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Not a lot of visible progress since my last post as all of the work has been drywall related with tape, mud, sanding, and texture.
A cleanup crew came in a couple days ago and pulled up all the protective paper from the concrete floor. I came in later with a shop-vac to clean some more.
No workmen yesterday (Thursday) so I took that time to install my network box in the storage room and put up a mock 65" TV template using a left over roll of paper that was used as concrete floor covering. A typical 65" TV measures 57"Wide x 32"High. The 46" wide Salamander Synergy rack will go below the TV.
Blue CAT6 network cable drops down into the box. The 8'x12' storage room will remain unfinished.
CAT6 network cable to be terminated with RJ45 connectors and plugged into Zyxel network switch.
Once all the work is done, I will locate my Synology NAS near the network switch.
Follow Ups:
How has Living through remodeling/construction been for you? The house we are in now, it took 6 months of work before we moved in, and I recall delays, problems etc. Something I decided I would avoid in the future if possible. I'm sure part of it was me, I remember agonizing about which paint to use, based on its percentage of titanium dioxide.
Fast forward 27 years this is a picture of my current exercise program. Since I don't know what I am doing, I get even more exercise redoing my mistakes. The good news is that I'm not trying to live in it during construction. One thing I am experiencing are problems finding materials and skyrocketing prices, which I believe are due to the rebuilding in CA after the fires.
Looks good! Are you building a home on your property and living elsewhere? Is that a solar panel array up top?
Construction is up in my area along with material costs. It could be a nationwide issue, I'm not sure. I was told by my contractor that they've never experienced so much demand for basements until COVID19 hit.
I'm glad that the construction is happening below us in the basement. Sure, there's the concrete jack-hammering, pounding, and dry wall dust everywhere but I imagine a main floor remodel would be a lot worse to live through. We rarely see the workmen as they enter and exit daily from the window well.
Entering through the window well, nice, sounds like elves, sneak in and do the work, I could use some of those.
It was a carport and storage shed. I tore down the shed and am converting the carport to a garage. Solar was a larger array, I took some of it down to reconfigure it, lowering the highest part of the frame with a gin pole and pulleys, I managed to get it stuck in a tree. One of the first snags I hit was concrete, it was scheduled and they cancelled saying they had to cut back 25% due to the rebuilding in CA, specifically they were experiencing a fines shortage.
Next snag, 20 ton abc delivery, pulls up, door opens, "I almost got killed..." Turned out fire truck came up here damaged steep winding driveway more than I had thought. Next vehicles avoiding the damaged area, collapsed the other side. Re-borrowed tractor which I have use of in exchange for repairing it, rebuilt right side steering and bucket cylinders, tried repairing driveway ended up building forms or concrete retaining wall...
Buying materials, usually Home Depot and Lowes, at times out of electrical conduit, specific lumber, simpson ties... and prices continue to go up.
But I have been having fun and getting exercise.
Sure hope that's an Audiophile Approved Network Switch! ZYXEL doesn't ring any audiophile bells for me.
And I ain't liking that white two socket extension cord much either!
:-)
Nt
What the heck did you do with all the stuff you used to keep in the basement?
Virtually every unfinished basement I ever saw was chock-full of, well, stuff. Are you going to have to park your cars in the driveway now because the garage is full of what used to be in the basement?
Maybe you're one that was way out in front of the no-clutter craze and didn't have a basement full of stuff to start with?
BTW, envious of your new listening room. I wish mine were below ground. My bass response would probably be better.
I organized a lot of it and gave a lot away, sold some. The remainder is in a rented storage unit not even a mile from our home so it's pretty convenient. I'll have to get rid of more stuff as it won't all fit in the basement storage area.When I lived in CA we just put everything in the garage. Here in Colorado, I like having our garage for the cars especially during the winter months. I hate scraping ice off the windshield ;-)
Edits: 02/05/21
I spy (1) CS 2.4 loudspeaker.
CS 2.4 are my pride and joy. I bought them lightly used from a local audiophile over a decade ago and I'm keeping 'em til I pass ;-)
The only downside to those speakers is the power requirement to really make them sing. IMHO they do particularly well with high power vacuum tube amps. At one time, I had a pair of Maneley Neo-Classic 250 mono blocks which are 250wpc EL34 amps. Heavenly! The other option that worked for me was a good solid-state amp with a nice tube preamp. I tend to like tubes somewhere in the chain.
I bet your 2.4 SE pair are even better!
Abe
Great as always. Happy Listening!
Abe
PM sent. Thank You. Happy Listening!
Abe-
how is your system settling into the new space (basement) ?
Right On! Abe
Yes. The 2.4SE is a touch sweeter by way of additional microdynamics (if this is your taste). Moreover, each of these models perform very well with SS or Tubed gear. Something for every Audiophile taste.
Quite the transformation! And sounds like you're having as much fun as I did a few years back (doing a small change right now, and system is a bit different, but essentially the same idea).
Going way back, in my room I went from this:
and this:
To this (which is now actually 10 years old)...
.
If a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing well
(Proverb)
I prefer minimal racks and other stuff around the speakers as well.
Our room size is nearly the same. :)
Update my pics that is. There's less there now... but I'm patching and painting so no recent pics.
Edits: 02/05/21
Nt
What a transformation. I like your space.
I had to cut a number of holes to install a new PJ recently, so almost considered a repaint. But way too much already on the go. Maybe one day. In the meantime, still happy.
A much more familiar basement scene to me.
We're on a slab here in Texas, and unlike many of our neighbors I refuse to park cars in the driveway. Garages are for parking cars in and a small workshop if you got the room.
We're fortunate in this house to have three separate attic spaces. Two are climb-up and the main one is a walk-out.
It still looks a few weeks from being totally done, but I know you and family are going to love having the new finished space.
I agree. Crazy how some folks will have $120K worth of cars in the driveway and a few hundred bucks worth of clutter in the garage.
That is the way to go if you can do it.
We just moved to a similar sized house, but we had so much stuff it was nuts. We have my wife's car in the garage, but my truck is in the driveway and I'm not sure that I can get rid of enough stuff to ever get it in the garage at the new place. We had a storage shed at the old house, but a storage shed here requires it to mimic the house architecture. No Tuff Sheds allowed. It would be a major build that would require an architect and approval - probably not worth it to store stuff. Right now a riding mower is taking the place of my truck.
I may just get rid of the truck and get a golf cart. People have carts in the garage and vehicles in the driveways. A lot of people run around in golf carts. There are a lot of places where only golf carts are allowed and no parking for vehicles. It's different for sure. We will eventually get it sorted.
I agree that it's crazy to have a bunch of junk in the garage and depreciating vehicles out dealing with the elements.
since we have 3+ acres it is fabulous for yard work - and since our driveway is about 200 yards, its also great for fetching the mail when we don't have half an inch of ice and subzero wind chills
I've seen people at their mailbox with a golf cart. Our driveway is short.
I tell my wife that we live in the slums. She doesn't like me to say that. What I mean is that we have a small half acre lot. The "estate lots" range from 4-5 acres. I'm getting older and yard work disagrees with my back. The land behind our house is part of the golf course. No one can build on it and the club maintains it. We have an unobstructed view of about half a mile of well maintained property without having to care for it.
Here, too. House came with cart garage, too.
I wish we had a three car garage. The cart garage is nice.
We know two couples from Colorado who moved to The Villages in FL in the past year. They all drive golf carts around the community. Kind of a cool way to get around if you don't have to drive a full sized vehicle.
Our agent told us that we would eventually want a golf cart. We didn't think so at first. Then we drove over to where there is a nature trail on the back side of the lake. There is a sign, electric golf carts only beyond this point. You can't just park and walk because there is no parking. The other side of the lake is the same, no parking, carts only. There are many smaller ponds, lakes, and parks, but there is no parking.
A comedian years back had a skit about people parking their $50,000 cars in the driveway so they can store $100 worth of crap in their garage. So true.
In my case, I only have a single garage, and run a business out of it. So the driveway it is for our vehicles.
It's all relative to where you live and the cost of housing, family size, budget, etc. In our case we downsized 7 years ago to a smaller 2br 2ba home so having the basement space will be a big deal for us.
One suggestion that I have, is to not mount your TV on the Wall. Get a nice wide narrow depth TV Table and set the TV on it.... It will be much easier in the future to replace the TV... Or the Cabinet.
And Personally I think it looks much better. I never mount mine on the Wall. -- I've currently got 4 of them, mounted on these tables, as well as the Music Room, where I had custom cabinets built...
I've always liked having the TV up on the wall for a couple reasons in my case.
- The AV stand is narrow compared to the TV so it will look weird on the AV stand.
- I need the space on top of the AV stand for some gear.
The Pro AV firm that I used in my McMansions. Typically fits a soft backlight behind screens. Insisting that it's Easier on viewer's eyes
Simple led strips can do the job. A bespoke shadow frame being the more elegant fitment though.
Expansive research / info on setting up media spaces is readily available.
Surprised that you didn't fully research the adventure.
Prior to starting it.
Rearguard action can be pricey and often a bit Mickey Rodent.
Edits: 02/05/21
"Surprised that you didn't fully research the adventure."
I did research it but maybe not "fully", plus I'm playing around with a paper template on the wall before making any final decisions. There's no rush to get the TV up. None of that will happen until we're well beyond done with carpeting and moving the furniture in.
It's a family room that will have a TV on the wall and my audio gear. We're not looking for a full blown home theater setup - but I do have the rear wall pre-wired for speakers if we ever decide to have basic 5.1 surround.
I'll probably start with 2-channel through the stereo setup or go with a soundbar to make it easy for my wife. TBD
Allow for the mount to (later) support a 75" screen. I took that approach with our remodeling project because the cost differential between the two is nil.
I currently have a 65" with 3D capability (that I really don't want to lose), but acknowledge in time that will get replaced and planned on supporting larger.
One more - If you don't already own the AV stand, go close to width of the TV if you have the room. It makes for a much more appealing visual balance than a wide TV and narrow cart. Great room.
Gsquared
Place the TV higher on the wall.
It will improve imaging and catch less reflected glare from all but ceiling mounted lighting.
It also kinda reminds of a Drive-In Movie.
Any Damned Fool Knows One Horse Can Run Faster Than Another
1) A mount that will accommodate a larger 75" screen. Great idea. I'm leaning toward buying a 65" TV as that appears to be the sweet spot in terms of pricing. Going up to 75" at this point is large jump in price, at least for OLED. I'm undecided on the big screen tech at this point.
2) I already have an AV stand that is 46" wide so I'll use that one. I could make it more visually appealing with two subwoofers on each side of the stand - or something like that.
3) For TV wall height I want it about eye level, or just a little higher. Eye level so I'm not straining my neck looking up at the screen. A little higher than eye level since I tend to lean back in the sofa. I'll look for a mount that can be tilted downward slightly if I mount it even higher than recommended - which I might do because there will be equipment on top of the AV stand and I don't want that gear to block the screen.
See link below on TV height:
Our TV isn't optimally mounted according to either of the links. We have a 65" TV mounted 65" above the floor on the wall and flat to the wall (not tilted). We sit 14' back from the plane of the screen. We mounted it there because the house was pre-wired for it there. I had worried about neck strain when we mounted it, because I have had neck issues in the past. We have not found it to be a problem. I find that we don't tilt our heads. We pretty much look straight ahead and look slightly upward at the screen. You can try this yourself. Look straight ahead and then look slightly above where you were looking without tilting your head. The closer you are to the TV, the more you would need to look up, but backed up a bit, it isn't the problem I thought it would be. YMMV.
I'll have to take a chair down to the unfinished basement and experiment. In our case, we will be about 8 or 9 feet from the screen. The sofa will be a good 6 feet out from the back wall because my desk will have to go in an area behind the sofa. I'll be moving out of my home office upstairs as my wife will take that over for her quilting hobby.
The closer you are to the TV obviously the angle increases. And of course you may not have any need to mount it any higher. I'm just saying that mounting it slightly higher won't require any neck strain. Your eyes just roll slightly upward. The best optics will be straight on.
Nothing worse than trying to watch a TV mounted above a Fireplace, where your neck is cocked upward for a couple hours..
Also notice that the Bigger your set, the lower the TV is... Matches mine perfectly.
That's the other critical variable in the decision.
Distance to the TV will initially be about 8 or 9 feet because my desk will have to go in an area behind the sofa - until I retire anyway. Wife is taking over my home office space upstairs.
that question was directed to C-T.
I saw you had previously answered that question.
I'm losing track! Or losing my mind, maybe both.
Here you go ...........
I'm in the ball park. Next TV may be slightly larger anyway.
Nice chart. As I mentioned, we'll be sitting about 8 to 9 feet away until I retire from work. Until then, my desk and office area will reside behind the sofa.Being as close to the screen as we will be, I find it even more important to mount it somewhat close to eye level.
Edits: 02/05/21
I have a 60 inch Sony And I am about 8 feet back. As this is a rental flat I have the TV on a stand - my eyes are just under the halfway mark up the screen. The TV is used for typing this message, movies/TV and music. I think it's a nice size.
I'd prepare for as big a screen as possible - I like seeing these 90inch and up screens in Hong Kong Shopping malls - 6 figures US for a TV is a bit silly and a bit weird to see such expensive TVs in a mall. But hey - one day they will come down in price and you'll be prepared.
In the early 2000's a Pioneer Elite top-of-the-line Plasma retailed at $25K. And they sold like hot cakes.
In our media room, our viewing distance from a 100" projection screen is 10'. Recessed ceiling lights provide illumination without destroying the picture. It's much more involving than the 65" Sony in the living room.
My vintage Velodyne HGs-10s and HGS-15s have switches that shunt the internal crossovers. I use the shunts because the inputs to the subs are either bass managed or LFE.
You really don't have to strain your neck to look at a TV mounted higher on the wall unless you are really close to the screen. I thought that you did until I tried it. You just look up slightly. Look at your TV. Look above your TV. Did you tilt your head back? Probably not. Sometimes we can imagine problems that aren't there. It's an audiophile thing.
At my BIL's house above the fireplace and at houses we've rented. No thanks! -- My neck hurt for couple days....
I agree with the Chart than Abe posted a link to....
I think that people that wear glasses may need to tilt their head to get their eyes in the center of the lens. We don't wear glasses and we don't tilt our heads up to watch.
Ours is mounted over the dreaded fireplace and the fireplace is fairly tall due to the ceiling being 12'. No neck issues at all, but people should do what works for them.
I can live with the TV being up high but it's not ideal. I'd prefer it to be closer to eye level. I wear glasses. My wife complained about the TV being up so high so I installed a Dynamic Mount and we pull the TV down for movies.Our family room TV is above the fireplace and with the room not being very large we sit about 10 feet from the screen.
It was a pain in the butt installing it myself but we got it done. Cable dressing requires special attention.
Our fireplace wall is similar to this guy's setup. Our Dynamic Mount is similar too but ours doesn't swivel left-right.
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I have glasses, but usually don't wear them watching TV. I wear them for reading and driving. I put mine on and I can see that I turn my head up more to see the TV, because I'm trying to get my vision lined up with the lenses. No glasses, no problem. I agree that ideally the TV should be viewed straight on if you can set it up that way. At our last house the TV was on a lower stand so we were straight on, but further away which wasn't ideal either. Designing a room, you should be able to optimize it.
Didn't you recently get a big screen TV, or do I have you confused with someone else. I thought you bought an OLED TV. No?
Yes, I got an OLED TV back in March ... -- Not huge 55 inch, but really all I had room for on my 'Audio Wall'...
It sits on the Cabinet about 30 inches high.
Yes, I like your TV in the custom wall unit. I think we were discussing firmware updates or something like that.I'm looking at LG since they are the only makers of OLED screens if I'm not mistaken. I think the other manufacturers use LG screens. I could be wrong but I think that's still the case. Samsung is pushing their QLED screens which isn't the same thing. OLED is THE state of the art right now and priced accordingly.
Edits: 02/05/21
John E seems to like Rythmics with Thiels. I think you get a discount for buying 2. The basement will rock.
Warning clipped photo
Gsquared
I was looking at JL Audio but these appear to be 99% geared toward audiophiles as they don't even have LFE inputs.
I'm considering SVS. They appear to be very popular and well reviewed, and they have a broad range of offerings at various price points.
...that there is a stereo pair of SB4000s in my future. My very near future, in fact.
According to their website $200 off if you buy two SB-4000s. You'll have all the bass you ever wanted and more!
I'll need to buy a TV first, leaving less budget for the subs unless I hold off for a while and save up.
Please post when/if you get your subs.
It's only a question of when. Sure, I'll post my perception of them.
I have heard several SVS subs. They are a great value.
Gsquared
From my understanding, an LFE input bypasses that powered sub's internal low pass crossover which you may need.
I use a pair of twenty year old Eosone subs in the HT with left and right inputs designed to provide lots of flexibility and single sub use. Those in conjunction with matching outputs to provide a high pass signal out for a main's amplifier should you not otherwise have that capability.
In my case, I use the LFE output from the processor and just use one channel input. There's no need for summing discrete left and right content nor providing high passed stereo output. The processor outputs to the Emotiva amp driving the Acoustats use it's high pass crossover.
I set each sub's crossover to the highest setting (200 hz) and use the processor's DSP to fine tune the optimum low pass.
The SVS subs that I was researching have LFE and line level inputs [most brands do from what I've seen]. LFE would use the DSP in the processor or AV receiver (for bass management I believe), while the line level inputs use the crossover controls on the sub.My two channel integrated amps both have preamp outputs so those could drive the line level inputs on the sub(s). Many subs also have line level outputs so one sub can be daisy chained to another w/o having to use a Y adapter on the preamp outputs from the integrated amp two accommodate two subs.
JL Audio has a great reputation among audiophiles but I was surprised to learn that they don't have LFE inputs - at least the ones I looked at. And, I don't want to spend that kind of money on subs ;-)
Edits: 02/05/21
JL Audio has a great reputation among audiophiles but I was surprised to learn that they don't have LFE inputs - at least the ones I looked at.
They must expect them to use their crossover!
I went all SVS this time and am completely happy with results. Went with the Ultra towers and Ultra center and a cylindrical sub and will shake the walls if you want it that way. Anthem MRX 720 and sounds great
Nice setup you have there!
I have the main tower speakers - my Thiel CS2.4. I may want subs at some point and possibly a center channel. The back wall is pre-wired for rear speakers. If I go for 5.1 surround, I'll need an AV receiver or a processor with more amps. Not sure what to do yet as I haven't fully thought it out, but the stop gap measure will be 2-channel stereo only or a soundbar.
My main goal is 2-channel audio for my music, and then a way to integrate easily with the TV but keeping it simple enough for my wife. She doesn't like dealing with multiple components. She needs to turn the TV ON and have everything functioning properly.
I'm leaning toward SVS for the subs.
Abe-
Nice pics! Which brand(s) of gear are you considering around the CS 2.4 loudspeakers? I am looking forward to your next System.
I have a Rogue Cronus Magnum tube integrated amp in storage and my Yamaha A-S1100 solid-state integrated amp in my office at the moment. I'll start with these, and possibly upgrade later. The 100wpc Rogue does a surprisingly decent job with the Thiels. The Yamaha does too but I think I prefer the Rogue. It's been a while since I've had the Thiels in a decent sized room so I'll have to experiment again.
Very nice- Abe,
my 1st CS 2.4 demo featured a Creek 5350 integrated amp and NAD 565 cd player w/ Audioquest cables/cords. I must say that the Creek held its own. I played the music as loud as I wanted w/o clipping. Full presentation, sound and synergy in effect.
The year was 2012. Soundscape in Baltimore MD. I was struck by lightning that Spring day.
2 years later, I would be struck by lightning a second time, auditioning a sweet pair of CS 2.4SE loudspeakers. Audio Excellence in Raleigh NC.
The system featured an Anthem 225 integrated amp and Cary DVD7 or DVD8 spinner. Audioquest cables/cords. Equal synergy with more power via the Anthem. The CS 2.4SE is a touch more revealing than the stock 2.4
More inner detail and nuance, especially, with Jazz music.
Dual subs are nice, but one has worked out well for me. As for the AV, my Anthem, is connected to everything, and works very well, easy to switch between just stereo or various multi channel distribution. Also has a phone app called Playfi, that lets you play from a separate server and select from your music files and folders. Or setup playlists. Very versatile
A little higher than eye level since I tend to lean back in the sofa.Even more so for me as I don't watch TV bolt upright nor view nearly as closely as the diagram in your link. My butt is about 14' from the screen. Just eyeballing what we like best works out exactly to be the recommendation at the link found below - 65" center for a 65" screen. I don't, however, favor a high above the fireplace approach.
I guess it depends on your choice of expert. ;)
Enjoy your new space - we're definitely loving ours.
edit: Another link I found said that The Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers requires a viewing angle of less than 35 degrees to top of screen. I calculated a 17 degree angle given the distance.
Edits: 02/05/21 02/05/21
The link you provided is for the company, "Dynamic Mounting". They make mounts that allow you to pull the TV down to a lower level. Have to be careful in reading their suggestions as some might be based on mounting height vs pull-down height, and how far forward the TV will come out to clear the fireplace.In any case, I installed a Dynamic Mount above our family room fireplace so we can pull the screen down to eye level when watching movies. For "regular TV" viewing like the news or whatnot we just leave it up high. Fireplaces are not ideal for TV mounting locations so the Dynamic Mount is a great solution.
Edits: 02/05/21
Mine is well within the 35 degree max guideline. As I type this, I note that my 32" screen center is at eye level as your link recommends. A difference, however, is that I'm two feet away.
Here's an unrelated post where I find the mounting too low. Just looks peculiar.
Yup, the larger screens will be lower to the floor. And a larger screen can be blocked by the tower speakers.... another reason I'm going with 65" instead of something huge. We can probably accommodate a 75" screen but then I'll have to spread the speakers further apart and the one on the right will be closer to the right wall.I'll mess around with mounting height some more using the paper template once we have the sofa in the room.... or I'll grab a chair and run it down there.
Edits: 02/05/21
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