My home theatre setup - Long time Dream Realised !!

VSG12777

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Hi everyone

I finally got some time today to transfer photos and post them here! Whew. My home theatre setup was done in phases over the last 2 months. I'd say it was pretty fast compared to how long we actually thought it would take.

I was pretty clear that we didn't want to spend upwards of 20-25k on a brand new AV receiver, so I decided to pick up a used unit. Question was - which model I would get, and in what condition would it be?

Fortunately for me, I had informed my used HiFi guy sometime back that I would need a good DTS receiver. Just when I think of calling him to check, he calls me and says "Sir, I've got a nice Yamaha 459 DTS amp without HDMI. Maybe 2006 or 2007 model but superb condition and very good performance. Do you want to have a look?" What timing! We had sort of arranged for about 10-12k for a good used amp and this guy calls me up to say exactly what I wanted to hear! Without wasting more time, I asked him for the model details and his price. He initially quoted 11.5k for the Yamaha RX-V 459. Upon consulting a few of my friends and A/V freaks, I was told not to pay more than 10k for it.

Anyway I checked out the specs, downloaded a PDF, went through it and even contacted 2 people on the forum who are owners of this amp, and decided to go for it. I negotiated with him and he gave me a final price of 10k. Paid him an advance of 1k and 2 weeks later, gave him the 9k balance and brought it home. At this time, we had only the AVR and nothing else to go with it.

Around the same time, my research for speakers was still on. I was very seriously contemplating getting the Wharfedale MovieStar 70+ set, for 30k brand new or for 23k for a 6-month old demo set. Avidyarthy from HFV highly recommended this set and I liked the looks and specs as well. The main reason (as you'd anyway find from my photos) that I was considering a satellite set, was that the main door to the house was eating away about 3 feet of my wall space, due to a depression made for the door. This is the only thing I don't like about our apartment. Everything else is nice. I wanted to get tower speakers after hearing to different models and brands at my friends' places but due to this space constraint I kept trying to convince myself that in this apartment, only satellite speakers would be suitable.

However, one of my friends told me to check out the Yamaha NS 8390 towers if they were still available as he said they were fantastic for the price and the bass was good enough for me to be able to manage without a subwoofer for a while. I checked out the Yamaha India website and I found the NS 8390 3-way floor standers listed for an MRP of 13,992. The matching NS-P60 centre/surround package was listed at an MRP of 9,612. So totally this package at MRP would work out to around 24k. Called up the Yamaha Music Square here in Chennai and they said they had 2 sets of the complete package in stock but would be unable to give me a demo on the same as their demo room was already setup with other models of speakers and amps. They however said they could even give me delivery on the same day evening if I confirmed the order in the morning.

Then I called up another hifi shop where I had been a couple of times last year just before we moved into this apartment. He said the same thing. Have it in stock but can't give you a demo as this is one of the older models and a low-priced product. Both reasons from these dealers were crap, but nothing could be done. Dilemma was now - Wharfedale MS 70+ for 23k used, or 24k for a full Yamaha brand new tower package? I can't remember the number of days I used to keep thinking about this and just be looking nowhere with a blank look on my face.

My wife then said "Look. If you're so keen on those towers and want them so badly, why are you trying to convince yourself with the Wharfedale model? Ask your hifi forum friends and others about these speakers and also check out internet reviews, and then take a decision. We will make some small adjustments when we use the towers, just like we adjust our seating when we watch TV!"

This gave me a fresh boost and I called up the hifi shop again to check on the price. He said he could do a best price of 21.5k for the whole Yamaha package, inclusive of delivery and credit card charges. After speaking to him for another 10-15 mins, he closed the deal at a superb 19k for the whole package! I was more than thrilled. This was on a Friday evening. Went the following afternoon, paid for it, asked them to open the speakers and connect it to their amp and had a demo. Was very very happy with the sound. And they had connected it to a Yamaha 365 AVR. Packed them back into boxes and took them home in the Santro. Towers in the back seat and the centre/surround package box in the front passenger seat. Was finding it tough to change gears with that huge box in the front seat, but adjusted and somehow managed to reach my parents' place.

Unpacked, connected the amp and speakers etc and played some blu ray rips from the WD player, through the LG 42PQ70 plasma there, and they were all amazed at the difference in sound between this system and the Sony HT-DDW 840 HTIB (6 yrs old) which is setup there.

Next, packed up everything and on Sunday morning, went to our new apartment and my wife and I unloaded everything. Rushed to office the next day, got back early and setup the speakers and amp, together with my Pioneer stereo amp and Sony SS-D55AV 3-way bookshelves, Kenwood 13-band graphic equaliser/spectrum analyser unit etc which was already in the hall.

At this point I had only the amp and Yamaha speakers. No tv cabinet and no tv either. The plan though, and a long time dream of mine, was to have a 50 inch plasma wall mounted. The Panny 50 inch models were just too expensive and Samsung had bad service. Didn't want to take a chance. Was initially planning for the LG 50PK550 but once I read so many people were facing issues with it (green dancing pixels and what not), I decided to avoid this model. We would anyway watch some good tv programs like my car shows, music channels, music programs, game shows etc. So I also wanted good sound from the tv.

I found that the only model which met this requirement, was the LG PJ560 plasma. Zeroed in on this model and 10 days back when we were sort of ready with the finances, I checked with my dealer and he said he could get the piece (50PJ560) in 2-3 days if I confirmed it on the phone. Meanwhile I checked with Mehuldil from this forum, who was very happy with the 42PJ560 and its speakers.

I confirmed the order with my dealer and he ordered it from LG. Their showroom is just too small to keep stocks of such big plasmas. Hence the "ordering and getting stock" part. He usually has at least 1 or 2 brand new 42 inch plasmas with him at any time as it's a popular size and pricing is attractive. 42PJ350 was being sold at 39k to new customers, while for known ones like me, it was 37k. Just an example. He had quoted 64k for the PK550, 61k for the PJ560 and about 57k for the PJ350. I could not find better prices in Chennai upon checking.

However 2 weeks back, I saw this huge full page ad in Times of India, for LG plasmas and LCDs with free Airtel HD DTH. And guess what ... the PJ560 50 inch model was advertised at 61,990 with Airtel HD. Called up the dealer at once and told him about this, and he immediately made a call to whomsoever concerned, and told me within 5 mins, that he could give me the 50PJ560 with the Airtel HD for 59k !! I was thrilled. He then closed the deal for me at 58.5k when I went in person. Took it on Finance from Shriram Consumer Finance. Zero percent interest, but documentation and processing charges of 3k odd. 18 month scheme, with 15k initial payment and around 3.6k per month as EMIs for 13 months through post dated cheques.

Next, I needed a good hifi cabinet to put all my components with some space for related accessories too. Checked out various models at different shops and finalized on a Damro unit for about 6.8k. Simple design but very elegant looking and very spacious compartments for all the bulky hifi and a/v gear that we tend to have nowadays. 2 draws as well for accessories, which was a bonus. Paid and got delivery 2 days later.

I also wanted to wall mount the surround speakers as concealed wiring had been done for the rear speakers. So I picked up the surround speaker stands along with one for the centre speaker too, as I had planned to mount the centre speaker on the stand beneath the plasma.

So here's the list of equipment and prices:

Yamaha RX-V 459 (used 2007 model) - 10k
Yamaha NS-8390 3-way front tower speakers and NS-P60 surround and centre speaker package - 19k
Damro TV cabinet - 6.8k
LG 50PJ560 plasma - 58.5k
Surround speaker stands - 300 bucks (for 2 stands)
Centre speaker stand - 200 bucks


I shall post the snaps set by set (phase by phase, as you can see how the look and feel of the hall in my flat changed so much after the arrival of the Damro tv cabinet and the 50 inch plasma!), as I have one set without the plasma, tv cabinet and wall mounted surround speakers. I have another set showing everything together, along with even menu options in the plasma for those who'd be interested.

----Venkat
 
1st of Snaps - Before Plasma, TV Cabinet etc Arrived

Having big trouble with posting the snaps here. Limitations are crazy. Only upto 100KB for a JPG file and resolution of 620x280? My snaps are all in widescreen mode and I can resize them to an acceptable 1280x720 or 1024x576 at the max. I shall try to post links from ImageShack if possible, or any other good photo sharing site.

Sorry for the delay folks !!

---Venkat
 
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It is very nice of you to write such a passionate writing with detailed photographs. Congratulations.

I will take the opportunity to suggest following, please do consider.

The Front & Rear speakers should not be touching the cabinet and the left speaker should not be not nearly touching the wall. Among the ways out is to wall mount the television and build a new cabinet with a much reduced breadth size of the cabinet while get the door opening from outside if the opening is from inside. A flat television is always best respected on the wall.

For Electrical and related cables, please manage some binders that way it will look very neat.

I think It does not look neat to keep a set top box on sub woofer and moreover there will be vibration issues too during larger lower frequencies.

It will be much better if you have a mid sized carpet while try to remove any hard items as much as possible and get softer items. By making these other changes the sound performance will improve.

V.
 
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Congratulations! And love the energy and detail of your post. May you have loads of fun times with your new toys!
 
Hi Venkat,

Congrats on your setup:clapping:... and a very enjoyable write up too... We some buddys in this forum are look out for 50" plasma and would like to have your detailed review with pros/cons with SD/HD telecast and SD/HD rips and other aspects too.

Regards

srini
 
Hi Venkat

Good to see your dream realised, wish you for many more Hi-fi dreams and happy viewing.

Regards

Sub

Thanks Sub!

It is very nice of you to write such a passionate writing with detailed photographs. Congratulations.

I will take the opportunity to suggest following, please do consider.

The Front & Rear speakers should not be touching the cabinet and the left speaker should not be not nearly touching the wall. Among the ways out is to wall mount the television and build a new cabinet with a much reduced breadth size of the cabinet while get the door opening from outside if the opening is from inside. A flat television is always best respected on the wall.

For Electrical and related cables, please manage some binders that way it will look very neat.

I think It does not look neat to keep a set top box on sub woofer and moreover there will be vibration issues too during larger lower frequencies.

It will be much better if you have a mid sized carpet while try to remove any hard items as much as possible and get softer items. By making these other changes the sound performance will improve.

V.

Hey Vinay thanks a lot for your suggestions. The system is as shown in the photos, only when it is off. I split the speakers when we watch a movie. TV programs are generally through the TV speakers only, for now as the speakers are very good. I am yet to do the smaller things. I have just now got my equipment and I have still not come out of that excitement. Just unable to believe we've managed to get the 50 inch plasma and tower speakers etc.

Anyway, yes; I have planned for a stretchable wall mount (stretchable in front by up to 18 inches and also rotatable to the sides), costing 3750 but I will maybe do this next month or so. Another item to be added is a Pioneer DV 420 DVD player. I am using an LG portable player for now, through a composite connection and coaxial out. The WDTV media player was actually put in my parents' place and I have it here now for the time being. Plan to get a WDTV Live Plus (latest one) which has even DVD navigation. I would also like to add a subwoofer sometime in the next 3-4 months. The least I can spend on a new subwoofer is about 10k for a Yamaha YST 215. Used ones are available for around 4k.

I've also planned to get a Belkin surge protector (6 or 8 socket version) for the many plugs at the back. Also, once the plasma is wall mounted, the centre speaker and Airtel HD box may also be wall mounted on a stand. I already have the stand ready for the centre speaker. Alternatively, I can wall mount the centre speaker and put the Airtel HD box in the compartment above the Yamaha amp, where the centre speaker is now placed.

The cable management thing is another one that I would certainly purchase too.

So yes; over the next few months I will definitely be making changes!

Congratulations! And love the energy and detail of your post. May you have loads of fun times with your new toys!

Thanks Malvai! I am looking forward to the same too. Yet to play a good action movie and enjoy it.

Congratulations , Enjoy your HT setup and see if you can follow Vinay's suggestions ......

Sure thanks Kittu.

---Venkat
 
Great setup and a neat wooden cabinet for the AV gear. But i see there is not much space around your Amplifier.. do you notice it running hot after watching a 3-4 hour movie ?
 
Great, Venkat. Glad everything fell in place for you. Patience does and did pay in your case. Now start enjoying your set up.

Warm Regds / Shailender
 
Hey Venket,
Happy for you and congratulations on the new set up. The honesty of the whole write up is very much appreciated. Have fun.
 
Hi Venkat,

Congrats on your setup:clapping:... and a very enjoyable write up too... We some buddys in this forum are look out for 50" plasma and would like to have your detailed review with pros/cons with SD/HD telecast and SD/HD rips and other aspects too.

Regards

srini

Thanks Srini. Shall surely post my views in the coming days. Haven't really had time to watch much of TV except for Nat Geo HD just to enjoy the picture quality. Now and then I play some blu ray rips. Haven't watched even a single full movie yet. Planning to watch Green Zone this weekend and maybe one or two more if time permits.

Congrats VSG ! Glad it was worth the wait for you.:)

Thanks man! Yup it definitely was worth the looong wait!

Great setup and a neat wooden cabinet for the AV gear. But i see there is not much space around your Amplifier.. do you notice it running hot after watching a 3-4 hour movie ?

Hey Max,

No not really. The Yamaha 459 does not heat up much and there is a lot of space around. Each compartment is sufficiently wide, deep and high enough for all the equipment. The back of the compartments is open as well. So heat dissipation should not be a problem at all. It's also very easy for me to clean, dust and maintain the cabinet and the equipment.

Great, Venkat. Glad everything fell in place for you. Patience does and did pay in your case. Now start enjoying your set up.

Warm Regds / Shailender

Thank you sir! I remember meeting you at Subramanian uncle's place at Mylapore, if I am not mistaken. Did I get that right? And yes, the kind of satisfaction you get by waiting, planning and getting what you dreamed of, is just priceless and can't be described in words.

Hey Venket,
Happy for you and congratulations on the new set up. The honesty of the whole write up is very much appreciated. Have fun.

Thanks Karma. Yeah I don't do such long write-ups very often but this is one forum where we can really express ourselves since we are all A/V enthusiasts. All of us at some point or the other, do dream of having a nice home theatre setup some day. Well this was mine and somehow my wife and I managed to turn it into reality. We are both still unable to believe this. I however like writing and when I feel it needs that amount of description and detail and depth to it, I just go full on. Perhaps I've inherited the writing thing from my dad who's a great writer. (he's got a double Ph.D. and a D.Litt and has specialised in Indian Philosophy, Jainism, Tirukkural etc) Coincidentally, by profession, I recently got into Content Writing with an IT major in Chennai and I am just enjoying my job! :)
 
A very enthusiastic photoshoot ..... gr8 ..... happy that you are 'happy' with the towers.

But man, serious space restrictions you have. Looking at your set-up, I think a 42" would be perfect for me, IF I ever go in for a plasma.

At your place, I guess, and others have pointed out too, a wall mount would be better suited. Then, at least you could bring those two towers a bit nearer, and also give the necessary tilt on each of them. The door, now is just about missing the right speaker, when open ... right?

Another thing, is the cabinet 'rear open'? Your AVR would need the necessary ventilation if running for long. You may look at removing the rear bit, in case it is closed. You could also have settled for a 'self-designed' cabinet ... ie. got it made as per your design from a local carpenter..... like, I have done. Then, the possibility of going for a vertical outfit would have been possible. In other words, you could have 'layered up' your set-up vertically than the current horizontal spread ... hope you get what I am stating. That way, you could have avoided the wall mount of the plasma.... and also made yourself enough floorspace for the two towers to be set closer than now.

Whatever it may sound, feel really good that you are happy.
 
Hey thanks Avid (sorry for shortening your name!). Yes I am thrilled with the audio part and blown away with the plasma. The audio part is so good that I can easily manage without a subwoofer for some time, while I save up and get a good one.

Space restriction is only at the front of the hall, due to the silly design of the front door robbing my wall space. Otherwise I would have placed the cabinet right at the centre of the entire 10 feet wall and spaced out the speakers.

As for screen size, we sit at 16-17 feet when we watch tv. So the 50 inch size is superb for this distance. Nice big screen feel.

Yes Avid. The cabinet is rear open. The centre portion was covered at the rear with just 2 medium sized holes for connecting the wires, while the 2 top left and right side compartments were already open at the rear. I told the shop guy to remove that centre rear panel and then send the unit which was done.

I am gonna check with my builder's in-charge on whether that main door can be changed to open outside instead of "into" the house. That would save a ton of space!

I had a vertical rack before this, when I had my audio setup with the Pioneer stereo amp etc. Got seriously bored of it. And whatever good work the carpenter may do, I'll never get the finish of these ready made cabinets. A rich and elegant look was essential since it's right at the front of the hall.

Yes sir. I am very happy with the setup as of now. The plasma's speakers really kick a$$ ... fantastic for watching music, news and other tv programs. Very clear voices and good bass and treble too. I generally can't go above 30-35 on the volume level. Sound is so good. I would heartily recommend the PJ560 plasma. I think in the current 2010 range of plasmas across brands, this one has the best speakers. No doubt.

---Venkat
 
Hi VSG!

Congrats! Aftera a long time i am reading a passionate post about HT.:) I can feel your child like enthusiasm thro your post.Only thing is for a 6 or 7k more you could have got an AVR which can handle HD sound.Anyways great going.
Have a blast!

cheers,
sri
 
Thanks Srikar. Yes absolutely. I am very passionate about my a/v and hifi stuff! Yeah my next AVR will surely be an HD-audio capable one, something like the Yamaha 465 or 565. I have taken a liking towards Yam AVRs now. Features are superb and they are very easy to use too. Yam 465 at 20k with bill and warranty is a steal now. I suppose these stocks would last only for a few months more, till the '67' series is launched in India (367, 467, 667 etc). This new series is already available in USA.

---Venkat
 
Hi,

Good setup:clapping: PERIOD. Nothing to comment as they have already been taken care of seniors!

To comment on the Yamaha AVR, I had its sibling 359 before Denon and I must say it had enough power and was performing awesome for both movies and music! To fill my room, I had to go only upto -45 db, which is not the case now!

Cheers!
 
A beautiful, well-constructed speaker with class-leading soundstage, imaging and bass that is fast, deep, and precise.
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