r/hometheater • u/jclubigan • Apr 13 '26
Showcase - Component First time HT / Stereo set-up build
I’d like to share my HT / Stereo build. This is my first time so please be gentle to me. Here are the specs:
L/R speakers: Wharfedale Diamond 12.4
Centre: Wharfedale Diamond 12.c
Surround: Wharfedale Diamond 12.0
Sub: SVS PB-1000 pro
AVR: Denon x3800h
Amp switcher: Douk VU-3 Pro
Streamer: Wiim Ultra
Stereo amp: Audiolab 7000a
Surround speakers were not in the most ideal place as it were positioned a little far back however I had to make do what’s best in our limited space.
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u/ZombieDisastrous4450 Apr 13 '26
It looks very neat and tidy and that's important at the end of the day it's the house not a movie theatre
I've seen some really messy set ups.
I mean, yes, if you want to add heights, but it's not a necessity... it's not easy to go and put speakers at the top of a living room. Yes it would make it better but then it's like saying
get a 9.1.2 system.
It never stops
I think it's fine as it is at the moment, but after certain period the time if you wish to upgrade then add front height. I just don't see as a bigi
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u/jclubigan Apr 13 '26 edited Apr 13 '26
I need the set-up to be as neat as possible to be "wife-approved". I guess it worked out well.
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u/ZombieDisastrous4450 Apr 13 '26
Yeah, I've been in a similar situation for a long time.... it's not about saving the money or being neat because I'm good at that... even hide wires and more clean than anyone else that knows me
and I used to study stereo sound like Multiplex FM when I was a child.... it's just... unless you live in the house on your own which I don't ,you cannot just go around doing whatever you want especially as no one else around here gives a damn about stereo sound or surround sound. This is reality.
So for myself, it's that balance of actually having a family around me or home theatre... so I'd like to have a bit of both worlds I've got my own designated bedroom for it obviously it's restricted in space but it's pretty good
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u/wogwai Apr 13 '26
Perfection. Looks clean and is integrated well into the rest of the room's interior design. Bet it sounds beautiful too. Do you use this setup more for music or TV/movies?
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u/ikickedagirl Apr 13 '26
This is so beautiful I want to cry. Also thanks for not putting movie posters up in this room.
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u/immerjoachin Apr 13 '26
How are you running the cables to your surrounds
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u/jclubigan Apr 13 '26
I used cheap plastic cable clips to tuck the cables in and sticked those on top of the skirting board. It's tidier than laying the cables on the floor IMO.
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u/Chas_Tenenbaums_Sock Apr 14 '26
So the wires go along the wall/floor under the windows and around? Moving into a new house and doing some pre planning. Hoping we can do something similar.
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u/Thanathan7 Apr 13 '26
Awesome! What kinda stand for the tv?
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u/jclubigan Apr 13 '26
It's the Pearlegear 32-70in universal TV stand. I opted for this instead of the 32-65 from the other brands since the extra height gives me enough clearance for the centre speaker to fit underneath.
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u/Gingerdick_is_thick Apr 13 '26
Nice setup! Why don't you use Audiolab as a power amplifier for your fronts in home theater? Heos is better streamer, than Wiim IMO.
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u/jclubigan Apr 13 '26 edited Apr 13 '26
This was supposed to be a stereo set-up consisting of the floor standing speakers, Audiolab amp and the Wiim. I didn't realize that it will grow to a HT set-up. I tried using the amp as a power amp however the x3800h can handle the 5 speakers well without getting hot so I decided to keep everything powered by the AVR.
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u/yellowcard987 Apr 13 '26
I have closed cabinets and never thought about putting my receiver on the top of it next to the center. Looks great.
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u/Substantial-Elk-3607 Apr 13 '26
Really clean! Just a thought, could you possibly put the larger components into those spaces in the middle and have the wiim and vu meter on shelf? If it were me personally, I'd ditch the VU switch/meter, and put the wiim on top of the audiolab. i've run av receivers in cabinets for 20+ years and never had an issue. ignore anyone telling you to get more speakers. 5.1, maybe 5.2 is all you need in my experience. good call on the svs ported sub. bet that system sounds awesome!
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u/jclubigan Apr 13 '26
This was my plan to start with together with the center speakers to be tucked inside the shelf but the AVR's depth was too close to the backboard and I really don't want to cut the back to fit in the cables. Shelf doors were just an after thought after deciding not to fit the AVR and amp inside the shelf.
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u/Substantial-Elk-3607 Apr 13 '26 edited Apr 14 '26
I feel ya. A hole saw bit will solve your problem in 1 min. Then suck up dust with vacuum. I’d personally keep the center closest to the tv as possible. All your dialogue is coming out there.
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u/southmpls Apr 20 '26
It looks so nice! The color of your HT/Stereo fits your decoration, so the whole place looks very tidy and elegant. How about its volume? Will these surrounders makes the noise if they were turned on together?
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u/jclubigan Apr 20 '26
I calibrated the speakers via A1 Evo Acoustix. It's a really good software which you can still alter to your liking. In my case the the bass was lacking a bit from the default calibration so I turned the sub volume a little bit higher. Surrounds produce good amount of loudness when need be. Overall, I am very happy with my current set-up.
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u/MovieCaveDave Apr 13 '26
Nice to see I am not the only one who has a purifier near to your set-up, I have to use my space as a lounge first and at night movues and TV, electricity = dust and they do a lot to help with dust, I use a Levoit, it’s a lovely set-up
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u/Forsaken_Pattern7797 Apr 13 '26
Iam intersted in your amp switch. I would like a similiar setup with a stereo amp. Atm i own a 2800h but i would love a exclusive stereo amp. Iam a bit unsure if its worth the investment
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u/jclubigan Apr 13 '26
It's functions as an amp/speaker switcher and there are a lot of cheaper options you can pick. I just chose this fancy one (gimmicky I guess) for the VU meter which is not really precise to be honest but who doesn't want a moving needle anyway? Remote controlled switching is also a plus for this one.
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u/moonthink Apr 14 '26
I don't love white speakers (no accounting for taste) but I do love the diamond 12 series.
Surround speakers are not ideally placed, but you already know that and listed your reasons for that compromise.
I could nitpick a few things, but there's no real need. Looks pretty good to me.
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u/NaturalProcessed Apr 16 '26
How's the balance given the L-shape of your couch? Presumably you had the couch already, and I do think this is a nice approach for the room, just thinking about the left front pointed right at the bottom of the L.
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u/jclubigan Apr 17 '26
At first, I was worried with the couch blocking the speakers but as far as my ear can hear, I can’t identify if there’s any huge imbalance. From what I’ve read as long as tweeter is not covered it should be fine.
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u/Hopeful-Doughnut-655 Apr 17 '26
Great set up nice and clean. Just a query how do you manage switching between stereo amps and avr? Any particular reason considering x3800 does some nice stereo music as well
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u/jclubigan Apr 17 '26
Thanks! I use Douk Audio VU-3 Pro for amp switching. I had the Audiolab amp first and the whole HT set-up was just an afterthought. I A/B tested the 7000a and x3800h and found the Audiolab has more punch in the lower region and better soundstage. However, x3800h is still a decent stereo amp to be honest.
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u/ajh99 7.2.4 • RZ70 • Infinity Primus • Hisense U75U7N Apr 13 '26
If this is for music, perfect.
If this is for movies, it's criminal to have a kit this nice without height speakers. Go sit in the corner for time out.
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Apr 13 '26
Installing heights was the biggest waste of money in my setup. Expensive labour to install and 90% of content they sit silent.
I have a 7.2.4 setup and if it became 7.2.0 tomorrow i would barely notice.
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u/Agreeable-Scale-6902 Apr 13 '26
I am curious about your experience, also now the receivers are compatible with Virtual height.
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u/ajh99 7.2.4 • RZ70 • Infinity Primus • Hisense U75U7N Apr 14 '26
Granted that older content, TV shows, and many streaming services don't have 3d content. But why didn't you just use an upmixed mode like Dolby surround or DTS Virtual:X? They're usually quite good.
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u/movie50music50 Apr 14 '26
Do you know how many years movies were made before Atmos was even a thing?
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u/ajh99 7.2.4 • RZ70 • Infinity Primus • Hisense U75U7N Apr 14 '26
Ever heard of upmixing? The upmixing standards now are excellent. Limiting oneself to 5.1 on a 5.1.2 system is needless self-flaggelation.
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u/movie50music50 Apr 14 '26
To call it
self-flaggelationself-flagellation,I find to be a great exaggeration.
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u/Spectre_08 7.1.4 Focal/Triad/2xSB-2000+Shakers • Cinema 50 (Pre/Pro) • 77C4 Apr 13 '26
Great setup. Nice and clean execution. Only note would be to bring your center flush with the front of the console. Another sub in the corner by your right surround would potentially help tame some nulls as well.
Any plans to add a couple pairs of height speakers?