/r/hometheater

Photograph via snooOG

For audio visual enthusiasts who want to bring an immersive experience into their homes.


Soundbars

99.9% of the time Soundbars or HTiB (Home Theater in a Box) systems are not a good investment of your time and money.

It is the general consensus of r/hometheater not to recommend these things and instead simply steer a user toward a 2.0 or 2.1 system made of quality, Audio-Centric name brand components which are easy to assemble and cheap enough for low budget or space conscious buyers.

Most can be expanded to 5.1 if you buy the correct items in the correct order.

For further explanation please read Why You Shouldn't Buy a Soundbar

Please be aware /r/Soundbars exists as well as you will be met with opposition to posting about soundbars here.


Rules

I. Be Excellent to each other - Comments containing insults or unconstructive criticism may be removed at moderator discretion. Report comments that cross the line rather than retaliating. We are here to share information & ideas about a shared hobby. A disagreement or difference of opinion does not warrant personal attacks of any kind. Keep in mind that everyone is in a different part of their home theater journey & may have differing priorities

II. Discussions of illegal activity prohibited - Read, understand, and follow the reddit Content Policy: https://www.redditinc.com/policies/content-policy No aiding piracy, even if it is legal in your country. Reddit is US based, so for the continued existence of the sub we follow their rules

III. Moderators reserve the right to remove your post at our discretion - Moderators have final say over any and all posts or comments. They can be removed at our discretion for any reason, including but not limited to off-topic posting & misinformation. Posts containing soundbars are considered off-topic for this subreddit and may be removed. “Discussion” or “Purchasing” advice posts comparing soundbars to modular sound systems are allowed. YouTube links at moderator discretion.

IV. No self-promotion - This subreddit is not to be leveraged for the financial benefit of any user. You may not promote a service, product, or publication with which you are associated. Failure to disclose a financial association will result in a ban. Products provided or discounted in exchange for a post/comment/review constitute a financial relationship with the providing company. Directing traffic to your own monetized YouTube channel or video is prohibited.

V. No deal posts - Posts including deals, sales, used finds, or requests for pricing on a specific item will be removed. Please keep discussion of these topics within the “Weekly Deals Thread” to avoid cluttering the subreddit. Comments discussing current pricing of components within “Purchasing” advice posts are still permissible

VI. No referral links or link shortening - Referral links (including Amazon Smile) allow others to potentially make money. Third party link shortening leads to redirects & potentially harmful websites. Amazon links need to be in the format www.amazon.com/dp/B00VRRVHMA/ - all the extra stuff after those 10 characters is unnecessary. First party link shorteners from mobile apps like Amazon and YouTube will be allowed.

VII. No meta [suggestions] posts or comments - Please send suggestions to the moderators through Modmail instead by clicking here.

VIII. Do not message mods via their private inbox - Messaging mods via their private inbox rather than mod mail will result in a ban and your messages ignored. Please send suggestions to the moderators through Modmail instead by clicking here.

IX. No pictures of boxes - Pictures of your gear set up are encouraged! Pictures of products still in boxes are low effort & low quality content that will be removed.

General Posting Guidelines

  • Please Flair your post
  • Many questions have already been answered, USE SEARCH & See FAQ.
  • When requesting help for issues POST DETAILS, MODELS, & PICS. They always help.

Friends of /r/HomeTheater:

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/r/hometheater

1,049,459 Subscribers

1

Fosi Audio V3 Mono Power Amplifier

I was thinking of picking up this amp, but just in general.if Ii have a pretty good set of speakers as it is is it even worth getting an amp for each speaker? is it just louder or fuller or what?

Thanks!

0 Comments
2025/01/12
06:32 UTC

1

Colour space questions

hi gang, could someone please help me understand why it says YCbCr4:2:0 at the top but in the third row it says YCbCr4:4:4/12 bit

I’m using a JVC NP5 projector linked directly through a 8K hdmi into a Panasonic UBP9000

I have the audio being output from the Panasonic UB9000 (through the audio only HDMI port) into a Marantz receiver !

I’ve gone through the settings of Panasonic UB9000 to make sure 4K 50/60p is enabled. And the projector’s setting does display the colour space as YCbCr444

3 Comments
2025/01/12
06:02 UTC

4

Subscription services for concerts?

This isn't about gear, it's about content. But I feel like a community of home theater enthusiasts is as good a resource for this question as anybody.

We all know there are hundreds of streaming services/apps out there. I'm curious if there are any that people would recommend specifically for concerts. I don't mean audio, although that's great too, but I'm talking about concert films, live events, stuff like that. It just seems to me like Netflix, Max, Hulu, etc. are really weak on concert stuff.

What services do you folks use? What do you like about them?

8 Comments
2025/01/12
05:13 UTC

1

Need advice for speaker upgrade: Emotiva vs SVS

Hey! I'm ready to graduate from my trusty old Sony SSCS3 / SSCS8 speakers and SACS9 sub. I have a Denon X2800H AVR. I also have 4 polk in-ceiling speakers that the previous home owner installed. Not wanting to mess with those at the moment. Room is 11' x 18' with seating about 16' from the screen.

Looking to upgrade L/R floor speakers + center + sub. I've been reading pretty good things about SVS Prime Towers and Emotiva XT1 / XC1. For sub it sounds like SVS is great.

I'm still a bit of a noob and would love recommendations. This is for movies and games. For music I have a stereo setup in another room.

Budget: I'd love to stay around (or under) $2500.

Am I on the right track?

Thank you!

2 Comments
2025/01/12
05:00 UTC

0

In-floor speakers?

Are in-floor speakers a thing?

Inherited a house I wasn't planning on having, and under the carpet & tile there are hardwood floors, with two square holes in the corners, presumably from old hvac..

I can patch the floors before refinishing, or I can do something different.

Have a spot picked out for a ~200" projector, but don't really want anything on the floors, and don't want to cut into the wood walls, aside from probably recessing the projector.

So two good stereo speakers in the floor, or I also stumbled across this "Infinite Baffle" in-floor subwoofer thing, which would turn it into a much-better, much-more-expensive project..

But yeah, any cons to installing wall speakers in floors?

6 Comments
2025/01/12
04:44 UTC

1

5.1 setup with sound issue

Hey guys,

So I’m a bit lost in how to go about fixing an issue I have with my setup.

I currently have a 5.1 setup with 2 bookshelf speakers for the front and 2 for surround.

Everything sounds fantastic, however when watching certain movies, the soundtrack is incredibly lackluster.

The issue seems to stem from the fact the audio track is only being outputted through 2 channels (front)

This makes it very jarring as the surround speakers barely make a noise and there’s a distinct lack of bass.

My receiver is a Onkyo TX-SR373

Is this something that I can fix by upgrading the receiver? I have tried a few fixes and audio setting changes through research but nothing has worked.

The only fix is to turn the audio track to stereo but then im missing out on the surround track.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

2 Comments
2025/01/12
04:34 UTC

1

Klipsch RP1400SW

0 Comments
2025/01/12
02:11 UTC

1

New JBL system

I am pretty happy with the set-up. I’m in a small space, so it does everything I need it to. I love the simplicity of it.

1 Comment
2025/01/12
00:53 UTC

1

Receiver help!

So I have my choice for my loft between 2 receivers that will primarily be used for music, but every now and then movies. Choices: Harman Kardon AVR 20ii (50w/ch) and the Denon AVR-1506 (75w/ch)The other will retire to the garage with limited use. Both are older, I know, but this is not my primary stereo. I have played around with sound some, but still deciding

Thoughts? Love the input here!

They will power Boston CR8s and a DefTech Powersub 1000. These have all been used finds and have been having great luck with quality stuff lately!

1 Comment
2025/01/12
04:29 UTC

0

Light diffuse

Hello! I have a govee light strip on my wall trim, but it is very annoying and I can see every LED. What is the best way to diffuse it? Thanks!

1 Comment
2025/01/12
04:08 UTC

2

Klipsch RP subwoofers vs PSA subwoofers

What’s up guys; what are y’all’s opinions on which of these subs are better quality?…klipsch RP 1400sw or any of the PSA subs? I’m still in the research phase right now; still kinda new to the hobby. Current setup includes 5.1.2 setup all Klipsch RP series, powered by a Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305. Living room is open concept; about 12X22X9ft, Budget is no more than $3,200. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

2 Comments
2025/01/12
03:50 UTC

1

Boston Acoustics VR1 or Paradigm phantom V4?

Putting together my first system. I have a new Denon x1700h and a Paradigm cc-70 v2 for a center.

I was looking at buying one of these speaker sets used:
Boston Acoustics VR1 ($60)
Paradigm phantom V4 ($150)

I am very much a noob at this! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Still looking into subwoofers but any general buying advice for those is welcome as well!

2 Comments
2025/01/12
03:50 UTC

3

Would you leave this as is or should I do some cuts?

This was as far as I would go turning it up. I think I have more to spare but I was laying down taking these measurements with my laptop with my Umik1 at my MLP at ear height and there was a good wobble sound at the start of the 0-200hz sweep. Not sure if it was the sub/s about to bottom out or the barn door moving that they are facing. But I'm going put a 10hz filter in probably a steep one like a 48db rolloff.

I'm adding a 3rd sub in March when my tv2112m comes and hopefully the preorder still is on next month if so I'll probably be doing duals on the order.

Right now it's two sealed tc sounds lms ultra 5400s on 4400 watts rms each. They are near field about a foot away from the listening positions behind us.

Hoping to fill the nulls around 45hz and 80hz and get more spl/headroom adding the 21" subs.

This is a vanilla sweep. No eq, timing, and audyssey off on direct mode.

2 Comments
2025/01/12
03:37 UTC

2

Seeking help with setup

I apologize if this is the wrong subreddit, I am new to setting up a home theatre.

My question concerns playing media at the highest possible visual and audio quality.

I have a OLED and a surround sound system currently hooked up. As I understand it, the best available quality for media would be 4k Blu Rays with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos (Or some form of HDR + Surround sound mix).

I am interested in ripping my 4K discs to a server or external hard drive and am not sure how to play it on the TV. Some forums say the Nvidia Shield Pro is sufficient, while others say I need a Zidoo or Dune device.

Can someone please help me understand what I need to add to my setup in order to play this type of high quality media? I understand that the traditional streaming services compress the media and therefore it is inferior to a true 4k HDR disc.

Thanks

5 Comments
2025/01/12
03:00 UTC

0

This is an absolutely insane deal for $200 USD, is it not? One of the t15s has a busted tweeter but other than that it seems fine

9 Comments
2025/01/12
02:33 UTC

1

AVR Recommendations

Does anyone have any recommendations for AVRs that can decode Dolby Pro Logic 2 as well as having support for modern stuff like Atmos? Is that even possible? I have both modern and older video game systems that I’m trying to get the most out of in my home theater. I’ve figured out most of the visual side of things but am still pretty new to all of this audio stuff and any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

5 Comments
2025/01/12
02:31 UTC

1

Using A/V Receiver Bluetooth output while gaming on-screen?

My current setup has all my gaming devices + 5.1 system connected to a Sony STRDH590 A/V receiver, and its output is fed to a Hue sync box and that connects to my TV HDMI via ARC port. I want to be able to game on the TV and play audio via Bluetooth to the speaker system (ideally still via the sync box for lighting), but this doesn't seem possible with my current layout. Is there a way to set this up?

0 Comments
2025/01/12
02:25 UTC

0

High power AVR or cheaper AVR and a 2ch amplifier for RTIa9

Looking at upgrading from my SR7007. I’ve got RTIa9 speakers for left and right channel. Wondering if it’s worth just getting a cheaper AVR and a decent amplifier for them.

4 Comments
2025/01/12
02:22 UTC

0

Audio echoes using HDMI ARC

Yes the TV speakers are off lol

Current setup is a PC & PS4 routed through a Sony STR DH770 to an LG C2 oled. I bought a PS5 and am looking to make the change of connecting direct to tv to take advantage of HDMI 2.1. However as soon as I setup the Sony receiver to use ARC the audio has a horrible echo and is bad enough to be unusable. This problem doesn’t exist when using optical, or hdmi through the receiver first, only when using ARC.

I’ve been trying for two days now and have had to throw in the towel, does anyone have any ideas how I can solve this?

4 Comments
2025/01/12
02:15 UTC

2

NFL on AP/Netflix

Love the video quality of the NFL games on streaming services…far superior to the broadcast networks via Xfinity. There’s obviously enough speed/bandwidth in the Xfinity service coming into my home to deliver a beautiful picture via Amazon or Netflix (even via WiFi)…just curious why the picture via Xfinity box is so bad?

6 Comments
2025/01/12
02:11 UTC

1

Should I Upgrade My KEF Q350s to the Q Concerto Meta?

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice about upgrading my left and right front speakers. Currently, I’m using KEF Q350s, but I recently upgraded my center channel from the Q650c to the Q6 Meta, and I’m loving the performance so far.

Now I’m considering whether I should upgrade my left and right fronts to the KEF Q Concerto Meta to keep things consistent across the front soundstage. My main concern is whether having matching speakers within the same lineup (Meta series) really makes a noticeable difference, or if the Q350s are good enough to pair with the Q6 Meta without creating any imbalance.

For context, I primarily use my setup for movies and gaming, with a bit of music listening. I’d love to hear from anyone who has experience with a similar setup or has made a similar upgrade. Is the difference in consistency worth it, or should I stick with my current Q350s for now?

Thanks in advance for any input!

1 Comment
2025/01/12
02:06 UTC

32

It sucks that so many 4k blu ray remasters have no HDR pop

I wish there was a better way to tell which 4ks are worth buying! The Star Wars prequels got a HUGE HDR upgrade but, for example, Cars 4k looks light it might be even darker than the blu ray.

27 Comments
2025/01/12
01:41 UTC

3

Center or surrounds first?

I recently upgraded my front speakers and now I have two spare Sony sscs5s. I initially planned on using them as surrounds, but I’m not sure if it would sound weird watching movies with surrounds and no center channel.

Should I just leave them to the side for now? Am I better off just laying one sideways and using that as a center? Would that be better than repurposing them as surrounds?

25 Comments
2025/01/12
01:39 UTC

1

Audio Problem with Receiver

I'm having audio problems with my older Denon AVR-889 receiver. When I turn it on, the audio will cut out or be non existent on one or more speakers. I first noticed it on the center channel, but I also hear it in the left and right channels. Cranking the volume usually resolves the problem temporarily.

I ran a new speaker cable and temporarily used a good speaker from another system when troubleshooting the center channel and neither helped.

Is my receiver dying? Is there anything else I can try?

Thanks.

0 Comments
2025/01/12
01:26 UTC

1

Setup for non home theatre room, sound bar ? Or this weird alternative

Hey guys, last time I asked for advice here few years ago I ended up with a 5.1 setup in my basement and I have enjoyed it almost every other weekend and it was the best purchase ever, thanks to u guys. (Kef350s , 650, svs pb1000 pro)

Currently situation: Just over a year ago my daughter was born and the weekends in basement started decreasing, mostly end up watching tv in the living room which has a 10 year old sound bar. Since we haven’t been going into the basement so much I brought the 2 bookshelf speakers up into the living room and have been enjoying the upgrade in sound quality and now I am tempted to buy a used avr so i can enjoy my existing speakers in the living room without needing to buy anything extra and if we plan to watch a movie in the HT I would just need to move the bookshelves and plug into the existing system. With some hassle and 100$ I can bring some life into my living room. Am I being crazy ? Should I just buy a soundbar instead? Any other suggestions ?

2 Comments
2025/01/11
22:22 UTC

1

Beginner Home Theater Setup

So today I took Delivery of my first OLED TV, and I have finally completed the first stage of my setup. I actually quite enjoyed trying to strike a balance between what I wanted in terms of audio and visuals, and what my partner wanted in terms of aesthetics. Still trying to find somewhere that has a set of speaker grilles (although I don't mind them without)

TV: LG C4 48" AVR: Onkyo TX-SR393 Speakers: Dali Spektor 1s and Spektor Vokal Sub: Cambridge Audio X201 TV unit: IKEA Besta cabinet

0 Comments
2025/01/11
22:32 UTC

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