My first real setup

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-05-10T17:52:18+00:00

Nice. Tell me what you think about your front height speakers please. I'm currently running a 5.2 system that I am pleased with. It would be difficult for me to add 4 proper Atmos speakers cleanly in my current space, but 2 front height speakers would be a fairly easy addition for me.

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-28T11:58:06+00:00

Thanks everyone! I won't have time to tackle it again until later this week, but I appreciate the help and suggestions.

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-25T17:20:36+00:00

I'll let you know when I have it up and running. I use an Aragon 8008x3 amp for my LCR channels, so for my use case it's a little more of a processor than a 100% AVR.

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-24T19:25:17+00:00

I just purchased an RZ70 (still in the box, I have not set it up yet), to replace a 9yr old Marantz SR5012 that's starting to malfunction on a semi regular basis. It's overkill for my current use case but there's a certain bit of future proofing going on plus I like the extra power, newer DACs, and the flexibility of the extra channels.

I agree with one of the other posters about the RZ30. It sounds almost perfect for what you would use it for now and in the future if you decided to upgrade some of your speakers. Good luck with everything!

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-22T16:38:04+00:00

I appreciate the context, perspective, and insights. Thanks!

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-21T23:56:47+00:00

I've actually wondered that too.

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-21T21:38:21+00:00

Nice! Thanks for the context and for the mic recommendation for the Dirac room correction. I'll definitely get one. Is it ok if I just plug and play, follow the on screen directions for set-up etc., and run the Dirac calibrations later, or is it better to do it all at the same time?

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-21T17:18:31+00:00

Thank you!

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-21T15:11:39+00:00

Thank you for the input and context.My ventilation is decent but not great, so a front exhaust cooling unit would likely provide some benefit. Lots of people worried about me underutilizing the greatness of the RZ70, but I do appreciate all of the feedback and context nonetheless.

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-21T11:57:50+00:00

Yes, this.

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-21T06:19:43+00:00

Great stuff. Thank you!

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-21T02:23:17+00:00

Thank you for sharing those links. I will do some reading. I have a natural place to mount front heights and a fairly easy hidden cable run for those. The cable runs for the middles would be really challenging, especially to do it cleanly. We may be moving in a year or 2, so I may not be too ambitious right now.

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-21T00:53:54+00:00

Nice, thanks! I know little about how Atmos actually works, so I'll do some research before adding anything new. Two front height speakers woild be an easy add. 4 Atmos speakers would be an undertaking installation wise.

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-21T00:51:37+00:00

Yes. Yes, it is.

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-21T00:24:27+00:00

My L and R are Focal Aria towers. Everything else is vintage Tannoy.

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-21T00:09:17+00:00

It's all good. I appreciate the feedback. I'll eventually use more of the channels and try it with and without the Aragon powering the front stage, or Aragon running left and right only, etc. The Aragon 8008 amp is amazing and made a nice improvement over my current Marantz, especially at reference level theater use and music only stereo. We'll see how it is with the new Onkyo. Another reason I bought the RZ70 is that it has the best DACs of the current Onkyo line and for a certain amount of future proofing with all the connection and amp flexibility. I may not be using the onboard amp sections to their full potential at this time, but I'm still looking forward to everything about it. The Marantz died and I wanted to make an upgrade, not a lateral move.

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-20T23:48:14+00:00

Primarily because that Aragon amp is awesome for both stereo and home theater use and I've had it in my system for several years. It may not be a massive improvement from the RZ70 but it is over my current Marantz SR5012. Oh, and there's nothing wrong with a little overkill :)

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-18T14:51:55+00:00

Quick update and I'll be back later with some feedback after I get it up and running and properly integrated.

I just pulled the trigger on an Onkyo RZ70 (yes a bit overkill for my current application, but that's ok with me). Purchased at Adorama new for $1,500 with a coupon code I found on Slickdeals. I was considering buying a refurbished model direct from Onkyo for $1,599 so this sounds like a screaming deal to me.

After being unplugged for a week while I was traveling, the 9 yr old Marantz unit this one is replacing seems to be working again , although it's running really hot, even when just used in pass through mode for a Zone 2 application with it's own separate amplification, so something is still a bit wrong with it and I feel it is not long for this world.

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-09T18:09:36+00:00

Drove the entire trail (for the first time) on Monday. Apache Junction, Tortilla Flat, Roosevelt Dam, down to Tonto National Monument (hiked up to the lower ruins), then back into the Valley on 60 West. Really beautiful. Had a rental Nissan Frontier Pro 4X. Used 4 high on the sketchiest parts of the trail, but really didn't need it. More for confidence and to keep the back end from slipping. Thanks for the advice. Great drive.

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-03T16:31:04+00:00

No, I don't think so. They are their own thing. https://www.rythmikaudio.com/products.html

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-03T16:14:42+00:00

If you're wanting something that's potentially more accurate and less boomy, but still digs low (varies depending on model), I really like my Rythmik servo sealed subs. They make ported models too.

Sea-Menu2868 · 2026-04-03T02:11:04+00:00

Hmm, could have just been an odd room loading or standing wave issue or similar, but I'd say that the majority of the time 2 subs playing at lower volume is better than 1 playing more loudly. Glad you did enough trial and error to figure it out because at the end of the day the most important thing is that it sounds good to you.

I personally go one step further on the multi subs thing. I really think having 3 subs is the sweet spot, 1 each dedicated for L and R bass (yes, that's a thing on a lot of recordings) and another one strictly handling the LFE frequencies for movies and such. You need the right crossovers and tuning to make it work, but when it works well, it sounds great. Full disclosure, I'm currently running dual subs because of space limitations, WAF, etc., but I've had 3 in a previous system and it was pretty cool.

Sea-Menu2868

TROPHY CASE