HC-1 Mk2, center
2 x HB-1 Mk2, front L/R
3 x HIW-1), in-ceiling surround and rear

In fact, I've listed the B&W for sale.

Thanks for your great advice!

- Sam
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