Dipping a toe - Some basics
Discussion
Hi guys,
Was on the verge of spending £850+ at Richer Sounds (textbook!) when I wondered if PH had any better advice for me. I'm moving into a new flat, and would like to get rid of my current fussy wired 5.1 system:
- 37-40" SMART LED/LCD (Samsung a brand preference to work with tablet/smartphone, thin frame ideally - Samsung 5500 seems to do the job)
- Network-connected AV Receiver (Onkyo 414 in RS seems to tick so many boxes)
- Pair of floorstanding speakers (I am pretty much in the dark about this)
I had looked at splitting my budget 450/180/220 (in order of above), and wondered whether the masses had any view on products that would tick my boxes within the £900 total (this is important - the rest of this move is almost costing me a kidney!).
Was on the verge of spending £850+ at Richer Sounds (textbook!) when I wondered if PH had any better advice for me. I'm moving into a new flat, and would like to get rid of my current fussy wired 5.1 system:
- 37-40" SMART LED/LCD (Samsung a brand preference to work with tablet/smartphone, thin frame ideally - Samsung 5500 seems to do the job)
- Network-connected AV Receiver (Onkyo 414 in RS seems to tick so many boxes)
- Pair of floorstanding speakers (I am pretty much in the dark about this)
I had looked at splitting my budget 450/180/220 (in order of above), and wondered whether the masses had any view on products that would tick my boxes within the £900 total (this is important - the rest of this move is almost costing me a kidney!).
Edited by Dave200 on Monday 13th May 14:56
The use of an AV amp for stereo is a bit over kill and would take a little setting up so it knew it was using just two speakers rather than the full 5.
Otherwise it would try to push stuff to speakers that just are not there. Most noticeable will be the speech / centre channel.
Maybe look at a 3.1 combo instead or a (proper) sound bar not the cheap, stupid ones or the Sonos ones.
V.
Otherwise it would try to push stuff to speakers that just are not there. Most noticeable will be the speech / centre channel.
Maybe look at a 3.1 combo instead or a (proper) sound bar not the cheap, stupid ones or the Sonos ones.
V.
Just a word of caution on the onkyo 414
I had to take mine back to richer sounds as it developed a buzzing from the unit. I also had problems with the lip synch being out all the time despite adjustments. It appears to be a common fault as a quick google search will show. It also has no simple microphone set up system, so you have to adjust the sound balances manually
I swapped mine for the Pioneer VSX922 which is more expensive but it is a £500 reciever going cheap as its last years model.It cost more but it shows in the sound, warmer and deeper than the onkyo.
The onkyo was also quite clumsy to use for spotify, dont have any illusions that you will be sat there quickly banging in some tunes, it really is quite awkward.
Im not sure how much benefit you really get from network connections on an AV amp, most blu rays and smart TVs seem to perform these functions better.
If you are strapped for cash I believe the Yamaha RXV373 is the best budget contender and you could in time add apple tv or roku to gain any streaming add ons you need
As vex has already mentioned a half decent soundbar may be a better option, leaving you some spare cash for apple or roku.
There is also the consideration that floorstanders may not be welcomed by your new neighbours if you are in a flat?
I had to take mine back to richer sounds as it developed a buzzing from the unit. I also had problems with the lip synch being out all the time despite adjustments. It appears to be a common fault as a quick google search will show. It also has no simple microphone set up system, so you have to adjust the sound balances manually
I swapped mine for the Pioneer VSX922 which is more expensive but it is a £500 reciever going cheap as its last years model.It cost more but it shows in the sound, warmer and deeper than the onkyo.
The onkyo was also quite clumsy to use for spotify, dont have any illusions that you will be sat there quickly banging in some tunes, it really is quite awkward.
Im not sure how much benefit you really get from network connections on an AV amp, most blu rays and smart TVs seem to perform these functions better.
If you are strapped for cash I believe the Yamaha RXV373 is the best budget contender and you could in time add apple tv or roku to gain any streaming add ons you need
As vex has already mentioned a half decent soundbar may be a better option, leaving you some spare cash for apple or roku.
There is also the consideration that floorstanders may not be welcomed by your new neighbours if you are in a flat?
Never had a problem with richer, usually very good at sorting stuff out if you have a problem / failure.
Also try superfi.co.uk, richer will price match them.
As for set up, I'd recommend beefy floor standers in a 2.1 setup rather than a 5.1/7.1 setup, unless you have a dedicated cinema room etc
A good set of floor standers which are bi-wired will give you almost as much punch as a sub and still be delicate at the top end
Buy the the best speakers you can, as they will last a life time.
Where as amps & tvs will eventually be obsolete or die.
I have a 5.1 & sub set up using an onkyo amp, but the most impressive bit are the in-expensive eltax (not the best) floor standers that I bought 16 years ago.
They Handle every thing you throw at them from the rumbling sound track of the Matrix, to rich and smooth sounds at full attack on at high volume (sorry neighbours) with classical music, or the dynamic punch of the prodigy.
I'm sure there are better speakers out there, hence the comment on buy the best you can afford, but 16 years on I'm still happy.
Custard
Also try superfi.co.uk, richer will price match them.
As for set up, I'd recommend beefy floor standers in a 2.1 setup rather than a 5.1/7.1 setup, unless you have a dedicated cinema room etc
A good set of floor standers which are bi-wired will give you almost as much punch as a sub and still be delicate at the top end
Buy the the best speakers you can, as they will last a life time.
Where as amps & tvs will eventually be obsolete or die.
I have a 5.1 & sub set up using an onkyo amp, but the most impressive bit are the in-expensive eltax (not the best) floor standers that I bought 16 years ago.
They Handle every thing you throw at them from the rumbling sound track of the Matrix, to rich and smooth sounds at full attack on at high volume (sorry neighbours) with classical music, or the dynamic punch of the prodigy.
I'm sure there are better speakers out there, hence the comment on buy the best you can afford, but 16 years on I'm still happy.
Custard
VEX said:
The use of an AV amp for stereo is a bit over kill and would take a little setting up so it knew it was using just two speakers rather than the full 5.
Otherwise it would try to push stuff to speakers that just are not there. Most noticeable will be the speech / centre channel.
Maybe look at a 3.1 combo instead or a (proper) sound bar not the cheap, stupid ones or the Sonos ones.
V.
Some AV amps allow you to associate a source with a 2.1 configOtherwise it would try to push stuff to speakers that just are not there. Most noticeable will be the speech / centre channel.
Maybe look at a 3.1 combo instead or a (proper) sound bar not the cheap, stupid ones or the Sonos ones.
V.
This is what I do for music
Some interesting thoughts here - thanks all.
I hadn't really considered running anything other than an AV Receiver for this, as I'm dealing with a few different HD sources (Sky, PS3) and would quite like the flexibility. On the other hand, I guess a SMART TV will let me do quite a lot of the streaming and connectivity that I need.
I'm unlikely to go back to the surround system, as I cannot deal with the idea of cables and speakers scattered around my living room, and the house is too well-finished to get anything integrated.
How would I manage multiple sources with a 2-channel/stereo amp? Would it just be a case of connecting it to the TV's optical audio output and using the TV as source controller?
What are the upsides? Because it seems that there is little price differential between an AV Receiver and a stereo amp.
Are there any downsides to this approach?
I hadn't really considered running anything other than an AV Receiver for this, as I'm dealing with a few different HD sources (Sky, PS3) and would quite like the flexibility. On the other hand, I guess a SMART TV will let me do quite a lot of the streaming and connectivity that I need.
I'm unlikely to go back to the surround system, as I cannot deal with the idea of cables and speakers scattered around my living room, and the house is too well-finished to get anything integrated.
How would I manage multiple sources with a 2-channel/stereo amp? Would it just be a case of connecting it to the TV's optical audio output and using the TV as source controller?
What are the upsides? Because it seems that there is little price differential between an AV Receiver and a stereo amp.
Are there any downsides to this approach?
Dave200 said:
Some interesting thoughts here - thanks all.
I hadn't really considered running anything other than an AV Receiver for this, as I'm dealing with a few different HD sources (Sky, PS3) and would quite like the flexibility. On the other hand, I guess a SMART TV will let me do quite a lot of the streaming and connectivity that I need.
I'm unlikely to go back to the surround system, as I cannot deal with the idea of cables and speakers scattered around my living room, and the house is too well-finished to get anything integrated.
How would I manage multiple sources with a 2-channel/stereo amp? Would it just be a case of connecting it to the TV's optical audio output and using the TV as source controller?
What are the upsides? Because it seems that there is little price differential between an AV Receiver and a stereo amp.
Are there any downsides to this approach?
I input to my stereo amp using RCAs from my PS3, Sky Box, CD player, iPod dock, cd player. Works well enough for me. Sound on HD movies from the Sky box and PS3 is really good to my ear, plus music from CD or PS3/iPod is lovely. I hadn't really considered running anything other than an AV Receiver for this, as I'm dealing with a few different HD sources (Sky, PS3) and would quite like the flexibility. On the other hand, I guess a SMART TV will let me do quite a lot of the streaming and connectivity that I need.
I'm unlikely to go back to the surround system, as I cannot deal with the idea of cables and speakers scattered around my living room, and the house is too well-finished to get anything integrated.
How would I manage multiple sources with a 2-channel/stereo amp? Would it just be a case of connecting it to the TV's optical audio output and using the TV as source controller?
What are the upsides? Because it seems that there is little price differential between an AV Receiver and a stereo amp.
Are there any downsides to this approach?
phil_cardiff said:
Dave200 said:
Some interesting thoughts here - thanks all.
I hadn't really considered running anything other than an AV Receiver for this, as I'm dealing with a few different HD sources (Sky, PS3) and would quite like the flexibility. On the other hand, I guess a SMART TV will let me do quite a lot of the streaming and connectivity that I need.
I'm unlikely to go back to the surround system, as I cannot deal with the idea of cables and speakers scattered around my living room, and the house is too well-finished to get anything integrated.
How would I manage multiple sources with a 2-channel/stereo amp? Would it just be a case of connecting it to the TV's optical audio output and using the TV as source controller?
What are the upsides? Because it seems that there is little price differential between an AV Receiver and a stereo amp.
Are there any downsides to this approach?
I input to my stereo amp using RCAs from my PS3, Sky Box, CD player, iPod dock, cd player. Works well enough for me. Sound on HD movies from the Sky box and PS3 is really good to my ear, plus music from CD or PS3/iPod is lovely. I hadn't really considered running anything other than an AV Receiver for this, as I'm dealing with a few different HD sources (Sky, PS3) and would quite like the flexibility. On the other hand, I guess a SMART TV will let me do quite a lot of the streaming and connectivity that I need.
I'm unlikely to go back to the surround system, as I cannot deal with the idea of cables and speakers scattered around my living room, and the house is too well-finished to get anything integrated.
How would I manage multiple sources with a 2-channel/stereo amp? Would it just be a case of connecting it to the TV's optical audio output and using the TV as source controller?
What are the upsides? Because it seems that there is little price differential between an AV Receiver and a stereo amp.
Are there any downsides to this approach?
Any recommendations on a decent-value (<£200) stereo amp?
Dave200 said:
Thank you. I had sort of suspected this, but didn't want to be outed as a luddite...
Any recommendations on a decent-value (<£200) stereo amp?
You could do worse than go second hand (I have no affilation with any of these, just helping out):-Any recommendations on a decent-value (<£200) stereo amp?
http://www.avforums.com/forums/amplifier-receiver-...
http://www.avforums.com/forums/amplifier-receiver-...
http://www.avforums.com/forums/amplifier-receiver-...
prob a few more if you take a gander! Good luck and feel free to ask any questions.
Dave200 said:
phil_cardiff said:
Dave200 said:
Some interesting thoughts here - thanks all.
I hadn't really considered running anything other than an AV Receiver for this, as I'm dealing with a few different HD sources (Sky, PS3) and would quite like the flexibility. On the other hand, I guess a SMART TV will let me do quite a lot of the streaming and connectivity that I need.
I'm unlikely to go back to the surround system, as I cannot deal with the idea of cables and speakers scattered around my living room, and the house is too well-finished to get anything integrated.
How would I manage multiple sources with a 2-channel/stereo amp? Would it just be a case of connecting it to the TV's optical audio output and using the TV as source controller?
What are the upsides? Because it seems that there is little price differential between an AV Receiver and a stereo amp.
Are there any downsides to this approach?
I input to my stereo amp using RCAs from my PS3, Sky Box, CD player, iPod dock, cd player. Works well enough for me. Sound on HD movies from the Sky box and PS3 is really good to my ear, plus music from CD or PS3/iPod is lovely. I hadn't really considered running anything other than an AV Receiver for this, as I'm dealing with a few different HD sources (Sky, PS3) and would quite like the flexibility. On the other hand, I guess a SMART TV will let me do quite a lot of the streaming and connectivity that I need.
I'm unlikely to go back to the surround system, as I cannot deal with the idea of cables and speakers scattered around my living room, and the house is too well-finished to get anything integrated.
How would I manage multiple sources with a 2-channel/stereo amp? Would it just be a case of connecting it to the TV's optical audio output and using the TV as source controller?
What are the upsides? Because it seems that there is little price differential between an AV Receiver and a stereo amp.
Are there any downsides to this approach?
Any recommendations on a decent-value (<£200) stereo amp?
phil_cardiff said:
Also will you be listening to music on this system? From what I've been told bookshelf speakers are much better musically than floorstanders at your budget.
Will probably be for a 50-50 mix of video/TV and music. To be honest, I'm not hugely sold on the idea of bookshelf speakers and stands - there is an element of aesthetics at play here also (hence not wanting the dangling wires).I'm not really keen to buy second-hand kit, if I'm being candid. I just can't deal with the arseache of reliance on someone who only exists as pixels on a forum screen - so it's brand new or nothing (and ideally from the high street, hence the attraction to Richer Sounds).
To the OP
You do know you can buy a really nice Samsung SMART BluRay player for 50 quid BD6100 is that I have. Got it "ex demo" from ebay, it is perfect.
You can then buy a much cheaper LED TV without the SMART bit and save some money
I also have a Samsung soundbar and wireless Sub. Again, a lot cheaper on ebay than the high streey store (E450 I think it is) ...
Arf
You do know you can buy a really nice Samsung SMART BluRay player for 50 quid BD6100 is that I have. Got it "ex demo" from ebay, it is perfect.
You can then buy a much cheaper LED TV without the SMART bit and save some money
I also have a Samsung soundbar and wireless Sub. Again, a lot cheaper on ebay than the high streey store (E450 I think it is) ...
Arf
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