Onkyo Envision Cinema LS3100
Discussion
http://www.uk.onkyo.com/en/products/envision-cinem...
Does anyone know anything about this?
It's not been out long so I can't find any reviews on Google (except on Amazon USA). I'm looking to improve the sound from my LCD tv in a small lounge (3.5x5m) with very limited space for speakers/amp etc. We don't watch enough films to be too worried about 5.1, so just TV programmes and Radio 6 through the tv.
I also like the idea of being able to stream music from phones through the speakers as have been using the TuneIn Radio app on my phone a lot recently. Plus being able to sync it with my existing tv remote sounds good for ease of use.
If not any other recommendations for small tv speaker packages?
John
Does anyone know anything about this?
It's not been out long so I can't find any reviews on Google (except on Amazon USA). I'm looking to improve the sound from my LCD tv in a small lounge (3.5x5m) with very limited space for speakers/amp etc. We don't watch enough films to be too worried about 5.1, so just TV programmes and Radio 6 through the tv.
I also like the idea of being able to stream music from phones through the speakers as have been using the TuneIn Radio app on my phone a lot recently. Plus being able to sync it with my existing tv remote sounds good for ease of use.
If not any other recommendations for small tv speaker packages?
John
Well I've owned it for a couple of weeks now so thought I'd give a short review in case this turns up on a search.
In terms of usability it couldn't be any easier, works with tv remote (LG tv) and you generally don't notice it apart from 2-3 seconds of lag of it turning on after the tv does. Wireless sub (obviously still needs a power cable to it) has been hidden out of view and the speakers and amp are small and adaptable to fit lots of different spaces. Remote not needed after initial setup. The Bluetooth works great for streaming from phones, although I've had a lot of trouble connecting my notebook to it (think that's at the notebook end though).
It took a while to bed in but now sounds great for music streamed from my phone and okay for tv. I can't give a proper review as I can only compare it to what was there before and friend's setups in their lounges but I think it does what you would expect in sounding much better than the lcd TV speakers but not having the power or quality of a proper separates system. For my small lounge I'm very happy with it though, especially as it avoids the need for 'tech' that my wife has no interest in.
There are two sound modes to it, the SRS mode sounds ridiculous with really heavy bass even on its lowest setting, makes all male tv voices sounds like James Earl Jones. Possibly good for showing off movie action scenes to friends but useless for normal tv or music. The vocal mode actually seems much better for everything.
To sum up;
+ Easy, compromise free way to improve tv sounds and stream music from your phone. Especially suited to small rooms.
- For not much more you can spec up an AV receiver and speakers that will provide a much better sound with greater functionality; if you have the space and can be bothered with an extra things to turn on etc.
John
In terms of usability it couldn't be any easier, works with tv remote (LG tv) and you generally don't notice it apart from 2-3 seconds of lag of it turning on after the tv does. Wireless sub (obviously still needs a power cable to it) has been hidden out of view and the speakers and amp are small and adaptable to fit lots of different spaces. Remote not needed after initial setup. The Bluetooth works great for streaming from phones, although I've had a lot of trouble connecting my notebook to it (think that's at the notebook end though).
It took a while to bed in but now sounds great for music streamed from my phone and okay for tv. I can't give a proper review as I can only compare it to what was there before and friend's setups in their lounges but I think it does what you would expect in sounding much better than the lcd TV speakers but not having the power or quality of a proper separates system. For my small lounge I'm very happy with it though, especially as it avoids the need for 'tech' that my wife has no interest in.
There are two sound modes to it, the SRS mode sounds ridiculous with really heavy bass even on its lowest setting, makes all male tv voices sounds like James Earl Jones. Possibly good for showing off movie action scenes to friends but useless for normal tv or music. The vocal mode actually seems much better for everything.
To sum up;
+ Easy, compromise free way to improve tv sounds and stream music from your phone. Especially suited to small rooms.
- For not much more you can spec up an AV receiver and speakers that will provide a much better sound with greater functionality; if you have the space and can be bothered with an extra things to turn on etc.
John
Got a PM with some questions so said I'd reply here in case it comes up on somebodies search:
1] I see the power output in RMS is 20 x 2 & 50w for the sub. Is this really 'enough'? Silly question maybe, but would be good to know...
A - For my living room (3.5x5m) the speakers are enough. Much bigger or perhaps even the same but in a detached house/deaf neighbours so I could turn it up a bit and it'd struggle. Maybe see if Richer Sounds can demo one somewhere?
2] Where have you placed your 2 speakers in relation to the TV?
A - They are directly underneath it on the media unit, not perfect for sound but hides the wires and looks tidy.
3] Do you feel the system provides a good balance/depth? I see in each satellite there are two speakers - does the sound produced give a surround sound effect? Or does it feel more stereo? Our room is quite wide so just cautious of having to be 'in line' of speakers to get a good experience. Hope I'm making sense!
A - I'd definitely treat it as a stereo system. Out of the two sound modes the pretend surround one sounds terrible, massively over the top bass even on the minimum setting. The fact that each speaker has a pair of angled cones seems to help it spread sound round the room well, the sound seems fairly consistent around the room.
4] Now that you've had the solution for approx. 2 weeks, how are you getting on with it?
A - don't notice it at all, in a good way. Works with the TV remote and connecting your phone is just one button on the front of it. Haven't used the included remote since initial setup. Definite improvement in clarity compared to the tv speakers, although I've not used the bluetooth as much as I thought.
5] I believe the satellites are wired so not sure how anyone can obtain a clean look without having some sort of trunking inside the wall.... how have you managed it?
A - as per 2, wires hidden in media unit. The included ones come in conduit so they can be buried in plaster if you could be bothered.
6] Do you regret your decision to buy at all?
A - nope, I'm happy that it performs better than a soundbar and worse than proper home cinema. However I didn't have the space for a proper amp and my wife wouldn't have tolerated needing two remotes just to watch neighbours.
7] What else did you consider at the time?
A - Various soundbars, mixed reviews and particular space constraints put me off.
John
1] I see the power output in RMS is 20 x 2 & 50w for the sub. Is this really 'enough'? Silly question maybe, but would be good to know...
A - For my living room (3.5x5m) the speakers are enough. Much bigger or perhaps even the same but in a detached house/deaf neighbours so I could turn it up a bit and it'd struggle. Maybe see if Richer Sounds can demo one somewhere?
2] Where have you placed your 2 speakers in relation to the TV?
A - They are directly underneath it on the media unit, not perfect for sound but hides the wires and looks tidy.
3] Do you feel the system provides a good balance/depth? I see in each satellite there are two speakers - does the sound produced give a surround sound effect? Or does it feel more stereo? Our room is quite wide so just cautious of having to be 'in line' of speakers to get a good experience. Hope I'm making sense!
A - I'd definitely treat it as a stereo system. Out of the two sound modes the pretend surround one sounds terrible, massively over the top bass even on the minimum setting. The fact that each speaker has a pair of angled cones seems to help it spread sound round the room well, the sound seems fairly consistent around the room.
4] Now that you've had the solution for approx. 2 weeks, how are you getting on with it?
A - don't notice it at all, in a good way. Works with the TV remote and connecting your phone is just one button on the front of it. Haven't used the included remote since initial setup. Definite improvement in clarity compared to the tv speakers, although I've not used the bluetooth as much as I thought.
5] I believe the satellites are wired so not sure how anyone can obtain a clean look without having some sort of trunking inside the wall.... how have you managed it?
A - as per 2, wires hidden in media unit. The included ones come in conduit so they can be buried in plaster if you could be bothered.
6] Do you regret your decision to buy at all?
A - nope, I'm happy that it performs better than a soundbar and worse than proper home cinema. However I didn't have the space for a proper amp and my wife wouldn't have tolerated needing two remotes just to watch neighbours.
7] What else did you consider at the time?
A - Various soundbars, mixed reviews and particular space constraints put me off.
John
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