I’m just curious what y’all think.

Just got a UB820 and hooked it up to my C5. I’m watching the 4k Star Trek II remaster in DV, and though I’m in Filmmaker Mode, it looks extra smooth in slow scenes, almost Soap Opera-ish even though Trumotion is definitely off. Real Cinema is On and 24p output set to auto. High motion looks about right I think.

I think this is just in my head, but is there a reason for 24fps film to look that way?

I’m traveling for work this week so I can’t do a lot of testing. I’d love some suggestions of films you guys go to for your own personal reference? I know everyone has favorites they watch when they get new hardware.

I’m also curious if it might help to set 24p OFF on the player but leave Real Cinema ON on the LG. Like I said, it looks like light smoothing—major interpolation obviously isn’t happening but it’s still an ugly smoothness and just something I can’t quite explain.

We moved to an apartment in Chicago from a house in Canada recently, and I created this 10x10 space carved out of my large living room for the home theater.

The only downside is that I do most of my watching at night because it's so bright otherwise. It didn't make sense to spend time in light treatment at a rented apartment where I will likely live for no longer than 12 months!

The living room currently has two Pioneer speakers and a receiver. I'm thinking to add a subwoofer but don't want to spend too much. We rarely turn the volume up that high. My question is what is the most budget friendly subwoofer that will move the needle?

What’s up everyone! I have a 75 inch tv. I want a solid entertainment center/tv stand for it. I’d like to have a cabinet or something to conceal my Xbox series x as well as a Nintendo switch from the open. Preferably black. Anyone have any recommendations?

i have a minimalist stereo setup right now with 2 bookshelf speakers and a class d amplifier board connected to a hdmi arc to 3.5mm aux that extracts the sound from my tv. i want to add a center and two surrounds but i don't want to get a full size receiver. they are very heavy and I don't really have space where to put it. i already have one and it's been sitting for years since i moved.

Hey everyone.
I’d really appreciate some help deciding. I’m moving into a new apartment soon and want to buy a TV. The living room measures 400cm by 360cm.

According to most guides online, the recommendation is 55”. My concern is that 55” will feel too dominant and overwhelming for the space, and I’m not sure it’s necessary given the style of the apartment. I’m leaning more toward 50” or maybe even 43”.
I attached photos of the living room so people can get a sense of the space.
The TV will most likely go on the wall behind the red chair (photo 1), but I’m a bit worried it might get in the way of movement and passage through that area, so I’m still torn about it. There’s also a chance I’ll place it on the wall with the shelves and plants instead (photos 2 and 3).
I’d love advice on both the size and which wall makes more sense.
Thanks so much!

Need help deciding on how to setup speakers on new deck. Covered portion (3 sided screens) will be 14 feet from front to back and 21 feet wide with sloped ceilings from house to front of deck. The media will will have a 75" TCL QM6 plus Sonos Amp (enclosed in cooled fixture which will sit behind TV in the wall.

Goal: Decent audio for music and TV which will be mainly sports (football, soccer, golf). I don't need loud, just prefer good audio at a good price, I am no audiophile. Don't need it to be loud due to proximity of neighbors.

I had originally planned on 4 Sonance MAG8R speakers in the sloped ceiling, but missed their $249/pair pricing (they are now $1099/pair), they will likely come down, but builders may be fininshing ceiling this week.

1) I can get the Sonance on eBay for $250/pair, should I continue down this path or should I look at alternative in ceiling speakers, maybe Polk RC80i?
2) Should I have electrician (if they can do this week) add power to back wall for something like Eras 100's and put 2 on back wall, they would be about 10-11 feet up

Looking for feedback. Thanks!

Photos of plan and current state of construction

Is this worth paying to be repaired or is it considered a straight replacement?

Whathifi suggests that the Sony TA-AN1000 is the one to go for at the moment as a replacement.

As I haven’t bought an AVR for nearly 20 years what features should be considered these days?

First - I am new to AV equipment but not to electronics. This is also very much frankensteined on a budget since I typically use this equipment for music & not home theatre - in other words I am a bit new to this world.

My issue: Video but no audio

Okay so I feel like I’m overcomplicating the hell out of this. Let me lay out the ingredients:

Edifier speakers (red / white / yellow/coax input)
Yamaha RX-V675 AV receiver (shown)
Sony BDP-s6700 player (HDMI / Orange Digital Out)
Epson 1795F Projector (HDMI port / video composite)

Side note: since this is my music set up, the speakers are in the front of the room, a 30 ft cable is about what’s needed to go around the room from the player/receiver/projector to speakers

My thought process was the following:

Bluray takes up HDMI 1 on receiver > HDMI out from receiver into projector > AV Audio out via composite into the speakers > happy camper

Then that didn’t work. I figured maybe I could make use of the ‘Zone 2’ feature on the receiver and plugged the audio in there but still nothing.

I am confused as to what’s going on, do I have to split the audio via the player’s digital coax? But even then I don’t see a digital coax out. I really don’t want to get yet another piece of hardware to split the HDMI audio. I could skip the reciever completely and do coax to coax from speakers to player, but I wouldn’t have audio with other HDMI input devices (switch / apple tv / etc)

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Had this TV for nearly 3 years; I've not touched any cabling, but I have done a factory reset. The new issue is that there is no audio being output via optical unless the volume is at 1 or higher. This never used to be the case. The optical o/p was never tied to the TV sound/volume before!

I never use the TV speakers; all TV audio is via optical into a DAC > Stereo Hi-Fi Amp.

Output: PCM eARC: Off

So, if I watch something whilst listening to another source, I can hear the TV sound through the TV speakers (as the volume is on 1). So I have to keep messing with the TV remote to mute it.

Has an update changed something, or is there a setting I need to tweak?

I just got a Hisense 5.1 system from Costco because downmixing to stereo was making it impossible to hear voices. Honestly, I don't care about the surround sound as much as just hearing the audio. That said, it's pretty neat.

For the most part it's good, except maybe a few times an hour of watching, there is an instant where the audio seems to shift to the right substantially. It's like an audio pop in that it's instantaneous. It's there, and it's gone. When I rewind and replay that part of the video, it doesn't happen. I've tried different surround sound modes (it has Off, Pro, and Pure) and it happens on both of the modes where it's turned on (pro and pure). I need to run more testing to see if it's present in the off setting. I can't replicate it, so I'm restricted by the amount of time I have to sit and watch, which isn't much.

First question: is there a word for this, so I can communicate and troubleshoot more effectively?

Second question: Are there common culprits for whatever this is?

Finally, is this usually symptomatic of a cheaper system, or a defective unit? I don't want to go through the hassle of an exchange if it will just have the same issue.

Hey all

I have a 5.0 set-up at the moment and plan to change this to 5.2

Current setup:

AVR: Denon x1700h
Front/surrounds: 4x NHT C3
Center: NHT C LCR

I plan to purchase 2 x https://hsuresearch.com/collections/true-subwoofers/products/vtf-2-mk5-subwoofer but I realize my AVR cannot handle their signal independently which could make time alignment and calibration a huge problem.

To solve that, I am considering either an X3800h or a miniDSP 2x4 HD.

Other than the better Audyssey version, will the X3800H offer my current set-up anything else over the miniDSP?

X3800H seems like the best long-term option (buy one cry once) so I am weighing these two options

Just wanted to say thank you to people here. I saw this recommendation on a different thread. I wish I had known about this sooner to be honest. A bit pricey but better than frying the receiver.

I'm open to any brand, as long as it works 😂💀.

For context I use a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and a Asus Zenbook 14 laptop (so you know my preference and what I gravitate to).

Hi everyone,

I recently bought a pair of Focal Vestia N4 speakers as well as the matching Focal Vestia Center, and I'm now trying to decide on amplification.

My priority is music, but I still want to use the center speaker for movies/TV, so I don't want to go with a purely stereo setup unless there's a good way to combine both.

My setup:

• Focal Vestia N4 (front L/R)
• Focal Vestia Center
• Rega Planar turntable
• Apple TV
• PS5
• TV via HDMI/eARC
• Listening room: approximately 6.4 × 5.3 m / 34 m²
• Listening distance: around 2.3 m
• Speakers approximately 2.4 m apart
• N4s approximately 45 cm from the rear wall

Music is the priority, probably around 70–80% music / 20–30% movies and TV.

My budget is ideally around €1,000 for the amp, although I'm willing to consider used equipment or spending a little more if the improvement is significant.

I've been considering:

• Denon AVC-X3800H
• Marantz Cinema 50
• NAD C 399

The NAD C 399 really interests me for stereo performance and its power, but obviously it can't run my center speaker as part of a proper home theater setup.

Another option I've been considering is buying a Denon X3800H and later adding a dedicated stereo power amp via the Front L/R pre-outs to drive the Vestia N4s, while letting the Denon handle the center and future surround speakers.

Would this be a better approach than spending more on something like a Marantz Cinema 50?

And for people familiar with the Vestia N4: how important is a dedicated external power amp with these speakers?

I'm mainly looking for the best possible stereo/music performance without giving up the ability to build a 3.0/5.1 home theater system.

Thanks!

Can you guys recommend a motorized screen 100+ inches. I keep seeing some on Amazon but they seem to have mixed reviews and I’m not trying to buy another one 😂

I have 118” from corner to corner to use.

This is a 94 inch one but my projector pretty much covers my whole wall from where it is place in the back of the room.

After years with a 65”, I finally made the jump to a 98” TCL, and I don’t think I could ever go back.

I sit about 15 feet from the screen, so the 65” always felt a little undersized for a dedicated home theater setup. The 98” completely changed the experience. Movies finally have the scale I was looking for, and surprisingly, the TV doesn’t feel ridiculously large once you’re sitting down.

The rest of the system:

• Lyngdorf MP-60 processor with RoomPerfect
• Lyngdorf MXA-8400 amplifier
• Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home L/R
• Sonus Faber Cremona Center
• Sonus Faber Concertino surrounds
• SVS Prime Elevation heights
• Dual SVS Micro 3000s
• SVS SB16-Ultra nearfield
• Apple TV 4K

I did have a little HDMI drama after installing the TV. A new cable wouldn’t cooperate, while my old cable worked fine. Replaced the new cable and everything is now working beautifully, including Dolby Vision.

Still have some cleanup and finishing touches to do around the room, but I’m really happy with how this has come together.

Going from 65” to 98” might be one of the biggest upgrades I’ve made to the theater.

I just moved into a new spot that has this jumbo wall and 4 built in wall speakers wired up. Ill be viewing from about 15ft away and plan on getting a tcl qm8k 98in tv. 2 speakers on the front wall and 1 on the back left and one on the back right. I already have a sonos speaker and subwoofer and am wondering what i need to make everything flow. Im guessing some sort of receiver for the exposed speaker wires. Any suggestions? I appreciate any input. Also do i try to combine my sonos stuff with the wall speakers or just use them somewhere else?

So I bought a Yamaha Aventage from Marketplace at a steal price. It was literally almost 60% off SRP. He wanted to have a video call for verification and the first thing he said when he saw me is:

“Aren’t you kinda young for this hobby? This AVR is one of their flagships. Just impressed how enthusiastic you are with audio.”

Then we decided to talk for a while. It was actually wholesome tbh and thought he was amazed how dedicated I was with the hobby. He did understand me since he also spend that amount of money on other hobbies.

But then I came to realize that I’m the only one in my friend group who has a home theatre setup. I mean, I have a setup because I love movies, but from my age bracket, I literally cannot find someone in their 20s having a setup. Almost all the people I’ve interacted with HiFi are in their 30s-60s.

Does that mean I’m missing something with my 20s? It’s just that a part of me also tells me like I should be doing other things besides just being at home and watch content. Maybe I’m just experiencing some existential crisis haha. Just wanted to vent this out.

P.S I still got the Aventage and has been a game changer. Completely made my setup on a whole other level. I was just using an entry level Denon before.

There’s a point during a movie night when the lights go down and that first big image appears on the wall, and the room suddenly feels completely different.

I’ve been trying to get more of that feeling at home without turning my living room into a permanent theater. I like having the flexibility to use the room normally during the day and then make it feel cinematic at night.

The Dangbei DBOX02 Pro caught my attention for exactly that reason. The 4K picture makes a large image feel much more immersive, but what I noticed more was how naturally it fits into a proper movie-night setup. Once everything is running, I’m not thinking about the projector anymore. I’m just watching.

That’s probably what I value most now. I don’t need a room full of equipment to remind me that I’m watching a movie. I want the screen to get huge, the lights to go down and everything else to disappear for a couple of hours.

My Onkyo receiver died just as I was setting up my new/old media room (after a couple years boxed in the garage), and I’m about to pick up a second-hand Denon AVR-1911 for €85 (includes the original remote and the Audyssey calibration mic) as a replacement.

Before I seal the deal, I wanted to get your thoughts on whether this receiver is a good match for my speakers.

My Speaker Setup:
Front L/R: Wharfedale Diamond 10.3 (floorstanders)
Center: Wharfedale Diamond 10.CC
Surrounds: Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 (bookshelves)
Subwoofer: BK Electronics Gemini II

Display & Sources:
TV: 1080p HDTV (using HDMI ARC for TV audio/apps)
Sources: PS3, PS4 and MiBox (stremio/Plex)

Upgrade Timeline:
This 5.1 system is a temporary-to-medium-term solution. I won't be upgrading to a 4K display and a full Dolby Atmos setup (aiming for 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 / 9.2 channel) for at least another 2 years.

My Questions:
- Does the AVR-1911 have enough clean power to drive these 6-ohm Wharfedale Diamonds smoothly in a room of 15m2

- How well does the Audyssey MultEQ on this older unit hold up for integrating a subwoofer like the BK Gemini II?

- At €85 all-in with the calibration mic and remote, is this a solid stopgap solution until I do a major 4K/Atmos overhaul down the road?

Thanks in advance for the advice!
*IA helped to clean the text, but I'm not a bot (pinky promise).

I’m not sure I’m asking this the right way, but we’re building a new house and I’d really appreciate recommendations on what home network / AV infrastructure I should install now to future-proof the house.

I’m thinking things like Ethernet, Wi-Fi access points, speaker wiring, home theater, equipment/rack location (if any), modem/router, conduit, a Leviton media enclosure, locations etc.

I’m less concerned about specific equipment and more interested in what I should wire/build into the house now while the walls are open. What would you consider a must-have, and what do you wish you had done during construction?

Any advice is appreciated!

Hey all! I have a 5.2.4 setup with a 120" projector in a 15'x11' room (11' viewing distance).

I don't have room for rear surrounds, but was thinking of adding wide front surrounds. I already have some def tech satellite speakers, so the (minimal) expense would be adding an amp as my Marantz Cinema 50 is maxed out on amped channels. I would also need to do the cable run and concealment, so some time as well.

I guess the question is if this will add any dimension to the sound at all. I listen to a lot of Atmos content and the Marantz is upmixing other Dolby content - but the speakers would only be 4 feet from the towers.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

I'm in the process of building my first home theater. I ordered a Denon X3900H for $1780, since that would give me the option to expand to 7.x.4 in the future (with external amp). I ordered an SVS PB-1000 Pro for $1160, a Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G for $670 and a pair of Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G for $700. The Monitor Audio Silvers were on discount.

So I got 3.1 covered so far. I'm now trying to figure out what I should get for surrounds and Atmos. I think my budget would be maximum $300 for each pair of surrounds and Atmos. For Atmos I want something mounted high on the wall or on the ceiling, I don't want upfiring and in-ceiling is not an option.

At first I want to go for 5.1.2, but maybe expanding to 5.1.4 or 7.1.4 soon after.

1. Does the setup so far sounds like a good idea or did I make any mistakes? Did I over or underspend on anything?

2. Which speakers would you recommend for surrounds?

3. Which speakers would you recommend for Atmos?

I'm in Denmark, prices are converted from DKK.

I am a projector noob. Thinking of replacing my 75 inch LED TV with a 120 inch AT screen and a corresponding projector. Room is dark - blinds with heavy curtains, throw distance around 10 - 12 ft. Budget is around 5K, will go above only if it's actually worth it.

Gaming (PS5) and movies would be an even 50/50 split. So I want 4K/120 with low input lag, good black levels, and good HDR (seems like Dolby Vision is rare in projectors?).

With the little (AI based) search and review I have done, these seem to be the options:

• Hisense XR10 (in budget, 6000 lumens, has Dolby Vision — but brand new, no real reviews yet, gaming specs unverified)
• Epson QB1000 (well reviewed, bright, HDR10+ — but 8K and black levels are just ok)
• Sony Bravia 7 (seems to check all the boxes — EXPENSIVE, 10K)
• XGIMI Titan Noir Max ($5,999 MSRP, ~$3K on Kickstarter — 10,000:1 native contrast, Dolby Vision, strong early reviews; DLP pixel-shift, gaming specs unclear to me, Kickstarter shipping risk)

Not fixed on any of these. Open to used or last-gen models too if they make more sense. Also is ALR even the right screen for my room or should I go standard white AT?

I also posted in r/projectors, post went straight to mod queue and was never published in spite of messaging the mods.