David's Living Room/Home Theater

[DavidAg02]

Hey everyone,

I am very proud of how far my home theater has come during the past year. It's a great feeling to think that just 13 months ago I was watching TV and movies on a 32" RCA tube TV, and a 2 channel receiver with tower speakers that were over 10 years old.

Well, I am happy to say that as of December 10, 2008, all of my old, handed down gear is no longer being used. This is my setup in it's current state:



The newest addition is a set of TSC T-series speakers which replaced the ancient KLH towers and not so ancient Pioneer center channel. These new speakers (while not high dollar) are a definite improvement over my previous speakers in both sound quality and visual appeal. My biggest complaint about the old speakers was that the sound was very localized. At any given time, I could close my eyes and still be able to pinpoint exactly where the sound was coming from. The front sound stage had some huge gaps in it. The new speakers are much more transparent and the front sound stage is noticeably wider and more seamless. Highs are also more well defined. Another bonus is that these speakers are much more efficient, so I get louder volumes at lower levels on the dial which also helps keep the temperature in my media cabinet down.

Like many home theater enthusiasts, these upgrades did not all come at once. The TV and upscaling DVD recorder were purchased first, followed shortly by the Onkyo receiver and HSU sub. The PS3 came along several months later. Once I had all the gear, I spent a lot of time tweaking, calibrating and adding little things like cooling fans and a Harmony remote. While I'm sure that this will not be the last upgrades I will do, it sure feels good to not be using handed down equipment anymore!

Here is my current equipment list:

• TV: Pansonic TH-42PZ77U, calibrated with Avia, wall mounted using a Peerless tilting mount, PowerBridge and HDMI cables and wall plates from Monoprice
• Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR605
• Speakers: TSC T series center channel and bookshelf, VTI speaker stands
• Subwoofer: HSU Research STF-2, Auralex Gramma Isoloation Riser
• Source Inputs: Samsung DVD-R135, Sony 80GB PS3 with PS3 Toothfairy
• Controls: Logitech Harmony 550
• Extras: CabCool 1202 Dual Fan Kit w/ thermostatic control, Tripp-Lite HT10DBS Surge Suppressor

I am always looking for constructive criticism on my setup. Please feel free to give me your ideas on future upgrades or improvements to my current system. My next planned upgrade is a new media cabinet. I would prefer one that has space for up to 6 components. Please let me know if you have any suggestions.

Take a look at my gallery if you would like to see more pictures.

[David Forbes]

Nice stup. I like how you got all the cabling to the flat panel hidden. That always bugged me to see wires hanging down from an on-wall installation.

The only suggestion I have is to space out your front mains a little more if you can. I know you're butting up against the sub and a sofa on one side and you have stairs on the other, but even a couple of inches might help with your soundstage.

[darwin316]

I agree with David, your setup is nicely done... I, too, am a fan of hidden wires.