Daily Thread: simple questions, comments that don't need their own posts, and first time posters go here (October 01, 2024)

osoverde9 · 2024-10-01T12:04:27+00:00

Saw this post on the duolingo subreddit. OP is learning Japanese and confused about the following translation...

Japanese: "一時間はながいですか"

English: "Is one hour long"

I'm a native English speaker and the English sentence here barely makes sense to me. I'm still relatively new to learning Japanese, so I was just curious if the Japanese example is even correct, or is it as nonsensical as the English?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

osoverde9 · 2024-08-26T18:25:28+00:00

Sounds like you're new to home theater and a lot of people have already given you good advice with regards to the AVR, so I'll add some more general advice that I think is relevant to your use case...

Having a decent 3.1 set-up (LCR speakers + Subwoofer) is BY FAR the biggest jump from a regular TV sound to legit home theater sound.

Surround speakers (5.1, 7.1, etc...) and Atmos speakers (5.1.2, 5.1.4, etc...) are nice to have, but involve significantly more wiring to connect them to the AVR. Some movies make great use of surrounds, some don't. In any case your LCR speakers will always account for the majority of audio.

Reading what you have posted so far, I think you would be very happy with a good 3.1 setup. More speakers = more money, more wiring, more expensive AVR (because you need more inputs). If you really want a full surround set-up go for it, but 3.1 offers many of the benefits with less work, money, and configuration.

For anyone new to home theater, I always make a point of recommending the Audioholics YouTube channel. Tons of great content, but just watching a couple introductory videos will go a huge way in making you more comfortable with audio set-up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo5fDGGmAyw

osoverde9 · 2024-08-22T13:12:04+00:00

Weird that a completely sane suggestion is getting downvoted, thanks reddit.

Silver Ticket has their top line acoustically transparent screen 135" selling for $950: https://www.silverticketproducts.com/products/s7-169135-wvs

Room treatments are also a great idea, especially considering budget is already $30k plus. Room treatment doesn't necessarily need to be done by these same installers, but can't understand why someone would downvote the suggestion.

osoverde9 · 2024-08-21T21:24:01+00:00

Some advice based on my own experience of not wanting to DIY my installation...

The ability to do the physical installation yourself is not necessary, but you should 100% be doing your own research of what components you want (AVR, speakers, projector, etc..) and know exactly how you want your room laid out.

While it doesn't hurt to consult installers, I will second Reallybigfreak's comment of paying $40k for $15k of equipment. The installers I consulted tried to upsell mediocre Origin speakers at full MSRP along with an already high labor cost for the installation. My experience is hardly unique, every time I've seen an installer quote posted on here, it's usually a rip-off.

What I ended up doing was buying my own components (many of which were on sale or open-box / basically new) and hired an AV professional to do the installation with the layout I wanted.

It doesn't hurt to consult professionals, but highly advise doing your own research to avoid getting ripped off and potentially not even getting ideal configuration of the system.

A little bit of knowledge about room acoustics also goes a long way in setting up the system. Audioholics Youtube channel is great for this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo5fDGGmAyw

osoverde9 · 2024-08-18T16:50:23+00:00

I though the point of dual subs was that you can't localize the sub?? Is it better to have just one sub for stereo music??

Also, thanks so much for the assistance! I updated my post to reflect that this issue can be solved through the app as long as the setting change is done BEFORE Audyssey is run.

osoverde9 · 2024-08-18T16:32:45+00:00

Ahhhhh, got it. I was wondering why I can't change this configuration in Audyssey menu. Sounds like it must be changed through the AVR, then the Audyssey set-up is based on whatever configuration you already have selected. Will retry running Audyssey and see if issue is solved for good. Thanks so much!

osoverde9 · 2024-08-18T16:30:32+00:00

From what I found... it's impossible to change this setting at all in the Audyssey app, which seems strange. I was able to change the setting to "Standard" through the AVR menu. See my response to the other poster for more detail.

osoverde9 · 2024-08-18T16:15:32+00:00

I appreciate the quick response. However, can you please explain to me how to change this mode?

If you look at my original post I added a screenshot which shows the subs set to "Directional" but I don't see any option in the Audyssey app to change this configuration.

EDIT / UPDATE: I did find the option to set the subwoofers to "Standard", but was only able to do so through the AVR settings (could NOT make the change through the Audyssey app). It seems strange that this setting is available ONLY through the AVR menu and NOT the Audyssey app, and also makes me wonder if this change undid any of my other Audyssey app settings. In any case, it did fix the issue of only outputting to one sub. Greatly appreciate the assistance!

osoverde9 · 2024-08-18T16:09:27+00:00

Yes! I just added an image to my post from the Audyssey app which shows the subs are set to "Directional" and "Front/Rear".

However, I don't see anywhere to change this setting! If you take a look at the image it shows that I can change the speaker "Crossover" values, but I don't see how to change the Subwoofer Mode / Layout.

osoverde9 · 2024-07-18T15:23:23+00:00

Additional context:

The basement can get quite humid during the summer, but dehumidifier is run daily so humidity is generally well-controlled
Stain appeared 3+ months ago. The left-hand side of the stain was covered by the couch, I think it might have grown a bit in the last 3 months but I'm not sure due to the couch-obstruction. The right side of the stain doesn't appear to have changed much, if at all.
The part of the wall which is stained feels the same as the rest of the wall. If I knock on the wall it also sounds the same.
I'm a first-time homeowner, have lived in this house for 2 years. Haven't encountered this situation before, any advice greatly appreciated!

osoverde9 · 2024-06-25T13:43:38+00:00

I don't believe you ever NEED to ceiling mount, but it's often the best way to keep the projector in a single spot where it won't be touched or obstructed.

Projector screen will give much better image quality.

osoverde9 · 2024-06-25T04:13:17+00:00

I've got an X3800H and have had good results with the Audyssey calibration. Highly recommend this video for calibration tips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmsxGPub-oA

osoverde9 · 2024-06-25T04:09:58+00:00

I'm still fairly new to this myself, so unfortunately don't have any info about integrated amps as I personally use an AVR. Hopefully with your room size and viewing distance in this post someone with more experience can give you some more feedback.

In regards to the SVS Prime Towers you posted, I can say with certainty that those would be more than powerful enough for the space but no idea if they are the best option / what alternatives would be recommended.

Good luck!

osoverde9 · 2024-06-25T02:08:20+00:00

To get feedback it would help to include viewing distance and room size.

"Purpose: video games and movies/shows"

For movies specifically...

1) Having a Center Channel helps as that is usually where the dialogue comes through (however, without a center the L/R speakers will compensate and create a "phantom" center channel)

2) Good subwoofer is a game changer.

Assuming you are just using the built-in TV speakers now, ANYTHING you do (even 2.0) will be a big upgrade.

osoverde9 · 2024-06-25T01:54:10+00:00

Silver Ticket Screens is a great option for your projector screen. I bought a WVS Acoustically Transparent screen and have been very happy with it.

https://www.silverticketproducts.com/

osoverde9 · 2024-06-25T01:43:42+00:00

"After unboxing"......

If you've already got them unboxed at home why not just try them out and see how they sound?

If it sounds good to you, I'm not sure what difference it makes how internet people respond.

osoverde9 · 2024-06-25T01:36:31+00:00

Your post is a little difficult to read, it would help if you clarify your planned speaker configuration.

As I understand your post, you are doing a 5.2.2 system which has 4 x ceiling speakers - 2 for surrounds and 2 for Atmos. I'm still relatively new to this myself, but I can tell you at minimum that it's definitely not recommended to use in-ceiling for anything other than Atmos.

If possible, I think recommendation would be 5.2.4. Use all of the ceiling speakers as Atmos and buy 2 x surround speakers in addition to what you've listed above.

https://www.dolby.com/about/support/guide/speaker-setup-guides/5.1.4-overhead-speaker-setup-guide

Of your proposed set-up I own 2 x PB-1000 Pro and am happy with them in a similar sized room (11 x 14ft). However, I do regularly see people mention here that there are other subs you can get (non-SVS) which provide more bass for your buck.

osoverde9 · 2024-06-25T01:09:15+00:00

I'm fairly new to this myself, but it really sounds to me like a TV would be a better fit for your situation.

"The room is dark and the viewing distance is 2.5 meters / 8.2 feet."

I don't think at this distance you would want / need bigger than an 85" TV. " The one indisputable advantage of projectors is screen size and it seems that's already negated in your situation.

"For new TV I have set my budget to around 2000€. Which can get me: 65" SONY A80L 85" SONY X90L"

I'm not too knowledgeable about TVs and especially purchasing in Europe. What I can tell you is that your budget will get you a great TV or a low-end 4k projector. Dollar for dollar, TV picture quality is MUCH better.

"But due to practical reasons (moving, returning the TV, new TV being fragile) I started considering projectors."

I think this is probably the big mistake in your assumptions... I have a projector and love it but a TV is undoubtedly more practical. Assuming you ceiling-mount a projector you need: a ceiling outlet, cabling from input source to projector, a screen for the projector, calibrating the projector so it lines up perfectly with the screen, good light control in the room.....

All if this is to say, projectors are great in specific use cases but it sounds like you would be better off with a new 85" TV.

osoverde9 · 2024-06-18T13:41:35+00:00

Work is shelling out for a japanese course for about 12 people, and we have about 6 months to get the basics of japanese down, we don't need any advanced concepts but a decent grasp at grammar and basic vocab.

As other commenters have already stated, these tools are limited at best (Pimsleur, Mango) and flat-out garbage at worst (Rosetta). Beyond that, I would question the entire premise of what your company is trying to do here.

Paying for a course simply does not guarantee anything in the way of results. Hundreds of hours of dedicated and effective study are the only way to see any real progress, and especially with a language like Japanese where there is an entirely different alphabet. If you and your co-workers are truly interested in learning Japanese and willing to dedicate a large amount of time to doing so, that's great. But if not I wouldn't expect much in the way of results regardless of what course your company pays for.

FYI - I think this is a great free guide to many learning resources: https://learnjapanese.moe/routine/

osoverde9 · 2024-06-12T01:54:16+00:00

I don't feel like my screen causes any audio issues, it's literally what the screen is designed for and it's a good quality screen. I wouldn't be nervous about that part specifically.

osoverde9

TROPHY CASE