Audio noob needs help with Home Theater

[Scottie]

Hello all,

Let me preface this message by stating that I am the biggest noob when it comes to Home Theater design, audio, and the like.

I am slowly beginning to upgrade my home theater from 1080p to 4K.

My current setup includes a 50" Samsung UN50J6300 TV, a Samsung HW-J450 2.1 Channel 300 Watt Wireless Audio Soundbar, and a Sony BDPS3500 Blu-ray Player. I plan to purchase either a 55" LG OLED55B6P or a 55" Sony XBR55X930D and a Panasonic DMP-UB900 Blu-ray player.

Our current soundbar is the only "extra" sound we've ever had in our home theater. It created a large difference compared to the standard speakers that came with the television. However, as time passed, I've found myself growing less fond of the soundbar. My biggest issue with it is a lack of clarity. The sound is mainly concentrated exclusively to the corner of the room where our TV is located and nowhere else. Sometimes this sound will be clear, sometimes it will be extremely loud, and other times, it seems as if it picks up the wrong sounds in films. We hear much more background noise and humming than dialogue, which has often resulted in us using subtitles for all of our screenings.

Moving forward, I'd like to make the transition to Surround Sound. However, I've never had it and being the audio noob that I am, have no idea about how to go about getting it. I'm looking for something of quality, but nothing that is extremely expensive. I'd strictly like to have enough that we get that extra level of sound and, most importantly, the clarity that comes with it.

I spoke with a Best Buy representative the other day who suggested that I get three speakers, a receiver, a wireless subwoofer, and two rear speakers (if I think I need them). I don't know what size speakers or receiver I'd need, what type of brands are considered the best, how I'd go about laying out said speakers, whether it's really worth it for the size room that I have, etc.

My home theater is my living room, one of the largest areas of traffic in the house that isn't the kitchen. It is approximately 18 feet wide by 20 feet long. I'm going to assume that the acoustics in this room are rather poor, made worse by the fact that the vast majority of this room is open. We have an opening from our kitchen into our living room, an opening from our living room into our hallway, and a "shadow box" opening of sorts between the rear of the room and another part of the hallway.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[solarrdadd]

what's the ceiling on your budget Scottie? and if you have a significant other living with you, go ahead and let everyone know what they won't allow you to do so folks don't spend time giving suggestions only to find out the response is "no way".

not trying to be disrespectful, I just constantly see after suggestions guys saying "my wife won't let me or my girlfriend said no way". it just saves time for the posters.

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

what's the ceiling on your budget Scottie? and if you have a significant other living with you, go ahead and let everyone know what they won't allow you to do so folks don't spend time giving suggestions only to find out the response is "no way".

not trying to be disrespectful, I just constantly see after suggestions guys saying "my wife won't let me or my girlfriend said no way". it just saves time for the posters.

I'd ideally like to spend $2,000-$2,500 on a good setup. I still live at home with my family.

My grandfather is the only one apprehensive about committing to the Surround Sound. He had four huge Sony speakers in the late 80s/early 90s and he remembers playing a scene from "Top Gun" and he felt the room vibrating from the sounds of jet planes. I told him that this isn't what would happen, my intentions for it, and how technology has come such a long way. However, he's still stuck with this bad memory.

[Scottie]

And if anyone would like pictures of the room, I can try my best to take some.

I appreciate the help.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by iScottie

I'd ideally like to spend $2,000-$2,500 on a good setup. I still live at home with my family.

My grandfather is the only one apprehensive about committing to the Surround Sound. He had four huge Sony speakers in the late 80s/early 90s and he remembers playing a scene from "Top Gun" and he felt the room vibrating from the sounds of jet planes. I told him that this isn't what would happen, my intentions for it, and how technology has come such a long way. However, he's still stuck with this bad memory.

I got bad news for you scottie, what your grandfather felt in that scene, is exactly what he should have felt from a good surround sound. people are paying through the nose for that type of effect! lets face it, if jets actually flew over your house, at any type of low level, you would hear it and feel it for sure my friend.

so, the other questions are do you want straight 5 or 7.1 surround or do you want ATMOS/DTS:X capabilities in the 5.1.2 or 7.1.4 flavor?

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

I got bad news for you scottie, what your grandfather felt in that scene, is exactly what he should have felt from a good surround sound. people are paying through the nose for that type of effect! lets face it, if jets actually flew over your house, at any type of low level, you would hear it and feel it for sure my friend.

so, the other questions are do you want straight 5 or 7.1 surround or do you want ATMOS/DTS:X capabilities in the 5.1.2 or 7.1.4 flavor?

Err...could you explain that better for me?

I'm assuming I'd want to play Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD, and DTS:X audio tracks from Blu-rays through the 5.1.2 and 7.1.4 setups.

EDIT: Actually, I'm 110% sure I'd also use the Surround Sound for general television, streaming movies (I'm going to purchase a Roku box), and more. So I'm assuming I'd want straight 5.1 or 7.1.

[solarrdadd]

for ATMOS/DTS:X you will need at least 2 ceiling/height speakers hence the .2 or the best if your room size supports it is 4 ceiling/height speakers at the .4

nothing says you have to go that route, but, it's almost impossible to buy a new modern receiver that won't have the decoding capability for those new exciting codecs. yes, you can just go 5 or 7.1 and stay conventional and still get great movie audio. you can play everything from DTS-HD-MA & Dolby TrueHD in the 5-7.1 flavor, (just not ATMOS/DTS:X tracks) with no problem.

5.1 is great, but, if you have at least three feet (or more) of space behind where your sitting and the rear wall, I highly recommend going 7.1

in my bedroom I have a total of 7 channels in a 5.1.2 config. in my HT which is also my living room and has openings to the kitchen and the completely open dining room I have a total of 11 channels in a 7.1.4 config. in my dining room I am running a 2.0 system for music. yes, I live alone with my cat!

it all depends on what you want to do. if you don't want towers, look for good bookshelf speakers (nice stands, don't have to go crazy) with really good midrange (very important for the quality of your sound with these) and get the best sub your money can buy within your budget. I'd say your probably gonna spend close to $1K for a really nice sub, again, you don't have to go crazy, but, you will regret not getting something good sub wise for movies.

I got a nice 7 channel receiver for my bedroom for under and it offers me (along with conventional surround) up to 5.1.2 ATMOS/DTS:X capability, it offers network streaming of my audio, streaming from internet radio too and other features for under $700 I went Marantz, you don't have to, but, I'm just giving you an example.

I'd recommend putting the majority of your speaker money in your front 3 the L C R channels as they will be most important for movies and for stereo music. try to get speakers that are matched or if your tv permits 3 of the same bookshelf speakers. remember, probably 90% of your dialog comes from the center channel so don't get a crap one or you'll hear crap sounding voices. I think you can go cheap on the surrounds because you can always upgrade those later if you choose too. leave that sub budget close to $1k and get the nicest you can with that money.

I'm sure plenty of folks will be giving you their thoughts about this too. hope this helped a little.

[Scottie]

Thank you so much, Solar!

The room is ~8 feet high so I can probably get away with the .2.

I'll digest and re-read through your information a few times and if I have any other questions, I'll let you know.

I appreciate it again!