OK, guys... I've decided to reward myself this coming summer with a new large flat-screen t.v. and a home-theater system... I was originally looking at HTIB systems, but decided I'm gonna splurge a bit more and get separate components so that I can get a powered sub as part of the system. I also like the idea of separate components so that if one part of the system goes out, I'm not replacing the whole system -- only the part I need to. I've JUST begun doing my initial research; again, I'm probably 7 - 10 months out from making my purchase. Here's my initial dilemma and why I'm reaching out for suggestions/help: I'd like to have my rear channel speakers and my powered sub wireless. I was in a chat session with a Crutchfield tech support rep and he said there was no such animal yet even though they get inundated with that request all the time. He said the only thing I can do to make my vision a reality is to have a separate amp powering the rear channel speakers to go along with my powered sub. Here was the original system I was wanting/looking at -- with the exception that I'd like the rear speakers and sub to be wireless, like I said. I'm looking at coupling this with a Polk PSW125 powered sub... http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107RM85B/Polk-Audio-RM85-Home-Theater-Speaker-System.html?tp=184 Suggestions? Thoughts?
you just like spending lots of money don't you??? :D imho, because of the non-directional nature of subs I can see no practical need for more than one... personally I'd go for one of the bigger ones like the 400 or 500... any top shelf a/v amp from Denon/Yamaha will get the job done without going to multiple amps... personally I'm a big fan of polk audio speakers, i've got some I've had since '86 and the still sound awesome... i'm also a big fan of definitive tech, for the money they are quite nice...
I'm not going with more than one sub... the PSW125 or the like will be it. Everything else is just the normal front, center and rear channel speakers that make up the rest of a basic 5.1 surround sound system.
Greg - what's your plan for wiring? That's always been my biggest hangup when it comes to doing more w/my home theatre setup. I just don't have any desire to fish wires under the carpet, or up walls.
That's EXACTLY why I'm looking to find a setup similar to the one I linked to except I want wireless rear speakers and a wireless powered sub. I just don't have a good way to get the wire from the front of my room to the back as I've got a really open floor plan in the lower level of my house where I'm putting the system.
I'm not really a home theater guru but I have dabbled in high-end stereo/sound systems. The problem with wireless speakers is the power involved. To have any power to the speaker it is gonna have to be plugged in to something. I suppose the Crutchfield guy was talking about wireless to the amp and then wired to the speakers? That is about the only way you'll be able to go. I would also recommend any wire that you run be extra thick (back in the day it was called monster cable) as that will cause less degradation, especially over longer distances. Personally, when/if I ever decide to upgrade the TV system to home theater I will find a way to run the cable. IMO it will deliver crisper, cleaner sound than anything wireless. If I am going to have a high-end system I will make the effort. Have fun, Greg. Nothing like high-end Audio-Visual stuff. Although I rarely listen to the stereo these days when I do it is sweet.
Thanks, Bruce. Yes, that's what I was assuming he was talking about (wireless to the amp and wired to the speaker -- although powered subs have self-contained amps). I've also given thought to what you talked about as far as taking the time to run the wires so as to have a cleaner, crisper sound. I'm just not sure how I'd run it at this point short of pulling up the carpet... and that would be a MAJOR pain and probably an expense I'm not ready for at this point. I'm also a bit concerned about going wireless for the rear speakers for fear of it possibly interfering with my wirless internet.
It means extra wire but there are a number of ways to hide it along the floor/wall edge using hollow molding or, after taking up existing molding, cutting a groove in the drywall, laying the wire in there and replacing the molding. Time to get creative .
I don't know the freqs but I am willing to bet that the wireless internet freq and any freq used for the speakers would be different enough not to interfere with each other. You would probably be good to go there.
Greg sounds like its going to be a killer setup when you get it!! my current is just a cheap Zenith I bought in 05 for around $200.00 Its a DVD VCR combo and has three front speakers, two back, and a Subwoofer Bass. I was building my house and knew I was going to get one, so I ran all the wireing ahead of time before the dry wall was installed. I would have liked to have wireless like you mention. Im going to do some changes on mine soon. The speakers are mounted on the walls to high,and I dont like the look. I still get bullets wizzing by sounds, but not as good as it could be at the right height. Im going to build custom grills,(lower) cut drywall and install a shelf behind it for my current speakers to sit on so they are inside the walls and all you will see is the grills flush with the wall.
If you have a basement just drill a hole through the subfloor where it meets your base molding at your stereo and again where ever you want to place the speakers. As long as you have the system and the speakers along the walls you will never see the wires.
Well of course if I had a basement under the room I was working with it'd be easy, duh! :D LOL! No, unfortnunately I don't have a real "basement" per se, but rather a "lower level" that's sort of like a huge walkout... except over 1/2 of it would be the walkout part. It sits on a concrete slab with no crawl space beneath... Of course, this is where I want the system to go as it's where we spend 95% of our time living other than the kitchen and the main three bedroom which are upstairs; the rest of what's upstairs is just frilly stuff for show (wife stuff). Old pic but you get the idea....
