Help Wanted: 3.1 HT for Small Room

I recently built the exact same size man cave in the third stall of my garage. I started with a Marantz receiver, HSU sub, generic center ch and a Samsung 40" tv. I soon realized that the sub is way too big for the room. I would recommend going with a 8 or 10 inch sub max. I decided to try something different and ended up with Atlantic Technology seperates. I really only wanted the amp but the processor came with it. With the change in amp thare wasn't a huge difference in sound but a whole lot more horsepower even though the wattage ratings are the same. I was fooling around with my setup one day and decided to try the processor, I mean I already had it but didn't expect much from a processor that sell for under 200$ used. Boy, was I surprised. The soundstage increased dramatically, the imaging was better and all of a sudden I could actually hear much more from the recordings and tv than I had heard before and the best part was the Porcessor AND amp were purchased for 600$, the best audio investmant Ive ever made. Since then I have made more changes but only because after hearing an inexpensive set of sepperates I realized how much I was missing. One of the major improvements I did to the room was to add carpeting and acoustic curtains to the walls. I now have an ugly room that is acousticall very dead and sounds great in 2 channel. The best part, it cost less than the 2K your budget allows. If you have any questions about my project in comparison to yours e-mail me at goulsonc@embarqmail.com

Thanks Goulsonc! I'll look into Atlantic Technology, and keep you posted. I agree about the smaller sub; my plan is to get a decent center first, and see where I'm at.

John

Don't overlook cc....80% of your dialogue comes thru it...and u have quality mains...so to do them.justice...u can't go bottom barrel...unless you listen to explosions all.day...the smaller sub route is good advice...

Thx Phasecorrect. Grabbed a Vandy Vcc1 center here, which is supposed to be a good unit, and does not run afoul of Jim Smith's "no horizontal MTM centers" rule (though the room is so small, off-axis not much of an issue). Now for receiver, sub, and TV!