New Surround Sound Speakers

[wobert]

I'm looking for some replacement speakers for my surround sound system.

I'm currently running a mix of Onkyo TXSR-308 which I bought last Christmas, and some Sony satellite speakers and sub that I inherited from the B-I-L a couple of years ago.

The Sony amp broke, so I replaced the broken bit!

I've had a look on Richer Sounds and can find a couple of options, but I'm looking for recommendations based on actual experience.

Budget is upto £300.

Thanks in advance

Robert

[GhostDriver]

£300 for whole setup??
or just for satelites?
How big is the room?

If it for the whole setup, go for the BK gemini woofer

http://www.bkelec.com/hifi/Sub_Woofers/Gemini.htm

And a decent front speaker. I see the Mordaunt Short Alumni is currently on a really good deal. I have used it in the past and its very very good (crisp, good frequency response)

Leave the smaller surrounds till you have more cash, they are not so important.

[wobert]

Yes, the complete speaker package, including sub......there may some small flexibility to massage the budget up to £400 but no more!

Room is 18ft x 12ft, although due to the location of my Panny, the area covered by the speakers is probably 10ft square.

Have looked at these, and would prefer a full speaker set than just fronts......

http://www.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packag...

http://www.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packag...

http://www.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packag...

And these as a budget option?
http://www.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packag...

I have good experience with Tannoy as I have a set with my separates system (631SE's)

Thanks,

Robert

[heisthegaffer]

Have a look on av forums for second hand gear. Speaker tech doesn't change as quickly as some other elements of home cinema.

Or you could buy a basic 5.1 package and upgrade over time. Alternatively if you can bide your time, buy a pair of front speakers and save for others.

I have some gear for sale at present, do you want me to pm you with details?

[wobert]

Prefer to buy a complete speaker package new (it's my Christmas present!)

Going to two front speakers in place of my current "mix" is a retrograde step, hence my preference for a complete speaker package.

All I'm really looking for is opinions on the ones I've listed above, or any other alternative ones that may present better value / performance.

Thanks for the input so far.....

Robert

[Shadow R1]

These for the front.
http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.209-6341.aspx?utm_sour... £150

Sub.
http://www.richersounds.com/product/subwoofers/cam... £99

Rear.
http://www.richersounds.com/product/bookshelf-spea... £39

Center.
http://www.richersounds.com/product/centre-speaker... £89

That would out perform any of the ones you listed.
Dont worry about mixing brands either.

As said before, speaker technology, hasent moved alot over the year, so things that are on offer now, will be more than up to the job.

[furs307c]

Out of the ones you have listed my preference would be with the Bostons or the mordaunt short's. Ive had the Tannoy SFX system and wasnt that impressed. I wouldnt reccomend mixing different brands either really, apart from the subwoofer.

[Lord Flathead]

Shadow R1 said:

These for the front.
http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.209-6341.aspx?utm_sour... £150

Sub.
http://www.richersounds.com/product/subwoofers/cam... £99

Rear.
http://www.richersounds.com/product/bookshelf-spea... £39

Center.
http://www.richersounds.com/product/centre-speaker... £89

That would out perform any of the ones you listed.
Dont worry about mixing brands either.

As said before, speaker technology, hasent moved alot over the year, so things that are on offer now, will be more than up to the job.

Sorry, I totally disagree with this statement:

A proper home cinema/surround sound system mandates that all the speakers are matched, both electrically and dynamically. The amp needs to be calibrated for response time in milliseconds to allow for the effect of surround sound - or it doesn't work.

If your front surround (brand A) speakers have a sensitivity of 87db/1m
And your rear surround (brand B) speakers have a sensitivity of 95db/1m
And your front Centre (brand C) speaker has a sensitivity of 91db/1m

do you think for one minute that they are going to sound the same?

In your case, your buying expertise is coming from... Tesco's

Try reading this first
http://www.psbspeakers.com/articles/Guide-to-Speak...
http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/home-audio-...

[Shadow R1]

I think this is another mismatched tyres type answer, to clarify i ment to link to a roth center, so the front 3 would be matched, then even in that thread you provided the link to, mis matched surrounds (rears) are not a problem.

Op how about this, its a packaged version of the ones on my playstation.

Best link to an audio site, or people get upset.

http://www.superfi.co.uk/p-3146-wharfedale-diamond...

[GhostDriver]

As stated in my previous post the Mordaunt Shorts are superb.

They wont sound so good at first, but give them a couple of weeks to bed in, and you'll be very impressed

[oola]

Robert ... buy this Kef 5.1 system before they sell out. They were around £450 -ish retail so are steal. They're only fairly small speakers but its a cracking little system ... we've installed quite a few and I've recommended them to friends on a budget as well. Be quick though as they're selling out! http://www.richersounds.com/product/speaker-packag...

[garycat]

I'd go for these Q Acoustics. A bit above your budget but you might be able to find them cheaper.

http://www.superfi.co.uk/p-9501-q-acoustics-2000-5...