Home cinema: What surround sound speaker/Audio set?

[SR7492]

Following on from my recent purchase of a Panny 42GT30 3D telly, can the PH massive kindly recommend me a decent surround sound speaker system.

Don't want something too complicated, something simple but good to spice up the room and TV/Gaming experience.

I know very little about these kind of things, so take it easy on me with the tech wizardry

Thanks in advance

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

How much money/space do you have?

[Nuclearsquash]

If you've got ~ £1200 to spend then the Monitor Audio BX5 surround kit.

I've only got the front floor standers but if they're anything to go by then the rest will be excellent (and reviews seem to uphold this).

[SR7492]

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

How much money/space do you have?

No issues with space, room is fairly big.

Money, well that's another thing. £200 - £400?

Nuclearsquash said:

If you've got ~ £1200 to spend then the Monitor Audio BX5 surround kit.

Shall I get my coat?

[RVVUNM]

There seems to be a lot of sound bars emerging within your budget. I was brousing in Tesco the other day and for the money the sounded rather good.

Edited to show what I mean http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/panasonic-sc-htb520eb...

[spats]

I dont know how you'd feel about second hand stuff. But I've had a Sony QS 6.1 Surround amp for years. It was the last one before they started using digi amps over analogue and I love it.

I wanted another one for the loft room and I bought the slightly newer amp for 30 quid. Its big vs new stuff, but I didnt care. Its got tons of inputs for normal stereo items and quite a few digital ones too.

It runs dolby digital surround, music modes etc and sounds great.

I bought a set of second hand Mission speakers and the whole thing has cost less than 200 quid. Its not small but the sound is awesome. I can easily upgrade if needed and Ive bought matching CD players and DAB seperates too.

[Tyre Tread]

I bought one of the Panasonic package BTT range and am very impresse with it.

Amazon have a range of them in your budget

[sprouting]

Iv'e no experience of these particular components, but i don't think you'll go far wrong with either of these choices, with easy upgrade options in the future.

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


http://www.richersounds.com/product/1-box-home-cin...

Or start off with an AV receiver and a pair of speakers and add to it as funds allow.


http://www.richersounds.com/product/av-receivers/p...

http://www.richersounds.com/product/bookshelf-spea...

I'm not recommending the equipment just showing an idea of available options. Second hand components would be

a good way of acquiring a good set up at a reasonable price to.

[Mermaid]

A good sub, centre speaker essential.

[danneth]

AV forums, buy second hand, will get so much more for your money, the only thing i bought new was the AMP, my Mordaunt Short 5.1 setup was all bought second hand, although you would never know

[SR7492]

Thanks guys; good ideas there and will be checking on the second hand stuff.

Incidentally; I came across this which looked pretty good - any opinions?

http://www.audioaffair.co.uk/Yamaha-YAS-101-Digita...

Thanks

[FlossyThePig]

Don't buy blind (well deaf really)! Use your own ears to assess before you buy.

[drybeer]

I'm on an Onkyo 609 receiver Amp with 5.1 Sony Pascal 815 series satellites and subwoofer…

Quite enough in my living room - I favour delicacy over brute force.

I'm trying to find two more satellites at a decent price on ebay to complete my 7.1 set up without changing the whole sh'bang.

[SR7492]

My mate had some Sony surround sound speakers gathering dusk, so I thought I'd try them to see how much difference they make as a home cinema.

After pi55ing about with the setup for 20 mins, I finally got it to work and it was pretty impressive. The whole TV experience changes as it does feel you're in the cinema

Now, my mates set is fairly old but is 5.1 therefore I have no doubt a good buy today will be a lot better.

I was toying with the idea of a Sound bar but I've realised that this won't be a option as I can't mount it under or above the TV (no mounting space)

So, what I would ideally like is a min 5.1 setup where I can mount the surround speakers on the corner of the walls (instead of having them sit in the corner)

I like the look of the longish/thin speakers, but does anyone know if these can be mounted in a corner instead of free standing? Take this set for example:

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/lg-hx806th-5-1ch-3d-b...

Also, is there a pre-defined height for mounting SS speakers or is any height fine (I'm think chest to head height mounting for my set up)

Sorry, hope the above makes sense.

Thanks

[danneth]

http://www.avforums.com/forums/speaker-subwoofer-c...

something like this, so much more for your money imo

[Autopilot]

SR7492 said:

Also, is there a pre-defined height for mounting SS speakers or is any height fine (I'm think chest to head height mounting for my set up)

The Dolby point of view is that they should be at just above ear height when in your film viewing position. Reality is that unless you have a dedicated cinema room, the room itself will have to dictate a little as to where they go.

[SR7492]

Autopilot said:

The Dolby point of view is that they should be at just above ear height when in your film viewing position. Reality is that unless you have a dedicated cinema room, the room itself will have to dictate a little as to where they go.

Thanks

[arun1uk]

I was in a similar position as you, just got a VT30 and wanted to compliment the TV with decent sound.
I bought this;

http://www.richersounds.com/product/1-box-home-cin...

I had it set up with the standard speakers for 3 months and for what you pay, it's unbeatable. The amp is fantastic (better than the equivalent Onkyo), and the setup process is easy as pie. Out of the box it's actually pretty good... I've hooked my PS3, BluRay and Tivo up to the Amp via the HDMI inputs, plus it also passes through 3D signal. Result.

I've now upgraded the Centre (B&W) and fronts (Mordaunt Short), and in the process of picking a decent new sub.
For the price, you wont regret it!

[SR7492]

arun1uk said:

I was in a similar position as you, just got a VT30 and wanted to compliment the TV with decent sound.
I bought this;

http://www.richersounds.com/product/1-box-home-cin...

I had it set up with the standard speakers for 3 months and for what you pay, it's unbeatable. The amp is fantastic (better than the equivalent Onkyo), and the setup process is easy as pie. Out of the box it's actually pretty good... I've hooked my PS3, BluRay and Tivo up to the Amp via the HDMI inputs, plus it also passes through 3D signal. Result.

I've now upgraded the Centre (B&W) and fronts (Mordaunt Short), and in the process of picking a decent new sub.
For the price, you wont regret it!

Thanks - ironically I have had a look at that and the 294 model, the reviews are very good.