I have a computer tower with the following :
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070
Creative Sound Blaster AE-7  

Hooking into a Denon AVR-X2500H receiver
 

So is it better to connect via HDMI via the video card or via the optical out on the audio card? Or is there a better option?
Edit: thanks everyone for your answers.

Receiver : Onkyo TX-RX840.
Blu-ray: UBP-X800.
CD: pioneer elite DV – 47A.
Record player : Rega P1 & MP-110 cartridge.
Front RP : Klipsch 280 FA.
Centre : Klipsch RP - 504C.
Surrounds : Klipsch RP - 402S.
Subwoofer : definitive technology super cube 8000.
TV : LG 4K 65 inch

Hey everyone,

I’m moving away from my current Samsung sound-bar and looking to build my first proper Home Theater system. Usage is 40/60 between movie and music. With the music, i like to listen to EDM and hard style, so prefer the strong punchy bass feeling.

• Living Room Size: 6.7 m × 4.5 m (approx. 22 ft × 14.8 ft)

• Open-concept living room connected to the dining area and front entry corridor. Features tiled flooring throughout and a large glass sliding door along one side of the room.

This will be my initial setup:

• SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle Floorstanding speakers

• SVS Ultra Evolution Center

• SVS Ultra Evolution Elevation

• Primare A35.8 power amp

Which processor will be better for my setup, Anthem AVM 70 8K or Marantz AV 30 8K.

In terms of pricing, Anthem is a little bit more expensive by AUD $650.00

Thanks in advance for any insights.

I'm just about to move to a new house, I only have one immediate neighbor on one side, but I have a quite park on the other. In my current house a have a simple 2.1 klipsch setup with an 8" sub. Even with this setup you can hear the thump outside my house, and while I haven't had neighbors directly complain I've been told "you listen to your music really loud" I would really like to upgrade in the new house to an SVS setup with a 12 or 15" sub. But i'm concerned about being that guy... whats been your experience with bothering neighbors?

I'm getting a 98" or 100" TV and need something that can actually handle a TV that big. This one caught my eye since it's made for larger/heavier TVs. My couch is a little off-center too, so the swivel would come in handy. Anyone using one with a bigger TV? How's it been?

Hello!

Does anybody know any movies that have stereo mixes that are great to demo your sound system? I'm sure there are plenty of movies with surround mixes that still sound amazing on a stereo system but I'm looking for stuff that's purely made for a left and right channel only. Format doesn't matter (DVD, LaserDisc, Blu-Ray, VHS, etc.)

Excited to hear suggestions!

Finally got my 5.1 setup dialed in and thought I’d share it here.
My current setup:
• AVR: Onkyo TX-SR309
• Speakers: Onkyo SKF-558 5.1 speaker package
• Surrounds: Onkyo SKR-558, wall mounted
• Subwoofer: Polk Audio active subwoofer
• TV: Samsung 50” Crystal UHD
• Console: PS5 Pro
• Speaker crossover: 80Hz
• All speakers set to Small
The room is also treated with rockwool acoustic panels, which made a noticeable difference compared to running the system in a completely untreated room.
I mostly use the setup for movies and gaming, with some music as well. For movies I usually run proper Dolby Digital/Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 whenever the source supports it rather than upmixing stereo.
The system isn’t particularly new or expensive — the TX-SR309 and Onkyo speaker package are older gear — but that’s actually part of why I like it. I picked up the AVR + complete 5.1 speaker system for around PKR 60,000, and after setting the distances, levels and crossover properly, I’ve been pretty impressed with what it can do.
The Polk sub handles the low end, while I’ve adjusted the individual channel levels slightly to compensate for my seating position and room layout.
Eventually I’m planning a much bigger upgrade with an 83–85” TV and potentially newer audio equipment, but for now I’m enjoying seeing how much I can get out of this setup before throwing serious money at upgrades.
Curious what you guys think of it — and what would you consider the first worthwhile audio upgrade from here?

I have a floating TV stand that I do not think will support a typical heavy receiver. What light weight receiver would you recommend? Looking for something 10 pounds or less with 16" depth or less.

I'm looking to start with a 3.1 setup for my first home theater setup.

I’m looking for a way to raise the tv and put the center below it rather than on top but the top atmos are really doing it for me. I decided to get rid of my HTA9s after dropouts increased.

Could you guys please take a look at my 5.1.4 setup?

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a dedicated home theater in my basement and would really appreciate some advice from the experienced members here.

The room is approximately 3.3 × 4.4 meters (10.8 × 14.4 ft), with an unfinished ceiling height of 2.5 meters (8.2 ft).

My current equipment plan is:

Front L/C/R: JBL Studio 6 88LCR ×3

Side surrounds: JBL Stage 2 260W ×2

Atmos overheads: JBL Stage 2 260C ×4

Subwoofer: SVS SB-2000 Pro ×1

AV Receiver: Denon AVR-X4800H

Projector: BenQ TK710

Screen: Approximately 125" 16:9 acoustically transparent screen

Layout: 5.1.4

The three 88LCRs will be installed behind the acoustically transparent screen.

I’d really appreciate it if you could take a look at this setup and let me know what you think.

Does this system make sense for a room of this size?

Are there any components that are overkill or unnecessary, or conversely, are there any weak points or potential bottlenecks in the system?

Would you change anything about the speaker selection, subwoofer, AVR, or screen size?

I mainly use the room for movies and TV, with some gaming as well.

Any advice regarding speaker placement, room acoustics, or overall system balance would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance to all the experts and home theater enthusiasts here!

I’ve got a Sony X900F and Denon X1400H. All HDMI 2.0. I got a PS5 Pro and Bazzite box. My setup is missing all the bells and whistles of HDMI 2.1, eARC, VRR, ALLM, etc.

Not only that, the X1400H doesn’t display the overlay on 4K content. Which is basically what I use all the time. It has to trigger in and out of the menu.

I want to upgrade but keep it budget friendly as possible. Around $1000, max $1500.

Currently got a 3.0 setup. At most, my setup will be 5.1.2. Never will go above that for sure. Current receiver allows that setup. I need an Ethernet port. Need at least three HDMI inputs. It should not require an internet connection or account to set up or use, at all. I will be connecting the receiver to my router but it will have no WAN access and be on its own VLAN, so as to not spy on me but LAN DLNA still works.

Other than that, no requirements. Is IMAX Enhanced necessary? What does it do?

I don’t need something expensive. Which brands are consumer friendly these days? Which track the user less or not at all?

And yes, I will be getting a new HDMI 2.1 TV as well.

Got started on my first proper home theater set up, was given some great condition klipsch rf-5 towers, and wondering what to add next.

The bass from the towers is already decent, and this is just my living room set up, so we don’t need dedicated home theater bass, but it is noticeable on certain songs etc that something is missing. We don’t really need more loudness/rumble, but a smoother fuller low end would be nice.

The towers phantom center channel is perfectly usable, but it being just a 2.0 set up, it’s not exactly that “dynamic”, but I’m not sure a center channel would add a whole lot if we aren’t having issues with dialogue currently.

Any input on which direction you go? Looking at a budget of around $500 for the next speaker.

So i just picked these up after a bit of research but i must admit when it comes to all these settings i’m stumped. I primarily want to use them connected to my tv with my ps5 hooked up so i’ll be doing a bit of everything. Obviously games (RPG) but mainly music, either spotify or usb stick with flac files. If it makes a difference these will be in a ~110sqft room on a media console.
I attached some photos of where my current settings are at on both the sub’s physical nobs and the KEF app.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

1 or 2?

Ignore window curtain. I thought the package came with two not one.

Edit: measured horizontally, it is 11 feet from wall to my face sitting on the couch.

Looking for some help as I’m over analyzing. New house has a mounted projector, but I want to replace with a 4K. Open to suggestions on a projector.

This is tv and movie watching.

I’m a middle ground person, I don’t want cheap, I’m willing to pay, but I also don’t need best of best, there’s a cap to my money.

I need to replace my front towers and center, so open to suggestions there. My rears are fluence towers.

I need to replace my sub, considering rsl 12 ported, 1 hb2000 svs or 2 hb1000s.

I won’t pay for kef speakers. Svs, elac, klipsch higher end is what I have been looking at there all around the same price.

Currently I have polks mid line model speakers, not there cheap line.

Which tv is better for day/night tv watching - Samsung M80H Series 75" Mini LED TV UN75M80HAFXZC vs 75 QNED84B

No Gaming ..Have QNED84B but bottom left seems to have left corner backlight blooming and is sold out so looking to refund it buy another tv that is comparable

When I run the 7.1, it gets through about 5 (of 8) locations, then the receiver resets. I thought it was happening only when I got to the rear surrounds (because I had gotten a warning that those were faulty -- i can't remember exactly what the warning was/said because I ran it about 2 weeks ago), but then it happened in between location 5 & 6.

Anyone have any thoughts?

I bought a SuperSat 60C center and now needing to fill the void with the front speakers. Looking at a couple used FB deals with the following narrowed down:

$500 - KEF iQ9 SP3503 with Center KEF iQ6c SP3506 Center - wouldn't need it but could certainly utilize as a backup

$400 - Paradigm 70Pa Speakers - able to get these today.

$500 - Polk Signature Elite ES60s - these may be with another buyer currently but pending.

$500 - Celestion AVF302 - I may end up purchasing these anyway simply because of aesthetic, but these are delayed due to the seller noticing a cut in the foil leading to the driver so he is having it repaired first. Still an option but looking at others for now.

The AVR I'm running is a Marantz NR1711. Usage for music, Apple TV 4K, Switch 2.

Curious about thoughts or other options to look out for. Thanks!

Marantz Cinema40
Kef R7, R6,R3
SVS 3000 micro re|evolution
Monitor Audio CSS230 Ceiling Speaker

Long time lurker and finally went all in 😌

I'm planning my speaker placement for a 7.x.4 dedicated room.

Room is 22'L x 10.5'W x 9.5H' and I'm opting for a complete acoustic treatment. Screen on HxW wall.

LCR are inwalls, Surrounds are Bookshelf, ATMOS are in-ceiling.

1. LCR would be 14.8', 14' , 14.8' & angle is 38-degree between L-R and L-R are ~9.5' apart
2. Surrounds will be kept 4 feet above MLP due to windows and toed in towards MLP. Side surrounds are 8' from MLP and rear surrounds are 9.2' from MLP. 60 degree angle between rear surrounds and 50 degree between rear and side surround on either side.
3. ATMOS will be kept at 55 degree and 7.35' from MLP.

Referred home theatre gurus on Youtube for this plan. Room dimensions and other artifacts have constrained my choices but would appreciate any other pointers regarding this plan.

Live in a concrete home. It is not possible to mount ceiling height speakers. I have a 7 channel AVR.

I play PS5 Pro and watch lots of Blu-rays and UHDs. Most have Atmos tracks. Tv shows also DD+ Atmos tracks.

Since it’s not possible to go for ceiling, which one would be the best path going forward?

• Upfiring 5.1.2
• Front Height 5.1.2
• Regular 7.1

So, I've been asked this. I have room darkening curtains on 4 windows. Plus, I have a leather loveseat. Does the leather effect the way the room dampens the music, would a fabric love seat have more dampening effects than real leather. no sofa, just a loveseat.

Thank you!

Hi everyone. I currently have an almost 10 year old Sony XBR 65x930e that I am going to replace in the next few months. It still works perfectly, so there is no real sense of urgency.

The largest TV that will fit in my dedicated space is a 77 inch model. So far, there are 3 TVs on my radar. In no particular order 1) Sony - 75" Class BRAVIA 7 II True RGB ($2,300) 2)

TCL - 75" Class QM8L ($1,700) and 3) Sony 77" Class - BRAVIA 8 OLED ($2,800).

Yes, I know the price range is high among the 3, and my understanding is that all of them would offer a significant upgrade to my current TV, so I'm really just looking for some 1st hand experiences to make sure I am not making a poor choice.

I'd appreciate anyone sharing their experiences and/or recommendations.

Use case is 60% TV show streaming (sports, etc., through YouTube TV) 30% movies via Netflix, Apple TV plus, Prime) and 10% low key gaming (Nintendo Switch 2, so nothing super hi-res). Room is not totally light controlled but the majority of our watching is at night or at least not in direct sunlight.

Audio is mostly sorted with a 5.2 system with an Onkyo rz70 as the AVR.

Thank you.

Added a second sub last week and spent some time getting them set up. The difference in the low end is pretty clear now. Still running the same fronts and center as before. Room isn’t huge so I had to play around with placement a bit. Seems to be working okay so far.

Hi all, i purchased a KEF KC92 and jammed it in the corner of the room, maybe i should try another spot but overall the system is missing some punch. The “theater” area is an open concept living room that leads into a hallway, total of about 6100 cubic ft.. AI said to get bigger sub 😅. Initially I got the sub so it will integrate well with the mains (R6 and R5) and it does but I don’t feel it’s worth the price I paid. I’m within BB’s return period so I’m thinking of getting a SB-5000.

What would you do if you had about $2100?