Combined Cinema / HiFi setup?
Discussion
Just doing a bit of forward planning really for when I move into my house. The living room is very small so that will be the main limitation, but I wanted to get some thoughts on combining a TV setup with a HiFi setup.
For context this is the basic floorplan and a couple of old photos just showing the basic layout:
What I'd like is a TV where the old brown sofa was, as the new seating will be opposite (against the window). I've measured and would be able to fit a 55" against that wall, with it fitting between the door frame and not being blocked by the chimney beast. Any larger and it starts to become obscured.
I will also be looking to put together a modest HiFi setup, with a record player, CD player, cassette player, amplifier and a nice pair of speakers. I'd like a nice matching stack so I'm not opposed to finding something 'vintage' as that would easily fit in the space to the left of the TV / right of the chimney breast.
What I'm umming and arring about is speaker setup / placement.. The room's too small for a 5.1 or similar setup, I just don't think it would work. Likewise, there's no other place to have a 'dedicated area or seating for the HiFi alone.
So would something like the following work..?
1 x amp / receiver (separate or combined unit? Bluetooth too?) as the 'brains' of the setup..
1 x pair of good quality speakers, either side of the TV, pointing at the sofa.
TV against the back wall, games console connected, plus potentially Bluray player if the console has no disc drive.
HiFi stack to the side - vinyl, CD, cassette.
The devices then all connect to the main amp / receiver, and share the speakers, so I just switch between inputs and the sound is always directed at the seating..
Does that make sense / seem logical? Are there any downsides to have one unit receiving those different inputs and then sharing the speakers?
Is there any difference between what would be classed as 'HiFi' speakers and 'cinema' speakers? i assume there would be at the higher levels but I won't have a huge budget, so realistically a decent quality pair that can output both nice clear music and movie / gaming audio would be fine - the shape and size of the room certainly don't lend themselves to a proper audiophile-level setup!
For context this is the basic floorplan and a couple of old photos just showing the basic layout:
What I'd like is a TV where the old brown sofa was, as the new seating will be opposite (against the window). I've measured and would be able to fit a 55" against that wall, with it fitting between the door frame and not being blocked by the chimney beast. Any larger and it starts to become obscured.
I will also be looking to put together a modest HiFi setup, with a record player, CD player, cassette player, amplifier and a nice pair of speakers. I'd like a nice matching stack so I'm not opposed to finding something 'vintage' as that would easily fit in the space to the left of the TV / right of the chimney breast.
What I'm umming and arring about is speaker setup / placement.. The room's too small for a 5.1 or similar setup, I just don't think it would work. Likewise, there's no other place to have a 'dedicated area or seating for the HiFi alone.
So would something like the following work..?
1 x amp / receiver (separate or combined unit? Bluetooth too?) as the 'brains' of the setup..
1 x pair of good quality speakers, either side of the TV, pointing at the sofa.
TV against the back wall, games console connected, plus potentially Bluray player if the console has no disc drive.
HiFi stack to the side - vinyl, CD, cassette.
The devices then all connect to the main amp / receiver, and share the speakers, so I just switch between inputs and the sound is always directed at the seating..
Does that make sense / seem logical? Are there any downsides to have one unit receiving those different inputs and then sharing the speakers?
Is there any difference between what would be classed as 'HiFi' speakers and 'cinema' speakers? i assume there would be at the higher levels but I won't have a huge budget, so realistically a decent quality pair that can output both nice clear music and movie / gaming audio would be fine - the shape and size of the room certainly don't lend themselves to a proper audiophile-level setup!
I have something vaguely similar using a Denon AV Amp which does me fine, it has about 5 different inputs selectable from the remote, and is connected to a pair of hifi speakers and a pre-out for an active sub. You can also have multiple HDMI inputs as well, for console, bluray, skybox etc.
There were some comments on here that someone's else set up, with a similar amp, wasn't "hifi" enough if you want the best sound, but the whole system was not overly expensive and does fine for my ears. It may not be perfect, but it's 10,000 times better than any TV speakers, and will do TV, movies or music to an acceptable quality if needed. From memory the amp was about £250, the speakers maybe £150 and the same for the sub. Probably £600/700 all in?
There were some comments on here that someone's else set up, with a similar amp, wasn't "hifi" enough if you want the best sound, but the whole system was not overly expensive and does fine for my ears. It may not be perfect, but it's 10,000 times better than any TV speakers, and will do TV, movies or music to an acceptable quality if needed. From memory the amp was about £250, the speakers maybe £150 and the same for the sub. Probably £600/700 all in?
What you're describing is basically what I have. You can see my setup here:
I'm sure I don't have the most discerning ears, but it sounds good to me!
Mr Creosote said:
My humble offering as I'm fairly new to all this:
Rega Planar 3
NAD 3020
Wiim Pro Plus
Q Acoustics 3010i
I've got the upgrade bug, so I'm mulling over improvements to my system and maybe adding a subwoofer.
I have the TV running into the Wiim Pro via an optical cable (so I bypass the TV's internal DAC). This then goes into a vintage NAD 3020 and from there into Q Acoustics 3010i speakers. I could run the TV straight into the amp with RCA cables, but that would mean using the DAC inside the TV rather than the presumably superior DAC in the Wiim.Rega Planar 3
NAD 3020
Wiim Pro Plus
Q Acoustics 3010i
I've got the upgrade bug, so I'm mulling over improvements to my system and maybe adding a subwoofer.
I'm sure I don't have the most discerning ears, but it sounds good to me!
Sounds good chaps, I think it should be fine for my level of use.
Condi said:
I have something vaguely similar using a Denon AV Amp which does me fine, it has about 5 different inputs selectable from the remote, and is connected to a pair of hifi speakers and a pre-out for an active sub. You can also have multiple HDMI inputs as well, for console, bluray, skybox etc.
There were some comments on here that someone's else set up, with a similar amp, wasn't "hifi" enough if you want the best sound, but the whole system was not overly expensive and does fine for my ears. It may not be perfect, but it's 10,000 times better than any TV speakers, and will do TV, movies or music to an acceptable quality if needed. From memory the amp was about £250, the speakers maybe £150 and the same for the sub. Probably £600/700 all in?
Exactly, it won't be 'perfect' by any means but within the limitations I think it will work perfectly well There were some comments on here that someone's else set up, with a similar amp, wasn't "hifi" enough if you want the best sound, but the whole system was not overly expensive and does fine for my ears. It may not be perfect, but it's 10,000 times better than any TV speakers, and will do TV, movies or music to an acceptable quality if needed. From memory the amp was about £250, the speakers maybe £150 and the same for the sub. Probably £600/700 all in?
This is never going to be the most amazing system in the world, but is the basis for a low cost speaker set up for a small room.
Denon AVR-S760H - £430
https://www.richersounds.com/denon-avr-s760hgb-bla...
Wharfedale Diamond 9.0 - £120
https://www.richersounds.com/wharfedale-diamond-9-...
Klipsch R-8SW sub - £180
https://www.richersounds.com/klipsch-r-8sw-brushed...
Denon AVR-S760H - £430
https://www.richersounds.com/denon-avr-s760hgb-bla...
Wharfedale Diamond 9.0 - £120
https://www.richersounds.com/wharfedale-diamond-9-...
Klipsch R-8SW sub - £180
https://www.richersounds.com/klipsch-r-8sw-brushed...
Assuming that you do not already have any of the components, one possibility is a pair of small two-way active speakers and a small sub. Both TV and HiFi source could then feed the active speakers.
https://www.av.com/Speakers/Klipsch-KD-400-Powered...
Obviously depends on what connectivity the TV and Hifi source has, but it should be doable and would definitely minimise space requirements
https://www.av.com/Speakers/Klipsch-KD-400-Powered...
Obviously depends on what connectivity the TV and Hifi source has, but it should be doable and would definitely minimise space requirements
Edited by ian996 on Friday 12th September 07:40
I'd be hesitant to go down the path of an old stack system. The turntables as part of these systems were never that great. The cassette decks were less about quality and more about features (dual decks, auto reverse, relay play, high-speed dubbing etc). The amp/receiver might be okay, but it's a bit of a crap shoot. The other thing is that prices for these '80s/'90s era stacks have gone through the roof.
A better option would be to build a system (ex turntable or speakers) from a single manufacturer. My first choice would be Yamaha. Excellent build quality and sound. Sensible pricing (no 'Technics tax'). Plenty of choice. Pioneer, Kenwood are both good. Technics is available, but at inflated prices
Amp - Yamaha AX-492 (with built-in phono stage for TT)
Cassette deck - Yamaha KX-393
CD player - Yamaha CDX-496
or BD/CD/SACD player - Yamaha BD-A1040
It's possible to add a BT receiver to any stereo with a spare line input. Don't bother with an FM/AM radio tuner. A streamer (Wiim Pro) will combine BT and internet radio with hundreds if not 1,000s of stations to choose from plus the main music streaming services.
Speakers - O.M.G. - tonnes of choice. If you want to stick with the vintage vibe then Monitor Audio R352 would give you enough bass at lower listening volumes that you wouldn't need a sub. From the same brand but newer, Bronze/BX5 orBX6 are true floorstanders, so they do bass and would be slimmer than the stands for bookshelf speakers. Also look at Wharfedale, Tannoy, Mordant Short, Q Acoustics to name but a few.
Turntables - '70s and '80s era stuff gets you convenience features on a lot of the better decks. Auto-return is quite common. Decks that caught my eye:
Yamaha YP-211
Pioneer PL-512
Pioneer PL-112D needs a little cosmetic TLC with new vinyl wrap
Technics SL-BD20
Sansui SR-222 will need new stylus
All of the above is used gear. Look for a stereo amp with a built-in phono stage so that you don't have to buy one as an extra item. Speakers stands and speaker cables, plus something to stand the bits of Hi-Fi on would be extra costs.
A better option would be to build a system (ex turntable or speakers) from a single manufacturer. My first choice would be Yamaha. Excellent build quality and sound. Sensible pricing (no 'Technics tax'). Plenty of choice. Pioneer, Kenwood are both good. Technics is available, but at inflated prices
Amp - Yamaha AX-492 (with built-in phono stage for TT)
Cassette deck - Yamaha KX-393
CD player - Yamaha CDX-496
or BD/CD/SACD player - Yamaha BD-A1040
It's possible to add a BT receiver to any stereo with a spare line input. Don't bother with an FM/AM radio tuner. A streamer (Wiim Pro) will combine BT and internet radio with hundreds if not 1,000s of stations to choose from plus the main music streaming services.
Speakers - O.M.G. - tonnes of choice. If you want to stick with the vintage vibe then Monitor Audio R352 would give you enough bass at lower listening volumes that you wouldn't need a sub. From the same brand but newer, Bronze/BX5 orBX6 are true floorstanders, so they do bass and would be slimmer than the stands for bookshelf speakers. Also look at Wharfedale, Tannoy, Mordant Short, Q Acoustics to name but a few.
Turntables - '70s and '80s era stuff gets you convenience features on a lot of the better decks. Auto-return is quite common. Decks that caught my eye:
Yamaha YP-211
Pioneer PL-512
Pioneer PL-112D needs a little cosmetic TLC with new vinyl wrap
Technics SL-BD20
Sansui SR-222 will need new stylus
All of the above is used gear. Look for a stereo amp with a built-in phono stage so that you don't have to buy one as an extra item. Speakers stands and speaker cables, plus something to stand the bits of Hi-Fi on would be extra costs.
Ok . A couple of questions.
Do you want/need full surround?
I have a bunch of stuff kicking about after some upgrades that may fit the bill.
Funk firm Gett! Turntable with Gold ring E3 cartridge.
Yamaha RXV1067 av receiver.
A set of b&E M1 satellite speakers in black
A set of Qacousics concept 40 I. White.
A pair of q acoustics 2050i. Floor standers.
Looking at your room a sub/sat setup would be handy as they don't take up floorspace.
Do you want/need full surround?
I have a bunch of stuff kicking about after some upgrades that may fit the bill.
Funk firm Gett! Turntable with Gold ring E3 cartridge.
Yamaha RXV1067 av receiver.
A set of b&E M1 satellite speakers in black
A set of Qacousics concept 40 I. White.
A pair of q acoustics 2050i. Floor standers.
Looking at your room a sub/sat setup would be handy as they don't take up floorspace.
Edited by conkerman on Saturday 13th September 08:18
Some recommendations there guys, much appreciated. Seems like building a setup from good used parts would be the way forward. I'd looked at the Yamaha amps / receivers on Richer Sound and they seemed to tick the boxes, so if I can get a nice used one that'd be ideal..
@conkerman - no, surround would be nice for films etc but realistically not within budget or room size sadly. That was my concern I suppose of using 'HiFi' speakers for the TV, but then again if they're fed the same signal surely any of the above will sound better than the TV's built-in one?
I currently have a Sony sound bar and subwoofer connected to my 40" TV, it has a 'surround effect' but doesn't make much of a noticeable difference. The bar and sub do sound much nicer than the TV's speakers though so I've always used it. I could perhaps keep that for a while, it would just mean more space and plugs needed
@conkerman - no, surround would be nice for films etc but realistically not within budget or room size sadly. That was my concern I suppose of using 'HiFi' speakers for the TV, but then again if they're fed the same signal surely any of the above will sound better than the TV's built-in one?
I currently have a Sony sound bar and subwoofer connected to my 40" TV, it has a 'surround effect' but doesn't make much of a noticeable difference. The bar and sub do sound much nicer than the TV's speakers though so I've always used it. I could perhaps keep that for a while, it would just mean more space and plugs needed
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