TV and speaker set up in a small living room
Discussion
So I've just agreed to buy a new house, and naturally my priority above all else is how I'm going to fit the AV stuff into the living room.
The drawback is that this is a 1930s semi with a bay window and fireplace, so options are limited. I suspect I'm going to have to get some new kit. Almost definitely getting a new TV anyway, but does anyone have any suggestions for speaker setup?
Currently I have a bigger front room with two Monitor Audio Bronze 5s either side of the TV, wired through a Denon AVR. I'm not sure they'll fit in the new place, and certainly not in an ideal position. So... wall mounted bookshelf speakers? I'd love to have surround if possible, but not sure where the boundaries will be with the space we have.
Missus has already vetoed putting the TV on the wall or in the bay window, so looks like it'll have to go in the corner as the current owner has done. Estate agent pics below, all the furniture will be gone when we move in.
Thanks in advance for all your expertise.
The drawback is that this is a 1930s semi with a bay window and fireplace, so options are limited. I suspect I'm going to have to get some new kit. Almost definitely getting a new TV anyway, but does anyone have any suggestions for speaker setup?
Currently I have a bigger front room with two Monitor Audio Bronze 5s either side of the TV, wired through a Denon AVR. I'm not sure they'll fit in the new place, and certainly not in an ideal position. So... wall mounted bookshelf speakers? I'd love to have surround if possible, but not sure where the boundaries will be with the space we have.
Missus has already vetoed putting the TV on the wall or in the bay window, so looks like it'll have to go in the corner as the current owner has done. Estate agent pics below, all the furniture will be gone when we move in.
Thanks in advance for all your expertise.
Congrats on the purchase / move 
These are always annoying rooms for the AV enthusiast!
If you really enjoy the improvement in quality, that proper speakers and processing bring, then there is a good option.
Monitor Audio (by coincidence) make a speaker called an SB3. This is in the shape of a bar, but is actually an LCR type enclosure. You sacrifice some width of LR placement, but can keep a full symmetrical front array.
If you glue some very thin speaker cable to the back wall, add a set of Radius 90 and hid e small sub behind the rack or in the bay somehow.
It’s not “Hi-FI” like your floor standing speakers, but still very enjoyable with both music and movies.
Either that, or just give up and buy a Sonos Beam and sell the AV kit.
These are always annoying rooms for the AV enthusiast!
If you really enjoy the improvement in quality, that proper speakers and processing bring, then there is a good option.
Monitor Audio (by coincidence) make a speaker called an SB3. This is in the shape of a bar, but is actually an LCR type enclosure. You sacrifice some width of LR placement, but can keep a full symmetrical front array.
If you glue some very thin speaker cable to the back wall, add a set of Radius 90 and hid e small sub behind the rack or in the bay somehow.
It’s not “Hi-FI” like your floor standing speakers, but still very enjoyable with both music and movies.
Either that, or just give up and buy a Sonos Beam and sell the AV kit.
That tv is crying out to be put on the chimney breast then you have a nice little spot left and right to for big speakers.
For a small neat setup you could get a Sonos beam and a couple of Sonos 1 , and get 5.1 surround and limited cables (just mains to each) but it’s not cheap and won’t be anything like you have now
For a small neat setup you could get a Sonos beam and a couple of Sonos 1 , and get 5.1 surround and limited cables (just mains to each) but it’s not cheap and won’t be anything like you have now
Thanks chaps. It does seem like my dreams of ultimate audio may have to wait due to the constraints of the room. That MA soundbar looks tidy, cheers for that. And yes, I reckon I might be able to wangle the projector/screen combo, although I'm thinking of having it over the chimney breast.
I would consider a Naim Muso or similar.
Or maybe the Devialet Phantom?
That will sit on the floor under a TV stand and fill that room with ease.
https://www.devialet.com/en-gb/buy-phantom-reactor...
That is if you want decent music, if you're more into the film side of things then one of the new breed of soundbars will impress.
Or maybe the Devialet Phantom?
That will sit on the floor under a TV stand and fill that room with ease.
https://www.devialet.com/en-gb/buy-phantom-reactor...
That is if you want decent music, if you're more into the film side of things then one of the new breed of soundbars will impress.
Have you considered trading in the missus for a newer model?
In all seriousness a nice low unit in the bay with speaker either side would be my preference. Keep the TV small and go for projector and pull down screen when you want to watch a film.
My preference is to avoid high mantelpiece mounting or situating in a corner. If you don't use the fireplace then you could remove the mantelpiece, mount the TV on the chimney breast and have cupboards fitted either side to house AV equipment and a few extra pairs of shoes for the missus to earn you brownie points.
In all seriousness a nice low unit in the bay with speaker either side would be my preference. Keep the TV small and go for projector and pull down screen when you want to watch a film.
My preference is to avoid high mantelpiece mounting or situating in a corner. If you don't use the fireplace then you could remove the mantelpiece, mount the TV on the chimney breast and have cupboards fitted either side to house AV equipment and a few extra pairs of shoes for the missus to earn you brownie points.
Edited by hornmeister on Wednesday 24th October 12:45
ugggggghh...do not put it above the fire. It's such a daft location for TVs. Who wants to look up to a TV? It also looks terrible from outside.
Any one in the movie game will tell you the optimum viewing height for movies is with your eyes 1/3rd the way up the screen. This is a tested and accepted industry standard. Try it. It is transformative.
Put a low stumpy table under the window and put your TV on it. It should only protrude into the window by a small amount . This will also put your TV at the perfect height when sat down.
Perfect picture, no reflections, wife happy with window view.
Looks like you might have to go for sub-sat speakers though. Can be great when the sub is positioned right.
Any one in the movie game will tell you the optimum viewing height for movies is with your eyes 1/3rd the way up the screen. This is a tested and accepted industry standard. Try it. It is transformative.
Put a low stumpy table under the window and put your TV on it. It should only protrude into the window by a small amount . This will also put your TV at the perfect height when sat down.
Perfect picture, no reflections, wife happy with window view.
Looks like you might have to go for sub-sat speakers though. Can be great when the sub is positioned right.
A really low unit like one of these...
https://www.etsy.com/uk/search?q=reclaimed%20tv%20...
With the TV in the bay would only come to the sill height, which imho would leave the room feeling much larger as you're not filling the alcoves.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/search?q=reclaimed%20tv%20...
With the TV in the bay would only come to the sill height, which imho would leave the room feeling much larger as you're not filling the alcoves.
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