surround system - deos this exist?

[Fordo]

I'm looking for a surround system, but what i'm after doesnt seem to really exist.

- I don't want an all in one system. obvious there's lots around - they all have dvd / blu ray players, which are of no use to me.

I don't want an audiophile separates surround amp - i'm not an audio nerd, and don't want to spend a fortune.


What i'm after is an afforable compact surround system, with a shed load of optical inputs (one for PS3, one for my laptop, one possible for a sky box / cable box in the future). I dont want any bells and whistles. Just a compact 5.1 amp, lots of optical inputs, and a volume knob.

Closest i found was an old creative PC 5.1 system that we had at my old work - amp was nice and compact in size, had several optical in's. Sound quality wasn't stunning, but then creative aren't renowned for their sound quality- unless times have changed?

[danyeates]

Something like this: http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=HT-S3400&c...

Loads of inputs, both HDMI and digital optical/coaxial. All in one simple package, but much better than your all in one cheapy systems and no wasted DVD drive.

[Fordo]

Nice find, cheers


seems to retail at around £314.99, which isn't bad at all.

Are Onkyo well regarded? I must admit, i hadn't heard of them until I poked around richer sounds the other day

[Podie]

Fordo said:

I'm looking for a surround system, but what i'm after doesnt seem to really exist.

- I don't want an all in one system. obvious there's lots around - they all have dvd / blu ray players, which are of no use to me.

I don't want an audiophile separates surround amp - i'm not an audio nerd, and don't want to spend a fortune.


What i'm after is an afforable compact surround system, with a shed load of optical inputs (one for PS3, one for my laptop, one possible for a sky box / cable box in the future). I dont want any bells and whistles. Just a compact 5.1 amp, lots of optical inputs, and a volume knob.

Closest i found was an old creative PC 5.1 system that we had at my old work - amp was nice and compact in size, had several optical in's. Sound quality wasn't stunning, but then creative aren't renowned for their sound quality- unless times have changed?

Pretty much what I'm trying to find, but WITH a DVD recorder built in.

[danyeates]

Yes, very highly regarded. I have an Onkyo TX-SR876 and it's a beast! It's my second Onkyo, very good receivers with a lot of toys and spec.

[Fordo]

danyeates said:

I have an Onkyo TX-SR876 and it's a beast!

looks like an epic bit of kit.

just googled:



look at all those inputs / outputs....!

[Pooky67]

+1 for Onkyo from me. Took my first step into 'proper' surround sound with an Onkyo setup from Richer Sounds and it sounds fantastic to me.

[pb1695]

Just bought an Onkyo SR608 and Boston Acoustics xs5.1 speakers - the Onkyo is absolutely bloody fantastic - upscales SD to HD and Sky 1080i to 1080P.

The sound is nothing short of amazing - simple to set up and has lots of calibration options if you need them.

Boston Acoustics speakers are actually very good, I wish however I had spent a little (well a lot actually) more on some Bowers & Wilkins MT25 speakers.

[derestrictor]

The Onkyos are very good.

However, Yamaha, impo, are superior ito final, subjective projection.

[Dibblington]

Another +1 for Onkyo, TX-NR808 here and although it's not exactly compact, it makes a nice noise and has at last eleventy million inputs and outputs. It was a close call between an Onkyo and a Yamaha though

[richard_tricky]

Try this - the Sony HT-IS100

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/hcs-cinema-surround-...

It's not quite good as a separates system. But for what it is the sound is really great.

Plus it has HDMI passthrough with 3 hdmi inputs for your Sky HD, PS3, etc etc

It also has 3 optical inputs and a digital coax input.

Finally, it is very SWMBO friendly.

Edited by richard_tricky on Monday 7th March 21:49

[TEKNOPUG]

How much do you want to spend?

[R60EST]

I've just bought one of these , googled it and now found it even cheaper than the £171 I paid from amazon

http://www.crescentelectronics.co.uk/logic3-sounds...

It only has 2 optical input though , but if you use your TV for one , whatever is plugged into / being viewed on the TV will be amplified , leaving on input for other things.

I have to be honest the true 5.1 surround sound effect is not really possible from one speaker bar but the sound quality is very crisp and very little distortion at very high volume. It is 150w RMS with built in sub woofer

Might be worth a punt at the price listed . I don't regret buying it at all , it adds another dimension to action movies on the TV and the xbox sounds good too whether gaming or streaming media from my laptop

The speakers are covered by a black fabric / mesh . It might be worth googling some other images and reviews as the ones on that site don't show it with the cover on

Edited by R60EST on Monday 7th March 16:21

[Podie]

richard_tricky said:

Try this - the Sony HT-IS100

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/hcs-cinema-surround-...

Its not quite good as a separates system. But for what it is the sound is really great.

Plus it has HDMI passthrough with 3 hdmi inputs for your Sky HD, PS3, etc etc

It also has 3 optical inputs and a digital coax input.

Finally it is very SWMBO friendly

Edited by richard_tricky on Monday 7th March 16:00

Ooooh...

[Dibblington]

Not heard good reviews about Sony amps, but if your ears and budget suit it, why the devil not?

[Podie]

Dibblington said:

Not heard good reviews about Sony amps, but if your ears and budget suit it, why the devil not?

http://www.whathifi.com/Review/Sony-HT-IS100/

Good enough for the 2 hours a week of telly we watch.