Upgrade old school TV/sound set-up!?

[grantXKR]

Hello all,
I've had the same kit for the last 15years and am looking to enter the modern era! I've got no particular complaints with the current set-up; it was all pretty good back in the day, sound is still pretty sweet to my ears; but by god some of it is heavy and bulky now and I'm sure I'm missing out (plus my wife wants a cleaner look i.e. no floorstanders).

I'm mainly watching Netflix, Sky, Amazon - movies, boxsets etc. Sometimes purely music via my phone. I do like that my current set-up has clarity and punch with the sound, which makes it feel like a decent place to be with the lights down watching a movie with a beer!

Current simple set-up is as follows (see pic as well):

TV - Hitachi 42PD7200 (Plasma) - weighs 42KG
It only has 1 HDMI connection, but I have a 3-port HDMI splitter attached which caters for the Sky Q box and Apple TV
Sound goes through a Cyrus 8vs amplifier into a pair of Elac FS 207.2 speakers (I also have a Cyrus CD6s CD player, but can't remember the last time a CD went in!! I have a QED jack cable running from the Cyrus which plugs into my iPhone for music most of the time).

Its all in perfect condition as I'm a pretty fastidious owner. A very quick trawl shows that if I offloaded, the TV is worth around £100; Cyrus 8vs around £300; Cyrus CD6s around £200 (even after 15 years I still have original boxes, manuals, packaging and receipts for the Cyrus's ); the Elacs I have no idea what they might go for?? (anyone got any ideas on price for these?) - very rough swag then is maybe £5-600 + whatever the speakers may be worth for the pot, plus maybe put another £400 in myself.

So what am I looking for - well, my unit will take a 55" tv nicely. I'm thinking £600 budget for tv. As above, my wife would like the floor-standers gone, so I'm thinking a decent sound-bar around £400 (no separate bass box, not interested in multiple surround sound as need the uncluttered look). Soundbar will therefore need to run along the length of one of the shelves (155cm long) as there won't be enough room under the TV on its shelf. What would you guys recommend for TV and soundbar at those budgets?

Is that set-up going to be OK, or will I wish I hadn't got rid of my ancient kit?! Should I just get a more modern tv and convince my wife to let me keep the Cyrus / Elacs set-up?

Thanks for bearing with me, I haven't got up to speed with the multitude of new options on the market and would really value any advice.

Cheers, Grant

[belleair302]

I think you need to up the budget both for a decent OLED screen 55" or larger and a good Dolby Atmos sound bar. Fo something premium that will last and have both a decent picture and sound you may need to spend close to £2000.

[VEX]

Personally & professionally I wouldn’t waste money on an ‘Atmos’ anything under £1000. Yes it will work ok, not a patch on the real stuff and imho not a patch on any none Atmos bars at the same sort of budget.

A different take on the soundbar could be active bookshelf speakers, plenty available, two of the more interesting to me are the SVS Prime Wireless and the brand new Klipsch The Fives. Both active, Bluetooth, stereo pairs, phono and USB inputs. SVS also have wired and wireless networking, for streaming and the Klipsch has an HDMI ARC input as well as a MM Phono stage, so you can plug a tv and record deck straight into it.

Personally I think these are game changer and kills Soundbars with tiny little speakers Any time they are offered up against them.

Happy to provide more info if needed.

V.

[grantXKR]

VEX said:

….A different take on the soundbar could be active bookshelf speakers, plenty available, two of the more interesting to me are the SVS Prime Wireless and the brand new Klipsch The Fives. Both active, Bluetooth, stereo pairs, phono and USB inputs. SVS also have wired and wireless networking, for streaming and the Klipsch has an HDMI ARC input as well as a MM Phono stage, so you can plug a tv and record deck straight into it.....V.

Thanks Vex, both SVS and Klipsch look great (particularly the Klipsch). Unfortunately, I don't think book shelf speakers are going to be possible given the space I have (i.e. the confines of the ladder stand). There will be no space either side of the TV and the lower shelves do not have the height to accommodate. Also can't hide them away anywhere else due to current configuration of living room.

Think I am stuck with soundbar option if I get rid of the floorstanders...…...

[AC43]

grantXKR said:

VEX said:

….A different take on the soundbar could be active bookshelf speakers, plenty available, two of the more interesting to me are the SVS Prime Wireless and the brand new Klipsch The Fives. Both active, Bluetooth, stereo pairs, phono and USB inputs. SVS also have wired and wireless networking, for streaming and the Klipsch has an HDMI ARC input as well as a MM Phono stage, so you can plug a tv and record deck straight into it.....V.

Thanks Vex, both SVS and Klipsch look great (particularly the Klipsch). Unfortunately, I don't think book shelf speakers are going to be possible given the space I have (i.e. the confines of the ladder stand). There will be no space either side of the TV and the lower shelves do not have the height to accommodate. Also can't hide them away anywhere else due to current configuration of living room.

Think I am stuck with soundbar option if I get rid of the floorstanders...…...

After floor standers, I'd be surprised if any soundbar could reproduce the bass that you need to make a soundtrack come alive.

When I moved house I couldn't replicate the previous tuner/bookshelves/sub set up so I went for a Yamaha YSP 2700 and really like it. It didn't seem like much of a step down. Although the separates in the other room sound a lot better (they should do as (a) they are seprates and (b) cost more that twice as much) I'm perfectly happy with this sound bar.


https://www.whathifi.com/yamaha/ysp-2700/review

[AC43]

Here's a refurbed one for £370.

https://petertyson.co.uk/yamaha-ysp-2700-ysp2700

Leaves you with £630 for the TV

Job jobbed.

[matt666]

LG 55" B9 OLED can be had for £950 now, it will be miles better than anything you can get for £600 so worth the extra cash.

If you need to get rid of the floorstanders how about a pair of Kef Eggs? You can normally pick them up for around £30-40 each and they sound great for the size. You can stand them flat (like the centres are) and they look like they'd fit in your stand. You could then upgrade at a later date to an AV amp, add a sub, surround speakers etc, if and when you wanted.

Edited by matt666 on Friday 10th July 12:56

[Tony1963]

If your simple options are not possible because of the current AV stand, you might want to consider a new stand. It wasn't designed with a larger telly or soundbars in mind, so why try?

[AC43]

matt666 said:

LG 55" B9 OLED can be had for £950 now, it will be miles better than anything you can get for £600 so worth the extra cash.

If you need to get rid of the floorstanders how about a pair of Kef Eggs? You can normally pick them up for around £30-40 each and they sound great for the size. You can stand them flat (like the centres are) and they look like they'd fit in your stand. You could then upgrade at a later date to an AV amp, add a sub, surround speakers etc, if and when you wanted.

Edited by matt666 on Friday 10th July 12:56

IMHO that spend suggestion is very much skewed in favour of the TV. Even for new Eggs that's around 80% TV 20% Audio

Personally I wouldn't spend less on sound than on the TV.

My two cheaper set ups are around 50:50 TV to Audio; ie a £250 soundbar on a £300 TV and a £600 soundbar on a £600 TV.

The more expensive one is 40% TV 60% Audio where the TV was around £800 and the audio about £1,300

As a rule of thumb, I personally wouldn't spend much less on the sound than on the TV because the sound adds so much to overall experience.

[grantXKR]

Tony1963 said:

If your simple options are not possible because of the current AV stand, you might want to consider a new stand. It wasn't designed with a larger telly or soundbars in mind, so why try?

Tony - this is a very, very fair point! However, the wife unfortunately had the say on the furniture, which is brand new and I need to work round that (even knowing financially, it's the wrong way to approach the conundrum as the AV kit is several times the price of the stand).

……...I'm also too scared to say she's made my life difficult (and yes, as with everyone on PH, I'm a powerfully built Director...….)

[grantXKR]

AC43 said:

Here's a refurbed one for £370.

https://petertyson.co.uk/yamaha-ysp-2700-ysp2700

Leaves you with £630 for the TV

Job jobbed.

Thanks AC43, that does look like good value, will look at some reviews. Cheers

[grantXKR]

matt666 said:

LG 55" B9 OLED can be had for £950 now, it will be miles better than anything you can get for £600 so worth the extra cash.

Edited by matt666 on Friday 10th July 12:56

Thank Matt - I've been looking at Ultra HD HDR Smart LED at around the £600 range (Richer Sounds is my benchmark for a bit of quick research); I see that OLED is the 'next step up' and then QLED. Is OLED really that much better for a reasonable step-up of the price?

Maybe as I'm compromised on sound options, I should then concentrate on the TV upgrade at around the sub £1K mark and go into bat to keep the current amplifier and speakers (which is a great set-up, even if the floorstanders are unsightly to the wife's eye...…)

Edited by grantXKR on Friday 10th July 16:31

[stevoknevo]

grantXKR said:

Tony1963 said:

If your simple options are not possible because of the current AV stand, you might want to consider a new stand. It wasn't designed with a larger telly or soundbars in mind, so why try?

Tony - this is a very, very fair point! However, the wife unfortunately had the say on the furniture, which is brand new and I need to work round that (even knowing financially, it's the wrong way to approach the conundrum as the AV kit is several times the price of the stand).

……...I'm also too scared to say she's made my life difficult (and yes, as with everyone on PH, I'm a powerfully built Director...….)

I'm with Tony, it's the stand that's cluttering things up (or ste collectors as I prefer to call them), not your speakers - new sexy TV, wall mount it between your speakers, and a small unobtrusive cupboard/stand to the side of the right speakers, or a floating shelf under the TV, to hold the AV gear.

Or a dual compromise, she gets rid of the stand and you get rid of the floorstanders - wall mount TV and get some good quality in wall speakers to go either side of it = you both win?

[21TonyK]

Not trying to be rude or questions your wifes taste in furniture... but that stand is new?

I'd get rid of that, keep all the audio and just replace the telly.

[AC43]

stevoknevo said:

grantXKR said:

Tony1963 said:

If your simple options are not possible because of the current AV stand, you might want to consider a new stand. It wasn't designed with a larger telly or soundbars in mind, so why try?

Tony - this is a very, very fair point! However, the wife unfortunately had the say on the furniture, which is brand new and I need to work round that (even knowing financially, it's the wrong way to approach the conundrum as the AV kit is several times the price of the stand).

……...I'm also too scared to say she's made my life difficult (and yes, as with everyone on PH, I'm a powerfully built Director...….)

I'm with Tony, it's the stand that's cluttering things up (or ste collectors as I prefer to call them), not your speakers - new sexy TV, wall mount it between your speakers, and a small unobtrusive cupboard/stand to the side of the right speakers, or a floating shelf under the TV, to hold the AV gear.

Or a dual compromise, she gets rid of the stand and you get rid of the floorstanders - wall mount TV and get some good quality in wall speakers to go either side of it = you both win?

I think you're talking perfect sense but I guess the OP's OH might not see it that way.

So, picking out the bits that could work with the stand, it would make sense to wall mount the TV with enough clearance below for a soundbar sitting on the shelf.

Or, wall mount the TV and hang the soundbar off the bracket; if it's cantilevered, even better.

All that assumes that the stand is wide enough for the sound bar.

Ideally, yes, it's kit first and fitting options second. Or at least an advance compromise.

[21TonyK]

OP, do you have a saw?

[grantXKR]

21TonyK said:

Not trying to be rude or questions your wifes taste in furniture... but that stand is new?

I'd get rid of that, keep all the audio and just replace the telly.

Hey Tony, no worries ! Yes, indeed new and it can't go back now; what's done is done! I know it's all personal taste and I did chuckle at the 's**te collector' reference from stevoknevo - fair one! But the shelves are pretty clutter free and the unit does go pretty well in the room with the shape/size, other furniture, decor etc. It's difficult to gauge the room for everyone of course as the photo I attached is just head-on of the stand.

It has to function as the family living room and not my personal home cinema and hi-fi centre (much to my dismay!), so most of the compromise falls on me unfortunately.....

I'm thinking my best course of action, give that she's already grudgingly let me set it up for now with the floorstanders, is to try and keep all the audio (which was a couple of grand back in the day and pretty well respected for sound - a present to myself saving after doing work abroad pre-kids!!) and just go sleeker and more modern on the TV, which I think will 'soften' the overall look currently overwhelmed by a 42KG plasma with a motorised base and 2-foot black border edging! .

So; any suggestions for a 55" TV (the space I have to play with on that particular shelf is 145cm long with height of 82cm) - do I push for an OLED at just under £1K or would a step-down from OLED to Ultra HD smart LED at around £600 still give me a decent bit of kit because the difference isn't night and day?

Really appreciate everyone's comments, there is SO much choice out there it's a minefield, even with my own research now getting better!

Have a great Friday and weekend all

[Tony1963]

If the OH has such a strong influence on this decision, tell her she can spend hours trawling the net forums and shops trying to find a solution. And when she finds it, you can decide whether it meets your requirements.

[grantXKR]

AC43 said:

I think you're talking perfect sense but I guess the OP's OH might not see it that way.

So, picking out the bits that could work with the stand, it would make sense to wall mount the TV with enough clearance below for a soundbar sitting on the shelf.

Or, wall mount the TV and hang the soundbar off the bracket; if it's cantilevered, even better.

All that assumes that the stand is wide enough for the sound bar.

Ideally, yes, it's kit first and fitting options second. Or at least an advance compromise.

Thanks AC43, absolutely see what your saying and we did consider wall-mount initially, but the wall behind is very thin hollow plasterboard and we decided it would be a faff to strengthen and probably more expensive to get a decent cantilever bracket, floating shelf and cabinet combo (which is the set-up I have in my kids playroom, albeit with a much smaller tv), than just go for a more 'open' unit to sit everything on, hence the ladder affair my OH went for...…

I can't wall mount now anyway in that current space as the unit has a vertical support running half-way (pic of empty unit below). Butchery with a saw will not end well for me



I think I'm starting to settle on trying to just now go for a TV change and hope the OH gets used to the floorstanders - even she admits the current separates and speakers, although ancient, push out a damn good sound. I think a sleeker looking TV will soften the view from that of the plasma tank that currently sits there!

Anything you'd recommend for 55" - OLED for under £1K or decent Ultra HD HDR Smart LED at around the £600 range? Will there be a noticeable difference between the 2?

I will of course get out and about once the restrictions lift more, and view sets, which will really give me a perspective. I have a Richer Sounds near me in Bath as well as a big John Lewis by Bristol which should give me a decent initial insight.

Cheers, Grant

Edited by grantXKR on Friday 10th July 18:42

[Zirconia]

grantXKR said:

Thank Matt - I've been looking at Ultra HD HDR Smart LED at around the £600 range (Richer Sounds is my benchmark for a bit of quick research); I see that OLED is the 'next step up' and then QLED. Is OLED really that much better for a reasonable step-up of the price?

Maybe as I'm compromised on sound options, I should then concentrate on the TV upgrade at around the sub £1K mark and go into bat to keep the current amplifier and speakers (which is a great set-up, even if the floorstanders are unsightly to the wife's eye...…)

Edited by grantXKR on Friday 10th July 16:31

I have not seen anything that tops an OLED, feed it the right material on a good stream (not Netflix) or a disk and it is sublime.
But it is personal I suppose.
For me it is the blacks. Nothing beats it in that area and it is an important part of the picture make up.

Best go look at a few and see what you think, then only way really for anyone.

Personally I go vision first, but that is me.