recently, i'm planning to move in to my new house and plan to setup home theater over my small living room.

the measurement is 14 ft x 16 ft

there are few question since this is my first time doing this

a - will it be good idea if i mount all speaker on wall mount above head level except for the front 3 speakers (Left - Middle - Right) and woofer
b - what is the best cable to use to be use for conceal
c - should i get 7.1, 6.2 or 5.1? my budget is around < 4k (thinking of Sony mu-ta-ki)
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This post has been edited by entrapnet: May 3 2010, 03:43 PM

For question B, have you considered a wireless system if you want to avoid cable clutter? I mean considering that you are aiming for a HTIB anyway, you could consider a wireless HTIB.

sry for the noob question, what is HTIB?

I heard wireless is not that good

What does HTIB stand for?
answer>>Home-Theater-In-a-Box

from google

Home Theater In A Box

who said wireless is not that good?

i'm planning to go for component system rather HTIB (but i'm not sure yet)

i try to find wireless and lot of sales person told me its bad.

i'm trying to find a receiver/amp with hdmi in/out so i can use less cable over in my tv section

if i wan to get the wireless version, any recommendation?

some ppl said wired always better than wireless.

This post has been edited by rexa13: Apr 27 2010, 07:47 AM

a) Most AVR can setting if the surround is high up or ear level....but I dunno Muteki got that features or not.
But actually, its OK but really not too high up.
b) Err...best cables?...now this is subjective....some swear by Monster, some QED, some Belden, some like me swear that even Philips cable will do.
So, its subjective and should be referred to other topic:
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...surround+cables
The actual trouble is running the speaker to the rear...depending on situation, it can go many - many meters...and to conceal it is another matter.
My house one I DIY, very nicely done...you will not notice it. So this one also depends on you skills. I prefer using silicon glue than nails to stick the conduit to the walls.
c) That one also up to you....some ppl compared Pioneer HT and Muteki...seems like with all the bass units, Muteki bass is not enough.
Don't only check the specs and brouchers...go and listen for yourself....compare it to Pioneer System

a - i'm not sure how high up is my ceiling as for now... but i think it should be standard high.... thx for the tips
b - nice link! thx
c - pioneer HT? got specific model?

This post has been edited by entrapnet: Apr 27 2010, 09:55 AM

Hi. As I am doing one right now just like you, I just want to share some info I got.

Go HERE for some great advice about getting dipolar or bipolar speakers, and the speaker's placement especially for the surrounds.

For me I will be using a 2nd hand Bipolar as left and right surround, and a direct firing as rear surrounds.

Placement of surrounds are ideally about 3 feet above audience head level. But do check the article above for the positioning of either Bi or Dipolar speakers. (If you don't know what they are, the above excellent article do explain it well.)

Hope that helps.

outstanding! love this

About the concealing cable, I got them from Monoprice and ebay. One is obviously Monoprice item, with I think 12AWG certified for inwall concealing, another one is Monster cable of 35ft each, priced quite ok even with transport all the way to Malaysia.

If I were to do it all over again, I will order 200ft 12AWG in-wall rated cable from Monoprice in one go instead. Plus other misc hdmi cables, RCA cables.. etc etc.. in one shipping !

Since u hv d budget for separates.. then do so..

HTiBs compromise sound quality too much..

U shld hv a listen at wireless b4 u decide .. wat we say here is prbbly based on our own interpretations..
BTW u still a pwr pt/cbls for wireless unless u luk for those battery powered ones..
IMO go wired .. since u r only at d design stage stil can hide cbls..

If not too much into WAF.. then go bkshlvs for surr.. it sounds a lot better.. sum prefer dispersed soundstage but I prefer in my face [well, back of my head.. really] so I prefer front firing, but its all in individual tastes.. n if u not much into multi channel music then its not tat bad if u use other brands/types for surr..

Any of de newer HD avrs wil do.. as budget goes up so wil its pedigree n pwr section.. I suggest u luk for an avr wif pre outs so u can add a pwr amp later.. 7.1 pre ins is gud too but only if its off a higher line..

D

Don't put you speaker at the center. Eg. 10 ft ceiling height, don't put your speaker 5 ft from the floor. Part of the reason is room resonance from equal distance. Normally I would use 2/3 of the ceiling height but again don't go too tall. When you stand up, slightly above ear level.

wow...great advice guys

now i'm starting to check monoprice...seem to be cheap

start to drawing out the plan for the floor...

once my loan is approved, i'll sign the paper and proceed with ID.

peter32: mind to share ur current setup? i saw ur blog only have building up process

I've got nothing on paying stuff using Credit card on the net, cause I usually do it, but make sure you activate the double confirmation service that needs you to type in an additional number using the onsreen keyboard..Mastercard and Visa have this service.....if you forget some of the necessary codes or numbers...call up your the Credit card center....this is just to be on the safe side.

"setuping".. hehe.. if you want to put "ing" at the back, it should become "setting up". This is all I can share ..

ok...monoprice seem to be reliable vendor...

thx for the advice. I used to use that