⭐️How to Build-up a Surround Sound🔨 _(Z Reviews)_ Home Theater 101

[@themumbler8389]

Zeos is clearly passionate about this. There is almost no aggressiveness in his voice unlike his usual content. Good guy Zeos just trying to help the world.

[@UltimateGattai]

It's conventional wisdom in the audiophile space though, I love his reviews.

[@nerdthewise]

This video is a great example of why I love the channel. Real talk, from a real perspective with purchasing advice driven by how real people buy things, little pieces at a time.

[@djteddymac]

couldn't have put it better. This is exactly how I built and evolved my setup over the past 20 years. it's a journey.

[@nickreecy4229]

Nice video. My journey through my home setup was a mess. Eventually ditched the rears, center, and av reciever for separates and better fronts and sub. But I'm the type that has to learn the hard way. Heed this man's advice, newcomers.

[@ZReviews]

I got the title wrong. I said Home Theater, typed surround sound and thumbnailed home theater. ffff

[@chrisvinicombe9947]

Nice Christmas lights 🎄

[@kennethschoen7796]

Oh well. Great video Z.

[@justins.1283]

Stuff happens but still good useful info.

[@Squanchler]

Don’t sweat it m8, it’ll help people find your stuff

[@turtlesniper517]

Z do you ever do retro ( older out of production ) reviews. Also if someone was to send you some to review what would be to expected turnaround time

[@jpizel1070]

Best audiophile channel on the tube. After looking everywhere on how the rear speakers get connected from the back of the room all the way to the receiver, this is the only one that explains it.

[@garrettorpin6584]

I think half the draw to this channel (at least for me) is that a salty New Yorker lovingly yells at you in that cool NY accent for about 20-30 minutes.

[@ZReviews]

Stop hitting on me Garrett, @paastah will get mad... Or turned on. Lets wait and see.

[@Halfagrapefruit]

I'm totally down with that.

[@FliGuyRyan]

That, and he throws in some humor now and then. ;-)

[@PrincessPastaAudio]

Turned on 100%

[@slasheerr946]

@@ZReviews In New York? where? Im near JFK and its cool to know people from New York! Cool bruh!

[@mashakos1]

How I built a 5.1 surround system: Bought it used for $160 from a dad who couldn't enjoy the system he spent years intricately building to its fullest because neighbors, lol the system had yamaha receiver, speakers, bass and TDL center/rear speakers. All I added was an Onkyo reciever for newer HDMI ports and truehd etc. Ended up selling it when I couldn't fully enjoy them just like the original seller. Pay it forward!

[@auradrifter7779]

Just bought the Elac b6.2 pair for $150 during black friday for my front/left mains. They sound crazeball good.

[@mareli82]

I ran a 2.1 for like 10 years, and I used to have a full 5.1 setup before that, Soruond is cool but having stereo works great as well.

[@Nearest_Neighbor]

3 years ago I bought a Yamaha RX-V 681 and a Teufel Ultima 40 Mk2 5.1 System, paired with a Panasonic TX50 DXW 734. These were my first steps into the 5.1 hometheater world.

[@travis4798]

Something I want to add, tv's these days are very good for the price and if you don't mind a slightly smaller viewing area their generally just as good as a projector, less hassle setting up and takes up less space. Dayton makes some decent bookshelves so those would be a good option too starting out.

[@ZReviews]

Id argue the Projector and a painted wall take up less space than a TV. Plus 100" is still not attainable with TV's and 85" TV's are still ungodly.

[@travis4798]

@@ZReviews True, I was comparing it to say a slim tv mounted to the wall. Near field viewing a tv would be ok I see what your saying about the 100" tv's. If it's anything under that their usually cheap and easier to find lol!

[@raymondleggs5508]

dayton speakers are nice especially the ones with the air motion tweeter.

[@K3nn0Q]

B652-AIR 6.5s are what I'm using for front channels, and they sound phenomenal in an apartment/townhome

[@dwalker112]

The absolute best home theater advice I’ve ever heard. I was the noob who got a Yamaha & Jbl 5.1 in a box. And then I found out about Offer Up. I ended up getting a pair of def tech bi polar towers. Then I got a a def tech sub, then a better sub, then a center channel and etc.

[@AlexBeEditing]

I bought a pair of KEF LS50s and decided I still wanted to get a 5.1 setup despite not having the money to buy another pair of LS50s and an extra for the center. So I just bought a pair of Elac B6 and a C6 center and hooked it up to my receiver. It sounds good.

[@POVShotgun]

Zeos' pronounciations are adorable, Nordschleaf, timber

[@jasonswartzbaugh3925]

That's the beauty of home theater. Upgrade something and you can reuse it or it becomes a backup. I upgraded my fronts and moved my older fronts to the rear and now have towers for the rears. Now I did notice a big difference. Sound is more audible now and can potentially have more bass. Also I'm not running a sub at the moment. All full range speakers and I'm good with that, apartment living.

[@brenmangood]

First off, THANK YOU for your videos!! Love your channel! Your right and left surrounds are begging to be upgraded to bipolars mounted on the wall. I like my Fluance XLBP bipolars as my rears; they work with my 'close-to-back-wall' couch. The couch sits a foot away, putting your head 2 feet away from the back wall. Now running 9.1 with my new Denon AVR-X4400H and front heights NHT SuperZero 2.1 ($120/pair). I naturally built my system over time starting with a 7.2 Onkyo TX-NR737 ($500) five years ago and a pair of Infinity Primus P363 towers. That first setup BLEW MY MIND. I upgraded to 5.1 over the next few months with the Infinity Primus PC251 center, Infinity Primus P153 surrounds and a BIC Acoustec PL-200 ($300). All pretty inexpensive. The PC251 center never sounded like it matched the Towers from the same line, so I recently bought an Elac Uni-Fi C5 center and it sounds much better. I was trying to buy a center that I might eventually buy a matching set of towers in the Elac Uni-Fi F5. I've also read that people like to buy three identical speakers to put left, center and right. There is something about the placement of the center channel laying horizontal that doesn't sound as good as a vertical orientation. They argue that even a "matching bookshelf" as a center is better with vertical alignment. I might buy 2 separate AV racks and place a 3rd tower directly in the front center. I was thinking of just placing the Uni-Fi center on end on a speaker stand in between the 2 racks. Thanks again!

[@PerfmonX64]

I have $430 total in two sets of Jamo C103's and the matching center. I feel like that's a pretty good start to my "budget" home theater setup.

[@majikmike44]

The best advice is don't get a wimpy center. 75% of the time it's the only speaker you hear.

[@wiemelen]

Indeed the best advice! Glad I bought the Klipsch RP-450 ... huge beast, but sooo good and such a perfect match to the RP-280F

[@acat6821]

I agree, infact i just watched the grand tour finale, and the entire episode was played through the center

[@Thuddster]

Mostly good advice Z. I gotta emphasize/insist/reinforce needing a top quality center-channel speaker. I've been into HT for over 30 years, before it was even called Home Theater, building out systems at virtually all price points. IMHO, the center channel speaker (or pair of of CT speakers, depending on screen size and room logistics) is *the* most critical speaker in the entire setup. For two reasons: accurate voice reproduction is absolutely key for proper movie audio delivery, and the human ear is most sensitive to any error or distortion in vocal frequencies. As a rule of thumb, I always recommend budgeting roughly the same amount for the center channel speaker(s), as the rest of the surround speakers combined (excluding main L and R speakers, of course). That rule has never ever let me down, or left any users disappointed. Great short building guide, m8. And some solid recs on hardware, too. GJ!

[@ZReviews]

This is why I don't have a center. It would be bigger than my TV.

[@NiSHAN256]

@@ZReviews we all know it is because of the fireplace WAF :)

[@woosyrmomma]

@@ZReviews You mentioned matching the timbre on the fronts but then said to spend a lot on the center speaker, so is the assumption that I would eventually want to buy nice fronts to match the Elac/Klipsch and move the miccas to the side? Or is the matching simply not that important? Dialogue is important to me for sure.

[@Shamilt3]

@@woosyrmomma because primarily mid range/voice comes from ctr, nothing else.

[@Chardiieee]

wow youre really embellishing and emphasising centre channels, but 99% of people run them above or below their screens, so its not ever going to sound ideal anyway. Also stop favoring the monetary value of the centre instead of the physical quality. If you have $1000 KEF's L/R, a centre KEF to match may not cost double the money, and that doesnt mean you should avoid it for the sake of spending double. If you just set up a 4.1 or 6.1 or something without centre, you can get your front L/R to have a centre image, and it will come right out of the screen.

[@ZReviews]

Home Theater 101 INTRO : kzbin.info/www/bejne/i17Xl6J-mqZgqrs Home Theater 102 RECEIVERS : kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGGUnHuXpshgn7s Home Theater 103 CENTER CHANNELS : kzbin.info/www/bejne/f32poGywgayksKs Home Theater 104 REAR CHANNELS : kzbin.info/www/bejne/eauVmHZ8m9RlftE Home Theater 105 SUBWOOFERS : kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKG4fqtpi9V5gZo

[@Lordofmrak]

The most valuable video ever, period.

[@brkbtjunkie]

I have a 2009 Yamaha RX-v467, it was pretty cheap but has 24 bit 192 kHz burr brown DACs. I no longer can use it for a hdmi switcher though because it’s hdmi 1.4. It has that nifty YPAO mic to adjust levels and the ability to setup the 5.1 as side speakers since I don’t need rear surround. It sounds ridiculously good hooked up to my computer with Apple lossless tracks playing.

[@TheTardis157]

If you want to build cheaply, buy gently used equipment. I bought a complete A/D/S 5.1 surround system for $200 complete with wall mounts and prototype speakers. They were very expensive back in the day and sound fantastic. The tweeter is center mounted in them as well so it will make aiming them easier.

[@turtlesniper517]

I went used and did a 7.0 klipsch rf-5 pair front 300, klipsch rc-7 300, 2 pairs of klipsch rs-7 200 per pair. I also went a bit farther and did 2 pairs of klipsch rb-5 avg 100 per pair for heights. Now im at a full 11 channel atmos setup. The expensive part of this is the reciever. Lots of ebay and craigslist shopping

[@trendyprojectors4743]

Thanks for the helpful video on building a home theater system!

[@picchipacchi7190]

A quality 17 minutes of Z review!!!

[@vectorr6651]

I love it. Many years working audio/video, this so makes sense. I love also worked circuit city for many years back when you had to know what you were doing :) Had Polk RT2000 for many years now. Spend good money as you go and it lasts forever. One day I will upgrade from 6.1 to 7.1.

[@andrewcutter6032]

I would agree with most of this, but if you have a small room and not a lot of space I would recommend the Energy Take Classic 5.1. The setup is like $400 for the speakers + sub, and I got a $200 onkyo tx-nr545 receiver. People are blown away at the sound coming out of these little dense speakers. I am using the "Zeos" strategy for my living room right now though. I have vaulted ceilings and share a wall with my neighbor... so a sub will probably get me evicted and mounting rear speakers will be hard to do with the open concept / shape of the room. Went with Elac Uni-fi ub5s which were $350 for the pair, the Unif-fi center channel for $280, and the Onkyo TX-nr676 for $250. The other part you need to take into account is speaker stands, correct gauge wire, banana connectors, etc. That stuff was like $150 combined so I dropped $1,030 on a 3.0 setup for the time being. I went with the 7.2 capable receiver so when I move into a house I can have atmos by adding a few speakers.

[@geologik7500]

Started off with MB 42x's and a BIC F12 running from a smsl q5. Works great for our tiny craftsman living room and I can transplant then to a 5/7.x system. Great video Z

[@sudd3660]

i could come with some advice here, its really hard to get good amps when you get surround receivers, if you manage to actually get the proper specs(8 ohm all channels driven rms watts with less than 0.1 THD) then you see how low it is. my solution is also more flexible since most people only need 4 channels but it also scales infinity. all you gotta do is get a surround processor. you know, those without amp in them, but in my country i only can find expensive ones, so get that part used. then get two stereo power amplifiers, and done! now you got a start, and a good one, no compromises and you got real amps. not crazy expensive either. when it comes to speakers, get bookshelf speakers for all 4 channels, 6" woofer is the sweet spot, then 12" subwoofer, sealed is best for sub and bookshelf speakers if you can find, otherwise plug the ports. front speakers should cost at least twice as much as the rear speakers.

[@acat6821]

The fact is, for the average consumer a $300 5.1 bundle is going to be good enough. Its abit like cars, you need to spend a great amount to gain a small amount but the cheap end is still fun for the average joe, i have a kefq system, sounds amazing. And i have watched a movie also on a cheap samsung system, sounded great too, didnt have the clarity but still sounded great. Infact at one point my system had kefs in front and samsung rears because of space. And it worked. Now my system consists of only matching kefs. I am happy, but mainly i use it on stereo surround for music. Fills the room.

[@LeDechaine]

There's litterally thousands of USED receivers on eBay for dirt cheap. Looks like receivers are like smartphones, one new model every 6 months, and the "old" one (hah!) is suddenly worth nothing. So I just got an old Denon: HDMI, 1080p, 24bit/192khz/100watts on all channels... 100$US. And I'm also using it as a DAC *and* headphone amp because it's right in front of me, connected to my computer via HDMI. And I'll order Fluance SX6s soon, because here, with the free shipping (greetings from Canada) they're as cheap as Dayton B652-AIRs.

[@1980JPA]

easiest way for me was to start with a thrift store receiver , which is usually no problem because they go "obsolete" so fast. then I spent the real money on the main left and right. the backs ( if you're into audio) u usually have laying around somewhere from another cheaper system. slap a mono price sub on it and you've got great starter system. have a cheap center right now but that's my next buy because I didn't want to cheap out on it. i probably wohld have come out better doing it in the order u said though. thanks zeos for the info. keep it up!!

[@MidnightToker24]

I've got an alright budget setup. My next step is to buy tower speakers and eventually a 7.2 receiver. Reciever: Denon AVR-S530BT Fronts: Polk Audio RTI A1 Center: Paradigm CC-590 V5 Rears: Polk Audio T300 Sub: Polk Audio PSW10

[@MidnightToker24]

Update... I've sold the sub and 7.2 receivers haven't gone down in price still.

[@engineer4862]

Thanks for the video. I have know a clear roadmap for my setup.

[@eedoamitay3341]

"Ive got speakers holding up my speakers" LOL that actually had me laughing for a while : P

[@shobhitmathur5686]

Only if people could drink their Ego and follow this video's recommendation, the HT community will be such a better place. Great Video.

[@QuintilianA]

I lucked into my 7.1 surround sound system. Lots of auctions and some lucky with Amazon warehouse kept my under 750. If I did not do my homework I would have been over 1000.

[@bignigtech7936]

I spent around $465 for my 5.2 system including a 7.1 Yamaha RX-V577 wireless network receiver I bought on eBay for $100. 2 pairs of Polk monitor 40 series 2 that I use for front left, right and center paid $220 new. My surround are mono price 5 1/2 bookshelf speakers, paid $30 new. Use 2 subs, a Bic f12 that I bought on eBay for $115, it practically brand new and a JBL PS250 that I bought in 2007. The Polk Monitors 40 series 2 are a great buy, they sound great and have decent bass for bookshelf speakers, they are $99 on the Polk audio eBay store. Also the Polk audio PSW 505 12inch powered subwoofer is $199. You can buy a refurbished 7.1 yahama receiver for $200 at refurbforless.com and have youself a nice system for $550 to start. You can definitely spent less than $1000 to get a nice home theater system.

[@UltimateGattai]

I saved so much when Accusound still existed, they made great speakers for the price (I got the reference 8.6XDs), I wish I got another stereo pair for 7.1 at the time because the room is so big. But it was my first foreray into home theatre after our home theater in a box died and I wanted connectivity for my consoles and PC. I'll never get speakers for that price again but at least they'll last a lifetime. I bought a receiver on Ebay and had to return it because it was faulty, that sucked so much so I ended up going to JB-Hifi.

[@robertcliftonstoreyjr]

you should think about getting some Polk Audio T series speakers to show a super budget 5 or 7.1 surround option. Today, at Best Buy, the T50 towers are $72 each, T30 center is $64 and the satellites T15 are $49 a pair. On sale NOW. Use some of that Patron money and try them out for a budget starter system. They do need a sub, but that can come later.

[@Guiltless765]

I picked up an Integra DTR 50.3 for $175 on Marketplace and it's been stellar.👍🏻🥃

[@brianfox340]

This is precisely the non-specific info I was looking for.

[@interestedtech1]

Also before you purchase the front Right/Left make sure that brand speaker has a good matching center channel! I don't know man I build around a good center channel for movies! So many companies out there have a center channel available for there speakers as an after taught!

[@SuleymanAkhundov]

All good points and empowered by your advice any Home Theater beginner will be on the right track. A couple more points I would like to make: Regarding matching the front three speakers: even within the same brands, there might be different speaker series that will likely have different sound due to different speaker designs or components. You will be better off getting the center channel from the same series / same brand as the front left / right speaker. This will ensure a more seamless sound transition between left / center/ right channels. Also, from my own experiments (and especially for the rooms that have open side or rear walls, tall ceilings, i.e. your typical family room) I found that omnipolar rear satellites work great.

[@blakebauman6374]

4:50 *H O L Y SHEIIIIIITTTT*

[@abdurrahmanalquran]

Thank God you made a tutorial, I needed one of these guides for my new theater

[@VeerMaharaj]

There was a fantastic receiver for 178usd on amazon for thanksgiving madness. I managed to snag one. Its out of stock now. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078WG7HZY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@liffei420]

Best starter place is a decent avr and a Dayton audio 5.1 speaker setup. They sound quite good for how little they cost and then as money becomes available buy better front and center and then sub

[@Shamilt3]

I've been around ht since the 90s, and have always had reasonable setups. My new house my office/man cave is small, and there is only 2 usable walls for the TV. One side has a window, and the otherside is a short wall with a closet door. I have an L shaped desk that has to go in there. Room is probably 12x8. I had it set prior to the storm, TV next to my desk on the long wall and couch position was offset. Now the couch is gone, so when I move back I can make some changes

[@louieb.1564]

love the poster above the TV

[@RobTi]

I absolutely love my KEF Q100 bookshelves, and I bought them because of you @Z Reviews. Their timbre, clarity, the SOUNDSTAGE is something I treasure as a musician, but I absolutely hate that their center speaker costs almost 3 times that. I just ordered the KEF Q150 (got a good deal 250 €), I’m thinking placing my 100’s as rears, OR use one of the Q100 as a center on its side cause of its coaxial design, as I’ve heard people getting good results from it. So choosing either a 3.2 or 4.2 setup? Hmm.

[@Zoranurai13]

I had a 1000, wanted surround, a day later when i ordered it was around 2000 in my shopping basket and i STILL want to upgrade

[@znoozaros]

Just bought denon x3700h. Surprised how well the room calibration works. Running genelec g fours as front speakers and g ones for surrounds, adding atmos later

[@cl2nden1st89]

You don't necessarily need a receiver if you prefer to use powered monitors. When you're using a HTPC with quite advanced media manager/theatre software like JRiver, you just need a DAC with 6 or 8+ etc. outputs like miniDSP's U-DAC8 -- although, additionally, if you really want to completely run balanced analog cables instead of the U-DAC8's basic RCA outputs, get something like an 8-output level-shifter or unbalanced-to-balanced converter. The cost skyrockets -- especially if you want to go the fullly digital monitor input route e.g. Neumann KH120D vs KH120A or even the KH310A vs KH310D -- but this is still/can be CHEAPER (and space saving) in the long run (if you choose your surround monitors wisely), than constantly/regularly having to change amplifiers and upgrade obsolete receivers. While you can use any receiver and amp with JRiver, I consider these ugly, space-hogging hardware, for the most part, as unecessary, proprietary and future planned-obsolescence-junkware nowadays. Unless that kind of non-minimalist, showroom aesthetic excites you.

[@orangesshiny2487]

Now is the right time to move into Dolby Atmos and Dtsx.

[@zeprls]

Zeos, from all of my listening years, 2 front excellent speakers for stereo or theatre is best while matching of the center and all surrounds only and add sub(s) of choice to finish off.

[@storage-space4927]

“Cause I’m a loner Dottie, a rebel.” Big Adventure Zeos.........BIG ADVENTURE! Love the reference 👍🏻

[@EdWilsonPhoto]

Sweet spot of the receiver market is the ones sold the previous year...better yet those sold as refurbs by the actual manufacturer..(often actually unsold stuff not used)..that gives you 95pct of current tech for about 40 to 50 pct cheaper.

[@drpepper3726]

I am on a budget and started off with Marantz 6012 klipsch rp280 towers, and 2 klipsch r112sw subs, pretty damn happy so far but can't wait to expand it soon.

[@jikenj]

Saved hundred bucks found New Old Stock pioneer Elite Center Channel by Andrew Jones matches up perfectly with the UF5 towers same design.I think what's important is to find a receiver with pre outs a lot of these home theater receivers don't have pre outs might be a few extra dollars but worth it in the long run.

[@__-vo7iq]

If you don't mind getting your hands a little dirty, don't count out diy speakers. Great option if your on a budget(more bang for your buck) and can easily done piece meal as well. If interested: sites.google.com/site/undefinition/diy -great option if you don't mind building from the ground up www.parts-express.com/cat/speaker-kits/286 - great selection of full kits ie you just put them together no major power tools required.

[@ib6405]

What is the best way to place the back speakers if the couch is against the back wall (7.1 setup)? Use bipolar on the back wall and use small speakers and direct them up for the side speakers? Or direct bookshelf speakers from the corner towards the the sofa? Room is about 16 x 32.

[@PhilHarrisTV]

Chris Cornell, dead center. Ha. Nice

[@ZReviews]

OOF

[@theenhancer]

F

[@robdararon8241]

Great guide. What I started with is a set of used towers from klipsch paired with a Griffin amp that I already had which was used with bookshelf speakers. I'm planning to get a centre speaker and receiver next since I already got those bookshelf speakers left so I can add them at the back for a 4.0 setup. Then either get an svs-sb 1000 or klipsch sub. I just love those towers tho.

[@fluphybunny930]

"I sit alone or with one other person" You are talking about your cat aren't you?

[@NoName-rg3np]

My system so far, with much of it inspired by Z's videos... Sony 5.2 surround with 145 w per channel at 6 ohms (not recommended by Z). $250 JBL arena 180 floor standing with dual 7inch woofers that was inspired by Z's review of the arena bookshelf speakers. $400 on sale on Amazon Sony bookshelf that Z reviewed that I picked up for 73 bucks for the pair! Next purchase is probably gonna be the Micca center channel, but I'm keeping an open mind. Total cost so far 723 plus tax. Total cost with Micca center channel $790. No sub yet because im happy with the bass from the jbls so far :)

[@lm6036]

Also, Harmon Kardon has made amazing receivers!

[@OMG_BeCkY]

AMEN! I'm still rocking an obsolete AVR1700 (not much choice, as HK has stopped releasing new AVRs for some reason) and you'd have to pry it out of my dead cold hands! I love how it sounds and the fact that it produces NO heat. Six years old and still going strong...I bought it on Black Friday 2013 for $190 lol

[@jjhill182]

How's my current setup? Receiver: Yamaha RX-V379BL Front: Klipsch RP-280F x2 Center: Klipsch R-25C Rear: Klipsch R-15M x2 Sub: Klipsch R-112SW

[@moltom26]

Awesome tutorial. Very tempted to get one myself now lol

[@nicktan4530]

Beautiful living room. Impress !

[@brydon10]

I think it should go AVR - Front left and right - Centre - subwoofer - rear channels.

[@endrizo]

Always start with good stereo..first the 2 right and left speakers..those must be good..and are vital for quality sound...later add a sub..later central and rears...avoid little cheap 5.1 sistems.

[@raydm4015]

I have the Sony STR-DN1040 and the 7.2 sound is amazing. Very musical aswell! Back when it came out it was pretty much the top receiver in the 600 Euro pricerange. The distortion is very low on this model. 0.1 percent at 4 ohms 122 watts and 0.1 percent at 8 ohms 156 watts. Love you Z but you are wrong about Sony.

[@Supden90]

Just got the DN1080 lovin it but seen this and he making me question my purchase

[@AbbreviatedReviews]

Wait.. I built a 5.1 using your guide for under $1000. WHY YOU LIE!? Just in case anyone was wondering, first I got Denon AVR-S510BT 5.2 and Micca MB42X up front, then the matching Micca center channel because I like to hear words, then the Sound Appeal front ported speakers because they had to go flat against the back wall, then the final piece was the Dayton Audio Sub-1200. All together probably $650 over the course of 6-10 months taking advantage of some sales and buying a couple used speakers.

[@shuphty]

really cool video...the part where you talked about wiring everything was very interesting...makes me want to spice my room up a bit

[@ZReviews]

Flamingos and Fake Palm trees

[@shuphty]

@@ZReviews I'm on it

[@JoshuaCorley]

Currently rocking a 3.0 I managed to get a set of deftech towers and centre currently saving to get a svs sub

[@quickfire93]

Ugh, this is reminding me of my Black Friday spending lol. I wound up picking up the Denon 540(debating on returning and ordering a 640 refurb for same price), the Dayton 1500 sub, and two sets of speakers to compare for use in the front: Elac Debut 2.0 vs Infinity r162 since they were on sale for $150/$180.

[@flavius6497]

Another excellent video, thanks Z!

[@timg555]

The first surround system I bought was a 6.1 Onkyo theater in a box for 800 bucks and I thought it sounded great.

[@juliangst]

already got hyped for the KEF R3 review, I really wanted to get the r300 ofr the living room, but now the r3 are released.

[@MacellaioNero]

R3 release is the best time to buy an R300 because you're likely to find massive discounts, if you haven't already. Z mentioned in a reddit post recently that the only big difference between the R300 and R3 is bass performance. R3 are 'the best bass' on any bookshelves he's ever heard. Seems to me if you're running a sub, save some cash and get R300s.

[@brianfirlie3693]

If you have heard the R 300's you can go the Best Buy Magnolia "only" to hear the R3. That is what I did I did not notice that big of a difference in the bass. So I bought a second pair of R300 from KEF Direct and saved $400. Free shipping and no tax=no brainer to me.

[@jackrobertson2558]

Well so far so good for me. Klipsch 5.1 with rp250s in the front along with rp440c. Svs sub and Klipsch r14m in the rear. But I'm running on a 12year old receiver......

[@scottwatrous]

If I built those Swans DIY 3.1 pair, how do you figure out what center to pair with those?

[@rexypoooo]

Sweet Swordfish on the wall, first of all! So, I have been running my 5.1 setup for almost a decade now, and I am ready to get more power to the system, but I am always puzzled by the proper way to run power amp in a surround setting. Would you be interested on making an advance video to this series on going through some basic? And how to send up pre-amp to multiple power amp? I am running a pre HDMI Yamaha RRX-V1300 driving two DCM KX-10 Series 2, every thing else are Infinity (Primus 150 surround, Entra Sub, and forgot model for the center). I am mostly interested on running power amp to front and sub and have been looking at Adcom GFA-555II, but certainly open to suggestion. Thanks! Great video as always!

[@maynardmiller7663]

How critical is the wire that you use for ANY surround sound setup? Does it matter what your powering? Do you need certain gauges for certain speakers/subs? I see you have 14ga. wire in the Amazon links here. Is that a safe wire to use for pretty much anything audio?

[@kobe1906]

Besides obvious matched centers for front stereo speakers, is there a list of speaker/speakers you recommend for a center?

[@ZReviews]

I will eventually get my /r/zeos list updated. But really just stick to the known brands and the largest sized center you can afford.

[@justins.1283]

Nice bit of info thanks! I need to show this to some friends with crappy sound bars. Also you need to do some more DIY speakers like the Dayton Audio Tri- Trix tower kit

[@MrGlokster]

Hey Zeos. There are soooo many settings in my Denon receiver. I've got Micca MB42xs as well as the Micca center and it doesnt sound very good.... any tips? A video in the future on setting up in receiver maybe!?!??!

[@markjones3836]

You probably need to use the setup mic and tune the eq get the room acqotics right

[@ptrmatchett]

Im doing something similar - ordered KEF R series fronts/rears/centre and as soon as i buy my house i'll buy an amp and sub

[@thomasdail1962]

What's your opinion on timber matching surrounds/rears with your mains in an atmos setup?

[@ZReviews]

Well atmos is another totally different location. I think you wouldn't need to worry about it.

[@Punisher9419]

I just went with a half descent amp, I don't like receivers because you have to upgrade them if you go 4k or higher which is a bit dumb to me. Just hook up an amp to a DAC to a PC. Never liked surround sound to be honest though I much prefer just a 2.1. No idea why though. I mostly sit at my desk though so stereo is more then enough. If I want the sound to fill the room when I'm in bed I just turn the volume up. I have them set up facing me perfectly now I rather like it. Also means I can spend way more on just 2 speakers instead of 4. Probably not idea but it's just me so no one else has to like it just me. The best part about it is that I just hook everything up to my GPU in my PC, so I can hook up 2 monitors and a 4K projector no problem. I don't have to pass through anything else audio is simply dealt separately which keep input lag way down and means everlasting is controlled by the PC which can manage displays far better then a surround receiver fucking with the visuals.

[@damien_33]

Z...I have 2x Active PA Speakers and 2x active Subwoofers. Could I possibly use these to form some sort of a surround sound system ? How would the reciever work because these speakers are active not passive. They also connect via XLR Full size

[@blakebauman6374]

Got the M560 today Z, absolutely killer headphones so far. But, this is my first good pair of headphones, so I have nothing else to compare it to. So, that being said, how large is the soundstage on these open and closed? To me, it sounds somewhat wide, but I really don't know, all I can do is make educated guesses. Thanks.

[@ZReviews]

Take the backs off. Leave them off. Decently wide. I did the pad swap which made them definitely wide.

[@blakebauman6374]

@@ZReviews Thanks for responding, I'll be getting the pads soon.

[@xeliaz98]

I use a rotel 1590 power amp with my elac unifi bookshelf fronts what wld be a good mono/monoblockable stereo power amp for my center channel unifi or shd i get a passive subwoofer and another rotel?

[@vincentm1212]

I still can't believe I found my Yamaha 1080p receiver, and Klipsch quinted 3 speakers for $75. I also thrifted my top of the line Panasonic 50 inch 1080p plasma for $75. Only thing is.... When my plasma tv dies my receiver will be useless unless I get another used plasma tv

[@wolffestudios9382]

I got a pair of Onkyo HT-S9100THX for my bedroom the only thing is I’m a student so I’m getting things one at a time I got the speakers first before the receiver and I was going to ask should I invest into a bigger receiver like a 9.2 instead of a 7.2 for the speakers. Also I have a audio rack and I was going to see if it was possible to make the receiver for the audio rack. What is your opinion on the Thx speakers and what’s a good receiver for them and possibly more speakers or amps for me getting into audio

[@josesantiagoortiz5341]

You forgot Harman/Kardon now all recivers and pre/amp start using Harman frequency response including Mc McIntosh, parasound, emotiva, Luxman, Denon, Marantz surround and high end and Harman always wins awards.

[@astro143_]

Do you use the Ohm Walshes for your surround setup? I would thing the way they bounce sound would be un-ideal for how most surrounds function, but I could be wrong.

[@andrewpadgett2332]

Quick question, in a two speaker (2.0?) setup is there any benefit to watching movies via an AV receiver vs a standard integrated amplifier? Does the AV receiver add anything or not?

[@jaxw2628]

No, not much.

[@DeeWitDaWaves]

I have the denon avrs530bt, pioneer 5.1 Andrew jones system with a dayton audio 10 in sub, rocks my apartment like non other all for the low price of $550 thanks to fry's electronics, b and h photo, and parts express

[@VeerMaharaj]

My man, excellent!!!

[@Maxificent]

Question: do I specifically need "left" and "right" channel speakers or can they be regular speakers just hooked up to the receiver?

[@Mr_Wh1]

Since you utilize a HTPC, implementering your own ambilight to your TV and/or projector screen is a no brainier. It's cheap and easy.