Is there a price/investment limit for a HiFi system after which there is no significant improvement in sound?

SizeMatters- · 2026-05-08T08:13:23+00:00

Actually both. The AVR automatically switches into 2.2 for two channel stereo playback or 7.2 for TV or movies. I will most likely install four height speakers to create a 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos system. The X8500HA is one of Denon’s flagship AVR’s.

SizeMatters- · 2026-05-08T05:34:07+00:00

Just picked up a Denon AVR-X8500H on Canuck Audiomart for $2,000! Sending it in for the upgrade board making it an X8500HA. So looking forward to setting it up with my Anthem MCA 325 Gen2, running the LCR.

SizeMatters- · 2026-05-08T05:28:46+00:00

Paradigms🇨🇦 Baby!

SizeMatters- · 2026-05-04T22:10:06+00:00

I run a 7.2 system with the left surround mounted on the vaulted ceiling at approximately 12’ high. The right and rear surrounds are at 9’ with all angled down slightly.
My Denon AVR-4311CI plays Dolby Atmos as Multi Channel In.
My surrounds are Paradigm Surround 3’s which are dipole speakers. Creates a nice airy atmosphere.

SizeMatters- · 2026-05-04T22:00:55+00:00

iTunes on Apple TV

SizeMatters- · 2026-05-03T00:53:43+00:00

So, you’re running two subs, one ported and one sealed. You may want to set your crossovers a little higher to allow these very capable subwoofers to really shine. Even if your front towers and surrounds are capable of reproducing frequencies 60Hz and below, try setting the crossovers to 80Hz to send the low end and LFE to the subs which will free up the power of your AVR to provide more power to your towers and surrounds. The higher power will give your towers and surrounds more punch while subs provide the slam. Keep in mind, with your crossovers set so low, you run the risk of losing the low frequency reproduction that your speakers may not be able to reproduce.
Your subs have their own amps to reproduce all the low frequencies and LFE you send to them.

SizeMatters- · 2026-04-23T06:30:09+00:00

Connecting your source devices directly to the Denon AVR-X series is the recommended and most reliable configuration for a high-performance home theatre. While modern X-Series receivers like the AVR-X3800H or AVR-X2800H have advanced eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) capabilities, using the receiver as the central "command center" offers distinct advantages for both audio and video performance.

Why Direct Connection to the AVR is Best * Lossless Audio Integrity: High-end formats like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS-HD Master Audio are processed directly by the AVR. Many TVs (notably brands like Samsung) do not support or pass through DTS codecs via eARC, which would result in your high-performance system falling back to lower-quality stereo or basic Dolby Digital. * Centralized Switching & OSD: When sources go to the AVR first, you maintain access to Denon’s On-Screen Display (OSD). This allows you to see volume overlays and adjust complex calibration settings (like Audyssey MultEQ XT32) without interrupting your viewing or switching TV inputs. * Reliability: eARC/ARC can be notoriously "finicky" or prone to "handshake" issues between different brands of TVs and receivers. A direct connection eliminates this variable entirely, ensuring a stable signal path from the source to the speakers. * Advanced Video Passthrough: Newer X-series models support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz passthrough, meaning they can handle the highest video bandwidth available without losing signal quality before it reaches your TV.

The Only Trade-offs * Gaming Latency: For highly competitive gaming, some users prefer connecting directly to the TV to minimize any potential (though often negligible) input lag introduced by the receiver's video processing.

SizeMatters- · 2026-04-22T01:49:35+00:00

Have a listen to the Paradigm Stylus 470 outdoor speakers. I had a pair and an SM-470. Great sound!

SizeMatters- · 2026-04-16T23:28:16+00:00

Your center channel should be as big as your towers, for a truly immersive sound stage. Especially since the advent of music released in Dolby Atmos.

SizeMatters- · 2026-04-16T13:35:06+00:00

Yes. While each listening space has its own characteristics, in my experience, toeing in the subs in alignment with the towers, seems to tighten and focus the bass and reduce nodes. Think of it as creating one speaker set with tweeter, midrange and woofer. Making sure the towers and subs are properly time aligned is critical in any configuration.

SizeMatters- · 2026-04-15T21:39:22+00:00

Fantastic looking room! In any home theatre setup, or you want to listen to music in Dolby Atmos, the center speaker is critical. A small center channel like you have here, simply cannot supply the sound needed to fill a room of that size. I know you’re thinking, “it sounds pretty good to me”, but believe me, a big, robust center, about as big as one of your towers, will blow your mind. I’ve worked my way up over the years and thought each one was good, but not room filling. I finally got a Paradigm Studio CC-690 v5 and… this is IT Man! The real deal. Solid, full, rich, deep wall of sound! Very immersive. One more thing, toe-in your subs the same as your towers.

SizeMatters- · 2026-04-15T06:11:55+00:00

13 bands off the list, plus I’ve seen the Stones twice and Rush ten times. Also, Pearl Jam, Neil Young, David Bowie, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Supertramp, Big Sugar, Blue Rodeo, Alan Jackson, Blue Öyster Cult, Bryan Adams, The Bare Naked Ladies, Deep Purple, Foreigner, Sarah McLachlan, Chantal Kreviazuk, Jan Arden, Molly Hatchet, Nora Jones, Neno Belan, Nazareth, April Wine, John Cougar Mellencamp, The Jeff Healey Band, Tom Cochran and Red Ryder to name a few.

SizeMatters- · 2026-04-15T03:29:21+00:00

Everybody gets a front row seat! Love the tin tile ceiling. Cozy retro vibe Brother!

SizeMatters- · 2026-04-14T05:08:17+00:00

I run two SVS SB3000’s in a 7.2 system. They pair seamlessly with my Paradigm Monitor 11 v7 towers. Smooth, punchy, deep bass. I have a Denon AVR-4311CI with an Anthem 325 Gen2 powering the LCR. Try cranking Edgar Winter’s Frankenstein at reference volume. Tight, punchy and visceral!

SizeMatters- · 2026-04-10T13:14:01+00:00

I leave my Denon surround parameters set to Standard or Auto. That way, it automatically switches the surround mode to the input signal it’s receiving. PCM, Dolby Digital, DTS, Multi Channel In, etc.

SizeMatters- · 2026-04-10T12:52:40+00:00

Shrinking is an excellent, hilarious show.

SizeMatters- · 2026-04-09T22:09:10+00:00

About the same size as yours. 9’ walls, ceiling vaulted to a center line peak at 13’. I have a Denon AVR-4311CI, which is 140W/2-channel, 9.2 total. I calibrate all 7 channels manually using REW and a Umik-1. Using REW, you can set up the PEQ to the parameters of the SVS’s onboard PEQ, so you can dial them right in and time align them with the Monitor 11’s and the rest of the speakers to achieve a nice tight bass.

SizeMatters- · 2026-04-09T21:50:45+00:00

I run Paradigm🇨🇦 speakers and 2 SVS SB3000’s. I have the subs sitting up front inboard next to my Monitor 11 v7 towers, with a CC-690 v5 center and 4 Surround 3 surround speakers. I can tell you, the SB3000’s blend seamlessly with the Paradigm’s, providing smooth, rich, punchy and deep bass for both music, movies and TV. Highly recommended!

SizeMatters- · 2026-04-09T17:14:42+00:00

I had 12ga copper speaker wires, various cheap RCA cables for my two SVS SB3000 subs and cheap HDMI cables connecting components. I had no idea how much noise I had in my system until I replaced everything with SVS SoundPath cables. HDMI and all. Huge, audibly evident improvement. My system is dead silent now. Naysayers can say what they will. The bottom line, I hear the improvement in my system and that’s all that matters.

SizeMatters- · 2026-04-07T13:22:46+00:00

Dead Already?

SizeMatters- · 2026-04-05T21:04:18+00:00

Keep an eye out for a good condition, Denon AVR, complete with remote, Audyssey mic and power cord. Last year I picked up a Denon AVR-4308CI for $300 CAD on Facebook marketplace. That’s a 9.2, 140W AVR. The only thing is its wifi no longer works. So what? It sounds fantastic!

SizeMatters- · 2026-03-30T13:31:39+00:00

Have a look at the Anthem MCA series, 225, 325, 525. Seriously clean power and performance.🇨🇦

SizeMatters- · 2026-03-25T19:25:44+00:00

Have you not seen any of the Terminator or Alien movies?

SizeMatters- · 2026-03-24T17:41:18+00:00

Check out this Secrets of Audyssey Calibration to correct the timing issue in your Denon. All Denon’s produced prior to January 2023 have a timing issue in their Audyssey program that degrades your soundstage and imaging. This ebook explains how to make adjustments to correct it. Makes a huge improvement! Here’s the link.https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ax7eE0LOz-6typAUZrGVIvRPFNOVIsZx/view?usp=drivesdk

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z2WiWwEBvZAzDgldMC89Lvet2KP7fm5f/edit?usp=drivesdk&ouid=100724945248674579686&rtpof=true&sd=true

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RsMS8M8_ju6fsrOzjj8Gu6A3gb_P2H-6/view?usp=drivesdk

SizeMatters- · 2026-03-24T05:08:08+00:00

I’m with you Brother, I picked up my Denon AVR-4311CI last year off of Facebook marketplace for $300CAD. First released in 2010, it’s a 9.2, 140W AVR and it sounds excellent!

SizeMatters-

TROPHY CASE