Most Common Home Theater Mistakes (and How To Avoid Them)! Home Theater Gurus.

[@hometheatergurus]

👉✅ For 15% off of open box gear use the code HTGURUOB ✅ Open box outlet!!! www.audioadvice.com/specials/open-box-offers?referral=ht-gurus

[@Christiansstillstruggle]

I think I speak for everyone when I say, whomever is following this Dolby series went through stages of grief. 😂😂 First, utter confusion, next, annoyance, finally in the end we all understand where he is coming from, we all are very greatful and now understand what he has been saying all along... yet we still all are just a bit confused 😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@hometheatergurus]

Watch ep 49. While the others compared different guides that one says do this.

[@deadmotoairsoft9893]

@@hometheatergurushow can I get in contact with you to get my room constructed and movie ready?!

[@totalplonker824]

Even though I run a high-performance 5.2.4 Dolby Atmos setup within my small 4 x 3.5 m (13 x 11.5 ft) living room. I have to say.... my listening experience only evolved to the next level when I moved the couch away from it's rear wall. And btw that's not just for an improved multi-channel listening experience. Moving the couch away from it's wall actually gave my 2-channel stereo listening more depth, especially when I placed a diffusion panel on that same wall. Conclusion; Never underestimate the sound of the room. Some very good tips here. Thank you for your hard work.

[@Building-IT]

Currently building my house. Hoping next year to start building my theater room. I built one at my old house, I have learned a lot from your channel and others. Thank you. This one will be way better than my first one 😁

[@hometheatergurus]

Awesome. If you need help I do design home theaters. My contact info is in the video descriptions.

[@tonyrobles9070]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video! It is very much appreciated sir! 👍

[@hometheatergurus]

You're welcome Tony!

[@GermanRedrum]

I have been selling low-voltage/home theaters for almost 20 years. Many times, I have had to undo what was previously in place from systems that were hodgepodged together with gear that was 20 years or more old. The thing I always do is educate the client. It always surprises me that either they thought they "knew: what [they] were doing" or "My guy said this is how it was supposed to be done:"

[@elliotmulder1217]

Thank you for all your HT wisdom. Started listening two years ago and it's made all the difference in my room!

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks Elliot! So glad the videos have improved your room!

[@santiagoezquerrocordon1470]

The surround placement is very tricky. The perfect spot is a ear level, but if someone or something blocks them you need to rise them, wich potentially makes them closer to Atmos speakers, wich is also bad. The best deal is to have a one armchair dedicated teather. You can set the surround at ear level not worrying about anything else 😂😂

[@hometheatergurus]

Yep but you don't have to go only up and as shown in the studio pdf, when you push bed layer speakers up in angle you must account for that in the atmos to maintain separation.

[@vishwavishwathan6236]

I have done exactly that! 😂 I have only one main seat in the home cinema! And if my friends coming over I add 1 or 2 seats more and remove them once they leave… 99% of the time I’m the only one watching movies and only occasionally friends comes over and it no more than 2 or 3 ppl so I don’t mind putting the work in to get the seats in! In this way if there is only 2 ppl, I can move both seats to be offset to the centre so both hear the same!

[@ChadAV69]

@@hometheatergurus Where should you put the surrounds if not just chocking them up 2 feet angled down? Maybe slightly in front toed in?

[@squared80]

Love the video. Gets to the point and hits on all the key points that people overlook. I see a lot of nonsense on KZbin in the HT world. Thanks for bringing some credibility back to it.

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks! It can be hard to find good information for sure.

[@mbryden66]

Your videos will help even the seasoned HT enthusiasts. Thank you.

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks MB66!

[@liamkilroy9478]

Good advice 😎 I'm thankful my home cinema has just a 2 seat couch, makes it far easier for set up. Plus, 4 identical subs across the front means no (minimal) issues with room moodes with bass 😁

[@DwightAngus]

Your video series has been a great education. Ive learned so much. Great work!

[@RussellMoran]

Great video! You made my room amazing. You nailed everything in your plan you mentioned in the video.

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks Russell. You busted your butt on that new room and did fantastic work! Team effort!

[@FURognar]

I finally moved my system into a room where I have the space to add rear surrounds. But I have to upgrade my receiver first. Looking forward to it!

[@hometheatergurus]

Adding rears is a pretty big deal IMO. You'll love it.

[@paulrevere1479]

I love how you got straight to the list without all the small talk.

[@D.L.W.]

Thank you for another excellent video, it helped me designing my living room home theater. My sound system consists of 6 SVS Ultra Bookshelf speakers (2 for the mains, 2 for the side channels, and 2 for the rears), an SVS Ultra Center speaker, 4 SVS Prime Elevation speakers ceiling mounted for Dolby Atmos and 2 SVS SB-3000 Subwoofers. The system is powered by a Parasound Halo A52+ 5 channel amplifier and a Yamaha Aventage RX-A8A 11 channel AVR with dual AC Infinity AIRCOM T9's keeping them cool, and all are connected to a Panamax M5400-PM Power Conditioner. The output power of this Living Room home theater system is 2,800 watts R.M.S.

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks DLW.. I'm glad you found it useful.

[@personalwatching9312]

Man I've said it before but your contribution on youtube to this topic is best of them all. Thanks for your contribution. I'm a sound engineer and as you'd know there's a phantom third centre image when speakers are placed well and mono is fed to both l and r. Have you ever tried using two centre speakers mounted either side of the screen to achieve a phantom centre right in the middle of the screen? I guess off axis that wouldn't work huh

[@lorindamikaela]

Great info, thank you. I have no room for rears as lounge is against the wall so I made stands and put rears overhead, works extremely well. I rent so cannot put holes in ceiling for atmos.

[@lorindamikaela]

@@HTadd1ct I cannot move the lounge off the wall there's simply no room, I have a very narrow L shaped lounge room so it's far from ideal but it's what I have to work with. I cannot move everything and face the other direction because the lounge will block the doorway. To be truthful it sounds much better than you would think.

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks! We have to make the best with the space we have. Sounds like you found a way to make it work!

[@HTadd1ct]

Number 1 mistake out of all mistakes. Saying I can't do this I can't do that. My waf won't let me. List goes on and on. If you don't have the right attitude of I can do this and give things a try. There is no success in this hobby for anyone! This is the biggest issue I face regularly and there's no hope for these people even though I try to help and encourage them.

[@hometheatergurus]

Educate your self so you get the most out of what you have and don't waste money. It takes time and effort to learn a hobby but that goes for any hobby. I do agree though, being helpful and encouraging is the way we should all be.

[@ryanm2084]

Great videos. I just recently added atmos speakers (sattelite speakers that can swivel any direction so that i can aim them where i want) and i totally put them in the wrong spot. Soon i will be relocating them. I think it will make a HUGE differnce. Thanks for all the advice

[@hometheatergurus]

Awesome. Report back once you move them. See Ep 49.

Muy interesante, creo que es una guía esencial para planear un nuevo sistema o mejorar. Me gusta mucho esta información, saludos.

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks!

[@paulupton5557]

My goodness, how did I get through life before "Home Theatre Gurus"😢? Without this sage advice, I would not have had the mental capacity to address any of these really, really technical and important issues!😂

[@hometheatergurus]

Hey Paul, Let's not dwell on the past.. before you got here... lets just look to the future...😎😄

[@paulupton5557]

@Home Theater Gurus Thank you for this truly inspiring message, which has refocused my outlook on life.

[@KimmoJaskari]

There are nice looking acoustic treatment options; for a living room, though, you probably can't go all out a la a studio, since really effective panels need to be thick and huge. I found some panels with wood on them to make them look a little more furniture-ey, and will be covering some walls with those in the living room as I set up my home theater gear soon. It should work pretty well visually and pretty well audibly - not perfect in either realm, but a solid compromise. Better some treatment than no treatment. You can DIY quite attractive options also - I know the DIY Perks channel did some really clean triangular units that, again, fall into the compromise cateogory on performance just because they're not 10 cm thick and they don't have air gaps. But arranging clean triangular panels optionally even in several contrasting colors can probably enhance the looks rather than detract from it.

[@hometheatergurus]

Agreed. In our living room we plan to do large art prints.

[@Leatlemack]

I found this video with the angles really informative. Now I am wondering if 5.1.6 would be better/easier to make sure the angle gap between 2 speakers is correct. What is your take on this ??

[@Echo-jg8is]

Most common mistake is the most detrimental in terms of sound quality and that's using Frankenstein speaker systems.... Simple use the same speakers everywhere... People forget that the speaker itself is a Room which is then placed within a Room which then requires a lot more room correction than normally needed ... Frankenstein systems also gives you different tone, balance, impedance, soundstage, resistance, power handling and cosmetics so never fall for this very common mistake...

[@FURognar]

Yeah. I'm using a frankensteinian system myself. Infinity Primus fronts, Def Tech center. Sony Core surrounds. I recently changed my heights from Def Tech to Infinity Primus bookshelves and they match much better with the fronts. I am planning to move over to all the speakers being Infinity Primus for that seamless sound.

[@hometheatergurus]

While it's great to use the same speaker all around I can think of things far more destructive to the overall experience. You can have all the same speaker in the room and they'll all measure differently at the seats. Different speakers in the same line also don't' measure a like. It's a claim they make but measurements prove otherwise almost every time even on brands like JBL Synthesis. If you have similar drivers in the speakers, you aim them all properly, treat the room properly and you know what you're doing on the room correction and tuning side you will have an amazing system.

[@willynanney]

Do not use in wall front facing speakers for surrounds. I made such a mistake with that stupid decision and am now having to replace them with floor speakers and just manipulate the seating luckily I can use acoustic panels to cover the old speakers which I will eventually sell and repair. I feel so stupid but you win some and lose some. I did my ceiling Atmos speakers awesome and used the advice many said which was to place them back towards the listener.. about 6 inches. You can only learn from big mistakes and I hope I can help someone who is considering surrounds in a small room.

[@GabolovesPam]

Thanks for the info after watching this I should have saved my money and go with a soundbar

[@alfarrow1610]

Thank you for the video and info. And taking the time . People on! Haha

[@DJSonicScotland]

I like to wire bass speakers to the speaker inside the woofer & attach those to the underside of my couch so that the bass is felt rather than just heard. This gives a whole new dynamic to the bass & in my opinion improves the experience of watching movies.

[@hometheatergurus]

Yep I have a few videos on that.

[@aymansyed1351]

i was thinking about rear left and right Ceiling speakers instead of standing ones. What's your view on this?

[@chebrubin]

You should charge UST owners a tune-up. I went with a 98" Flat screen. I am trying to understand how the immersive or angle of view with typical dens or rooms dedicated to movies playback can be compensated. Don't we try to go around ~100" and up? Or are you talking to the customer who is trying to dial in 110" to 165" with a Sony ES laser projector. When do we go for elevation seating? I wish you sold carpeted elevation blocks carpeted for home theater like experience in our home theaters.

[@hometheatergurus]

This will help you with viewing angles. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2i5nHl7hb5maJo 98" is huge for a TV. If your'e around 10' you're at 40 degrees which is the door step into what most consider immersive and what THX recommends. That said if you can't sit there so what. Enjoy it. Just know you could go closer and still be fine and you may like it more. As for risers HT market has some but they do need to be carpeted. www.htmarket.com/home-theater-furniture-home-theater-seating-home-theater-platforms-and-risers.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw7PCjBhDwARIsANo7Cgl1mGwYFHaayirV0nONWO7ZGxC65-q-Gs7MFjN7GTWh628Tdzypb1MaArAFEALw_wcB

[@declanfarber]

If you”re a bed layer, you might need to seek medical attention. But seriously, Atmos can be a rewarding addition to an otherwise well-tuned 7.2 system (that already exists, as in most commercial installations.) Otherwise, methinks you’re on the right track, you make some decent points.

[@hometheatergurus]

Damn.. did i say i was a bed layer? That happens when you go too deep in this hobby.. you become a bed layer 😆

[@dougbulldog9947]

Better than being a bed wetter

[@kevinkepler5671]

You rock! Great video!! Thank you!!

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks Kevin...😀. You're welcome!

[@paulk9534]

How can you treat the room BeFORE the speaker placement is finalised?… or how can you place BeFoRE you have the treatments positioned?… what comes first as surely the latter changes ones the former is set / reset 🤔

[@hometheatergurus]

I'm not sure what you're asking but there's a 4 part video on room acoustics that walks you through it. Google home theater gurus acoustic panels.

[@paulk9534]

THX publish recommended viewing distances

[@hometheatergurus]

We have a video on determining screen size based on viewing angles and goes over THX.

[@DjBlaaack]

So for 5.1, with a couch on the back wall, the surrounds should be where? You said on the sides if I’m not mistaken right? Not 110°?

[@aslanbarsk]

I cannot have the side surrounds because there is a door/opening where it should be placed. I can do Rear/back surrounds, di-pole/bi-pole. Should I go for Ceiling mounted side surrounds, or forget about that , and just do height channels instead?

[@hometheatergurus]

5.1 has side surrounds. you can misplace them but you then have objects that should be to the sides misplaced behind you. That may just be an issue you have to life with. bipoles can't fix that. YOu can't misplace a speaker and make it sound like it's somewhere it's not, well in some cases you can by using reflections to steer a speaker but that's another topic.

[@garygray3834]

Thank you ❤

[@hometheatergurus]

You're welcome 😊

[@wells2671]

Hey boss, thanks again for the videos and advice. Any chance you can do another REW video walk-through showing us how to use the Spectogram and other data to fix the room? There doesn't seem to be a lot of info on using the spectogram to identify reflections and other anomalies that could affect the sound, and how to fix those.

[@hometheatergurus]

Tutorials are pretty time intense to shoot and edit. A video on spectrogram or impulse to see reflections would likely get very very few views so it's hard to justify the time invested to make a video like that.

[@user-vy2xi2pi1n]

most of my speakers are in the wall , suggestions on placement

[@paulk9534]

How to site a centre channel when you have a UST?

[@Qthepug]

I don’t think you intended to say the center channel is the most important. If you had only a center channel you’d miss much more sound than if you only had two stereo channels. Off axis listening capabilities depend on the speaker and resolution of the system. Generally speaking, for the same amount of money, in a surround system your going for quantity over quality. Although many movies have specific technology for surround sound, they also have mixes for 2-way stereo imaging. In most mid to lower volume level listening, quality standard stereo sounds much better. Most surround sound committed folks are heavily biased against 2 channel stereo for movies. The truth is if and you have a small to medium room, before spending 7k on a surround system leave the all in one A/V store and go to a real high-end stereo store and listen to a balanced system for the same price. Don’t make the mistake of comparing mediocre surround gear with 2 channels to the same mediocre equipment with surround. It’s the same and will sound that way. With a few exceptions, such as some companies like Parasound, you need to listen to equipment designed for 2 channel stereo. They are apples and oranges and your either going for one over the other. Apple pie with an extended family and kids, or a screwdriver with your significant other. I’m talking about screwdrivers here. Finally, electronics and wires are not baloney. Room acoustics is important, but how important depends on weather you have problems with your room. It’s a misconception that every room should have a set configuration of treatment. Finding and addressing problems is all that is needed. If you have a dedicated theater room go ahead and follow the advice within these videos but if you have a dual purpose small to medium size dual purpose living and theater room and you like listening to music, a quality 2 way speaker system with 2subs will sound much better than a mediocre surround system.

[@hometheatergurus]

The center is by far the most active and most important single speaker in a home theater.

[@Qthepug]

@@hometheatergurus Enjoy your center channel only.

[@hometheatergurus]

@@Qthepug Hu? They all matter, no one is saying they don't all matter. Imo even the atmos are very important. If you've seen much of this channel you'd be very aware of that as there's been a ton of info on squeezing out performance off all channels.

[@Qthepug]

@@hometheatergurus My point is for the best enjoyment from the sound of movies not everyone has a dedicated theater room. Many people squeeze a surround sound system into a regular living room with walls under 14 feet apart. Under these conditions a 2 channel stereo system is far better ( with subs ). Unfortunately, the Internet theater you tubers steers ALL movie people into surround sound systems. Common comments like “baloney” about high-end electronics is evidence that these you tubers never heard a sensible high-end system in an average living room with a sofa and coffee table etc. and compared it to a surround sound in the same room. In such systems two channels will image all voices properly within the scene. I am not talking about 2 channels in some surround amp or receiver. Through a dedicated 2 channel system. Few are aware of this and even fewer acknowledge it. If you are in a theater then create sound for a theater- enjoy. But a living room is not a theater. If you try to turn it into one you’ll be wasting your money. IMHO

[@hometheatergurus]

@@Qthepug I have many videos on how to get great sound in living room and compromised setups. I've also done many layout designs for such rooms. So yeah you can have an amazing setup in a living room. Make the best of what you have of course. I've also had videos about phantom center imaging and how to widen the sweet spot and widen that imaging.

[@TurboMountTV]

Using wide dispersion ceiling speakers with tweeters that are pointable acceptable? Thanks.

[@hometheatergurus]

Not ideal but better than nothing. Also every brand claims wide dispersion but few actually are and lose quite a bit of energy as you move off axis.

[@TurboMountTV]

@@hometheatergurus Hey THANKS for quick response. If I could just follow up... Could I not just mount the ceiling speaker at a slight angle then? I see Klipsh angled speakers say they are angled 15 degrees. Any opinion on the Polk V60? Appreciated.

[@darrenjhodgey4734]

What about sound bars? I have a smaller type of living room with a Samsung q990c bar and my couch is hard up against the wall due to the size of my room and the rear speakers I have got them both in line with my couch and where I sit .. however, these surrounds are about 1 meter higher than my ear level. ?

[@TurboMountTV]

RE: Angled Speakers - seems most available are angled at 15 degrees - is THAT enough to compensate for ceiling ATMOS speakers that are angled ~45 degrees from Main listening position? Thanks.

[@hometheatergurus]

No. Not if you want exceptional atmos. It's better than none of course.

[@TurboMountTV]

@@hometheatergurus So what you are saying is one needs to spend $2,000 for ATMOS height speakers?

[@squared80]

Chopping your video up into visible sections would be helpful.

[@l8nghtgamer]

How do we get a consult

[@Christiansstillstruggle]

MORE ATMOS VIDEOS PLEEEAAASEEES 😢

[@hometheatergurus]

I think we've beat atmos to death. Ep 48, 49 and some Q/As in between. If you have a specific question not already covered let me know.

[@Christiansstillstruggle]

@Home Theater Gurus you're right. You have carried us along this path. With great power comes great responsibility 💪now its up to me to take what I have learned and apply it. Thank you for you're service sir, it's on us from here 😔🥲🫡

[@robertlengyel7766]

Are there any free sites or programs that help with speaker placement in accordance with the room size? Im getting my svs system set up this week but trying to figure out how i should place all my speakers for the best sound quality 🤔

[@hometheatergurus]

Hey Robert. There a few but I don't know of any that I'd say are really accurate enough to use. You have to start with modal analysis to place seats and subs and then you can move in to speaker placement which differs depending on the room, goals, acoustic plan, how many rows etc.

[@DarienCharlton]

1:23 Interesting that you say 40 degrees of viewing angle is too little. THX recommends 36. Ofcourse it's a recommendation but it's definitely subjective

[@hometheatergurus]

the 36 is a very old THX recommendation. They updated it to 40 quite a while ago which is very conservative. 45 is my go to.

[@declanfarber]

You still go to the movies, right? Next time take a protractor and choose your preferred seat, and measure the viewing angle. Go with that. “Who’s the guy with the protractor? Is that like texting? I feel threatened. Go call in the manager!” ;^)

[@DarienCharlton]

@Declan Farber LOL I'm just here to learn. I just thought it was interesting. But I'm also thinking about how dolby says both speakers should be 30 degrees from the center line. But if we are thinking about Acoustically transparent screens giving you a 45 degree viewing angle then the speakers would be less than 22.5 degrees each which goes against what dolby says too. I just take these numbers with a grain a salt

[@hometheatergurus]

@@DarienCharlton they flank the screen.

[@jamesm568]

I personally don't even waste my time with a subwoofer as my two front speakers provide plenty of base.

[@hometheatergurus]

Then you're mising the entire Lfe track on everything you watch and also will have issues with seat to seat variations. If all you do is two channel with one seat it's fine as there's no Lfe channel and you only need accurate bass at one seat.

[@jamesm568]

@@hometheatergurus I've been perfectly happy with a 3.1.2 Overhead speaker setup minus the subwoofer.

[@hometheatergurus]

@@jamesm568 just realize you're missing an entire channel. You're not getting 3.1.2, you're getting 3.0.2 as the (. 1) is. A dedicated subwoofer channel that has an enormous amount of low end content mixed to it.

[@jamesm568]

@@hometheatergurus My windows rattle as I don't need my heart to skip a beat. Lol!

[@hometheatergurus]

@@jamesm568 its not at all about shaking the room. There's a lot of information specific to that channel that's on no other channel. All of that information you're missing. And actually with properly setup dual subs you can attain a better seat to seat response and fix some modal issues. In those cases bass is actually smoother with less peaks and nulls and you very well may have less room inteference..(walls shaking) . The issue is you're missing quite a lot of information as you're missing a complete channel. Check out ep 9. That one will really help you get a grasp on it.

[@eliglbe]

Can you please come to my place

[@jackryder6732]

Not helpful

[@faghmywilliams7771]

Get a soundbar

[@TurboMountTV]

For crappy sound.