Kazaam's TV Update (and need audio suggestions, too)

[Kazaam]

So back in March I bought an 85-inch Sony TV. It's the Costco version of the X90L. Just regular LED but with local dimming and respectable HDR but nothing spectacular. That said... It has better screen uniformity and better everything compared to the Sony 70" Black Friday special I had before.

The below components are all new. But I need help I need help replacing the audio equipment with something else.

Sony 85" Sony X90L (Costco version)
Klipsch Flexus Core 200 soundbar
RSL Speedwoofer 10S mkii

It took me way too long to realize, but I really hate the Klipsch soundbar. I was impressed initially with just some minor caveats, and I'm sure being only maybe 14" off the floor doesn't help sound-wise; but over time I've confirmed my suspicion that the sound bar is too quiet with dialogue no matter what setting I choose. I measured a solid 4 decibels lower than the left/right. More damning is that the soundbar doesn't play well with the TV regarding HDMI-CEC control. Easily takes 30 seconds to a minute before the TV switches inputs, and sometimes it never does switch; very inconsistent. One of the big reasons I tried a soundbar was because I've moved in with my dad and was trying to make the whole system easier to use. Unfortunately, I just made things worse.

I'm also not loving the RSL Speedwoofer, either. I initially planned to use my old subwoofer with the Klipsch soundbar until I discovered that subwoofer was broken. And so I bought the Speedwoofer. Waited a week before bothering to hook it up. And never really used it much after that. But I'm a bit disappointed in its lack of middle or upper bass. It's solid in the 20Hz and 30 Hz range. Maybe low 40s. But I question if it's even a good match for speakers that crossover at, say, 80 Hz. Maybe it needs to break in? Maybe it's a problem with my room. And being hooked up to a freakin' soundbar sure ain't ideal, I'll admit. But I'm planning to hopefully keep the subwoofer. I'm already past my return period. My bad.

Anyway... This post is already too long. I'll post a follow up regarding some audio equipment that I'm sort of interested in.

 

[Kazaam]

To replace the sound bar, I'd like to get some smaller satellites or bookshelf speakers. Something bigger than those Cambridge Audio Minx cube speakers you might've noticed sitting next to the cordless phone. The TV can't move at all.

For speakers my room size is 15x15. There's only 9 inches between the door and the left side of the TV. I think the max width of any wall-mountable speaker would be approx 7 inches. Preferably less. Also I think the paneling is pine. So kind of soft. But it is about 5/8-inches thick. Maybe a hair thicker. But less than 3/4. So I don't know how much weight it can hold. Screwing into studs is not an option. Also the wall is open on the backside.

In a perfect world the speakers would be big enough to fill the room and have enough bass to blend nicely with the Speedwoofer 10S. But not so heavy that there is a risk of them breaking the paneling and falling off the wall.

I know these old Energy Take 5 Classic system would be small and lightweight enough to fit on the wall. But I don't know if 15x15 for a room is too big for them? Also then I don't know what I'd do with the RSL Speedwoofer. But at $350 for new stock the price is right. https://www.accessories4less.com/ma...lassic-5.1-home-theater-speaker-system/1.html

If anyone has any speaker suggestions I'm willing to listen. Obviously I've looked at Crutchfield. But maybe there's something there I overlooked that might be nice for both movies and music?


I plan to get an A/V Receiver that let's me specify the HDMI passthrough to always be the Cable Box whenever the receiver is turned off. That's how my old receiver was that I gave away. (No big loss, it was kind of junky.) I'm looking at some slim-line style receivers:

Marantz NR1510
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_642NR1510/Marantz-NR1510.html

I'm also intrigued by the new JBL MA510 receiver, but the manual only mentions HDMI passthrough for "last input used". And if that's the only option, well, then JBL is out of the running. But I'm hoping maybe it was just an omission. Not real optimistic about that, though.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_109MA510BK/JBL-MA510-Black.html?tp=179

 

[Towen7]

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[Kazaam]

Home | GoldenEar

Triton Reference CloseoutLong Live the Triton Reference.Learn MoreIntroducing the T66 Tower Speaker with Powered BassLearn MoreForceField 30 & ForceField 40Ultra-Compact, Extended-Response Subwoofers – Clean, Awesome Power to Touch Your SoulLearn More Previous slide Next slide T66 Tower...

www.goldenear.com

Those SuperSats would look good. The 3 and 3C are priced within reach, though admittedly a bit more than I’d really like to pay. But I’ll put these on the list of considerations. It’s too bad that door is in the way because it’d open up a lot more possibilities to get fuller sized speakers.

 

[Kazaam]

I was just looking at Rogersound Labs speakers. Boy are they ugly. But they’re super cheap at $105 and $149 each. And I think small and light enough to fit on the wall. Front ported is a plus. Keyhole mount for sure, but I think there is also a threaded insert. Not much bass and I question if they’re truly a good match for the Speedwoofer 10S, but they sell a 2.1 setup of them paired up with the subwoofer I already have. Maybe a couple of the CG3M’s for the left/right and a CG23M somehow raised up closer to the bottom of the TV would work?

https://rslspeakers.com/pages/cg3m-overview

 

[heeman]

You suck! Nice display!!

 

[Botch]

I think it may be outside your price range, but the Sony Bravia Theater Quad has caught my eye, and looks really flexible for different rooms.

 

[Kazaam]

That does look cool. But… yeah… it’s a bit more than I want to spend.

 

[mcad64]

My two cents..get a dedicated centre channel speaker and either floor standing speakers or stand mount bookshelf speakers. Not sure how much room you have on the left by that door though!! Is there a reason why you want to wall mount the left and right mains??

 

[Kazaam]

It’s about 9 inches from the door trim to the TV. Maybe a little less. I worry someone or something will bump into the left speaker. And I don’t think it’d look too good, IMO, to put mini monitors on stands so close to the TV. But I know you’re right. In an ideal world I’d have some more space and go much larger in front, instead of just larger satellites as opposed to micro-sized satellites. It’s not quite as annoying as a fireplace, but… does anybody want to buy a door?

 

[Kazaam]

Update: So I’ve ordered a new receiver from Costco. Denon S760S for $380. Slightly older model with Atmos, but I think it’s got current HDCP for doing 4K/120Hz. Nothing great or high-end, but it’ll be better than the soundbar. Plus I can set the HDMI pass through to always default to the cable box, which should hopefully make TV watching easier for my dad. Unless Denon doesn’t implement that feature the same way Pioneer did. Also ordered a cheap TV stand that can better fit the receiver.