Surround sound system - your comments please
Discussion
First of all I'm not an audiophile - I just want to add surround sound and better bass to my existing system.
I've got a TV and one of those all-in-one boxes that is HD recorder, DVD, Freeview and VHS. This has HDMI and optical outputs.
Most of the 'home cinema' offerings have a DVD player which I don't need. But I've found this:
http://www.hifibitz.co.uk/product.asp?id=9320
Anyone have any experience of them?
It comes as 2.1, with outputs for 5.1, and a preamp out for 7.1 addition.
I've got a TV and one of those all-in-one boxes that is HD recorder, DVD, Freeview and VHS. This has HDMI and optical outputs.
Most of the 'home cinema' offerings have a DVD player which I don't need. But I've found this:
http://www.hifibitz.co.uk/product.asp?id=9320
Anyone have any experience of them?
It comes as 2.1, with outputs for 5.1, and a preamp out for 7.1 addition.
Seems to get very good reviews and even comes as a full 5.1 package if required. Handles all HD formats 
. If you do get the 2.1 system it's available for £199 reconditioned and £99 for the full 5.1 package that adds te centre and two rear speakers that are new. I have a HD Onkyo amp and have been very impressed
. If you do get the 2.1 system it's available for £199 reconditioned and £99 for the full 5.1 package that adds te centre and two rear speakers that are new. I have a HD Onkyo amp and have been very impressed Edited by UncappedTag on Friday 9th April 08:03
The link I posted is a 2.1 system with a 5.1 amp. You only need additional speakers to make it a 5.1 system, there's a preamp out for the 7.1 rear speakers.
The HTX=22HD has been advertised at £199, but is now sold out, the link I posted (X on the end) is to the replacement - which will be more money(!) It has a gloss finish and the HDMI supports 3D (no use to me at all) and more techie stuff that's over my head.
I've placed an order for it at a substantial discount, due to inability to supply the original version - I guess it's a month away as the salesman said a couple of weeks!
The HTX=22HD has been advertised at £199, but is now sold out, the link I posted (X on the end) is to the replacement - which will be more money(!) It has a gloss finish and the HDMI supports 3D (no use to me at all) and more techie stuff that's over my head.
I've placed an order for it at a substantial discount, due to inability to supply the original version - I guess it's a month away as the salesman said a couple of weeks!
That's interesting to hear. I've never attached any sort of speakers to any TV before, so I expect I'll be very pleased with the results.
I'm too old to play games (apart from phoenix flight sim as a training aid to getting the courage to fly my first model!) but I've always thought that the main let-down of watching a DVD isn't the size of the screen, it's the feel of the sound.
I wonder how long before I start upgrading it? My argument is that I've given up the kit car, so I'm upgrading here instead!
I'm too old to play games (apart from phoenix flight sim as a training aid to getting the courage to fly my first model!) but I've always thought that the main let-down of watching a DVD isn't the size of the screen, it's the feel of the sound.
I wonder how long before I start upgrading it? My argument is that I've given up the kit car, so I'm upgrading here instead!
Footnote to this...
I still haven't received the surround sound system, the supplier is now quoting '2 weeks'.
Bit annoying, but I must say, I've had regular updates from them, and they reply to emails very quickly.
On the plus side, I've been able to drop hints about the 'new speakers' into the odd conversation, so the station manager won't be too surprised when it turns up!
edited to add, I've ordered it from these people:
http://www.exceptional-av.co.uk/
I still haven't received the surround sound system, the supplier is now quoting '2 weeks'.
Bit annoying, but I must say, I've had regular updates from them, and they reply to emails very quickly.
On the plus side, I've been able to drop hints about the 'new speakers' into the odd conversation, so the station manager won't be too surprised when it turns up!
edited to add, I've ordered it from these people:
http://www.exceptional-av.co.uk/
Edited by Paul Drawmer on Tuesday 15th June 07:42
What about Sony's latest offering of a similar system: http://www.sony.co.uk/product/hcs-home-cinema-spea...
Covers all the bases and should sound reasonably good for a surround system. Looks better IMO then the Onkyo as well.
Covers all the bases and should sound reasonably good for a surround system. Looks better IMO then the Onkyo as well.
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