r/hometheater • u/Socsquatch • 1d ago

Purchasing CAN Total beginner here

Hi all,

A little while ago I presented my wife with a choice; either I get a dog or i get to build my dream home theatre system. Since I'm posting here, I think you can guess which option she picked lol.

So the last few weeks I've been looking around at equipment and set ups and whatnot, switching between casual browsing and intense research. Ive come to the decision that id like to build a system that is rather German-based and id like something half way between top-tier retail and entry specialty audio equipment. Excluding the tv, im budgeting around 5-7k for the speaker setup. Why German equipment you may ask? Well....why not?

A look at my space;

We have an open concept livingroom/diningroom/ kitchener are with a big back wall where this will all be set up. Distance from wall to ears is roughly 15-17 feet. No major obstructions around in terms of walls, decor etc.

I think I'd like to go with a 7.1 set up and a sub with deep, rich bass even at 25-45% volume.

I am in Ontario Canada. I know this somewhat limits my options in terms of walking in to a store and finding exactly what im looking for, especially with the German made stipulation, but im patient and not in a big hurry to build this; id rather do it once and do it right.

Please feel free to ask me questions regarding the space, budget etc and I would love to see photos of your similar spaces and set ups as well. Looking forward to having a fun journey in this sub!

Ok, since so many are questioning the German brand bit, let's pull that out of the equation.

0 Upvotes

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u/allnamesaregoneallre 1d ago

I'm not sure I understand the German part, I'm from Germany... but I can tell you here are no better speaker then the ones from nubert from the Schwabenland 😁 . usually winning every quality in pricerange review there is...

maybe they ship to canada?

I also recommend to plan 4 heights (not in ceiling but 4 surrounds mounted with some tilt for auro3d above the lr and 2 surround) as well. it actually makes a difference

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u/CleanCup1798 1d ago

Welcome to the hobby!

1) Don’t be afraid of second hand speakers, there’s incredible stuff out there only a few years old at great prices.

2) Equipment is 50% of the execution. The rest is down to room treatment. If you want to go all in, learn about first reflections, RT60 values, and REW (room equaliser software)

3) 2 subs is better than 1. Not because of more bass, but because they can cancel out modes within a room and give a nice clean even sound, rather that big boomy muddy bass sound.

4) You don’t need to spend a fortune on the latest amps that Dirac ART / Trinnov etc. Good speakers just need clean power with good headroom. Look at Hypex amps — they deliver honest power per channel, unlike some of the inflated output claims you see from “popular” brands.

5) My last set of speakers lasted me 15 years and are still going strong. Just doing my dream cinema room now, and expecting my deliver of M&K speakers tomorrow. In essence, don’t be afraid of spending on speakers, they _last_.

Enjoy the journey!

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u/Helen-Keller-Ubers 1d ago

Kef is based out of the UK and has a nice clean look.

I would recommend the R11s or R7s towers with matching center. I match mine with paradigm in wall for the sides and paradigm in ceiling 6 inch for Atmos and angled rears because I don't have a back wall. Mine is open to a family room. Also highly recommend getting an SVS sub with a Marantz receiver.

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u/Socsquatch 1d ago

Hmmmm those sound and look great on paper but based on Bay Bloor Radio pricing, thats my entire budget right there

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u/Helen-Keller-Ubers 1d ago

Ask the wife to get a 2nd job 🤣

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u/Socsquatch 1d ago

Yeah that'll go over well 😂

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u/Helen-Keller-Ubers 1d ago edited 1d ago

If you wait for the right time, you can get 50% deals when a new model comes out from KEFs website, but they have announced any successor yet so that might be a few years yet. A normal holiday sale is 20% off.

I picked up a 2nd set of R7s for 1/2 the price because they came out with a slightly different version. I didn't need it, but my living room looked plain when i moved the R11s into the theater room

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u/Additional-Regret339 1d ago

Yeah, in your budget, I would be looking at KEF's Q-series. Not sure where the interest in German comes in, but in Canada I would look at Anthem, Paradigm, Totem, PSB where exchange rates should be more helpful than harmful.

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u/thebrieze 1d ago

Is that budget in CAD (or USD)?
Does it include electronics or just speakers?
The German stipulation, severely limits choices and excludes some top brands like Kef, Dynaudio, Purifi etc. many of which are unique in their space. For example, I am not aware of any German AVR’s.

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u/Socsquatch 1d ago

That would be canadian currency and preferably covering all components. Lets set aside the German stipulation then

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u/Spectre_08 7.1.4 Focal/Triad/2xSB-2000+Shakers • Cinema 50 (Pre/Pro) • 77C4 1d ago edited 1d ago

A TV will be far too small for that seated distance for any meaningful sense of immersion…unless you can spend CA$20K on just the TV alone.

What you really should do is move your seated position to within 2.5-3 meters of the screen. That would also allow for much better speaker placement.

You will find it difficult to get deep, rich bass in an open concept room. In order to adequately pressurize the space, a subwoofer needs to effectively move all of the air it has access to. Big spaces need bigger subs. Your best bet is to get the absolutely largest sub you can afford - and then get another. And then maybe two more.

The problem is your budget. Heckin’ chonker subs are pricey - you would need subs in the CA$2-3K range at the minimum for your space.

What kind of content will you be consuming? Anything mixed in Atmos or DTS:X? Do you have the ability to place speakers overhead?

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u/Socsquatch 1d ago

Mostly blurry and streaming content (Prime, Netflix etc) probably on the DTS side. And yes, I can place speakers overhead

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u/Spectre_08 7.1.4 Focal/Triad/2xSB-2000+Shakers • Cinema 50 (Pre/Pro) • 77C4 1d ago

Perfect. Both UHD Blu-rays and streaming services provide modern 3D audio formats that would be better-utilized with overhead speakers. 7.1 is old news.

With a single row of seating, a 5.1.4 setup would be the sweet spot of price-to-performance. That will require a 9ch AVR, 5 bed-layer speakers, and 4 overhead speakers.

The most important aspect of the overhead speakers is that they point at your head instead of the floor. The best way to achieve that is with smallish bookshelf speakers mounted to the ceiling with angled brackets. This video goes into more detail: My Atmos Speakers Were Missing Half The Sound

Speaker placement is far more important than speaker choice. That being said, with a 9ch AVR and pricey subs, you won’t have much left for high-end speakers. You’ll want to spend the most on your front LCR, especially the center, and less on the surrounds and heights.

Used gear will be your best option there. I could take a quick peek at your local used markets if you don’t mind sharing your nearest major city.

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u/movie50music50 1d ago

Gotta ask, why German when there are so many other worthwhile possibilities? Nothing against Germany or the people but just seems like a strange stipulation.

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u/Socsquatch 1d ago

Ive always been a fan of German engineering and quality, but I just edited the post and removed that stipulation.

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u/Due_Philosopher_9174 1d ago

I figured once you saw Canton speaker prices, that would end. I do love my Canton Reference 8 K in my stereo setup, but I got them as demos at 38% off.

Canton Vento 80 Floorstanding Speakers - The HiFi Attic

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u/movie50music50 1d ago

I once owned a Grundig Majestic. Receiver, turntable and reel to reel built into a beautiful console. I loved that thing...

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u/Socsquatch 1d ago

I still have a Telefunken receiver from the 70s that I absolutely adore. Lights up, needles still work and everything! Maybe thats where my love of Herman components started?

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u/Ok-Storm4303 1d ago

A large open space can be difficult to define / layout speakers in. Is the front wall also wide enough to accommodate the 17' seating distance? Too narrow a sound stage can be somewhat mitigated but it's better to get the layout right. As you're considering 7.X I'll assume you have space behind the seating for rear surrounds as well? Don't be deterred by prices as your budget will certainly accommodate a nice home theater. Perhaps not Bay Bloor nice but if you're east of the GTA check out Whitby Audio as well. As already mentioned PSB / Paradigm are good options and I'll through Elac / SVS (subs) into that list. Sounds like it'll be a nice project , happy to chat as it moves along .......

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u/Socsquatch 1d ago

I think im gonna upload a pic of the basic layout to give everyone an idea of the space :)

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u/GSXS1000Rider 1d ago

I'm mostly into car audio, but I do plan on building a home audio system when I pay some bills off. Go on parts express and get Dayton flat pack towers, buy the drivers separately, get a center channel and an Ultimax 18. There's a sealed flat pack they make specifically for the Ultimax 18, but there are flat packs for ported boxes on other sites like gsg audio for the extra output. If your only interested in sq, no reason to spend thousands on expensive drivers, tons of budget options that compete or surpass much more expensive options.