Anyone give me their thoughts on this 2 zone system before I spec it, any potential problems, better ideas.

I'm all in a bit of a rush and haven't done my full research although I beleive this should work well.

The building consists of three rooms:
One AV room (mostly films with occasional music), one limited use room(music) and one fairly large kitchen / hallway room (music with occasional background TV).

Components being specced

AV room


1. Denon DVD2900
   
2. Denon AVR3803 (second zone output to
   Power amp)
   
3. Projector / small Speakers (probably M&K)
   
4. Electric proj screen (ideally acoustically
   transparent due to limited centre channel
   placement).Suggestions?
   
5. Xantech PA635 Power amp(configured as 4
   chan - extra power to large room)
   
6. Crestron MP2E with IR sensor
   
7. Marantz RC5200 (Crestron codes - I do have a
   budget to work to)
   
8. Sat
   
9. Imerge soundserver (OSD in AV room and large room if required)
   
10. Lutron graphic eye
    

Secondary room


1. In-ceiling speakers (probably Proficient or
   B&W)
   
2. Crestron CT1000 (full feedback from
   soundserver,Denon? and IR control of Xantech)
   

Large room


1. Small fairly powerful speakers that are
   discrete. Suggestions? ( NOT Bose)
   
2. Crestron CT1000 (full feedback from
   soundserver,Denon? and IR vol control of
   Xantech)
   
3. Second zone vid out fed to TV in this room
   for DVD etc.
   

Think thats about it.

Thanks for any help / suggestions.

Chris

Anyone ?

What sort of projector are you using? Most DLP projectors will have trouble with that transparent screen. Stewart would be the screen choice, no matter what projector you choose.

Since we don't deal with Crestron I can't give any feedback on that, although the Denon stuff should work fine.

By discrete, do you mean that the speakers need to be amplified? If not, then why not B&W as it seems you have access to them?

Hope that helps!

Jeff

Thanks Jeff,


Projector will probably be anything upto a sim2 HT300 although as yet undecided,
Please expand on the problems with acoustically transparent screens as I am unfamiliar with these.

The screen could be a Stewart or Draper depending on budget.


Which B&W speakers are you referring.
The cabinet at the front of the room consists of shelving and the small speakers will be placed on these, hence small designs needed.
Speakers will be passive.

All comments greatly appreciated.

The perforations in transparent screens tend to line up really well with the pixels in a DLP image. You'll get all sorts of bizarre moree (sp?) patterns and flaws in the picture. We recommend that you stay away from DLP and transparent screens.

I'm not familiar with B&W (we sell other brands) but they've always been a decent speaker. I'd check with your rep/distributor as to what they have available in small bookshelves. You may also check to see if you can get NHT (often available through distribution) as the SuperOne's and SuperZero's are very nice for the buck.

3803 only just released here, so I've only installed one but it worked great. Always been a bit of a Denon fan.

Would have thought that KEF would be worth a look for speakers since you're in the UK.

Aussie AV,

I use Kef and B&W a lot,

Would love to use the TDM series for the home cinema but unfortunately the're a bit too big for this application as are B&W (small shelves - expensive cabinet).

Kef KHT are also great small speakers for the money but IMHO aren't quite upto the job.
Therefore M&K seem to fit the bill.

NHT speakers sound interesting, I may look into these thanks Jeff, also thanks for the advice on the screen - I guess I should avoid this.

The Denons just seem to get better and better, this one is almost as good as the AVCA11SR especially for the custom installer (never seen zone 2 video out at this price point before).

The Denon's upconversion on the video makes life a little easier too. I've tried the KHT as well, nice for the price, but you are right, not quite the choice for a projection system with an AVR-3803.

What about Linn? Haven't dealt with them for a while, but they used to have a couple of nice smaller alternatives.

As another thought, would it be possible to convert the shelf areas you were going to use for the speakers into enclosures for some high-end in-walls? Sounds like the space is a little tight, and any time you put freestanding speakers into tight spaces within a bookshelf you get that whole box within a box effect.

Appreciate what you're saying about the box within box scenario.

The last time I did this I found surrounding the speakers with acoustic wadding to be beneficial.
Then used an acoustic grill on the front.

Not sure about in-walls in the cabinet, that might actually work.

Thanks.

All I can add is that I've been very pleased with the NHT line of speakers. I have an older SW2p subwoofer and wouldn't part with it for any price. It's the most musical sub I've ever heard.

Check them out, you will be pleasantly surprised. Also, Monitor Audio makes some really great sounding stuff too...