3.1 Home Theater Options

I have my system in a Great Room with 20 foot cathedral ceilings and a connected kitchen. Due to Spousal Acceptance I changed my speakers. which were Genesis 6.1 towers, to a good 2.1 system.

I am curious about setting up a Home Theater system with 2 Mains, a Sub and Center Channel.

I have the 2 mains , the sub and an Oppo BDP-83 and a PS Audio GCC 250 Integrated Amp.

My Mains are Usher Be-718 Tiny Dancers which require a lot of power.

The main problem is hearing dialogue on Blue Ray Discs. I am good on DVD I would be willing to change to Ascend Sierra 1 Speakers across the front to reduce the power requirements.

Suggestions?

The Be-718 is an excellent speaker. From what I remember, its measured sensitivity is a little less than the Sierra-1, but not difficult to drive.

Is there a center channel to match the Be-718?

If you went to a 3.1 setup, you would also need to change from the PS Audio Integrated amp to an AVR or pre/pro-amp setup. Correct?

As it stands now, with the integrated amp, you are not able to decode any of the DD or DTS codecs. Perhaps that is part of the issue?

The actual sensitivity is around 83db, Per a 6 Moons Review. He used 400 wpc Mono Blocks. They sounded tinny with my other amp. Rated at 110 wpc

I would appreciate input on my original question. Thank You

I was looking Stereophile's measurements which measured them at 85dB. One thing is for sure, when I had the Be-718's in my room...they were anything but tinny.

Thought you were looking for suggestions and not an answer to a specific question.

A 3.1 Sierra setup with a Rythmik sub would be a very nice setup.

The dialogue problem you have with BluRay discs I think is a possible issue with codecs and downmixing to 2.0.

I would, of course change my Amp. I am using my OPPOs 2ch stereo outputs. The unit "forces " 2ch audio out of the Blu-Ray Audio. I don't understand why DVD sounds so good when Blu-Ray sounds so bad.

Don't be afraid to get all pedantic with me.

Do I need seperate processor and amp? I can Bi wire my Ushers. I still want really high end Stereo music via my CD player. I don't understand how I can ger 3.1 out of 7.1

Can I use the OPPO as a "processer"? to a multi ch. Amp?

Your mentioned amplifier is a "dual" mono amplifier and cannot run a 3rd channel. Since its a great amplifier you can still use that when you get your needed receiver for decoding blue rays. You will also need a receiver for the LFE's/sub provided by said blue rays. Your blue ray player cannot do what you need to happen to fully enjoy a 3.1 setup. Options:

1. Purchase a receiver, use the rec. outputs to use your current amplifier for a set of Sierra 1's. Use this receiver to also control and connect to Sierra 1 center channel. Purchase a servo driven Rythmic sub and use the LFE output of said receiver. Your now in HD Blue Ray 3.1 heaven :D

2. Purchase a pre-amp only (to use existing amp) and L&R Sierra 1's, purchase another mono amplifier for Sierra 1 center channel, purchase same Rythmic sub. Also 3.1 nirvana :D

You need something to decode and split signals generated by Blue Rays whether its a pre-amp and additional amps, or dedicated receiver with still use of your nice amp. You need to use the "HT Bypass" feature on your current amplifier to enjoy 3.1 sound and any home theater use. Your receiver or pre-amp controls and decodes while your amp provides the juice.

i have somewhat-missing dialogue occasionally on DVD's, and i must switch to stereo (since i have a 2.1 currently hooked up) on my AVR. My avr is supposed to do this automatically- but I select stereo on the dvd and stereo on the receiver anyways; it sounds fine then. i don't know if bluray is even stereo as an option, especially depending on the movie. i would say its typically not, with out googling, which means it is going to be sending the information as decode needed (dts, dolby, etc). I'd say then the culprit is your decoder to analogue out box-- the oppo which is reading the bluray. you're going to need to find out if the oppo can downmix the surround channel information into regular ol' stereo mix; something either A: it may need to be set to do, or B: does not do.

that's my advice, from my experience; ymmv :-\

Thank You everyone.

My next step is Computer Audio. I don't think I will ever catch up. I'm just another Analog Dinosaur.

Your very welcome friend, and the computer audio stuff is also something I haven't been to up-to-date on either:confused:(turning 41 this Sunday). Too many variables to me it seems and performance can have too many limitations based on just that, too many variables. Not for me :D


Brian in Bakersfield...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by curtis

A 3.1 Sierra setup with a Rythmik sub would be a very nice setup.

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This is exactly what I have :) Since my setup is our main family room, anything more than a 3.1 would start to clutter the room. I have an Onkyo 3008 AVR and I only use the 3 front channels + the sub channel for my Rythmik. We mostly listen to music and watch movies. It's a fantastic setup. Someday I might add the other channels...