Finally building the man cave....

[Chess]

I was actually a bit shocked at your receiver choices when I first read this thread. Your speakers are fairly entry-level (note: this doesn't include those awful, worthless HTIB speakers), but your receiver is Denon's xx12 top model.

Have you read the thread on AVS Forum about the xx12 series?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1334369

If I were you, I would get the 2112CI if you don't care about 3D and the 2312CI if you do care about 3D. The reason is that the 2312 will display the GUI overlay on 3D video feeds, but the 2112 does not. I own a 2112, and that's the one thing that I don't like about it. Although, I rarely play 3D content so it's not that big of a deal.

It's an odd concept to me, but make sure you call up authorized Denon dealers if you want to go with them. The MSRP on my 2112CI is $650, but I got it for $430 + shipping! That was through Electronics Expo.

EDIT:



Unfortunately for him, they were on sale last week (pretty sure it was last week) at Newegg.

Well the reason I am looking at that reciever is basically for future use.. >I know I will upgrade my speakers in 2-3 years most likely... Why have to go out in buy another receiver..> Granted I am just sort of prepping myself if that makes any sense at all ?

Hopefully it does.. I will take a look at the 2112CI as well.....

Thoughts ?

 

[Aikouka]

Well the reason I am looking at that reciever is basically for future use.. >I know I will upgrade my speakers in 2-3 years most likely... Why have to go out in buy another receiver..> Granted I am just sort of prepping myself if that makes any sense at all ?

Hopefully it does.. I will take a look at the 2112CI as well.....

Thoughts ?

I'm more worried that you're going to be spending more money on features that you'll never use. The advantage of the 3312 is that it does have pre-outs to be used with an amp like brotj7 suggested. Although, I'm not sure if the Monitor 70s would really require a separate amp?

This is a bit of personal preference here, but I'm far more willing to upgrade a $400 receiver than I am a $1000 receiver. I actually had a Denon AVR-1910 in my living room before the 2112, and I replaced it so I could do 3D.

 

[exdeath]

Panasonic AE7000. Don't bother with cute TVs at that size, go straight for the good stuff if you are building a "man cave" and not a "boy cave".

Anyone looking for 60"+ owes it to themselves to check out a properly setup high quality projector. It's not just about the size, the picture will blow you away and leave you smiling smugly every time you walk past the TV isle at any store.

 

[thegimp03]

For TVs, also check out Sony's HX929 series. They have a 65" that came out a couple months ago. I bought the 55" version when they came out and it's the best TV I've ever owned. Very very highly rated on AVS Forum with lots of comparisons made to the Sharp Elite.

 

[Zivic]

Panasonic AE7000. Don't bother with cute TVs at that size, go straight for the good stuff if you are building a "man cave" and not a "boy cave".

Anyone looking for 60"+ owes it to themselves to check out a properly setup high quality projector. It's not just about the size, the picture will blow you away and leave you smiling smugly every time you walk past the TV isle at any store.

while I agree with this, I wouldn't mess with a projector unless one has complete light control.

 

[Chess]

while I agree with this, I wouldn't mess with a projector unless one has complete light control.

I wont be buying a projector for that main reason....

 

[SithSolo1]

Well the reason I am looking at that reciever is basically for future use.. >I know I will upgrade my speakers in 2-3 years most likely... Why have to go out in buy another receiver..> Granted I am just sort of prepping myself if that makes any sense at all ?

Hopefully it does.. I will take a look at the 2112CI as well.....

Thoughts ?

Don't worry about the power too much, just find pre-outs and the tech features(3D, internet radio, etc) you want for a good price. When upgrade your speakers down the line then you can add something like http://emotiva.com/xpa3.shtm for the front 3 or get separate mono blocks and run the other 2-4 surrounds off the receiver. Then you will have all the power you want for years to come.

 

[GWestphal]

3D (really more like 2.5D) is a huge gimmick and actually quite bad for your eyes regardless of the technology used. My friend made me check out his 3D TV and I couldn't see properly for the rest of the evening. The TV even has a warning saying to take breaks every 10-15 mins. WTF a movie is 90 mins long, I'm not stopping a movie 6 times.

 

[KentState]

For TVs, also check out Sony's HX929 series. They have a 65" that came out a couple months ago. I bought the 55" version when they came out and it's the best TV I've ever owned. Very very highly rated on AVS Forum with lots of comparisons made to the Sharp Elite.

I would recommend either the VT30 or HX929 depending on how much light you have in the room. I find that the VT30 works well unless there is a lot of light in the room.

 

[ImpulsE69]

gar: thanks for the input man...

Anyone have any experience with the Sharp LC70LE735U ?

What sub would you suggest... I am not a sub expert by any means... So suggestions would be awesome !!!

The 735U is amazing. There have been some instances of people seeing clouding, and dark corners, although I have not had these issues.

The 734U is the same TV only without 3D. Depending on where you go, you could save some money getting that instead.

 

[Chess]

3D (really more like 2.5D) is a huge gimmick and actually quite bad for your eyes regardless of the technology used. My friend made me check out his 3D TV and I couldn't see properly for the rest of the evening. The TV even has a warning saying to take breaks every 10-15 mins. WTF a movie is 90 mins long, I'm not stopping a movie 6 times.

I am with you on this... I am not saying I want a 3d TV, but it seems on all the high end TVs that are out there... they come with the option... Doesnt mean you have to use it... but i am not sold on it either...

 

[Chess]

The 735U is amazing. There have been some instances of people seeing clouding, and dark corners, although I have not had these issues.

The 734U is the same TV only without 3D. Depending on where you go, you could save some money getting that instead.

Do you have the TV yourself I am assuming.... I havent always been a HUGE Sharp fan...

I am doing all my homework, so really no brand is excluded per say !

 

[Chess]

Update:

Finishing up the patching of the drywall and a 2 gang box for cat 5 cable...


Problem: I have an issue of how I am going to run the audio cables... Do I run it down the one side of the baseboard and make one longer run...

I will take photos tonight to share...

 

[Chess]

I want to run speaker cable I think behind the baseboard...

problem is this

on one side and the other looks like this

Any suggestions on how yall would run your speaker cable to the rear ??

 

[brainhulk]

anybody try goldenear speakers, i've been meaning to listen to them at my local hifi store. Ive been putting it off since I already have my B&w's. But i hear they sound great

 

[brotj7]

Any suggestions on how yall would run your speaker cable to the rear ??

Do you own or rent?

It looks like you already have a soffit on one side and a column in that second picture. Why not build it around the room? Then use columns to hide the vertical wires/speakers in each of the 4 corners. The beauty is you would only really need to open up the current soffit/partial column to run the cables. Do you have more pictures of the room?

 

[Chess]

brotj7:

I own the place....
http://s1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg509/rpaynejr/Basement/ for more photos....

I have thought about wireless speakers.... etc.... its only like a 2 inch gap between conrcrete walls and the drywall... i busted up the drywall to run some cat 5 and am patching that and audio holes that were from previous owner 2 years ago..

 

[dursty]

Could put up crown molding in the room and run the speakers cables in the corner.. cover them up with the crown molding. Did that in our living room in our new house... just an idea.

 

[Chess]

I've gotten that idea as well...just trying to figure out the best way..

 

[brotj7]

Check out the Bacon Race theatre build over at avsforum.com start around 6-7 starts the upper ceiling sides and moulding. Your solution does not need to be nearly as fancy, but it shows how easy it is to do a trey(sp?) ceiling with 2x2 framing, moulding, and additional lighting.

 

[Chess]

I was thinking about actually running some speaker cable back through the wall and punching out the on the one side with a wall plate, and then running along baseboard and punching out again....

Thoughts on that ?

Crown molding is always an idea....

 

[brotj7]

My guess would be the outside door would have blocking that would prevent running cable through that particular area without opening up the area above the door for drilling holes.

It appears the adjacent rooms are also sheetrocked, so i would go for that protruding beam next. When you knock on it, does it sound hollow? It could be2x2 framing covering pipes, but it could also be sheetrock directly screwed into a wooden support beam. If it is hollow, I would use that and just patch any holes when done, if not I would go moulding.

 

[Zargon]

3D (really more like 2.5D) is a huge gimmick and actually quite bad for your eyes regardless of the technology used. My friend made me check out his 3D TV and I couldn't see properly for the rest of the evening. The TV even has a warning saying to take breaks every 10-15 mins. WTF a movie is 90 mins long, I'm not stopping a movie 6 times.

thats probably something do to with YOU. I have played 3d games for hours with only minor eye fatigue.

and if its done right its not a gimmick, but 90% of '3d' content is gimmicky crap



chess: Id go on the wall with the soffit and fish it up

get some fish stix from lowes/home depot and you will make it alot easier

 

[Chess]

bump for those that are interested...

Picked up the Panny 65VT30, its being delivered tomorrow....

I am going to attempt to setup the speakers and receiver tonight

 

[Exterous]

get some fish stix

Mmmmm...I haven't had fish sticks in a while. I am hungry

bump for those that are interested...

Picked up the Panny 65VT30, its being delivered tomorrow....

I am going to attempt to setup the speakers and receiver tonight

Don't forget the pictures!