"Style" speaker system/sub verses a good sound bar and sub
Discussion
I have a second living room downstairs that has been a storage depot since we moved into the house a year ago, but I am now finally sorting it out it will now become a more relaxed TV/home cinema/playroom. Sadly it won’t be a dedicated man cave, and therefore needs to be as low key as possible, whilst being child friendly. I am also not a dedicated audiophile so just want something that sounds decent with a film, PS4 game, and Sonos music.
The photo below shows the room size and proposed location of the corner sofa and TV.
Current kit I have that will be part of the system:-
TV – LG OLED 55” B6
AVR – Denon 5.1 amp if I go with a speaker system.
PS4 – for bluray/film streaming/games
Sonos connect
Current kit that may get replaced:-
2 x Q acoustic 2010i bookcase speakers on stands – I have been using these as front speakers as part of a 3.0 system (i.e. 2 fronts and centre), but they attract addition from a toddler who likes to push in the cones.
Q7000i centre speaker – Pretty happy with this, as produces detailed sound/voice in small package, but will consider changing if needed.
Options I am considering:-
Get a full Q acoustics 7000i speaker/sub package, on the basis that the sub and smaller front speakers would provider an overall better sound than the 2010i speakers currently. Small low key speakers that also have a tough grill on them so cannot be easily damaged by small people. The fronts could go on the wall either side of the TV and the sub could be hidden away, removing the need for the more bulky and vulnerable 2010i. The rear speakers would go high on the wall just behind the sofa angled down. I could also consider a similar alternative like the Monitor Audio MASS 5.1, which is slightly cheaper but doesn’t look as robust. Cost £1,000 for the Q7000i speaker/sub package
Keep the current 2010i fronts and 7000i centre, and just add some 7000i rears as with option 1. Cheaper as utilises existing kit, but no designated sub and ideally I would like to lose those 2010i speakers to reduce clutter. Cost £220 for the rear speakers
Ditch the current speaks and amp, and buy a decent soundbar and sub package. Minimises equipment and cabling but won’t create a true surround sound, cost up to £1,000
I think I should probably get a demo at Richer Sounds of the q7000 and Monitor Audio packages in action, and also a Yamaha soundbar for a decent comparison.
My concern with rear speakers is that I have no space between the sofa and wall, so is there a real benefit to having them? Will having them placed high up near the ceiling and angled down create a good surround effect? Secondly, if the wall is dot and dab construction, is it possible to easily hide the speaker cable behind the plasterboard?
If the position of the rear speakers won’t actually be that beneficial, am I better off just going for a decent sound bar?
Would welcome any advice or experience in similar situation.
The photo below shows the room size and proposed location of the corner sofa and TV.
Current kit I have that will be part of the system:-
TV – LG OLED 55” B6
AVR – Denon 5.1 amp if I go with a speaker system.
PS4 – for bluray/film streaming/games
Sonos connect
Current kit that may get replaced:-
2 x Q acoustic 2010i bookcase speakers on stands – I have been using these as front speakers as part of a 3.0 system (i.e. 2 fronts and centre), but they attract addition from a toddler who likes to push in the cones.
Q7000i centre speaker – Pretty happy with this, as produces detailed sound/voice in small package, but will consider changing if needed.
Options I am considering:-
Get a full Q acoustics 7000i speaker/sub package, on the basis that the sub and smaller front speakers would provider an overall better sound than the 2010i speakers currently. Small low key speakers that also have a tough grill on them so cannot be easily damaged by small people. The fronts could go on the wall either side of the TV and the sub could be hidden away, removing the need for the more bulky and vulnerable 2010i. The rear speakers would go high on the wall just behind the sofa angled down. I could also consider a similar alternative like the Monitor Audio MASS 5.1, which is slightly cheaper but doesn’t look as robust. Cost £1,000 for the Q7000i speaker/sub package
Keep the current 2010i fronts and 7000i centre, and just add some 7000i rears as with option 1. Cheaper as utilises existing kit, but no designated sub and ideally I would like to lose those 2010i speakers to reduce clutter. Cost £220 for the rear speakers
Ditch the current speaks and amp, and buy a decent soundbar and sub package. Minimises equipment and cabling but won’t create a true surround sound, cost up to £1,000
I think I should probably get a demo at Richer Sounds of the q7000 and Monitor Audio packages in action, and also a Yamaha soundbar for a decent comparison.
My concern with rear speakers is that I have no space between the sofa and wall, so is there a real benefit to having them? Will having them placed high up near the ceiling and angled down create a good surround effect? Secondly, if the wall is dot and dab construction, is it possible to easily hide the speaker cable behind the plasterboard?
If the position of the rear speakers won’t actually be that beneficial, am I better off just going for a decent sound bar?
Would welcome any advice or experience in similar situation.
hyphen said:
Why is your sofa and TV in those locations?
You have a room that is 5.3m long, so why not put your sofa on the 3m side, tv on other 3m side and use full length of the room.
Then keep the speakers as they are, and spend the money on a projector and screen
Yes in an ideal world that is what would happen You have a room that is 5.3m long, so why not put your sofa on the 3m side, tv on other 3m side and use full length of the room.
Then keep the speakers as they are, and spend the money on a projector and screen
but this is a multipurpose room, and the area at the other end will be a play area. Plus at 5m, I'd either need a massive TV or a projector like you suggest, but happy with the 55" OLED.Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff