Req: Fairly inexpensive home cinema sound package
- Thread starter Rikki
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Soldato
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How much is "not much" ?
You're better off with a cheap integrated amp or preferably an oldish AV amp such as the Sony STR-DB940 with a pair of decent used stereo speakers, and if you're very lucky a sub aswell (a pair of floorstanders would likely negate the need for most cheap subs). Better off by far than any crud £200 all-in-one package.
You could pick up an STR-DB940 or similar with a really decent pair of oldish floorstanders in budget. The best way to buy big speakers is to hunt eBay and look for buy-it-nows in your locality that are collection only (saves more money that way).
You could pick up an STR-DB940 or similar with a really decent pair of oldish floorstanders in budget. The best way to buy big speakers is to hunt eBay and look for buy-it-nows in your locality that are collection only (saves more money that way).
Not sure, but a used STR-DB940 comes in between £80 and £120, and is a pretty good AV amp, if a little old. You could get some decent used floorstanders (Kef Q series, Tannoy Revolution series etc) and stay in budget quite easily.
If you're buying new, then I have no idea I'm afraid! You will however have to pay a lot more for similar audio performance with new kit.
If you're buying new, then I have no idea I'm afraid! You will however have to pay a lot more for similar audio performance with new kit.
Realistically speaking then, how much is a decent new entry level system gonna cost?
It should NEVER be a matter of buying the cheapest, but the BEST that you can afford!!
As you know you cannot afford (at the moment) a high spec system would you not be best to buy, for instance, a pair of decent floorstanders and a cheap (maybe second hand\used) A\V amp.
Don't bother spending money on (for now) quality speaker wire or interconnects.
Unless they are an extremely poor quality\no quality you will NOT notice any difference.
You will appreciate the sound quality from the speakers so much and can use them for great sounding music as well!
When you have more money you will be able to 'upgrade' to a centre and some surround speakers followed by a sub.
Next on you list could be speaker cable\interconnects etc and lastly a new high spec A\V amp.
That way you will always have a decent sound from your system, that as time \finances allow can grow and become better!
Well, that's what I do anyway.
Soldato
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Thanks folks!
Ok Im going to hit the credit card, no Xmas pressies for anyone but me.
Whats recommended to go with the Panny 46" G10 for around the £400 mark. Including amp & speakers?
Thanks
To get a new 5.1 kit worth bothering with, that budget will need doubling realistically, however, you could get a new amp (very few come up able to handle the new formats 2nd hand) and a pair of speakers, then build to it as you can. Look at Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha etc
If that's becoming unaffordable/over the top for you, go for a £200 amp and speaker set from Yamaha, Sony etc and I'm sure you'll be happy.
Go over to an auction site, search Denon AVR, and you will find a load of used kit, a lot of which will sell within your budget.... Do the same for the big brand name speakers...
Start off with just a pair of speakers, then add rears.... Next add sub, last add the centre.
Forget and forgo all the modern hype of HD sound, at this point it won't be any benefit to you. I personally wouldn't even bother with HDMI connection on the amp, hook straight to the screen. This way you could pick up an old but high quality amp for not much money. Which will sound wise blow away the new do everything amps.
I would say 150 quid will get you an "old" denon of some quality, and say same again on some old but good speakers.
This will get on the road... you can always upgrade later if you get the bug and enjoy it.
Start off with just a pair of speakers, then add rears.... Next add sub, last add the centre.
Forget and forgo all the modern hype of HD sound, at this point it won't be any benefit to you. I personally wouldn't even bother with HDMI connection on the amp, hook straight to the screen. This way you could pick up an old but high quality amp for not much money. Which will sound wise blow away the new do everything amps.
I would say 150 quid will get you an "old" denon of some quality, and say same again on some old but good speakers.
This will get on the road... you can always upgrade later if you get the bug and enjoy it.
Ok dokey, say I found an AVR on an auction site, what speakers would I ideally want to marry to the receiver?
Sorry for the complete dumbass Q's. Moving into a new place and the hot deal on the Panny 46" screens kinda put the rush on me a bit. I'm not an audiophile by any stretch though I do enjoy good sound. I do some production work on the PC and have an M-Audio Delta card plus a fairly beefy SoundStream system professionally installed in the car tho nothing overboard.
Many thanks,
Rik
Sorry for the complete dumbass Q's. Moving into a new place and the hot deal on the Panny 46" screens kinda put the rush on me a bit. I'm not an audiophile by any stretch though I do enjoy good sound. I do some production work on the PC and have an M-Audio Delta card plus a fairly beefy SoundStream system professionally installed in the car tho nothing overboard.
Many thanks,
Rik