£2500 budget - home theatre - what would you buy?
Discussion
Hi Folks,
Can you recommend a good home cinema set up for circa £2.5k? I have had a BOSE lifstyle system for over 14 years and it's died so it's time to buy and set up a new TV and home cinema set up. The Bose has served me well and I have had a demo of the Bose Lifestyle Soundtouch 535 and it's awesome but at £3200 I'm sure we can do better. In all honestly we have probably listened to music more on the BOSE than use it as a home theatre so the same would apply for the new system. I need something that would sound good when playing music but also do a great job watching a movie.
I loved the discreetness of the BOSE wall mounted speakers and SWMBO does not want huge floor standing ones so I'm a bit stuck as to what I can get in this budget without overtaking the room.
Suggestions welcome. I'll pop in to Richer Sounds on the way back from work today and see what they say too..........
Can you recommend a good home cinema set up for circa £2.5k? I have had a BOSE lifstyle system for over 14 years and it's died so it's time to buy and set up a new TV and home cinema set up. The Bose has served me well and I have had a demo of the Bose Lifestyle Soundtouch 535 and it's awesome but at £3200 I'm sure we can do better. In all honestly we have probably listened to music more on the BOSE than use it as a home theatre so the same would apply for the new system. I need something that would sound good when playing music but also do a great job watching a movie.
I loved the discreetness of the BOSE wall mounted speakers and SWMBO does not want huge floor standing ones so I'm a bit stuck as to what I can get in this budget without overtaking the room.
Suggestions welcome. I'll pop in to Richer Sounds on the way back from work today and see what they say too..........
chasingracecars said:
Can you elaborate a bit more, do you also need a TV, are you going down the projection route, is this a dedicated Home Cinema room or living room tv.
What size is the room, have you consider sound bars and satellite rears?
Sorry this is just a budget for the audio side of things. I have a 75'' on order already. The room is 18ft x 16ft. It's not a dedicated cinema room as such as we will be pretty much using it every day. What size is the room, have you consider sound bars and satellite rears?
Well, if it is just audio you can't go a million miles wrong with a Sonos 5.1 setup, Playbar, Sub and two Play 1's however if you want to stay in the Bose camp the system you mentioned is much cheaper here...
http://www.prcdirect.co.uk/details.php?nrd=1&p...
http://www.prcdirect.co.uk/details.php?nrd=1&p...
chasingracecars said:
Well, if it is just audio you can't go a million miles wrong with a Sonos 5.1 setup, Playbar, Sub and two Play 1's however if you want to stay in the Bose camp the system you mentioned is much cheaper here...
http://www.prcdirect.co.uk/details.php?nrd=1&p...
Good find! I can get it cheaper if I traded in my older Lifestyle system I can get this for £2200! Just been told this buy Bose via their phone line...http://www.prcdirect.co.uk/details.php?nrd=1&p...
The SONOS does not cut it for me.
Can the speakers be big? For that kind of budget I'd honestly be looking at a (used) high-end kit. You can buy a Q-Acoustics 3000-series or Monitor Audio Silver series 5.1 package and decent receiver new which is an excellent "budget" set (and will outperform the Bose kit), or you could look for used speakers that are one step higher. High-end speakers usually have had easy lives and you can pretty much find them used but in showroom condition. Just go and listen to some speakers in stereo setup with your local hifi store - difference with a Bose or Sonos setup is huge.
Lots of brands with excellent speakers, just browse on the What Hifi website to get an idea, and be sure to look for stereo speakers and not 5.1 sets, that will give you a better idea what's out there and almost all manufacturers have matching centers, rears & subs anyway even though they don't market them as a package.
Lots of brands with excellent speakers, just browse on the What Hifi website to get an idea, and be sure to look for stereo speakers and not 5.1 sets, that will give you a better idea what's out there and almost all manufacturers have matching centers, rears & subs anyway even though they don't market them as a package.
£2500 for an amp and speakers?
I would suggest you go and listen to this.....
Denon AVR-X4200. Plenty of power for small speakers, with amazing room EQ abilities. Cheap offers now ie £779
B&W M-1 (white or black) The best sensibly price small speakers ever? £745
REL T9i offers of £100 off at the moment, so £799
That's £2743 retail worth of kit easily buy able for £2323, with some space left for cables, stands etc.
Given the offers available and the need for small speakers, I think this is most suitable.
The main bit you could save on second hand, is the amp, but that's the bit that I'd least like to be out of date or without warranty.
Do you think that might fit the bill 458?
I would suggest you go and listen to this.....
Denon AVR-X4200. Plenty of power for small speakers, with amazing room EQ abilities. Cheap offers now ie £779
B&W M-1 (white or black) The best sensibly price small speakers ever? £745
REL T9i offers of £100 off at the moment, so £799
That's £2743 retail worth of kit easily buy able for £2323, with some space left for cables, stands etc.
Given the offers available and the need for small speakers, I think this is most suitable.
The main bit you could save on second hand, is the amp, but that's the bit that I'd least like to be out of date or without warranty.
Do you think that might fit the bill 458?
Red 5 said:
£2500 for an amp and speakers?
I would suggest you go and listen to this.....
Denon AVR-X4200. Plenty of power for small speakers, with amazing room EQ abilities. Cheap offers now ie £779
B&W M-1 (white or black) The best sensibly price small speakers ever? £745
REL T9i offers of £100 off at the moment, so £799
That's £2743 retail worth of kit easily buy able for £2323, with some space left for cables, stands etc.
Given the offers available and the need for small speakers, I think this is most suitable.
The main bit you could save on second hand, is the amp, but that's the bit that I'd least like to be out of date or without warranty.
Do you think that might fit the bill 458?
Many thanks for the response - this is exactly the type of info I was after. I have the budget but no idea on what to get within our remit. I'll enquire about this set up and see how this sounds Thanks againI would suggest you go and listen to this.....
Denon AVR-X4200. Plenty of power for small speakers, with amazing room EQ abilities. Cheap offers now ie £779
B&W M-1 (white or black) The best sensibly price small speakers ever? £745
REL T9i offers of £100 off at the moment, so £799
That's £2743 retail worth of kit easily buy able for £2323, with some space left for cables, stands etc.
Given the offers available and the need for small speakers, I think this is most suitable.
The main bit you could save on second hand, is the amp, but that's the bit that I'd least like to be out of date or without warranty.
Do you think that might fit the bill 458?
Edited by 458man on Monday 25th April 21:25
458man said:
Many thanks for the response - this is exactly the type of info I was after. I have the budget but no idea on what to get within our remit. I'll enquire about this set up and see how this sounds Thanks again
You are welcome Edited by 458man on Monday 25th April 21:25
Fire away if you have questions.......
458man said:
Red 5 said:
£2500 for an amp and speakers?
I would suggest you go and listen to this.....
Denon AVR-X4200. Plenty of power for small speakers, with amazing room EQ abilities. Cheap offers now ie £779
B&W M-1 (white or black) The best sensibly price small speakers ever? £745
REL T9i offers of £100 off at the moment, so £799
That's £2743 retail worth of kit easily buy able for £2323, with some space left for cables, stands etc.
Given the offers available and the need for small speakers, I think this is most suitable.
The main bit you could save on second hand, is the amp, but that's the bit that I'd least like to be out of date or without warranty.
Do you think that might fit the bill 458?
Many thanks for the response - this is exactly the type of info I was after. I have the budget but no idea on what to get within our remit. I'll enquire about this set up and see how this sounds Thanks againI would suggest you go and listen to this.....
Denon AVR-X4200. Plenty of power for small speakers, with amazing room EQ abilities. Cheap offers now ie £779
B&W M-1 (white or black) The best sensibly price small speakers ever? £745
REL T9i offers of £100 off at the moment, so £799
That's £2743 retail worth of kit easily buy able for £2323, with some space left for cables, stands etc.
Given the offers available and the need for small speakers, I think this is most suitable.
The main bit you could save on second hand, is the amp, but that's the bit that I'd least like to be out of date or without warranty.
Do you think that might fit the bill 458?
Edited by 458man on Monday 25th April 21:25
After a great deal of research and advice from people here I've just bought a Yamaha Aventage AV amplifier to replace my Sony 1050, cost £900 and from a sound quality perspective, it's amazing. I'm another one who'd recommend some second hand audiophile speakers over new mass produced rubbish. I bought ProAc full range studio speakers and matching centre speaker for £600 on eBay. Have also ordered a BK 12" sub for £380. Add some quality surrounds and a pair of £150 Atmos speaker and you have a quality 5.1.2 system that sounds great with film or music. Takes longer but worth the effort imho.
A quality pair of speakers will make an average amp sound rubbish and the Yamaha is one of the best out there for the money.
A quality pair of speakers will make an average amp sound rubbish and the Yamaha is one of the best out there for the money.
Edited by wormus on Wednesday 27th April 19:01
Another for mixing it up with second hand speakers and the latest you can get in AVR tech. Speaker tech hasn't moved forward 'that' much. I did that for my home cinema build re-using a Ruark set up I already had and augmenting with the other speakers, subs I needed from eBay. But spending the money I saved on a new AVR since I wanted this to be future proofed and Atmos enabled.
After doing my cinema room I'm contemplating something simpler and 'one box' for the lounge in a 5.1 config and as something to do both movie and music duties I like the look of the Solo Movie from Arcam. http://www.arcam.co.uk/products,Solo,Music-Package... It lists at £2K. You can build your speaker system around it. It doesn't do Atmos which might be an issue if you want the latest in surround formats but will go to 5.1.
If you can get small stand mount speakers past the SWMBO test then I listened to the LS50's from KEF recently and loved them. They'd be on my list. Offer a lot of bang for the buck have a small form factor and look pretty good. List at £800.
If you stick with 2 speakers and the Solo I reckon you'll squeak in under your £2.5K with a haggle at the shop or pick up the LS50's on eBay.
However as others have said you should consider investing in a sub too...will make all the difference when you're watching movies. So if you go with my recommendation and a sub you're over budget. But you can always start with the basic set up and add later. HTH.
After doing my cinema room I'm contemplating something simpler and 'one box' for the lounge in a 5.1 config and as something to do both movie and music duties I like the look of the Solo Movie from Arcam. http://www.arcam.co.uk/products,Solo,Music-Package... It lists at £2K. You can build your speaker system around it. It doesn't do Atmos which might be an issue if you want the latest in surround formats but will go to 5.1.
If you can get small stand mount speakers past the SWMBO test then I listened to the LS50's from KEF recently and loved them. They'd be on my list. Offer a lot of bang for the buck have a small form factor and look pretty good. List at £800.
If you stick with 2 speakers and the Solo I reckon you'll squeak in under your £2.5K with a haggle at the shop or pick up the LS50's on eBay.
However as others have said you should consider investing in a sub too...will make all the difference when you're watching movies. So if you go with my recommendation and a sub you're over budget. But you can always start with the basic set up and add later. HTH.
Haven't read all the replies, but don't bother with teh Bose or Sonos, far better value for money out there.
I would go for these...
https://www.hifix.co.uk/quad-lite-plus-5-1-speaker...
They are excellent at £1000, at £549 nothing really comes close, but you do need a decent amp.
If you like your music too, then the Yamahas are very good.
This...
http://exceptional-av.co.uk/home-cinema/amplifiers...
Or if you can, go for one of these.....
http://www.audio-express.co.uk/product.php?_YAM_20...
I would go for these...
https://www.hifix.co.uk/quad-lite-plus-5-1-speaker...
They are excellent at £1000, at £549 nothing really comes close, but you do need a decent amp.
If you like your music too, then the Yamahas are very good.
This...
http://exceptional-av.co.uk/home-cinema/amplifiers...
Or if you can, go for one of these.....
http://www.audio-express.co.uk/product.php?_YAM_20...
gizlaroc said:
Haven't read all the replies, but don't bother with teh Bose or Sonos, far better value for money out there.
I would go for these...
https://www.hifix.co.uk/quad-lite-plus-5-1-speaker...
They are excellent at £1000, at £549 nothing really comes close, but you do need a decent amp.
If you like your music too, then the Yamahas are very good.
This...
http://exceptional-av.co.uk/home-cinema/amplifiers...
Or if you can, go for one of these.....
http://www.audio-express.co.uk/product.php?_YAM_20...
He speaks the truth.I would go for these...
https://www.hifix.co.uk/quad-lite-plus-5-1-speaker...
They are excellent at £1000, at £549 nothing really comes close, but you do need a decent amp.
If you like your music too, then the Yamahas are very good.
This...
http://exceptional-av.co.uk/home-cinema/amplifiers...
Or if you can, go for one of these.....
http://www.audio-express.co.uk/product.php?_YAM_20...
PTE993 said:
Another for mixing it up with second hand speakers and the latest you can get in AVR tech. Speaker tech hasn't moved forward 'that' much. I did that for my home cinema build re-using a Ruark set up I already had and augmenting with the other speakers, subs I needed from eBay. But spending the money I saved on a new AVR since I wanted this to be future proofed and Atmos enabled.
After doing my cinema room I'm contemplating something simpler and 'one box' for the lounge in a 5.1 config and as something to do both movie and music duties I like the look of the Solo Movie from Arcam. http://www.arcam.co.uk/products,Solo,Music-Package... It lists at £2K. You can build your speaker system around it. It doesn't do Atmos which might be an issue if you want the latest in surround formats but will go to 5.1.
If you can get small stand mount speakers past the SWMBO test then I listened to the LS50's from KEF recently and loved them. They'd be on my list. Offer a lot of bang for the buck have a small form factor and look pretty good. List at £800.
If you stick with 2 speakers and the Solo I reckon you'll squeak in under your £2.5K with a haggle at the shop or pick up the LS50's on eBay.
However as others have said you should consider investing in a sub too...will make all the difference when you're watching movies. So if you go with my recommendation and a sub you're over budget. But you can always start with the basic set up and add later. HTH.
The LS50 are very good, but only really show their metal with way better equipment than a Solo Movie! After doing my cinema room I'm contemplating something simpler and 'one box' for the lounge in a 5.1 config and as something to do both movie and music duties I like the look of the Solo Movie from Arcam. http://www.arcam.co.uk/products,Solo,Music-Package... It lists at £2K. You can build your speaker system around it. It doesn't do Atmos which might be an issue if you want the latest in surround formats but will go to 5.1.
If you can get small stand mount speakers past the SWMBO test then I listened to the LS50's from KEF recently and loved them. They'd be on my list. Offer a lot of bang for the buck have a small form factor and look pretty good. List at £800.
If you stick with 2 speakers and the Solo I reckon you'll squeak in under your £2.5K with a haggle at the shop or pick up the LS50's on eBay.
However as others have said you should consider investing in a sub too...will make all the difference when you're watching movies. So if you go with my recommendation and a sub you're over budget. But you can always start with the basic set up and add later. HTH.
They can be bloody annoying if under driven. They are a loss leader for KEF with a low dealer margin attached. Think of them as a £1500 speaker and partner accordingly and they will amaze.
Audyssey Laboritories room equalisation is where the good results are! Yamaha abandoned the THX standard years ago in the interests of cost saving and wouldn't pay to use any Proper room EQ!
http://www.audyssey.com/solutions/home-theater
All the amp manufacturers have the option to add this, but if they place profit and price point, too far ahead or sound quality, they don't do it! Instead, have to cobble something cheap together, that does the basic bits and doesn't step on any IP.
They will of course talk it up and come up with some catchy names and acronyms for it....
If Yamaha would stop pinching the pennies, they would have the best sounding amps I'm convinced!
Dirac also amaze with their abilities in this dpt, but you'll be needing to spend more to try that.
http://www.audyssey.com/solutions/home-theater
All the amp manufacturers have the option to add this, but if they place profit and price point, too far ahead or sound quality, they don't do it! Instead, have to cobble something cheap together, that does the basic bits and doesn't step on any IP.
They will of course talk it up and come up with some catchy names and acronyms for it....
If Yamaha would stop pinching the pennies, they would have the best sounding amps I'm convinced!
Dirac also amaze with their abilities in this dpt, but you'll be needing to spend more to try that.
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