Rearranging/Setting Up

[Kali157]

Originally Posted by 28BlusLater

As you can see in my HT Gallery, my stuff is set-up a bit weird. The fronts, my equipment, center speaker, and TV are in a corner and pointed to my seating position. I have a few questions here I could use some help with. I'm getting my room re-carpeted (perhaps some hard floors put in instead) and painting the walls. Since I have to move everything out already, I figured I'd get them to patch up where I mounted my TV and rearrange everything. You can basically see all of the walls of my room just from my HT Gallery.

I'll move my Definitive Technology surrounds to the other side of the room. I'll put my TV where the Saving Private Ryan poster is, my AV rack under it, my MartinLogan Prefaces on each side of the AV rack. I'll be moving my bed (which is under the Saving Private Ryan poster) to the other side of the room by the windows where my TV is.

I have no idea where to put my SVS PB12-NSD subwoofer. Should I fit it in the corner next to one of my MartinLogan Prefaces? Also, should I be worried about earthquakes do you think? I'm thinking about putting my Saving Private Ryan and Saw III posters above my MartinLogan Prefaces on both sides of my TV. Or would that be a bad idea in case there was to be an earthquake?

Also, would this be a good time to get a riser for my SVS?

I went to Magnolia recently and they showed me this special speaker wire that isn't stranded, but I forgot what this type of speaker wire is called. They say that it makes your speakers sound much better due to a better connection and they'll be stronger and won't decay as easily as stranded speaker wire. However, it's not super cheap I don't recall. Is this worth picking up for all my speakers? Banana plugs for the amplifier end and ones going to my Definitive Technology speakers? My MartinLogans have different binding posts and won't work with binding posts. What do you guys think?

And finally, what colors should I paint the walls? I was thinking on painting one of the walls the same Dark Cherry tone (or a similar one) to my MartinLogan Prefaces. However, it's a dark color so it might not be wise to paint all of the walls that color. Any suggestions are welcome.

If you guys need some more pictures than what are on my HT Gallery, let me know and ask me what you want a picture of. I want to know what I'm going to do with everything before I start doing this whole project.

Thanks.

Hi,

I have seen your gallery a few times and would like to offer some suggestions since you are moving stuff around. First, I think your idea of moving the TV on the opposite wall and away from the corner is a great idea. From the pics, the TV seems to be too high on top of that rack. I would put the TV next to the rack and mount the speaker under it. Or get an AV unit for under your TV. You don't have to spend a lot. My AV rack is actually a coffee table we picked up for pretty cheap.

Another suggestion would be to widen your front sound stage... your towers seem a lil too close together. Changing your AV rack to a wider one may aid this. Also, if you want to upgrade your speaker wires, maybe get some 12 gauge? Or since you are in CA, Frys carries a 10 gauge for a pretty good price (it usually isn't near the Monster stuff...).

Finally, I think your surrounds should be moved to either side of the listening position pointing ACROSS the sitting area, about 2-3 feet above your head. Having them pointed DOWN on top of your head (I am assuming) may not give you the best surround.

As for banana plugs, these are what I use. They provide a better contact than my previous Monoprice banana plugs which was causing faults on my amp. Anyway I wrote up a lil review and comparison if you are interested.

Finally, about the earthquakes... There are some cheap ways to earthquake proof posters you can find in Home Depot. I wouldn't worry too much about it though. I live in CA. Actually, I was in SF during the '89 earthquake... in a POOL during those 45 seconds. The pool had waves that someone could surf on. Anyway, hope this helps a little. Keep us posted.