2. home-theater
  3. 1355860579

Hi, I'm new here, and I'm an addict...

I was in the business 20+ years ago, and am finally getting back into it. I'm upgrading piece by piece as I go, aiming for the best I can get in each component.

The room is a 12 X 19 X 8 rectangle, family room/theater/tv room/and music room on the few occasions I'm home alone. Seating position 13' from the front wall. Carpeted for now, but will be wood with area rugs as the price for being able to 'get my fix' on gear.

First was the RXA3010 I got a steal on, then the 65", then yesterday, from someone here, a perfect set of Synchrony S's (his towers are equally perfect, btw).

I'm still using Infinity Kappa 7's circa '88 for mains, with a Yamaha MX2 (I think) driving them. My son's PS3 is my Blu-ray, but it is too new to play SACDs.

I got the PSB's because the Imagine T2's or possibly synchrony's will be my mains one day, they fit aesthetically with the WAF, and I like 'em.

Questions are; I have limited space over the fireplace for a center channel, only about 6 1/2" height, and 10" or so depth. I've heard I may be better off without a center than a low quality one that fits, and that the PSB's should give me all the dialogue clarity I will need. thoughts?

Next, the PS3 needs replacing. I like the Oppo, and the 103 seems to be leading the race, but I don't know what all this 'region free' stuff is about, and does it matter. I'm not an 'audiophile' so the ultimate in sound quality isn't required, but I don't want to miss anything in the original purchase I'll kick myself for later.

Sub(s). My Kappas don't need one. They kick me in the chest and the room shakes as it is, but when they're replaced, that impact needs to be replaced. Passive/Active?

Finally, amplification. The AVR will be fine for now, and if the answer to the center channel question is 'you don't need it', then I'll need 4 channels, possibly 2 if the Yamaha amp goes from the mains to the surrounds.

TIA for your time
english210

Showing 3 responses by mechans

mechans
3,048 posts
 
It sounds like your all set. I don't know the technical issues of video coding or how a machine gets locked into one region or another, presumably with a chip that the machine will not function without that might restrict what can be played on it. In any event region free sounds like what you need.
As for the number of channels you would like in a surround system isn't that a matter of personal; taste. The old standard (I am a stereo guy so take this with a grain of salt)was 5.1 then it went to 7.1 or more then 9.xx etc. It is really what you will like. I have read people say 3 channels makes them happy and other invest fortunes in custom installations.
I would assume the old 5 channel systems would be sufficient. Surround is not however "audiophile" stuff most of us are 2 channel you will even find some mono enthusiasts.
mechans
3,048 posts
 
Just one follow up. The Kappa series speakers of that vintage are pretty power hungry. So if you are going to go all in on this project do get good powerful amplification, which is more affordable these days relatively speaking, if you get a Class-D amp. Check out Wyred4sound and Emotiva as already recommended. You don't want or need to mod your Oppo, that can easily double the cost for incremental gain as a HT source.
mechans
3,048 posts
 
It is not ideal to place most if not all such speakers against a wall. It will likely result in poor preformance or at least have some negative impact on the sonics ? I don't know what aspect of the speaker's performance that is diminished by doing this but if I had to guess I would think bass and dynamics would be lessend by this.
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