ProAc Studio speakers. What have I done??
Discussion
On a whim and a bit pissed I've just bought a pair of ProAc Studio 150 Speakers And ProAc Response CC1 Centre Speaker. I like music a lot but this is the most I've spent on decent albeit old speakers. Hopefully they are good and I would like to use them for music and cinema, what do I do with them. What amp, where do I position them etc? Opinion from Audiophiles appreciated.
Most importantly, how do I connect the stereo speakers to the center speaker??
Most importantly, how do I connect the stereo speakers to the center speaker??
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 9th May 22:45
Thanks, I need to connect the receiver to my HTPC. Presumably I will need 2 separate inputs? What's the best way to connect these 2 pieces of equipment?
Any other suggestions for the AV receiver? I want to get the best from the speakers but £1200 sounds rather a lot. Do I need an AV receiver if all my media is on the HTPC or do I just need a decent multi channel amp?
Bit new to this as you can tell!
Any other suggestions for the AV receiver? I want to get the best from the speakers but £1200 sounds rather a lot. Do I need an AV receiver if all my media is on the HTPC or do I just need a decent multi channel amp?
Bit new to this as you can tell!
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 10th May 09:44
To connect your HTPC it depends on the connections available, if it has HDMI and sends all the relevant audio signals via this connection then that's all you need, but it may use component (analogue) or DVI, if so you may need to purchase some adapters or at the very least make sure the receiver has the associated connectivity. Some don't have analogue connections at all now. If component or DVI you'll have two connections, one for video and one digital audio (probably optical). Of course if your HTPC is already connected to the TV you can just connect audio to the receiver, there's no pressing need to send video via the receiver. If you post an image of the rear of the HTPC it'll be easy to advise.
The receiver will process the audio signals from what ever devices you connect and generate the 'surround effects' so it's a critical component of any home theatre. Even if you only use stereo speakers and set up as such it still allows you to decode the surround audio signals correctly. If you want to look at lower prices Denon and Marantz would be perfectly good choices as well. You can get very good products from £400 but they won't be a very good match for decent speakers, just spend as much as you're comfortable with you can't do much better than that.
The receiver will process the audio signals from what ever devices you connect and generate the 'surround effects' so it's a critical component of any home theatre. Even if you only use stereo speakers and set up as such it still allows you to decode the surround audio signals correctly. If you want to look at lower prices Denon and Marantz would be perfectly good choices as well. You can get very good products from £400 but they won't be a very good match for decent speakers, just spend as much as you're comfortable with you can't do much better than that.
Here you go:
As you can see my HTPC has a HDMI output which I normally plug into the TV. I also have a 3.5mm audio out but could buy a decent sound card with optical TOSLINK output. I'm thinking about one of these:
http://www.soundblaster.com/products/Sound-Blaster...
I could then put the TV on mute and listen to audio through whatever amp/receiver I buy. All I need to do is make sure it have an optical input?
So the question is, am I on the right lines and what amp/receiver would have the right connectivity and do my new speakers justice? Marantz look good but would they be good enough? I want to be amazed, not disappointed.
Edit:Or should I forget about a sound card and connect the HTPC to the AV receiver via HDMI input and connect the TV to the AV receiver via HDMI output?
After further reading, it looks like all I need is one of these: http://www.anthemavs.co.uk/product/anthem-mrx-510-... Quite expensive though.
As you can see my HTPC has a HDMI output which I normally plug into the TV. I also have a 3.5mm audio out but could buy a decent sound card with optical TOSLINK output. I'm thinking about one of these:
http://www.soundblaster.com/products/Sound-Blaster...
I could then put the TV on mute and listen to audio through whatever amp/receiver I buy. All I need to do is make sure it have an optical input?
So the question is, am I on the right lines and what amp/receiver would have the right connectivity and do my new speakers justice? Marantz look good but would they be good enough? I want to be amazed, not disappointed.
Edit:Or should I forget about a sound card and connect the HTPC to the AV receiver via HDMI input and connect the TV to the AV receiver via HDMI output?
After further reading, it looks like all I need is one of these: http://www.anthemavs.co.uk/product/anthem-mrx-510-... Quite expensive though.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 10th May 21:40
Well, got the speakers home and plugged them into my ancient Sony S2 amp. Wow is all I can say, I've never heard speakers this good but they instantly showed the weakness of the amp itself. Poor thing has served me well since 1996 but it now needs to be retired!
Did quite a bit of research and this morning bought a Sony STR-DN1040 AV-Receiver which has unanimous good reviews. Really looking forward to getting it all connected up so see how it performs. Thanks for the advice.
Did quite a bit of research and this morning bought a Sony STR-DN1040 AV-Receiver which has unanimous good reviews. Really looking forward to getting it all connected up so see how it performs. Thanks for the advice.
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