^Don't mind me asking, but having the LS50 so near to the side and backwall... doesn't that bloat the mid-bass a bit too much? More so since you're sitting near field.

Yes it does, this is temp setup due to space constrain.
near field is however not a problem, LS50 is meant for that.

This post has been edited by dexth: Jul 13 2016, 04:18 PM

Oh I know the LS50 are meant for near field duties. But was just wondering how the mid-bass bloat is like being so close to the wall in relation to where you are sitting.

Good to hear it's temporary though.

From your close-up photos, there's completely nothing to indicate audio change switch selection and nothing about 5 channel audio output too. The only thing that I can only guess is the round "Echo" knob which can be used to adjust the reverberation effects of the audio. This "Echo" knob probably indicate that this amp creates a virtual 5 channel (with echo) by default. Most of the time this should be working properly to 5 channels but an internal fault in the amp decoder causes the output to become only 2 channels intermittently. Anyway, this is my wild guess only.

Well... I am still at a loss on the actual reason so I will just stop here as I can no longer do anything further to help you to find out the actual reason. I did my best and sorry for that.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jul 13 2016, 08:47 PM

A clean uncluttered look with a great home theatre system that I am sure you have many many hours of HT and HiFi enjoyment.

That SVS sub is a GODZILLA not only for size, its a giant for bass that can actually create rumbles that closely imitate an earthquake!! I know... because my bro-in-law recently bought a used unit that really can rumble and shake everything in the room!



I did not notice any source (media, bluray or DVD) player for your home theatre system. What I can see is that you have a Logitach wireless keyboard and mouse with an Intel I7 computer and a 6TB HDD so I assume you use this computer as the HTPC feed to your system. If I assumed correctly, which software do you use to bitstream bluray videos via HDMI to your Denon AVR? WinDVD Pro, PowerDVD Ultra, TotalMedia Theatre 6 or DVDFab Media Player. I do use genuine purchased TotalMedia Theatre 6 for my Windows 8 pc but unfortunately they have terminated it. When I upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, TotalMedia Theatre 6 is not compatible so I had to purchase DVDFab Media Player. Is that your computer (white and black) placed next to your SVS sub? I was using such HTPC setup previously but I found that the audio and video quality is somehow much better through my Oppo BDP-105D so now I only use my pc to play other videos (4K YouTube, Netflix) on my 27 inch Dell 4K Monitor.

Oh.. almost forgot. I do use a separate mini Intel NUC computer specifically to just play DSD64 audio files to my DAC.

Since you have the Atmos speakers, I do wish to know your opinion on the overall effects of the speakers placed on top of the front main speakers? Such type of Atmos speakers fires to the ceiling and which reflects the top audio effects downwards. Are the Atmos/DTSX effects as good as you wish? I read many comments and reviews that says the Atmos effects is not good, can create cross-talk interference with other speakers and the effects can sound muddy. The good thing of placing on top of the main speakers is obviously no additional messy installation and not many people wants to touch a ceiling that already looks good and clean. Many times its also not possible to install Atmos ceiling speaker which directly fires downwards.

I intend to add a pair of Atmos speakers (ELAC A4) which can be used to place on top of the main speakers but I intend to hang it on my ceiling pointing the drivers directly downwards but this require more work to install them.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jul 13 2016, 10:11 PM

Mmm... LG 60" FHD Plasma as "backup"? Wouldn't it be better to watch from a much bigger screen size?

Thanks for your compliments. I'll try to answer your questions to my best.

Yes, the SVS is a beast, it's crazy how much bass & vibration this cylinder can produce. the downsize is size & it's odd shape, I get questions from visitor asking what it is every time..haha. It does looks odd and nowhere to hide.
I have a couple of sources if you look closely at the most right cabinet, tucked away are ps4, astro & hyptv decoders. My main source are PS4 for blurays and HTPC (yes, the black and white are the Corsair Air 540 casing). All are connected via HDMI.
Using PS4 for bluray, no complain here. I have not heard Oppo but heard nothing but good reviews especially picture scaling. I did not bother as I found the LG upscaling to be very good already. Sound should be the same since they are uncompressed, thus much more dependent on your receiver.
The HTPC is the main player here, it does everything Movies, gaming, downloading latest HD movies, etc. I use multiple software, mainly MPC-HC & VLC. Ffor ISOs, use PowerDVD 16. All works as intended. Output is through HDMI 2.0 at 4K @60hz.

As for the Atmos upfiring module, I can only compare my system (upfiring) vs Cinema (ceiling). All I can say is the effect of upfiring is apparent, the sound is much taller or 3D, however it is hard to fully pinpoint if the sound is coming from top. Effects such as rain are easier to tell than other effects, I do increase the atmos volume by 6db post caliberation though. I love the sound (Atmos & DTS X), they are superb and really bought true enjoyment to sound industry. I am re watching many older movies with dolby surround/Neu:X just because of this
Comparing to cinema ceiling atmos, the effect is about the same and easier to pin point the sound from above. Atmos/DTS X is the real deal, especially comparing to previous effort on pro logic z height, which is a total failure.
here's a good discussion thread with a lot of good info regarding upfiring atmos. your choice of Elac is a good one. AT is the best available at the time of my purchase (count out the KEF which is extrememly expensive).
http://www.avsforum.com/forum/89-speakers/...e-speakers.html

This post has been edited by dexth: Jul 13 2016, 11:33 PM

the plasma is big but only 1080p, so for pc usage its actually grainy. not good for text. only goof for movies.

It's okay.

Anyway, thanks for the help

@bolded
Errr... for video I can agree, because there are some subjective calls there in regards to image scaling (both up and down) as well as post processing. I personally use MadVR at the very max settings (requires a decent GPU indeed) and telling the difference between it and a hardware scaler is very difficult. Pretty much have to take a before and after photo to compare.

But audio? How would it sound better from the Oppo when it's just going to be bitstreamed to the receiver anyways? The audio wouldn't change at all, unless you're using the analog out portion of the 105D. But then that would be an entirely different discussion.

This post has been edited by SSJBen: Jul 14 2016, 01:00 AM

Atmos enable speaker is really a gimmick. Is like a soundbar doing 5.1

agreed,with right configuration MadVR and capable hardware easily can beat oppo.

What makes you said so? Did you experience it yourself?
It really depends on a lot of factors such as ceiling height, shape, type, the module angle vs seating position, etc. it's not ideal but its definitely not gimmick. I have experiment using regular speaker, the effect is not good.

Like you said depend on your environment which is very subjective. Any speakers will be subject to sound different because environment. Ask yourself why not use sound bar instead of actual setup of 5.1, sound are meant to be bounce

Not a proper comparison, you are comparing sound bar 1 physical vs 5 physical speakers. In order for Atmos to work, you got to have actual Atmos speakers. Unless you are referring to atmos enabled soundbar; definitely gimmick.

This post has been edited by dexth: Jul 14 2016, 01:30 PM

It is the same concept of bouncing the sound to create the surround and atmos enable speaker is bouncing from roof to create the atmos. Point is sound is not meant to be bounce does not matter sound bar or atmos enable speaker

My personal 2 cents is:

- Having tried all 3 Atmos/DTSX configurations of upfiring speakers, height presence speakers and in-ceiling speakers, my consensus is that upfiring speakers really only can work in a completely flat, reflective and low ceiling. Even then, the height effects will really only have ONE sweetspot, anyone off axis hears almost nothing.


- My config is being an all-rounder, having height presence speakers mounted as close to the ceiling as possible and tilted towards the MLP. With this I get almost as good of height effects as in-ceiling downward firing speakers. The only major difference is that the in-ceiling speakers covers an even wider space of listening positions. This method is also much easier and cheaper to implement and would be the only method I can suggest if one cannot do in-ceiling/on-ceiling speakers.


But well, everyone has their own subjective opinions. If one likes upfiring speakers, then I guess... more power to them. If it works for them then that's all that matters at the end of the day.

Yes, I have seen SVS recommend this method. Are you still using the Atmos speaker for the height mounted? I'd like to test it this method one day.

Actually Yamaha started the height presence speakers thing looooooong before Dolby or DTS even fought with each other about what height channels should and should not be.

I'm using the Prime satellites as height presence speakers for Atmos and DTSX duties. Didn't even take long to install, like an hour+ including cleaning up.

Pioneer is one of the earliest to adopt the atmos enable speaker. Of course if you look at the Dolby website it also mention about atmos enable speaker setup. The only it didn't tell you is what is the environment for it to work