First Time HT Owner In Need Of Cable Setup Advice

[kc]

I have never owned a HT before in my life. Not even a HIB either. I've always used the speakers on the TV in the distant past. Recently I have used nothing but headphones for everything...

Bose Quiet Comfort for Movies

Psyko 5.1 Headphones for Video Games

Shure SE530 for Music

Over the past few months I have been collecting certain pieces and I am one UMC-1 away from having all 3 front speakers up and running.

I have an HDTV

I have a PS3 that I use for games & movies (in that order)

I'll be getting the UMC-1 (when my HT Savings Account is built back up again)

I have a UPA-5 that hasn't been powered up yet

I have two B&W 683 Speakers still in the their boxes

I've got one B&W HTM61 Center Speaker on the way (should be here today)

What I haven't quite researched yet is not only the type of cables I should get (because that subject is just so
....subjective) but what type of cables I need for how I want to hook up my HT setup. So here's what I know I'll be doing...

PS3 to UMC-1 via HDMI

UMC-1 to HDTV via HDMI

That's pretty much where the buck stops as far as my knowledge on wiring my system together since I've never owned one before. I'm sure I could figure it out but I would like to utilize the two remaining channels on the UPA-5 to bi-amp/power my two L & R Front Speakers while I wait for my HT savings account to support the purchase of my rear/surround speakers.

So with having a UPA-5 & UMC-1, is it possible to do this? and if so what's the makeup of the wire configuration? Do I need jumpers, do I purchase dedicated bi-wire cables or buy individual speaker cables, etc?

Now, as for the type of speaker wire/cable that I'll be purchasing, I truly have no idea. I almost want to start off with your typical speaker wire just to get my HT system up and running. I've done so much research from Radio Shack Speaker Cable to Home Depot Magnet Wire to Pear Cable's & beyond. Just to keep things simple, use the cables that Emotiva has in their online store for suggestions on what and how many cables I'll need to accomplish what I would like to do.

Many thanks for your help on this.

[carlp336]

first off read the manuals. they have detailed instructions on how to connect.

but for the sake of argument.

from the UMC to UPA you need 1 digital coaxial cable (RCA) per channel/speaker. www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236

from the UPA to speakers just buy a roll of wire, 14awg is a good start. i use www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2819&seq=1&format=2

using bananas or spade or straight wiring is ....... subjective.

[geebo]

Oct 26, 2010 10:55:46 GMT -5 carlp336 said:

first off read the manuals. they have detailed instructions on how to connect.

but for the sake of argument.

from the UMC to UPA you need 1 digital coaxial cable (RCA) per channel/speaker. www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236

from the UPA to speakers just buy a roll of wire, 14awg is a good start. i use www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2819&seq=1&format=2

using bananas or spade or straight wiring is ....... subjective.

Just curious. Why do you recommend digital coax from the UMC to the amp? I thought that regular RCA interconnects were recommended.

George

[carlp336]

Oct 26, 2010 11:14:09 GMT -5 geebo said:

Oct 26, 2010 10:55:46 GMT -5 carlp336 said:

first off read the manuals. they have detailed instructions on how to connect.

but for the sake of argument.

from the UMC to UPA you need 1 digital coaxial cable (RCA) per channel/speaker. www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236

from the UPA to speakers just buy a roll of wire, 14awg is a good start. i use www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10239&cs_id=1023902&p_id=2819&seq=1&format=2

using bananas or spade or straight wiring is ....... subjective.

Just curious. Why do you recommend digital coax from the UMC to the amp? I thought that regular RCA interconnects were recommended.

George

dig coax is often suggested for subwoofer/lfe signal lines for its signal quality with minimal degradation. i carried that over to the other channels as well. its a nicer cable to, overkill maybe.

[kc]

So am I able to use the rear channels on the UPA-5 to bi-power (that's what I call it) the Left & Right Front Speakers?

How would I go about wiring this?

Trying to find out what I need to get so that I can purchase this all at the same time and get the same type.

[geebo]

The UPA-5 doesn't have rear channels per se. It just has 5 independent channels that amplify whatever you connect to the corresponding inputs. You have to split the signal either with a "Y" adapter or an electronic crossover. Then whatever inputs on the UPA-5 that you select, just use the corresponding outputs to the different speaker inputs.

[moovtune]

You could go with Emotiva's cables or use www.bluejeanscable.com/
or their more economical line www.tartancable.com/ as well as Monoprice.

I use the BJ 10gauge speaker cable and I use Emotiva XLR's and one of their HDMI cables for my Blu-Ray cable. Otherwise all cables are Blue Jeans.

[eljaycanuck]

+1 to Monoprice cables. They perform well and are very reasonably priced. Don't pay more than you have to.

[briank]

As far as budget interconnects go, I'd vote for the Blue Jeans LC-1 however I didn't like Blue Jeans speaker cables. I've got some free ones if anyone wants to pick them up. I would recommend Emotiva's Speaker Cables for an affordable good sounding quality cable.