Living room setup advice

energizer123 · 2 Aug 2022 at 10:37

Hi all,

I previously had a dedicated cinema room which sadly had to go when the girlfriend moved in.

I moved some of my equipment into the living room and sold the rest. The issue I have is I'm limited by space and I can't run cables across the room. So looking for the best setup within these restrictions. I have no room for a sub sadly.

I have the following, all based around a 83 inch OLED. It's subject to 14 day return so I can change things but I'm very happy so far.

I deliberately haven't bought a new amp as I understand new Denon amps will be coming out back end of this year. My plan is to buy the new version of whatever replaces the Denon AVC-X3700H.

Two main concerns
1. Is my amp suitable to drive the setup until Nov ish when the new amps come out
2. Anything you would change

New setup
TV - 83 OLED (can't be changed)

Amp - Denon AVR-X2200W (from old setup)

Fronts - Monitor Audio SILVER 300 (7G) Gloss Black (new)

Centre - Monitor Audio SILVER C250 (7G) Gloss Black (new)

Cables - Chord Company ODYSSEYX (new)

Atmos - Audio SILVER AMS (7G) Gloss Black (will go on top of front speakers) (new)

Any feedback welcome.

thanks

hornetstinger · 2 Aug 2022 at 10:57

You need a sub as your speakers are not capable of full range output. Even if you get a single 10/12" sub that help the amp and speakers

Don't buy rip off chord cables in the future £120 for 5m? Ummm

You let a girlfriend dictate what to get rid of IN YOUR OWN HOUSE? That's a red flag right there.

Get rears/surrounds. Use some strategic placement of cable like in corner between skirting and wall etc,.corner of ceiling/wall

energizer123 · 2 Aug 2022 at 11:10

Thanks

To be honest, I just don't want cables running across the living room so rears not an option.

I've had a 7.1.2 and to be honest it wasn't significantly different to what I have now. I didn't find the surrounds and back made a massive difference. More the height.

Are there are speakers that are capable or is a sub my only solution? i.e. if I spent more could I avoid it.

Is my amp ok for the time being or am I leaving a lot of performance on the table.

energizer123 · 2 Aug 2022 at 11:10

Actually 400 for cables sadly!

hornetstinger · 2 Aug 2022 at 11:13

Can you even have Atmos without side/rear? I haven't looked into that amp it'll do 5.1 but check it has Atmos amps.

No , no speakers are full range unless spending a lot of money, mine are flagship and even a good £500 10" sub will outclass them

Having Atmos rather than side/surround is pointless, as Atmos has less content.

What if you get wall mount speakers?

melmac · 2 Aug 2022 at 11:17

Have you considered the Sony HT A-9? It's ideal for people who don't want cables everywhere.

hornetstinger · 2 Aug 2022 at 11:24

energizer123 said:
Actually 400 for cables sadly!

https://c.tenor.com/PTONt_7DUTgAAAAC/batman-slap-robin.gif

energizer123 · 2 Aug 2022 at 11:38

Thanks all.

Amp does do dolby Atmos.

So would I be better off sticking with my Dali Zensor 3 (which i could wall mount at the front) then put a sub under them?

I was told by the salesman that Atmos was more impactful as it added height?

hornetstinger · 2 Aug 2022 at 11:42

It might decode Atmos, but does it have the amplifier channels for it? I do know the lower range models may need a power amp. I'd rather have 5.1 rather than 3.1.4.

You can re use small bookshelf as Atmos height, I'm using 3010i x 4. Concencrate on 5.1/7.1 before Atmos.

I have 7.2.4 and Atmos is just a little bit of extra detail, the bulk of surround FX is side/surrounds

energizer123 · 2 Aug 2022 at 12:56

Understood - thanks

Would i be better off sticking with my Dali Zensor 3 (which i could wall mount at the front) then put a sub under them? Would that give a better sound than what i've bought? This is the only way I could work a sub into the system.

hornetstinger · 2 Aug 2022 at 13:02

You could use subwoofers as speaker stand yeah. The monoprice 10" V2 is good price at the moment £450 on auction site

energizer123 · 2 Aug 2022 at 13:11

So you would say 2 x dali zensor and 1 x dali vokal with the monoprice 10" would be better than my new setup?

I only ask as i can return it all.

thanks

hornetstinger · 2 Aug 2022 at 13:18

No, little speakers like the Dali wont be better than bigger floorstanders. They're also different brands I've heard neither of those models.
If you've already got the Monitor Audio can't you fit a subwoofer? You can place them in a locations it doesn't have to be in one specific place.

energizer123 · 2 Aug 2022 at 13:24

I have the Dali zensor already. The monitor speakers i got delivered yesterday but can return in 14 days.

If I couldn't get a sub in the room with the monitor speakers. Would dali smaller speakers with a sub be better than what monitor with no sub?

Fitting a sub will be really tricky with the monitor speakers. Sounds like i may just need a find a way.

Atmos i can test and return if no good.

energizer123 · 2 Aug 2022 at 13:25

It's the running a cable that's the biggest issue. Are there any good wireless sub woofers?

MrRockliffe · 2 Aug 2022 at 13:25

1. You definitely want a sub. I have a personal preference for sealed, but if you're predominantly watching films, I'd go ported for better depth to the bass. Sub isn't just about bass, but it also impacts the soundstage.

2. I wouldn't change the speakers, Monitor Audio stuff is nice

3. I wouldn't get a Denon X3 series with your speakers. In fact, I wouldn't go Denon at all. I'd cough up the extra for Anthem MRX 540 - the room correction you get really helps integrate all of your components, and it's something I now wouldn't go without.

4. Return your cables

MrRockliffe · 2 Aug 2022 at 13:27

energizer123 said:
I have the Dali zensor already. The monitor speakers i got delivered yesterday but can return in 14 days.

If I couldn't get a sub in the room with the monitor speakers. Would dali smaller speakers with a sub be better than what monitor with no sub?

Fitting a sub will be really tricky with the monitor speakers. Sounds like i may just need a find a way.

Atmos i can test and return if no good.

If you already have the Zensor stuff, I wouldn't be replacing with Monitor Audio.

You'll get significantly more performance out of them if you get them set up properly.

Cheaper speakers, well set up and integrated will give you better performance than high end speakers which haven't been set up properly.

Get a good AVR with proper room correction and a decent sub. It'll transform your experience.

hornetstinger · 2 Aug 2022 at 13:29

Floorstanders will have specific positives like running pure direct for stereo. More efficient.

"It's the running a cable that's the biggest issue."

With some thinking and planning it's doable, typcially atmos height require more work. I've just place cable around the skirting board, under the sofa, and use rugs if the speakers are not flush against the wall.

The Monoprice subs are great value for money you'd need to doubleor triple the price of that 10" Monoprice to get similar performance from other brands

"Get a good AVR with proper room correction"

A system can sound very good without room correction tbh typically it's the bass frequencies so that can be done with a subwoofer EQ unit

energizer123 · 2 Aug 2022 at 13:34

So my best bet, is to stick with what I have and add a sub?

The atmos will go on top of my front speakers.

energizer123 · 2 Aug 2022 at 13:36

MrRockliffe said:
Get a good AVR with proper room correction and a decent sub. It'll transform your experience.

I'm using a Denon and the supplied mic is that too basic?

Would I not get more out of my expensive ones if setup properly too? As a direct comparison without calibrating the new ones, even my girlfriend was amazed how much better they were than then Dali Zensors.

Thanks all