Post pics of your setup!

[PM650]

:thumbsup: I got lucky and grabbed all mine before they started disappearing. I originally thought the dual 8" floorstanders would have enough bass for me but the upgradeitis kicked in. Still glad I went with them instead of bookshelves though.

You should post a pic of your Athenas if you have them.

Eh, I think I'll spare the viewers a sight best not to be seen :$ - at least until I move out. I did have two pairs of AS-F1s that I sold to some friends (got them cheap second hand), they sounded very nice, even w/o a sub. My dad also has a pair of AS-B2s that he's quite fond of as well. If I had a pair of AS-F2s, I would use them, but I only have half of a pair, so I've resigned myself to some Infinity Alpha 50s (3-way/dual 8" floorstanders).

 

[Occ]

Hola! Just wrapped up a small improvement project earlier tonight and had a desire to show off my (modest) setup. Alright, this is kind of what I started with; Sammy pn50b530, Xbox 360, Bose 501s in stereo (should I put on a flame suit?), and a Sherwood RD-8108 A/V receiver (using it for audio only, 'cause it doesn't have any of that fancy HDMI, component stuff). You can see the old tube TV underneath the Foosball table (it was a Sharp 27"). Relatively spartan. Check the Home Depot Special TV stand! Heh. The cinder blocks are actually kind of nifty because you can put stuff in the inside of them, like extra cables or remotes or whatever. Also, I don't think it cost more than $15.

So, what to improve? I got rid of the tube tv, added some wall decorations (Arrrrrr, matey!), tossed a PS3 Slim on top of the 360 (not sure if that will last, the 360 is one of the first generation and puts out some serious heat - the Slim doesn't get too hot by itself though). Did some serious cable management and added a 6' rope light (add $6 for the stand; hey, its modular, man! :sneaky behind the top board for some bias lighting on the cheap too. TV inputs/power wrapped up and disguised and I got some black foam board stuff (a paltry $2.50) to wedge behind the components to hide the cords and black out light shining behind them. My skills with a box cutter were pretty lacking, so I ended up using multiple layers to even out inconsistencies. I think it's safe to say it looks a lot better now, particularly the red plastic underneath the Sammy when the light is directly behind it.

The shelf speakers on the right wall are of indeterminate origin and age, using them for decoration (OK, and maybe I'm too lazy to try and hook them up as back speakers or something - I don't even know if they're any good). The subwoofer is an infamous JBL PB12. The speaker works great, but the amp/backplate failed, as is apparently common for this sub. It still produces thump, but I guess it doesn't have enough consistent/quality amp power to produce a clear sound. So it goes *thump* *bfffft*. Sounds terrible. I'm vaguely looking for a new box for the speaker or maybe a replacement back plate amp.

 

[PM650]

Bose 501s in stereo (should I put on a flame suit?)

The mob is on its way, hope you have a firehose to fend them off

Consider getting some speaker stands (boxes work well in the interim ).

The subwoofer is an infamous JBL PB12. The speaker works great, but the amp/backplate failed, as is apparently common for this sub. It still produces thump, but I guess it doesn't have enough consistent/quality amp power to produce a clear sound. So it goes *thump* *bfffft*. Sounds terrible. I'm vaguely looking for a new box for the speaker or maybe a replacement back plate amp.

So it only produces distorted sound? Is it the older amp or the newer one? The newer one will have a barcode below the crossover knob, it can easily be serviced. The older one, with the barcode on the sub cabinet (below the amp), has a proprietary module that is what's so problematic & consequently unserviceable (PCB + components encased in epoxy...).

 

[Occ]

Yeah, it's definitely the older one. Thanks for the info, though. What are the odds of finding a blown out subwoofer on craigslist or something and switching the speaker part? Also, what height should I be trying to get the speakers to? Right now they sit at 2' tall. Sitting on the couch, head level is going to be between... 3'-4'. The couch cushion is 1 and a half feet off the ground.

 

[PM650]

You might be able to find a newer sub with a blown driver; I did come across an E250P once with a fried speaker but I don't know how common this is. The PB12 with the older amp will always have a dead amp, the speaker is far from being the weak point in that particular case. A PB12 with the newer amp/dead speaker will be an easy swap, if you can find one. The E250P, which replaced the PB12, uses the same amp as later PB12s, but you will need to shave the corners so that the amp will fit into the PB12's routered recess (also add foam tape to seal it up). You can try it the other way around (swap drivers), but the E250P driver is silver, PB12 is black. Finding an E150P (PB10 replacement model) with a blown driver is also an option, the amp will fit just as the E250P amp would, albeit with reduced power (lower voltage transformer, 150W vs 250W). Swapping PB12 amps (new vs old) will require the same modifications as the E250/150 amps. The Venue 12 (E250P replacement model) also uses the same amp as the E250P, so it's an option as well. The Venue 10 uses a completely different class AB amp, which will not fit.

It's possible there's something wrong with your amp other than the module (no surprise that there were other less severe issues with the design). Take a look at the service bulletins in the service manual to see if any of them describe what you're experiencing.

Speakers...you want them roughly at ear-level for your listening/seating position. You'll be hearing their on-axis response, which is usually what they're built to provide the best response at. I'm sure someone else will have something more to say on this.

 

[FiLeZz]

This is my rack. built into the wall. My brother and I made it. It is made out of maple.
In the rack we have the audio gear.
Tuner preamp Pioneer vsx-72tvx
Amp is a fosgate audionics FAA 1000.5 it is a seven channel amp pushing 200x3 RMS and 100x4. This runs my m&k 150's front and rear and center.
Then we have the crown amp XTI 4000 This runs my two jl audio 13w7 subs

Now we have a screen and plasma and projector all in one location. The projector is a Mitsubishi HC4900 1080p
Then the 58" plasma Panny.

More of the same.

 

[FiLeZz]

opps

 

[Hmongkeysauce]

:thumbsup: I got lucky and grabbed all mine before they started disappearing. I originally thought the dual 8" floorstanders would have enough bass for me but the upgradeitis kicked in. Still glad I went with them instead of bookshelves though.

You should post a pic of your Athenas if you have them.

How are the F2 towers for an apartment and no sub? I found a local seller selling a pair at about $250. Worth the doe?

 

[Nohr]

How are the F2 towers for an apartment and no sub? I found a local seller selling a pair at about $250. Worth the doe?

They don't have enough bass for me, but I'm not certain it isn't my receivers fault. You might not have that problem. Otherwise I've been really happy with my Athenas.

I'd buy a pair for $250 (they were $400 when I bought them), even if you do end up needing a sub. I live in an apartment with a sub, you just got to watch the volume.

 

[Falloutboy]

Just got a new place and I'm quite pleased with my setup now, GF has way to many nicknacks though lol

 

[RedCOMET]

Here is a picture of my screen:
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Char_0079/Screen01.JPG

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Char_0079/Screen02-TV.JPG

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Char_0079/Screen03-xbox.JPG

Projector:
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Char_0079/Projector.JPG
Rack:

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Char_0079/Rack1.JPG

Close up:
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Char_0079/Rack2.JPG

Lacing Bars:
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Char_0079/Lacing_Bars.JPG

 

[The Boston Dangler]

after a busy day, i've decided to resume work tomorrow.
the stuff:
denon avr-2802
denon dvr-2900 (connected with 6 channel analog)
deftech studiomonitor 350, 2002? center, bipolar surrounds, 1000W sub
home brew 'puter (connected with toslink)
tripp-lite ht3100pc
logitech di novo edge, mx performance, harmony 880, cordless rumblepad 2
razer lachesis, lycosa mirror

Q: what's missing from this picture?
A: a dead 50" plasma and the world's shittiest cable box

if you sit on the couch, the 24" monitor fills the exact same space as the 50.

disgraceful, but necessary

in the middle of spring cleaning, ups had some new toys for me! yay!

 

[Sixthsense]

60" LG Plasma
Denon 1909
Monitor Audio RSLCR
Monitor Audio RS6
Monitor Audio RS1
JBL L8400P
PS3
360
BDI 8527

 

[cubalis]

My humble basement

 

[Muadib]

You forgot your equipment list, cubalis. I can understand the center speaker, but why did you put the left & right channels so low?

 

[cubalis]

You forgot your equipment list, cubalis. I can understand the center speaker, but why did you put the left & right channels so low?

Whoops, thought I had typed in my stuff...

Optoma HD20
110" DIY screen
4x8 starry sky
Pioneer Elite VSX01 receiver
Samsung PD1600 Bluray, PS3, 360, Wii
Paradigm Studio 20's, CC590, and soon to be SA-15r in walls (currently $50/pair monoprice)
Elemental Designs A7-600 2x12" 1000w rms sub


As for the speaker placement, the center was a no brainer obviously, and I ended up making the stand myself. With the leftover wood I decided to make some tiny L&R stands and see how the sounded that low, angled up.

Turns out having the tweeters all aligned and moving the left speaker off the wall a few inches made a huge acoustical difference, so I kept them low.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

You forgot your equipment list, cubalis. I can understand the center speaker, but why did you put the left & right channels so low?

Based on that screen size for the room, it looks like placing the speakers up higher wasn't possible unless
- There was an acoustically transparent screen
or
- The speakers were placed right up against the walls

So, placing all three speakers so their tweeters are aligned and aimed slightly upwards (as was done) is probably a good solution imo.

My equipment list guesses:

Sharp DT-510
Paradigm Studio 20s, 590
I would guess some Elemental designs sub... but there have been so many models... Maybe a dual downfiring little brother of the original A7-900?
The pause icon looks like a PS3's

EDIT: wow, I'm way too slow... and bad at guessing

 

[Chess]

some nice setups here...

I do a/v for a living in the Military world.

I am about to transform my basement here shortly... Debating if I want to go projector or just a nice LED or LCD screen

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

some nice setups here...

I do a/v for a living in the Military world.

I am about to transform my basement here shortly... Debating if I want to go projector or just a nice LED or LCD screen

I think seating distance should determine that for you.

 

[Chess]

I think seating distance should determine that for you.

and its most likely going to end up LCD/LED

Id like a projector, but the issue is it would be a cluster F if I did go with a projector.... even though id love to throw one up there

 

[sdifox]

and its most likely going to end up LCD/LED

Id like a projector, but the issue is it would be a cluster F if I did go with a projector.... even though id love to throw one up there

why would it be a clusterfuck?

 

[Chess]

why would it be a clusterfuck?

the way the room is constructed....

I am going to measure sometime soon the exact dimensions, I dont spend much time down there due to not being home (work/travel)...

Trying to think of how I want to run everything... would be alot easier to have a projector, but I dont think the distance will make it easy to do...

 

[sdifox]

the way the room is constructed....

I am going to measure sometime soon the exact dimensions, I dont spend much time down there due to not being home (work/travel)...

Trying to think of how I want to run everything... would be alot easier to have a projector, but I dont think the distance will make it easy to do...

sledge hammer has transformation powers :biggrin:

 

[Chess]

sledge hammer has transformation powers :biggrin:

hehe true

 

[Aharami]

My humble basement

Im going for a similar setup with my projector setup in my still unfinished basement (still in planning phase). Do the light colored walls and white ceiling detract from the projector setup at all? Im not a big fan of very dark colored walls.

Also intrigued by the starry sky setup above your seating area. Please tell me more about it