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Post by cwmcobra on Feb 23, 2022 23:12:46 GMT -5
I've been building a home theater in my basement since January of last year. Carpet was installed this week, and I'm getting closer to the finish line. Video display will be a JVC RS-2100 projecting on a 120" wide 2.37:1 acoustically transparent scope screen. The audio system is 9.4.6 configuration with a XMC-2 command center. Behind the screen are three Klipsch La Scalas, the antique version built in the late 1970s and early 1980s, as LCR. Also two Bill Fitzmaurice DIY Tuba HT subwoofers. Surround duty is provided by six Klipsch Heresys, built in the same vintage as the La Scalas. And the six in-ceiling speakers are Klipsch CDT-5800-C II 8" coaxials. And finally, two PSA XV15 subs in the rear flanking the equipment rack.     Regarding equipment, this is where I'm torn and would love to hear your comments. Of the 19 audio channels in the system, 17 need external amplification. The PSA subs are self-powered with plate amps. To drive those 17 channels I have 4 amps to choose from. One Sherbourn PA7-350, two Sherbourn PA7-150 and an Emotiva XPA5 Gen 2. My dilemma is which amp to drive the front channels with. The 7-350 is a beast and would provide tremendous headroom for the Klipsch Heritage speakers with sensitivities ranging from 96-104 dB. The question...is this overkill when I have a XPA-5 with 200 w/channel vs. 350 for the 7-350? The 7-150s provide 150 w/channel to all the surrounds, which will be more than adequate for surround duty.  So, decision time. Do I sell the 7-350 and use the XPA-5 or vice versa? For me, it basically comes down to whether the 350 WPC is pure overkill and 200 might be perfect. I think the 7-350 probably has a fairly good resale value, but hate to think about shipping that 99 lb. beast. On the other hand, the XPA-5 has value also and is only 29 lbs. lighter than the 7-350. Or keep them both and have a spare? What would you do? Cheers! Chuck |
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Post by cwmcobra on Feb 24, 2022 7:32:39 GMT -5
Let's make this an unofficial poll. Barely used PA7-350 (as in listened for a few hours to confirm it worked, then put back in the box) or well used, but well cared for XPA-5? Whichever, it will be the bottom component in the rack, and I hope to start stuffing that in the next couple of days. Gotta get the audio going so music inspires finishing the project!  |
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ttocs
Global Moderator 
I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I'm with. (Elwood P Dowd)
Posts: 8,171
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Post by ttocs on Feb 24, 2022 8:35:23 GMT -5
Looks like quite a nice project!! And a great matched system!
Re the amps, I'd keep them until you can demo them in the room and play music. Keep the one you say sounds better under those conditions.
But you're right, you don't need those extra watts. For me it would come down to which amp is more graceful with the sound in that room.
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Post by monkumonku on Feb 24, 2022 11:18:04 GMT -5
So, decision time. Do I sell the 7-350 and use the XPA-5 or vice versa? For me, it basically comes down to whether the 350 WPC is pure overkill and 200 might be perfect. I think the 7-350 probably has a fairly good resale value, but hate to think about shipping that 99 lb. beast. On the other hand, the XPA-5 has value also and is only 29 lbs. lighter than the 7-350. Or keep them both and have a spare? What would you do? Cheers! Chuck My two cents, unless you need the money keep them both. It is good to have a spare. Trying to ship a heavy amp like that is nothing but hassle and invites damage along the way, plus if the amp needs repair at least you will have a spare in the meantime. Given a room like that, it doesn't look as if you need the money.  |
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Post by 405x5 on Feb 24, 2022 12:04:15 GMT -5
I've been building a home theater in my basement since January of last year. Carpet was installed this week, and I'm getting closer to the finish line. Video display will be a JVC RS-2100 projecting on a 120" wide 2.37:1 acoustically transparent scope screen. The audio system is 9.4.6 configuration with a XMC-2 command center. Behind the screen are three Klipsch La Scalas, the antique version built in the late 1970s and early 1980s, as LCR. Also two Bill Fitzmaurice DIY Tuba HT subwoofers. Surround duty is provided by six Klipsch Heresys, built in the same vintage as the La Scalas. And the six in-ceiling speakers are Klipsch CDT-5800-C II 8" coaxials. And finally, two PSA XV15 subs in the rear flanking the equipment rack. <button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button> <button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button> <button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button> <button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button> Regarding equipment, this is where I'm torn and would love to hear your comments. Of the 19 audio channels in the system, 17 need external amplification. The PSA subs are self-powered with plate amps. To drive those 17 channels I have 4 amps to choose from. One Sherbourn PA7-350, two Sherbourn PA7-150 and an Emotiva XPA5 Gen 2. My dilemma is which amp to drive the front channels with. The 7-350 is a beast and would provide tremendous headroom for the Klipsch Heritage speakers with sensitivities ranging from 96-104 dB. The question...is this overkill when I have a XPA-5 with 200 w/channel vs. 350 for the 7-350? The 7-150s provide 150 w/channel to all the surrounds, which will be more than adequate for surround duty. <button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button> So, decision time. Do I sell the 7-350 and use the XPA-5 or vice versa? For me, it basically comes down to whether the 350 WPC is pure overkill and 200 might be perfect. I think the 7-350 probably has a fairly good resale value, but hate to think about shipping that 99 lb. beast. On the other hand, the XPA-5 has value also and is only 29 lbs. lighter than the 7-350. Or keep them both and have a spare? What would you do? Cheers! Chuck Protect everything you do down there with SOMETHING…like this. Traditional bucket 🪣 dehumidifiers are a complete waste but something like this that draws out the moisture is the way to go….and also radon needs to be considered. A system like this that exchanges air may also be a radon hedge professional consolation on that maybe no need. (You’re gonna spend a lot of good time down there!)  |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Feb 24, 2022 12:15:34 GMT -5
Looks like a great project, I’m sure it’s exciting as you get closer to actually watching and hearing the results of your hard work. I’m with ttocs & monkumonku on keeping the amps for now, I especially wouldn’t ship the 7-350, but if you found a local buyer I might let it go (no warranty, likely not repairable). While the 7-350 is probably overkill for the Klipsch, that’s not a bad thing, and it should certainly sound good. |
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Post by cwmcobra on Feb 26, 2022 20:39:04 GMT -5
The Sherbourn PA 7-350 won the day. The mostly Sherbourn rack is pretty impressive and the audio exceeds expectations. Haven't installed the projector and screen yet, so haven't watched any movies. But I could spend hours sitting and listening to some favorite music!  |
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Post by garbulky on Feb 26, 2022 22:03:03 GMT -5
Nice find on the Pa-7 350 ! Yes i would have used that one as well!
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Post by novisnick on Feb 27, 2022 0:27:02 GMT -5
The Sherbourn PA 7-350 won the day. The mostly Sherbourn rack is pretty impressive and the audio exceeds expectations. Haven't installed the projector and screen yet, so haven't watched any movies. But I could spend hours sitting and listening to some favorite music! <button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button> Love! Love! Love! Your rack and its contents! ❤️🎶❤️🎶 |
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Post by cwmcobra on Feb 27, 2022 20:56:00 GMT -5
Nice find on the Pa-7 350 ! Yes i would have used that one as well! The PA 7-350 was purchased new from Emotiva during their Sherbourn closeout in 2013. It's just getting put into service! |
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Post by cwmcobra on Mar 2, 2022 8:16:58 GMT -5
So yesterday my neighbor helped me lift the 50 lb. beast of a projector onto its ceiling mount. I got it hooked up and adjusted image location on the screen. Then I decided to check various Blurays with different aspect ratios to see how they appeared on the screen and made some minor tweaks. Then I discovered that I had no center channel audio and found that I hadn't connected the XLR cable from the XMC-2 to the amp. Whoa, did that make a difference?
My friends have asked me what would be the first movie I'd watch when the theater was done. Well, it wasn't a movie. The last aspect ratio I checked was 16x9 and happened to be with the Bluray of the Eagles Farewell Tour Live from Melbourne. And I thought it might be good to sample the audio since I had just added the center channel to the mix. Well, I sampled nearly the entire concert. The projector throws a spectacular image, but the audio was unbelievable. With DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, I've never heard a more realistic concert audio track or one that is as percussion-forward as this. The 40+ year old Klipsch Heritage speakers performed beautifully and the capability of the Tuba HT DIY subwoofers was more than confirmed. Tight, punchy bass was fabulous. And all I've done in audio setup was to set speaker distances. I haven't gotten the dB meter out yet to set levels and haven't even thought about setting up Dirac. Or experienced a movie with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. And none of the room treatments have been added. So this is going to be a really fun journey!
I still have lots of finishing to do in the theater and I'll look forward to very high quality work tunes along the way. Still haven't decided on a first movie yet.....
Cheers!
Chuck
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Post by geebo on Mar 2, 2022 8:58:08 GMT -5
So yesterday my neighbor helped me lift the 50 lb. beast of a projector onto its ceiling mount. I got it hooked up and adjusted image location on the screen. Then I decided to check various Blurays with different aspect ratios to see how they appeared on the screen and made some minor tweaks. Then I discovered that I had no center channel audio and found that I hadn't connected the XLR cable from the XMC-2 to the amp. Whoa, did that make a difference? My friends have asked me what would be the first movie I'd watch when the theater was done. Well, it wasn't a movie. The last aspect ratio I checked was 16x9 and happened to be with the Bluray of the Eagles Farewell Tour Live from Melbourne. And I thought it might be good to sample the audio since I had just added the center channel to the mix. Well, I sampled nearly the entire concert. The projector throws a spectacular image, but the audio was unbelievable. With DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, I've never heard a more realistic concert audio track or one that is as percussion-forward as this. The 40+ year old Klipsch Heritage speakers performed beautifully and the capability of the Tuba HT DIY subwoofers was more than confirmed. Tight, punchy bass was fabulous. And all I've done in audio setup was to set speaker distances. I haven't gotten the dB meter out yet to set levels and haven't even thought about setting up Dirac. Or experienced a movie with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. And none of the room treatments have been added. So this is going to be a really fun journey! I still have lots of finishing to do in the theater and I'll look forward to very high quality work tunes along the way. Still haven't decided on a first movie yet..... Cheers! Chuck That Eagles disc is one of my favorite BD concerts. But might I recommend Eric Clapton's Lady in the Balcony recorded in HDR AND Atmos. Mostly all acoustic and very well done. The theater looks phenomenal. |
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Post by cwmcobra on Mar 2, 2022 12:28:56 GMT -5
That Eagles disc is one of my favorite BD concerts. But might I recommend Eric Clapton's Lady in the Balcony recorded in HDR AND Atmos. Mostly all acoustic and very well done. The theater looks phenomenal. Thanks George. And thanks for the Eric Clapton recommendation. Here are a few pictures of progress.     |
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Post by cwmcobra on Mar 2, 2022 12:29:43 GMT -5
Rack ears will arrive tomorrow for the XMC-2, so I hope to tidy the rack a bit.
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Post by DavidR on Mar 2, 2022 13:24:18 GMT -5
Looking SWEEEEET
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Post by housetech on Mar 3, 2022 13:13:40 GMT -5
I'll second Eric Clapton's Lady in the Balcony.
A DVD Super Disc that I found to sound good is Peter Cincotti- Live in New York, jazz, recorded outside in a park. It's 20 yrs old and maybe found used for cheap. I like the acoustic string bass and the piano is nice.
Ditto on the live Eagles concert.
btw, sure would like to hear those Klipsch Heritage speakers. Oh ya, that'll work.
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Post by cwmcobra on Mar 3, 2022 18:31:38 GMT -5
I'll second Eric Clapton's Lady in the Balcony. A DVD Super Disc that I found to sound good is Peter Cincotti- Live in New York, jazz, recorded outside in a park. It's 20 yrs old and maybe found used for cheap. I like the acoustic string bass and the piano is nice. Ditto on the live Eagles concert. btw, sure would like to hear those Klipsch Heritage speakers. Oh ya, that'll work. Thanks for the recommendation. I just ordered the Peter Cincotti DVD. Will enjoy giving it a spin. The Clapton UHD disc is pretty pricey. Before buying, I understand it's an acoustic session. Is there much accompaniment dynamics other than acoustic guitar? Is it anything like the Eagles DVD in terms of spectrum of sound? |
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