Surround setup - help planning purchases (1 Viewer)

[Tahoebrian5]

Hello all, I hope everyone is settling into 2019 and sticking to their New Years resolutions!

Okay down to biz. I want to setup a mediocre surround sound system in my living room. Here’s what I currently have..

6 year old Sony 55” 1080p flat screen tv
New Optoma HD29Darbee projector
A 140” diy projector screen in progress

A really cheap 5.1 surround sound\blueray player combined system. This system was packaged with the Sony when I bought it and is pretty cheap and low quality.

4 mediocre quality Polk speakers. These are T15 model if I recall correctly and 4 ohms

2 500watt Friedman ASM12 powered full range speakers. These are basically PA speakers for live music shows and am planning to use them for outside movie nights.

Vintage JVC 4 channel stereo (4VR model)

Vintage JVC turntable

And the room...
I will update these dimensions shortly when I get my tape measure..
20’ long x 12 wide, ceiling single slope starts at 9’ and goes up to nearly 20’ (beyond the 12’ entry)
The room is open on one of the long sides to the entry and also open stair up to 2nd floor
The couch is on one short wall, entertainment center on opposite short wall.

I’m not hell bent on getting the best sound in the universe (yet) but I would like something inspiring to use.

First thing I am looking at getting is a decent AV receiver. Here are the dumb questions that are dying to get out of my head..

What’s the deal with video up-conversion? Do I need this? I’ll be watching on charter cable, also Netflix, amazon prime video, probably some streaming from my iPad Pro etc. Maybe some older blue ray and DVDs.

Only one HDMI out.. if I want to switch to my projector it would be nice to not go unhooking things. Can I get a splitter if I choose a AVR with only one out?

I love building amplifiers among other nerdy electronic stuff (nerd porn as my wife calls it). I am not opposed to getting an underpowered receiver to save money and build some nice power amps for sub maybe or the two L/R mains.. or use the 4 channel JVC temporarily.

Refurbished or used market thoughts? Accessories4less?

So with all this in mind, can you all throw out some ideas on receivers?

 

[Sam Posten]

I’m not hell bent on getting the best sound in the universe (yet) but I would like something inspiring to use.

Sounds like you are the perfect candidate for a Pioneer Andrew Jones Atmos bounce 5.1.2 setup.
https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Home/Speakers/Pioneer+Speakers/SP-BS22A-LR

If you can spend a little more, look at the SVS Prime series.

 

[Tahoebrian5]

It looks like a nice speaker set but with my single slope ceiling it might not be a good fit since it utilizes ceiling reflection.

 

[Tahoebrian5]

 

[Tahoebrian5]

I’m planning to set the projector on the shelf behind the couch when in use. For the rear surrounds.. maybe a corner wall mount would be a good call? Not sure on the fronts. I’m thinking some free standing tall narrow mains on each side of the entertainment center, but will have to talk the wife into more apparatus. Not sure on the sub location yet.

 

[Tahoebrian5]

Okay I’ve done a bit more research which has generated a new question. I’ve realized that I don’t much room between where my front mains will go and the front surround speakers. Is there any layout ideas for this situation.

 

[DigitalDawn]

What is your speaker budget? And a floorplan with seating would help.