Home Cinema - Which Equipment?
Discussion
I am in the process of buying a new house which has a media room which is cabled up for a projector with a 6ft screen (was set up for demo purposes like this while a show house) and obviously all necessary source equipment. It's all Cat 5 wired too. I will be getting SKY Plus and a new DVD system to play through the projector and other plasmas throughout the house but also am thinking of getting an MP3 Sound Server for piping through the house too.
So any advice on the Projector, DVD, 5.1 Amps, Sound Server, Speakers etc.
Ideally want to stay around (read "under") £5K but need to understand if that's unrealistic and whether paying more gets a vastly superior system.
So any advice on the Projector, DVD, 5.1 Amps, Sound Server, Speakers etc.
Ideally want to stay around (read "under") £5K but need to understand if that's unrealistic and whether paying more gets a vastly superior system.
Right well I just got a new Denon AVR1906 alongside a Wharfdale Diamond 9 home cinema package The sound is amazing!
This runs with an Hitachi Hi-def 32" plasma, and an OPPO progressive scan 1080i DVD player.
Whole lot cost me just under two grand, and when watching a DVD i have yet to see a better picture on any TV anywhere I have ever been, and I include in that listing the AV rooms in Harrods.
The Denon alone is £265
The speakers are £500
If you want smaller more discreet speakers the Kef eggs (KHT KEF 2005.2) might be the way to go - also £500 (used to be £700). I wanted a more classic look so went with the wharfedales.
Wharefdales (mine are in beech)
Kefs:
If you are looking in a higher price bracket then I'm not your man, my research was all done at the sub £1k area for amp and speakers.
>> Edited by _dobbo_ on Wednesday 7th September 17:19
>> Edited by _dobbo_ on Wednesday 7th September 17:20
This runs with an Hitachi Hi-def 32" plasma, and an OPPO progressive scan 1080i DVD player.
Whole lot cost me just under two grand, and when watching a DVD i have yet to see a better picture on any TV anywhere I have ever been, and I include in that listing the AV rooms in Harrods.
The Denon alone is £265
The speakers are £500
If you want smaller more discreet speakers the Kef eggs (KHT KEF 2005.2) might be the way to go - also £500 (used to be £700). I wanted a more classic look so went with the wharfedales.
Wharefdales (mine are in beech)
Kefs:
If you are looking in a higher price bracket then I'm not your man, my research was all done at the sub £1k area for amp and speakers.
>> Edited by _dobbo_ on Wednesday 7th September 17:19
>> Edited by _dobbo_ on Wednesday 7th September 17:20
Bigger Budget than 1K.
You need to prioritise wht you wnat the funds spent on, whats important Movies with 5.1, Stereo, MP3's piped through the house etc. And then look within each category, its not use having a big picture with weedy sound and vice versa.
I would then consider a purchase of a mixture of new and secondhand. Some things you probably don't want to buy s/h (like projectors, though ex-demo is probably ok) but the sound part of the AV can be, if you don't like what you've bought then you can easily sell it on if you buy carefully.
My total AV system (Denon/Meridian/Shahinian/Quad) cost over £15K retail to someone but it stands me around £5K plus my previous hi-fi that includes a brand new projector and DVD spinner.
I have since added two further rooms with sound using the Slim Devices Squeezebox, a very recommended product combined in one room with s/h avtive Meridian loundspeakers (£2500 new I paid £400) and in the kitchen an Ion Amp and Kef speakers (total s/h £80)
Quality can be done on a budget but you have to shop carefully.
If you must have shiny and new then it can be done, go to a reputable dealer, spend some time and listen to some decent kit (I would certainly recommend Arcam as being able to provide a good mid-priced AV solution)
Post the budget split when you've decided, I'm more than willing to come up with suggestions.
davidy
You need to prioritise wht you wnat the funds spent on, whats important Movies with 5.1, Stereo, MP3's piped through the house etc. And then look within each category, its not use having a big picture with weedy sound and vice versa.
I would then consider a purchase of a mixture of new and secondhand. Some things you probably don't want to buy s/h (like projectors, though ex-demo is probably ok) but the sound part of the AV can be, if you don't like what you've bought then you can easily sell it on if you buy carefully.
My total AV system (Denon/Meridian/Shahinian/Quad) cost over £15K retail to someone but it stands me around £5K plus my previous hi-fi that includes a brand new projector and DVD spinner.
I have since added two further rooms with sound using the Slim Devices Squeezebox, a very recommended product combined in one room with s/h avtive Meridian loundspeakers (£2500 new I paid £400) and in the kitchen an Ion Amp and Kef speakers (total s/h £80)
Quality can be done on a budget but you have to shop carefully.
If you must have shiny and new then it can be done, go to a reputable dealer, spend some time and listen to some decent kit (I would certainly recommend Arcam as being able to provide a good mid-priced AV solution)
Post the budget split when you've decided, I'm more than willing to come up with suggestions.
davidy
davidy said:
Bigger Budget than 1K.
You need to prioritise wht you wnat the funds spent on, whats important Movies with 5.1, Stereo, MP3's piped through the house etc. And then look within each category, its not use having a big picture with weedy sound and vice versa.
I would then consider a purchase of a mixture of new and secondhand. Some things you probably don't want to buy s/h (like projectors, though ex-demo is probably ok) but the sound part of the AV can be, if you don't like what you've bought then you can easily sell it on if you buy carefully.
My total AV system (Denon/Meridian/Shahinian/Quad) cost over £15K retail to someone but it stands me around £5K plus my previous hi-fi that includes a brand new projector and DVD spinner.
I have since added two further rooms with sound using the Slim Devices Squeezebox, a very recommended product combined in one room with s/h avtive Meridian loundspeakers (£2500 new I paid £400) and in the kitchen an Ion Amp and Kef speakers (total s/h £80)
Quality can be done on a budget but you have to shop carefully.
If you must have shiny and new then it can be done, go to a reputable dealer, spend some time and listen to some decent kit (I would certainly recommend Arcam as being able to provide a good mid-priced AV solution)
Post the budget split when you've decided, I'm more than willing to come up with suggestions.
davidy
Thanks David. I'm actually meeting an AV guy next Monday who comes recommended so will see how that goes to start with. Another potential minefield me thinks!!
Home Cinema was reviewed in last months Which magazine.
The dog's danglies is the Denon DHT - 500 SD but it's a bit pricey at £500.
Second place and highly recommended is the Panasonic SC-HT530 which at £230 is less than half the price.
It scores just 2 points less than the Denon on the grounds that it's not quite as loud , but scored much better than similar offerings from Sharp, Sony, Teac, Sanyo, Hitachi and Goodmans.
You want good advice about which kit to buy - Get yourself across to www.avforums.com/forums/index.php and post your query on there.
It's full of TV and video nerds, Techies and knowledgeable retailers all of whom will be only too pleased to advise you.
It's like PH only with TV's instead of TVR's
The dog's danglies is the Denon DHT - 500 SD but it's a bit pricey at £500.
Second place and highly recommended is the Panasonic SC-HT530 which at £230 is less than half the price.
It scores just 2 points less than the Denon on the grounds that it's not quite as loud , but scored much better than similar offerings from Sharp, Sony, Teac, Sanyo, Hitachi and Goodmans.
You want good advice about which kit to buy - Get yourself across to www.avforums.com/forums/index.php and post your query on there.
It's full of TV and video nerds, Techies and knowledgeable retailers all of whom will be only too pleased to advise you.
It's like PH only with TV's instead of TVR's
sparky
If you have a big picture, you really need big (and quality) sound, you are unlikely to get this in an all-in-one system and I'm afraid £500 just isn't expensive. IMHO if you had the 5K available that garyhun has you should be looking at:-
£1K-£1.5K+ projector
£500+ DVD player with quality DVI or HDMI out for the Projector
£1000 AV Receiver
£1K + speaker package
As I said if you shop around there some real 'bargains' to be had s/h.
There really is no point in having a tinny little sound system with a big screen projector. I know they have sub-woofers but there is no substitute for fully range quality speakers driven by decent amplification.
My system has ended up:-
£2.4K (new) Projector/Screen/Ceiling Point/ 10m DVI cable
£600 (new) DVD player
£2000 (ex-demo RRP £4350!) AV Processor
£1300 (s/h RRP £3300) Amplification
£650 (s/h RRP £4200) Speakers
Everyone who sees and hears it is totally blown away, the sound quality is amazing with realism and great dynamics. Its a world away from a £500 all in one package.
I suggest garyhun should have a chat with his AV man, then get some demos and use his ears and eyes (it is his money) then consider his purchasing options.
davidy
If you have a big picture, you really need big (and quality) sound, you are unlikely to get this in an all-in-one system and I'm afraid £500 just isn't expensive. IMHO if you had the 5K available that garyhun has you should be looking at:-
£1K-£1.5K+ projector
£500+ DVD player with quality DVI or HDMI out for the Projector
£1000 AV Receiver
£1K + speaker package
As I said if you shop around there some real 'bargains' to be had s/h.
There really is no point in having a tinny little sound system with a big screen projector. I know they have sub-woofers but there is no substitute for fully range quality speakers driven by decent amplification.
My system has ended up:-
£2.4K (new) Projector/Screen/Ceiling Point/ 10m DVI cable
£600 (new) DVD player
£2000 (ex-demo RRP £4350!) AV Processor
£1300 (s/h RRP £3300) Amplification
£650 (s/h RRP £4200) Speakers
Everyone who sees and hears it is totally blown away, the sound quality is amazing with realism and great dynamics. Its a world away from a £500 all in one package.
I suggest garyhun should have a chat with his AV man, then get some demos and use his ears and eyes (it is his money) then consider his purchasing options.
davidy
sparky
[quote]
davidy said:We are considerably richer than yow! [/quote]
I think thats an unnecessary comment, garyhun asked for 5K suggestions and you posted a £500 and £230 solutions! I've posted a 5K suggestion split and shown how my own system was built up and the cost savings made by buying ex-dem and s/h, something potentially useful for all readers of the thread.
I have young children now and for me at present the 'toy' car option is not available so I've CHOSEN to spend some of my money on a home cinema solution.
I could make the return comment about the number of 'expensive' cars that you currently own, but then you didn't pay list price for all of them did you?
Best Regards
davidy
[quote]
davidy said:We are considerably richer than yow! [/quote]
I think thats an unnecessary comment, garyhun asked for 5K suggestions and you posted a £500 and £230 solutions! I've posted a 5K suggestion split and shown how my own system was built up and the cost savings made by buying ex-dem and s/h, something potentially useful for all readers of the thread.
I have young children now and for me at present the 'toy' car option is not available so I've CHOSEN to spend some of my money on a home cinema solution.
I could make the return comment about the number of 'expensive' cars that you currently own, but then you didn't pay list price for all of them did you?
Best Regards
davidy
I have a Harman Kardan AV AMP : AVR5550, I think about £950 18 months ago, makes a nice big sound. Coupled with a set of Bose Acoustimass 10 Speakers, is only 5.1 but good enough. These were about £600 through the factory shop.
Currently have an old 1999 DVD player and a 32inch widescreen tele.
This set up can shake the house and the sounds quality is fine for movies. Not so good for music though, the small speakers really sound very flat. But it depends on the quality of the CD.
Did think about getting some nice Linn Classik speakers, slightly bigger and miles better sound. Decided in the end to go for the small neat set up in our 1935 house, is nice and discrete.
I do wonder if it is possible to achieve the same sound with cheaper kit though.
Currently have an old 1999 DVD player and a 32inch widescreen tele.
This set up can shake the house and the sounds quality is fine for movies. Not so good for music though, the small speakers really sound very flat. But it depends on the quality of the CD.
Did think about getting some nice Linn Classik speakers, slightly bigger and miles better sound. Decided in the end to go for the small neat set up in our 1935 house, is nice and discrete.
I do wonder if it is possible to achieve the same sound with cheaper kit though.
If music (stereo ) is important then three things need to be considered:-
1) Many DVD players are not good on two channel CD output, budget players just don't hack it (with one or two exceptions)
2) Many AV receivers are not good on two channel music, this applies to a considerable number of units that are geared up for big movie impact. IMHO you need to consider very carefully the uses that you require from an AV receiver, if music is a low priority then its less of an issue otherwise you need to start looking (and listening) to some fairly upmarket stuff to get good AV and Music in a few boxes (otherwise consider a seperate stereo replay system and use the pre-out functions from your AV receiver to drive the stereo system for the L-R front pair)
3) Most sat/sub speaker (lifestyle?) offerings are seriously compromised when it comes to replaying music (CD), you really need to consider full range speakers.
I actually run without a sub as my main speakers go below 28Hz and my rears below 35Hz. I've tried subs but cannot get them to integrate seamlessly for movies (and for music they are useless as they are usually slow to react, fine for the spaceship but not good for Bass Drums!). But having full range speakers all round really does open up the movie soundstage, no little tinny sound effects from the rear but full impact!
davidy
1) Many DVD players are not good on two channel CD output, budget players just don't hack it (with one or two exceptions)
2) Many AV receivers are not good on two channel music, this applies to a considerable number of units that are geared up for big movie impact. IMHO you need to consider very carefully the uses that you require from an AV receiver, if music is a low priority then its less of an issue otherwise you need to start looking (and listening) to some fairly upmarket stuff to get good AV and Music in a few boxes (otherwise consider a seperate stereo replay system and use the pre-out functions from your AV receiver to drive the stereo system for the L-R front pair)
3) Most sat/sub speaker (lifestyle?) offerings are seriously compromised when it comes to replaying music (CD), you really need to consider full range speakers.
I actually run without a sub as my main speakers go below 28Hz and my rears below 35Hz. I've tried subs but cannot get them to integrate seamlessly for movies (and for music they are useless as they are usually slow to react, fine for the spaceship but not good for Bass Drums!). But having full range speakers all round really does open up the movie soundstage, no little tinny sound effects from the rear but full impact!
davidy
Thanks for all your posts to date.
Ideally I want to spend the least amount of money as I am not the sort who believes the most expensive is the best BUT... I do want a system to do justice to the potemtial this media room offers.
So...I will talk to the AV guy, get some demos set-up and make my decision on what my eyes see, my ears hear and my bank balance allows! To be honest I am not even sure what I need right now so some unbiased guidance is what I need and this guy is not connected to anyone so should be the right person to help.
Many thanks for all your input. Will let you know how I get on!!
Ideally I want to spend the least amount of money as I am not the sort who believes the most expensive is the best BUT... I do want a system to do justice to the potemtial this media room offers.
So...I will talk to the AV guy, get some demos set-up and make my decision on what my eyes see, my ears hear and my bank balance allows! To be honest I am not even sure what I need right now so some unbiased guidance is what I need and this guy is not connected to anyone so should be the right person to help.
Many thanks for all your input. Will let you know how I get on!!
I went over to the CHORD site to look up the prices of the DSP8000 and 8000R DIgital Cinema processors and found this!!!!!!!!! Munches those Audio only Jukeboxes and RAID-5, You'll never lose anything due to disk failure.
www.chordelectronics.co.uk/products_detail.asp?
id=41
www.chordelectronics.co.uk/products_detail.asp?
id=41
Have you thought about the Linn Classik Movie Di?
A stonking system can be made up for under £5k easily using their Unik speakers, Kolum stands and Afekt sub, plus the Classik is DVD and receiver in one (DD and DTS).
Comes in just over £3k iirc.
You can't go much wrong with some tasty Linn stuff
A stonking system can be made up for under £5k easily using their Unik speakers, Kolum stands and Afekt sub, plus the Classik is DVD and receiver in one (DD and DTS).
Comes in just over £3k iirc.
You can't go much wrong with some tasty Linn stuff
Projector - There are so many now at really low prices. I would recommend either a Sony VPLHS20 or VPLHS50. InFocus also make excellent projectors.
And make sure you get one with low fan noise. You don't want to be watching your favorite movie with a load of whirring going on. This differs a lot from one model to another.
DVD - If you are running a projector you will need a decent player so don`t expect a £25 job to be up to standard but there are a some fine £250-£500 players out there that will do the job. Both the Sony projectors I recommended have HDMI input (Hi Definition) so a DVD player with HDMI is recommended. There are not too many models around yet but they will be everywhere soon enough.
5.1 Amps - Where to start? If you have a big room go the preamp/power amp route otherwise get a quality integrated such as a Denon, Rotel, Arcam.
Sound Server - Don`t ask me
Speakers - Don`t skimp on speakers. A good set of quality speakers will outlast your electronics (probably). B&W, Kef, Mission, Tannoy, Castle etc...
If you want some decent user comments on any equipment or advice I would recommend
www.avforums.com
One other thing I would recommend is that you buy quality used products. You should even get a warranty from a dealer. Firstly if you end up not liking a peice of equipment then you should be able to get your money back. With £5k you should be able to put together a £10k system. I did!
And make sure you get one with low fan noise. You don't want to be watching your favorite movie with a load of whirring going on. This differs a lot from one model to another.
DVD - If you are running a projector you will need a decent player so don`t expect a £25 job to be up to standard but there are a some fine £250-£500 players out there that will do the job. Both the Sony projectors I recommended have HDMI input (Hi Definition) so a DVD player with HDMI is recommended. There are not too many models around yet but they will be everywhere soon enough.
5.1 Amps - Where to start? If you have a big room go the preamp/power amp route otherwise get a quality integrated such as a Denon, Rotel, Arcam.
Sound Server - Don`t ask me
Speakers - Don`t skimp on speakers. A good set of quality speakers will outlast your electronics (probably). B&W, Kef, Mission, Tannoy, Castle etc...
If you want some decent user comments on any equipment or advice I would recommend
www.avforums.com
One other thing I would recommend is that you buy quality used products. You should even get a warranty from a dealer. Firstly if you end up not liking a peice of equipment then you should be able to get your money back. With £5k you should be able to put together a £10k system. I did!
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