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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
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!
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

Sam, yes, use the 8 ohm setting in your 659 for the B&W's. Also, as you look for 601's, try to get the DM601 S2, and definitely stay away from the original 601, as it did not have the Nautilus tweeter tube like yours. At the time I was selling these, we primarily used B&W subwoofers with them, but there are many good subs available today. Do you have a budget for one?

As far as mounts and stands, sorry, don't have a recommendation, but there is so much available if you do a google search. Again, just make sure any ceiling mount has the adequate weight limit for the speaker, and attach securely to the ceiling joist.
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?
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

Sam, the Hsu Research VTF-2 MK4 looks like a good choice in your price range, and yes, the DM601 S2 would be the best for the rear to achieve a perfect match to the front. The S3 would be a better choice than the original 601, however it is still different from the S2.
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
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