New House, New gear req'd....help me
Discussion
Afternoon Chaps,
Moved house last week and need to sort out a new sound system for my lounge. At the moment I am having to use integrated TV speakers and its driving me nuts...
I have a load of AV equipment from a dedicated Cinema room from the old house (had a decent 7.1 set up), but none of its allowed in the new living room as it looks out of place as its all black and bulky...
So I have been considering different systems for the living room. So far I literally popped into Currys whilst out to look at Sound bars and I have to say I was not impressed, these are my options so far:
- Orbitsound M12 at £400. Although I am still not convinced about the whole sound bar thing. Sounded good, but not sure the Sub has the oomph I want.
- Bose Cinemate GS II 2.1 at £500. Bose is marmite, my mrs loves the brand and like that the speakers are small. I also like that its 2.1 so I can position the speakers where I want, it also happens to sound fairly good.
- Ideally I would like 5.1, but only with wireless satellites. My only options are putting together a SONOS or similar system, which is stupid money and wont sound great.
- My final option is just to buy a new AV receiver and a 2.1 speaker package. Although I dont know where to start with this? I cant get away with floorstanders or even book shelves on stands, they really need to be compact as possible.
Also it would be nice if the new system had Bluetooth or Airplay, so I could pair up the phones or Macbook for music (could buy an Apple TV)
Any advice chaps? Any views on the Orbitsound or Bose thingy? Or recommendations for a new AVR and a 2.1 system to go with?
Will happily spend £500, can push the budget up further if needs be. However I dont really want to go above £750.
Bits I have in the attic which could be used or sold....
2x Wharfedale Diamond 9.1
1x Wharfedale Diamond 10.CM
1x Wharfedale SW150 Sub
1x Teac AG200 AVR
2x Mission Speaker Stands.
Thanks in advance.
Moved house last week and need to sort out a new sound system for my lounge. At the moment I am having to use integrated TV speakers and its driving me nuts...
I have a load of AV equipment from a dedicated Cinema room from the old house (had a decent 7.1 set up), but none of its allowed in the new living room as it looks out of place as its all black and bulky...
So I have been considering different systems for the living room. So far I literally popped into Currys whilst out to look at Sound bars and I have to say I was not impressed, these are my options so far:
- Orbitsound M12 at £400. Although I am still not convinced about the whole sound bar thing. Sounded good, but not sure the Sub has the oomph I want.
- Bose Cinemate GS II 2.1 at £500. Bose is marmite, my mrs loves the brand and like that the speakers are small. I also like that its 2.1 so I can position the speakers where I want, it also happens to sound fairly good.
- Ideally I would like 5.1, but only with wireless satellites. My only options are putting together a SONOS or similar system, which is stupid money and wont sound great.
- My final option is just to buy a new AV receiver and a 2.1 speaker package. Although I dont know where to start with this? I cant get away with floorstanders or even book shelves on stands, they really need to be compact as possible.
Also it would be nice if the new system had Bluetooth or Airplay, so I could pair up the phones or Macbook for music (could buy an Apple TV)
Any advice chaps? Any views on the Orbitsound or Bose thingy? Or recommendations for a new AVR and a 2.1 system to go with?
Will happily spend £500, can push the budget up further if needs be. However I dont really want to go above £750.
Bits I have in the attic which could be used or sold....
2x Wharfedale Diamond 9.1
1x Wharfedale Diamond 10.CM
1x Wharfedale SW150 Sub
1x Teac AG200 AVR
2x Mission Speaker Stands.
Thanks in advance.
What's wrong with simply using your 9.1s and possibly the sub if you have a place it can be tucked away out of site?
Simply add a more up to date AVR with the features you want or even an amp like the Yamaha r-n500 which is a stereo amplifier with network streaming and airplay built in.
Simply add a more up to date AVR with the features you want or even an amp like the Yamaha r-n500 which is a stereo amplifier with network streaming and airplay built in.
Managed to get on the web and have a look at the RN500 you recommended (dont have internet at home currently...) It certainly sounds like a fantastic piece of kit and for Stereo it has to be the best option. However would it be better if I stuck with an AV Receiver?
In the living room I still want to connect up a games console, Blu-ray player and the SKY box, So I was thinking I could run all this through possibly a new AVR.
I suppose my other option is to connect all my boxes up to the TV via HDMI (I have enough ports), then just run the sound via optical cable to a new stereo amp like the RN500?
Where is my money best spent?
If I were to run the devices through the TV and use optical to output stereo sound via a RN500 - I assume this amp is going to be overkill for my Wharfedale 9.1's and SW150 sub? Therefore this option only being worthwhile if I go and splash another £500 on some decent speakers?
Or would I be better off buying something like the Yamaha RXS600 AVR or Sony STR-DN1040 and running everything through that? This will be much better than my current budget Teac AG D200 and will give me the Airplay/Networking functionality I want? Although I still think the speakers may not do the unit justice.
Any advice appreciated - as you can tell Im pretty new to this stuff!!!
In the living room I still want to connect up a games console, Blu-ray player and the SKY box, So I was thinking I could run all this through possibly a new AVR.
I suppose my other option is to connect all my boxes up to the TV via HDMI (I have enough ports), then just run the sound via optical cable to a new stereo amp like the RN500?
Where is my money best spent?
If I were to run the devices through the TV and use optical to output stereo sound via a RN500 - I assume this amp is going to be overkill for my Wharfedale 9.1's and SW150 sub? Therefore this option only being worthwhile if I go and splash another £500 on some decent speakers?
Or would I be better off buying something like the Yamaha RXS600 AVR or Sony STR-DN1040 and running everything through that? This will be much better than my current budget Teac AG D200 and will give me the Airplay/Networking functionality I want? Although I still think the speakers may not do the unit justice.
Any advice appreciated - as you can tell Im pretty new to this stuff!!!
Edited by russy01 on Thursday 2nd October 09:02
telecat said:
Looks fancy, but £900 on a sound bar? OK so an answer I give is going to reflect my own needs and prejudices so bear that in mind, Although I'm very much an AV fan I also pick my own kit with music playback in mind, my use is probably 60% AV but my priorities when buying kit are 80% music orientated.
Your Diamonds IMO punch above their weight, or at least they did a few years ago so while the Yamaha could happily do justice to better speakers they won't suddenly go rubbish by using a better amp, think of the amp doing justice to the speakers and giving you a chance to upgrade them later.
It would help at this point to know what you will be using the system for, is it predominantly TV/Films/Gaming or do you see yourself listening to music?
I've not had much experience with the newer AV amps so couldn't honestly say how they would compare, I've never previously been convinced by the musical reproduction of most AV amps, certainly not before spending more money (or going 2nd hand) but things have probably moved on in the 10 years I've had my Arcam and NAD AV amps so I'm a bit out of touch,
Personally if the system was to be used mainly for AV there's no way id be opting for wireless speakers, its a new place so take the opportunity to bury some cables and redecorate to your own tastes if at all possible and go for a 5.1 sub-sat system and an AV amp. It'll be fine for back ground music and probably better than a single Sonos speaker in this respect.
Apologies for a mobile link but this package could be tempting if I was in your position
http://m.richersounds.com/#!/product/PAH011829
Your Diamonds IMO punch above their weight, or at least they did a few years ago so while the Yamaha could happily do justice to better speakers they won't suddenly go rubbish by using a better amp, think of the amp doing justice to the speakers and giving you a chance to upgrade them later.
It would help at this point to know what you will be using the system for, is it predominantly TV/Films/Gaming or do you see yourself listening to music?
I've not had much experience with the newer AV amps so couldn't honestly say how they would compare, I've never previously been convinced by the musical reproduction of most AV amps, certainly not before spending more money (or going 2nd hand) but things have probably moved on in the 10 years I've had my Arcam and NAD AV amps so I'm a bit out of touch,
Personally if the system was to be used mainly for AV there's no way id be opting for wireless speakers, its a new place so take the opportunity to bury some cables and redecorate to your own tastes if at all possible and go for a 5.1 sub-sat system and an AV amp. It'll be fine for back ground music and probably better than a single Sonos speaker in this respect.
Apologies for a mobile link but this package could be tempting if I was in your position
http://m.richersounds.com/#!/product/PAH011829
Thanks for your reply, but sorry for the late reply.
OK - all my gear is gone (apart from the SW150 sub) and I need to start from Scratch. This is for a TV set up with the occasional film in the living room, Ill have a proper Cinema room at a later date with a fancy set up.
Requirements are...
2.1 system without an AV receiver.
So am looking for something basic which will just connect to my TV via optical and be discrete, budget is £500.
Not keen on Sound bars and I dont have an ideal place to put one.
My Mrs is absolutely sold on the Bose Cinemate 2.1 @ £449 - http://www.hispek.com/entertainment/home-cinema/sp...
However I am not convinced as I hear a lot of bad about Bose from the web....are there are any alternatives to this Bose system?
Can you recommend a small (can be hidden) stereo amp and 2.1 speakers that will offer better for a similar price?
OK - all my gear is gone (apart from the SW150 sub) and I need to start from Scratch. This is for a TV set up with the occasional film in the living room, Ill have a proper Cinema room at a later date with a fancy set up.
Requirements are...
2.1 system without an AV receiver.
So am looking for something basic which will just connect to my TV via optical and be discrete, budget is £500.
Not keen on Sound bars and I dont have an ideal place to put one.
My Mrs is absolutely sold on the Bose Cinemate 2.1 @ £449 - http://www.hispek.com/entertainment/home-cinema/sp...
However I am not convinced as I hear a lot of bad about Bose from the web....are there are any alternatives to this Bose system?
Can you recommend a small (can be hidden) stereo amp and 2.1 speakers that will offer better for a similar price?
I very nearly bought a set of Cambridge Audio Minx S212 with a similar criteria for my dining room setup. I was planning on using them with my old Arcam AVR. In the end I bought a second hand pair of Linn in-wall speakers and spent a fortune on building a false wall to recess them and the TV. I've not heard the Bose but in general I'm not a fan either. The one thing in the favour off the Bose I think is it doesn't need an amp.
JimbobVFR said:
I very nearly bought a set of Cambridge Audio Minx S212 with a similar criteria for my dining room setup. I was planning on using them with my old Arcam AVR. In the end I bought a second hand pair of Linn in-wall speakers and spent a fortune on building a false wall to recess them and the TV. I've not heard the Bose but in general I'm not a fan either. The one thing in the favour off the Bose I think is it doesn't need an amp.
I would love to take on a project like that, but the house has just been completed to such a high standard it seems sad to rip it all apart!! Plus Ive run out of money....The bose has a lot of downfalls from what I read, but its just so easy. It doesnt have an amp, it merely plugs in to the TV via optical. Whilst I understand this impacts sound quality and functionality it makes it a lot easier.
Im just going to have to go listen to them again and make a decision. There doesn't seem to be any other options apart from sound bars.
Maybe too Much?? Not Blu Ray but virtually everything else.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arcam-Solo-5-1-Movie-Sys...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arcam-Solo-5-1-Movie-Sys...
telecat said:
Maybe too Much?? Not Blu Ray but virtually everything else.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arcam-Solo-5-1-Movie-Sys...
Looks good, but I need a speaker set without an AVR or amp which has to be on show....http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arcam-Solo-5-1-Movie-Sys...
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