My Coming Out

**Big B** · March 22, 2020, 10:49 PM

I’m a home theatre guy and quite proud of it. I say this because I have been shunned before because I said HT and not a two channel guy. I assure you I’m an audiophile afflicted just like rest of you.
I having been building my theatre for over two years buying a piece here and a piece there. Last year I put an addition on the house with the plan of purpose built theatre first. It is now complete and it’s has been in use 6/7 months now.
The room is functional not much in the way of dress up. The Atmos works very well with good separation from 1 speaker to the next on all 6 in ceiling speakers. ( thank you Marrantz).
I wish to thank David Susilo who is my expert on the job.

**Kuoppis** · March 23, 2020, 12:07 AM

Looks very inviting, congrats!

Very nice to have during Corona times, and as Amazon has just released Prime Video Cinema.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

**joeinid** · March 23, 2020, 01:19 AM

Well done! Thank you for posting.

**the professor** · March 23, 2020, 05:51 PM

Welcome!!!!

**Mike** · March 23, 2020, 06:06 PM

Very nice. What kind of screen did you go with?

**Mr Peabody** · March 23, 2020, 06:19 PM

Hello and welcome

**Big B** · March 23, 2020, 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Very nice. What kind of screen did you go with?

Studiotek 130

**Scotty** · March 23, 2020, 07:44 PM

Very nice - where is your favorite seat?

**Big B** · March 23, 2020, 09:22 PM

I'm in the back row second seat in on the door side.

**Randy Myers** · March 29, 2020, 01:22 AM

Very nice. Room is awesome! Congratulations.

**Big B** · March 29, 2020, 06:08 AM

Thank you
I have really been enjoying it. I'm trying to get some better pictures. It requires a real camera with a flash.

**PMCH** · March 29, 2020, 06:06 PM

Big B, fantastic HT setup. If I am honest I love my stereo room but my HT room gets the most use.

**nicoff** · March 29, 2020, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by Big B

I’m a home theatre guy and quite proud of it. I say this because I have been shunned before because I said HT and not a two channel guy. I assure you I’m an audiophile afflicted just like rest of you.
I having been building my theatre for over two years buying a piece here and a piece there. Last year I put an addition on the house with the plan of purpose built theatre first. It is now complete and it’s has been in use 6/7 months now.
The room is functional not much in the way of dress up. The Atmos works very well with good separation from 1 speaker to the next on all 6 in ceiling speakers. ( thank you Marrantz).
I wish to thank David Susilo who is my expert on the job.

Are you in journalism? That’s a very eye-catching title for the thread.

Nice theater! Enjoy it!!

**2FlyingYorkies** · March 29, 2020, 11:33 PM

I had no idea Wilson made surround channels. Center, yes, but never paid enough attention to notice surrounds in their portfolio. When I saw your first picture of the seating, I thought "kind of a Wilson vibe going on there; does he really have them up front?". And sure enough!

I know the rule is to put Atmos in line with the mains like you have them. Do you find you get enough separation laterally from the surrounds? I would have been very tempted to tweak them a tad closer to centerline (no more than a foot or two), just as a visual placebo.

By the way, what speakers did you use for the Atmos channels? I know it's not quite as critical to timbre match those, but you've gone to such trouble (and expense!) on the others that I'm curious. We're in the middle of putting together a multichannel media space with Atmos (though not as dedicated as what you have) based on Focal Kantas for the mains. Fortunately, Focal has an in-ceiling line that comes close enough to keeping the family voicing similar to the Kantas.

I don't see your subs. Are they hiding behind the screen? Did you go with Wilson on those too?

**Big B** · March 30, 2020, 12:13 AM

Originally Posted by 2FlyingYorkies

I had no idea Wilson made surround channels. Center, yes, but never paid enough attention to notice surrounds in their portfolio. When I saw your first picture of the seating, I thought "kind of a Wilson vibe going on there; does he really have them up front?". And sure enough!

I know the rule is to put Atmos in line with the mains like you have them. Do you find you get enough separation laterally from the surrounds? I would have been very tempted to tweak them a tad closer to centerline (no more than a foot or two), just as a visual placebo.

By the way, what speakers did you use for the Atmos channels? I know it's not quite as critical to timbre match those, but you've gone to such trouble (and expense!) on the others that I'm curious. We're in the middle of putting together a multichannel media space with Atmos (though not as dedicated as what you have) based on Focal Kantas for the mains. Fortunately, Focal has an in-ceiling line that comes close enough to keeping the family voicing similar to the Kantas.

I don't see your subs. Are they hiding behind the screen? Did you go with Wilson on those too?

I do get good separation on my overheads. Some discs it just fills the room with more music so you get more of feeling you are more in the middle of it as opposed to having the sound coming more as a front stage (Greatest Showman). Other discs the separation is much more distinct like the knock at the door that comes from behind your right shoulder (Knives Out) and is startling. The good serration I attribute the Marantz 8805. I would not tweak them closer to the centre line you would be compromising your separation. My joist run front to back and I would have moved them one joist over but I had a duct in the next one. Before I go much farther on this you might want to reach out to David Susilo he is the expert( and knows his stuff) I only give you my opinions.
My overheads are Dynaudio. I have owned that brand before and quite liked them. I looked at Martin Logan as well but trust Dynaudio better. The 4 Wilson Watch I picked up used, got a bargain I could not resist.I had also heard that set up at Pargon Sound In Michgan. When I heard it I was very impressed. My subs are underneath the platform and behind a curtain JL F113 x2.I'm battling too much bass. A perfed screen was never a consideration.

**Big B** · April 4, 2020, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by Big B

I’m a home theatre guy and quite proud of it. I say this because I have been shunned before because I said HT and not a two channel guy. I assure you I’m an audiophile afflicted just like rest of you.
I having been building my theatre for over two years buying a piece here and a piece there. Last year I put an addition on the house with the plan of purpose built theatre first. It is now complete and it’s has been in use 6/7 months now.
The room is functional not much in the way of dress up. The Atmos works very well with good separation from 1 speaker to the next on all 6 in ceiling speakers. ( thank you Marrantz).
I wish to thank David Susilo who is my expert on the job.

I thought I would update my first front on shot. The speakers were newly installed(speakers are still on wheels).
Here is a shot 64 movies later and room treatment added.

PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING

**Big B** · July 27, 2023, 08:57 PM

Time for an upgrade. Changed from a Mark levinson 533 to Boulder 1160. Using my 866 as a center. Clarity has been the most substantial change. Dialogue has improved a fair bit which is great. Musicality has probably improved as well but I'm too fresh to make that determination. I'm a happy camper.

**the professor** · July 27, 2023, 09:35 PM

Awesome

Congrats!

**Big B** · July 28, 2023, 02:01 AM

Originally Posted by the professor

Awesome

Congrats!

Thank you
minor correction I had put 1060 it is an 1160

**Mr Peabody** · July 28, 2023, 12:04 PM

866? I thought you were strictly HT. I don't understand how you are using a stereo integrated to power your center channel.

**Big B** · July 28, 2023, 05:59 PM

Boulder doesn't make a mono amp at this level. In order to keep the timber match I'm using 1 side of my 866 set in theater mode. I hear there is a new amp do out very soon that may suit my needs. My 866 will go back to my 2 channel listening room which I am missing.
Currently my HT sounds excellent,just outstanding.

**Mr Peabody** · July 29, 2023, 02:03 PM

I'm sure it sounds great. You might watch for a used Boulder mono block or, bridgeable amp, or maybe even one channel of a stereo amp. Just seems a waste of an entire integrated, but I tend to be a bit OCD.

Originally Posted by Big B

Boulder doesn't make a mono amp at this level. In order to keep the timber match I'm using 1 side of my 866 set in theater mode. I hear there is a new amp do out very soon that may suit my needs. My 866 will go back to my 2 channel listening room which I am missing.
Currently my HT sounds excellent,just outstanding.

**Big B** · July 29, 2023, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

I'm sure it sounds great. You might watch for a used Boulder mono block or, bridgeable amp, or maybe even one channel of a stereo amp. Just seems a waste of an entire integrated, but I tend to be a bit OCD.

I agree. A bit of a waste of an integrated. For the time being it will stay as is until next steps. I'm curious what boulder might be coming up with to solve my problem. I would like my integrated to go back to my 2ch. I quite like the sound of that set up.

**Big B** · July 29, 2023, 11:38 PM

A new feature I'm finding with the boulder vs levinson. The Boulder is lot less fatiguing.

**Mr Peabody** · July 30, 2023, 08:16 PM

Did you have a 533 or 533h?

I had a 532h which I did not find fatiguing with a Levinson pre. My current 534 is not fatiguing but has more mid/high energy than I expected. It could have become fatiguing if it weren't for adjustments on my speakers and using a different digital filter. I am waiting to experiment with an external DAC. If I don't get the balance I like a change may be in order down the road. The 534 is a much better amp than the 532h but the 532h had a nice balance and attack. I actually prefer a slight bottom up sound but I will definitely take balanced. Top down is annoying.

Originally Posted by Big B

A new feature I'm finding with the boulder vs levinson. The Boulder is lot less fatiguing.

**Big B** · July 31, 2023, 01:55 AM

I believe it is a 533H. What is the difference between the two?

**Mr Peabody** · July 31, 2023, 12:17 PM

There was a 532, but not sure if a 533. The 532 was more of a Levinson traditional design and around $20k. It has some issue and didn't last long.

The "h" series was built in the Crown factory having 2, 3 or 5 channels but using the same chassis. You just ordered it with the number of modules you wanted. There was even a 531h. The 532h ran about $8500.00. This was a great amp and didn't get the appreciation it deserved. This series was not a traditional Levinson design that doubled down etc. With that and being built in a different facility could be the reason. The "h" series used banks of small capacitors opposed to large can size, this gave the amp a very fast lively response. The sound had one of the flattest responses I've heard to my ear. As I mentioned above my current amp is better but there are aspects of the 532h I miss. The "h" series was in the line up for years.

I know you mentioned fatigue but I suspect that was possibly an equipment mismatch somewhere in the chain. I used my 532h for both music and movies, using JBL speakers the sound was never fatiguing to me and I don't especially like bright. I'm sure compared to Boulder the 532h was also outclassed.

Originally Posted by Big B

I believe it is a 533H. What is the difference between the two?

**Big B** · July 31, 2023, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

There was a 532, but not sure if a 533. The 532 was more of a Levinson traditional design and around $20k. It has some issue and didn't last long.

The "h" series was built in the Crown factory having 2, 3 or 5 channels but using the same chassis. You just ordered it with the number of modules you wanted. There was even a 531h. The 532h ran about $8500.00. This was a great amp and didn't get the appreciation it deserved. This series was not a traditional Levinson design that doubled down etc. With that and being built in a different facility could be the reason. The "h" series used banks of small capacitors opposed to large can size, this gave the amp a very fast lively response. The sound had one of the flattest responses I've heard to my ear. As I mentioned above my current amp is better but there are aspects of the 532h I miss. The "h" series was in the line up for years.

I know you mentioned fatigue but I suspect that was possibly an equipment mismatch somewhere in the chain. I used my 532h for both music and movies, using JBL speakers the sound was never fatiguing to me and I don't especially like bright. I'm sure compared to Boulder the 532h was also outclassed.

Thanks for the explanation. much appreciated.

**Dr Morbius** · September 17, 2023, 01:36 PM

I keep my 2 channel and surround sound separate.IMG_0076.jpeg The screen is 140 inches to give scale.

**Dr Morbius** · September 17, 2023, 01:38 PM

Here’s the other photo.IMG_0074.jpeg

**Big B** · September 18, 2023, 07:31 AM

Fantastic

**MichaelsMinute** · September 18, 2023, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by Dr Morbius

Here’s the other photo.IMG_0074.jpeg

Love the Cornwall's!

**Dr Morbius** · September 18, 2023, 02:32 PM

Those Cornwalls are actually 15 year old Cornscala’s, which are like the new Mk lV Cornwalls (I love ‘em) but I originally designed that room for Klipschorn’s……….I’m looking for a pair near me and not too expensive I hope!

**MichaelsMinute** · September 18, 2023, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by Dr Morbius

Those Cornwalls are actually 15 year old Cornscala’s, which are like the new Mk lV Cornwalls (I love ‘em) but I originally designed that room for Klipschorn’s……….I’m looking for a pair near me and not too expensive I hope!

I actually prefer the La Scala's I got over the K-horns as I auditioned both. La Scala's are a HUGE step from the CW IV's I had. But's it's purely personal opinion. They are all great speakers.

**Mr Peabody** · September 19, 2023, 04:44 PM

I understand if Klipsch is what you must have but if other options considered you might take a look at Volti. Really good sounding horn speakers IMO.

Originally Posted by Dr Morbius

Those Cornwalls are actually 15 year old Cornscala’s, which are like the new Mk lV Cornwalls (I love ‘em) but I originally designed that room for Klipschorn’s……….I’m looking for a pair near me and not too expensive I hope!

**Dr Morbius** · September 19, 2023, 05:39 PM

I’ve found Volti is good but very expensive compared to Klipsch I’ve found.

**Ritmo** · September 19, 2023, 08:49 PM

Nice system Dr! Welcome to AS!

**Dr Morbius** · September 19, 2023, 09:24 PM

Thank you!

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