Samsung htc 6500 upgrade, samsung q930c or a dedicated avr and 5.1 system? uk

Mike95

Mike95

Mike95

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Joined
18 Nov 2019
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Hello there, i am very new to the whole av receiver and speaker world, basically my current setup is;

- Samsung S90C 77 Oled

- the samsung htc 6500 5.1 blu ray surround system

- Windows 11 rtx 4070ti ryzen 5800x3d for uhd remux files, anime, tv shows etc

I was using plex to stream my content from the win11 pc to the tv but it has had issues so i started using kodi player on pc and connected the pc to the tv

Anyways, i was first looking at the sound bar samsung q930c for around £450-500ish but i thought a bit more i should probably consider a proper audio system? Any reccomendations would be appreciated, 4k vrr hdr would maybe be worth while unless i can seperate the audio and video from the pc to the tv/av system, i would do some gaming aswell as movies tbf.

i have seen these avr and speaker bundles, way more pricey than the q930c, but would it be worth the money to upgrade my system? i take it i can get losless audio from the pc to the av reciever/soundar? and would i notice a difference for non losless audio content like anime/animated shows?
thanks



https://petertyson.co.uk/denon-avr-x1700h-av-receiver-with-polk-monitor-xt15-5-1-cinema-pack



https://petertyson.co.uk/denon-avr-x1700h-av-receiver-with-q3010iav



https://www.av.com/Home-Cinema/Wharfedale-Diamond-91-HCP-51-Speaker-Package-Black/4H4M



https://petertyson.co.uk/denon-avr-x1700h-av-receiver-with-yamaha-ns-f51-5-1-speaker-pack
 
Yes they'll offer better sound, build quality plus upgradabilty, standard components so you can change as needed.

Will this system be a buy once, never change? Or buy a 5.1 keep for a few years, upgrade, replace parts? Or another option is go stereo with a AVR, get the best stereo speakers you can get, then get the remaining speakers over time.

Those Wharfedale 9.1 are great speakers for the money. The sub is ok but little bit lacking if you want to shake the room, larger room etc and need high output (I had a SW-150)

On a good system, even audio from DVD (DTS) sounds fantastic. I can notice the difference between DTS core 1.4mb and lossy filmtracks, but it's not massive (and I have a pretty good 9.2.4 av seperates system) so I doubt you'd notice it on a starter system. I can notice it on DD as the bitrate on that is quite low 384 / 450 or something like that.


Best to go and have a few demos of various speaker brands. I don't think you can go wrong with Q Acoustics and Wharfedale. Other brands have different signature, Klipsch can be bright etc.

This forum is pretty much against audio gear haha so they'll say "go with a soundbar, that'll do pig, that'll do"

It's an enjoyable hobby and my recommendation is do upgrades in stages.

One option could be go for a higher range model, as they offer pre outs, that'll allow you to add integrated amplifiers, power amplifiers if needed. More higher end stuff, but really depends what you want in long run.

The newer models one some Denon x800 range offer Dirac upgrade, four subwoofer outputs etc, also all inputs are 8K, 4K 120hz VRR etc. I think the older x700 range just has one input or something like that (and older one needed like a supplied Denon HDMI box or something)

Checkout a few difference AVR brands, there's Yamaha as well.

Also do you want Atmos now or later? That'll increase price, needing a better AVR, possible a stereo power amplifier, more speakers, at least one height/ceiling/upfirer pair, or two pairs. You can get uprfirer, heights, or dedicated ceiling speakers. Those are from worst to best type in that order. I use height speakers.

The Q acoustics subwoofer is a bit weak also.
 
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hornetstinger said:
This forum is pretty much against audio gear haha so they'll say "go with a soundbar, that'll do pig, that'll do"
Click to expand...

No, I don't believe it is. I think we're pro audio gear here, but pragmatic about it. That's the difference.

Enquiries along the lines of "I'd really like Dolby Atmos, and I watch mostly streaming. My max budget is £500-£600" are best served by a sound bar because a separates system is going to cost waaaayyy over that. Similarly, someone who can't have wired rear/side/ceiling speakers is going to struggle with an equally slim budget.

IMO the forum members here do a really good job of fitting a solution around an enquirer's needs. :) We aren't trying to bend the enquirer around a solution that is OTT or just unsuitable. Those of us who listen to what folks are asking for will explain the pros and cons of sound bars versus surround systems, then let the person make their own decision.
 
Mike95 said:
Hello there, i am very new to the whole av receiver and speaker world, basically my current setup is;

- Samsung S90C 77 Oled

- the samsung htc 6500 5.1 blu ray surround system

- Windows 11 rtx 4070ti ryzen 5800x3d for uhd remux files, anime, tv shows etc

I was using plex to stream my content from the win11 pc to the tv but it has had issues so i started using kodi player on pc and connected the pc to the tv

Anyways, i was first looking at the sound bar samsung q930c for around £450-500ish but i thought a bit more i should probably consider a proper audio system? Any reccomendations would be appreciated, 4k vrr hdr would maybe be worth while unless i can seperate the audio and video from the pc to the tv/av system, i would do some gaming aswell as movies tbf.

i have seen these avr and speaker bundles, way more pricey than the q930c, but would it be worth the money to upgrade my system? i take it i can get losless audio from the pc to the av reciever/soundar? and would i notice a difference for non losless audio content like anime/animated shows?
thanks

https://petertyson.co.uk/denon-avr-x1700h-av-receiver-with-polk-monitor-xt15-5-1-cinema-pack

https://petertyson.co.uk/denon-avr-x1700h-av-receiver-with-q3010iav

https://www.av.com/Home-Cinema/Wharfedale-Diamond-91-HCP-51-Speaker-Package-Black/4H4M

https://petertyson.co.uk/denon-avr-x1700h-av-receiver-with-yamaha-ns-f51-5-1-speaker-pack
Click to expand...

The Denon AVR-X1700 supports 120Hz 4K and VRR gaming on I think three of its HDMI sockets. It's a good choice at the money if you want to pass a PC or console through it to the TV.

You do have some other options though. With eARC on that Q90 TV, and an eARC-equipped AVR, it's possible to have a source output LPCM in up to 7.1 and send its signal to the TV first, then have the TV send the audio to the surround system. This opens up the possibility to look at older AV receivers. It also gets around TVs which won't pass DTS and DTS-HD via their eARC connections.

I would agree with Hornetstinger about the Wharfedale and Q Acoustics main being good. These British designs are evenhanded and good for music which is a bit of a trial by fire for a lot of AV speakers. Polks (an American speaker brand) tend to have a bit of a reputation for boom and tizz. Our cousins over the water are learning just how good British speakers are. Reviews in mags such as Stereophile are generally very complimentary about Wharfedale and QA.

Yamaha for speakers is more difficult to pigeonhole. At the high-end, especially for the Japanese home market, the company makes some superlative speakers. Unfortunately, the UK and Europe are home to superlative home brands by the shed load, so it's an uphill struggle trying to convince dealers and their customers that Yam high-end speakers are what they should buy instead of KEF, ATC, B&W, PMC, Tannoy, ProAc, Wison Benesch, Quad, Wharfedale etc.

Yamaha had brief moments in the sun with some fairly accessibly priced products. Back in the 80s, folk started seeing NS-M10 monitors popping up in recording studios. These were being used as nearfield monitors; speakers very close to the engineer when mixing. To the uninitiate, this was like some badge of approval. "If it's good enough for the people producing and mixing my records..." The irony was that this was the exact opposite of why they were chosen by the engineer who kicked the whole thing off. Paraphasing his words, if he could make a mix sound good on these then it would sound good on anything. The frequency response may have been all over the place, but the thing they did exceptionally well is timing.

Pro gear and Japanese home market product aside then, what that leaves us with is Yamaha's more budget oriented ranges.

Products such as the NS-P and NS-F are designed as companion products to electronics. In simpler terms, they look like good value in order to encourage someone to get their wallet out. When AV receivers were available under £250, Yamaha package a budget receiver with their NS-P
5.1 sub/sat kit. It was everything you needed for maybe £50-£100 more than a Panasonic/Samsung/LG/Sony DVD-Blu-ray home theatre kit.

The front speakers from the NS-F51 package are available as a standalone purchase for £250/pr. They came out in 2017-ish priced at £150/pr. Accepting that there's inflation and market changes, these are still made for a similar cost as when they sold for £150/pr, and cheap floorstanders are rarely a sonic bargain. Although smaller, the Wharfedales and Q Acoustics are better screwed together and cleaner sounding, albeit with a little less bass.
 
Hey
hornetstinger said:
Yes they'll offer better sound, build quality plus upgradabilty, standard components so you can change as needed.

Will this system be a buy once, never change? Or buy a 5.1 keep for a few years, upgrade, replace parts? Or another option is go stereo with a AVR, get the best stereo speakers you can get, then get the remaining speakers over time.

Those Wharfedale 9.1 are great speakers for the money. The sub is ok but little bit lacking if you want to shake the room, larger room etc and need high output (I had a SW-150)

On a good system, even audio from DVD (DTS) sounds fantastic. I can notice the difference between DTS core 1.4mb and lossy filmtracks, but it's not massive (and I have a pretty good 9.2.4 av seperates system) so I doubt you'd notice it on a starter system. I can notice it on DD as the bitrate on that is quite low 384 / 450 or something like that.


Best to go and have a few demos of various speaker brands. I don't think you can go wrong with Q Acoustics and Wharfedale. Other brands have different signature, Klipsch can be bright etc.

This forum is pretty much against audio gear haha so they'll say "go with a soundbar, that'll do pig, that'll do"

It's an enjoyable hobby and my recommendation is do upgrades in stages.

One option could be go for a higher range model, as they offer pre outs, that'll allow you to add integrated amplifiers, power amplifiers if needed. More higher end stuff, but really depends what you want in long run.

The newer models one some Denon x800 range offer Dirac upgrade, four subwoofer outputs etc, also all inputs are 8K, 4K 120hz VRR etc. I think the older x700 range just has one input or something like that (and older one needed like a supplied Denon HDMI box or something)

Checkout a few difference AVR brands, there's Yamaha as well.

Also do you want Atmos now or later? That'll increase price, needing a better AVR, possible a stereo power amplifier, more speakers, at least one height/ceiling/upfirer pair, or two pairs. You can get uprfirer, heights, or dedicated ceiling speakers. Those are from worst to best type in that order. I use height speakers.

The Q acoustics subwoofer is a bit weak also.
Click to expand...
Hey hornet, so i think this will be a buy once and it will hopefully last me a good while, my current room isnt the best for audio, it is a loft room approx 6m/6m, half of the room is used for my gaming pc and dart board and the other half is for the 77 inhc tv and sofa, so i dont think a super high end system would be worth my while, hence why i am looking at sub £1000 for everything ideally.
I have been happy with my over 10 year old samsung blu ray 5.1 system and i guess in comparison to the links i posted it will pale in comparison? I have just been running optical for my sound from my tv so i have never had full res audio.
The reason i am looking at upgrading from my current system is that i figured buying a samsung s90c 77 it deserves to have a adequate sound system.
I will watch a lot of remux files that have dtx/7.1 high res audio would a 5.1 system just downscale that audio but keep the high res quality?
 
Correct Atmos. /DTS X will downscale to 5.1

One option is buying second hand speakers. You can save a lot of money. I've bought speakers similar to wharfedale Evo 4.3 for same price as diamond 9.1 so bargains are possible.

Pair of m&k K4 tripoles on a forums these are excellent small tripoles for £100 including postage that is bargain. It's best to match speakers but even so mismatched at that price /quality? Worthwhile considering it.

Best to look for second hand on AV forums classifieds. People do upgrade like me so they sell off their speakers. I'm selling some high quality dipoles also.


£1000 is really pushing it for avr and speakers. It's doable.
Best have a listen, go to shop and ask to demo say £500 5.1 system, listen in stereo and 5.1 mode.

Then ask to listen to £500 stereo speakers and see if its worth the difference. If it is then you can add center sub and surrounds later.

Ask to try a couple of subs also say wharfedale sw-150 and pb1000 pro or pb2000 pro haha if you're really into action movies a good sub is essential. I have a couple of monoprice 13" 1800w subs and they're incredible. Pity monoprice not available as the monoprice 10" is very good and it was on special a bit ago...£285 !!
 
That is fair sized volume room, a budget sub (like £100-£150) may struggle. It's better to have a sub that has some headroom then buy a cheaper one and be disappointed.

Depends on how loud you have it. I'd say in that room I'd be looking at svs pb1000 something with some output, but without go way overboard.

I would have recommended pb1000 pro but didn't realise they've gone up as well. Freaking sucks monoprice not available as their monolith 12" V2 was going for about £450 on special that is bargain as it cometes with svs pb2000 pro.

Svs aren't as cheap as they used to be and generally everything has gone up.

Not sure about buying second hand subs. If the plate amp fails it's costly to replace so warranty is recommended.
 
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You said you didn't want Atmos but one option could be get something for now then later on get better mains and surrounds and move the old rear and front pair to Atmos heights

What area are you in I'll have a look on gumtree Facebook etc
 
hornetstinger said:
Yup 50% off so that is great.

www.hifix.co.uk

Q Acoustics 3050i Cinema Pack

Transform your entertainment space with the Q Acoustics 3050i Cinema Pack. Elevate your audio experience with superior sound quality and cutting-edge design
www.hifix.co.uk www.hifix.co.uk

Sub is weak but it'll get you going and saved so much can spend extra on avr / sub
Click to expand...
great deal and idea for switching the old surrounds for atmos, i am in cumbria so that is a bit far to travel, looks like a stonking deal though!
 
lucid said:
The Denon AVR-X1700 supports 120Hz 4K and VRR gaming on I think three of its HDMI sockets. It's a good choice at the money if you want to pass a PC or console through it to the TV.

You do have some other options though. With eARC on that Q90 TV, and an eARC-equipped AVR, it's possible to have a source output LPCM in up to 7.1 and send its signal to the TV first, then have the TV send the audio to the surround system. This opens up the possibility to look at older AV receivers. It also gets around TVs which won't pass DTS and DTS-HD via their eARC connections.

I would agree with Hornetstinger about the Wharfedale and Q Acoustics main being good. These British designs are evenhanded and good for music which is a bit of a trial by fire for a lot of AV speakers. Polks (an American speaker brand) tend to have a bit of a reputation for boom and tizz. Our cousins over the water are learning just how good British speakers are. Reviews in mags such as Stereophile are generally very complimentary about Wharfedale and QA.

Yamaha for speakers is more difficult to pigeonhole. At the high-end, especially for the Japanese home market, the company makes some superlative speakers. Unfortunately, the UK and Europe are home to superlative home brands by the shed load, so it's an uphill struggle trying to convince dealers and their customers that Yam high-end speakers are what they should buy instead of KEF, ATC, B&W, PMC, Tannoy, ProAc, Wison Benesch, Quad, Wharfedale etc.

Yamaha had brief moments in the sun with some fairly accessibly priced products. Back in the 80s, folk started seeing NS-M10 monitors popping up in recording studios. These were being used as nearfield monitors; speakers very close to the engineer when mixing. To the uninitiate, this was like some badge of approval. "If it's good enough for the people producing and mixing my records..." The irony was that this was the exact opposite of why they were chosen by the engineer who kicked the whole thing off. Paraphasing his words, if he could make a mix sound good on these then it would sound good on anything. The frequency response may have been all over the place, but the thing they did exceptionally well is timing.

Pro gear and Japanese home market product aside then, what that leaves us with is Yamaha's more budget oriented ranges.

Products such as the NS-P and NS-F are designed as companion products to electronics. In simpler terms, they look like good value in order to encourage someone to get their wallet out. When AV receivers were available under £250, Yamaha package a budget receiver with their NS-P
5.1 sub/sat kit. It was everything you needed for maybe £50-£100 more than a Panasonic/Samsung/LG/Sony DVD-Blu-ray home theatre kit.

The front speakers from the NS-F51 package are available as a standalone purchase for £250/pr. They came out in 2017-ish priced at £150/pr. Accepting that there's inflation and market changes, these are still made for a similar cost as when they sold for £150/pr, and cheap floorstanders are rarely a sonic bargain. Although smaller, the Wharfedales and Q Acoustics are better screwed together and cleaner sounding, albeit with a little less bass.
Click to expand...
apreciate the input
 
hornetstinger said:
Probably have to buy new...

Best pop into local richer sounds. I found they push Dali straight away, as they have the biggest mark up on that brand.
Click to expand...
Closest rs is Newcastle I think, so that might be out the window, appreciate all the help.

I'm gonna do a bit more searching tomorrow, would it be cool if I get your opinion on any more speakers I find?
Did you checkout my current speaker specs?
I assume my current setup is like a 1/10 in terms of quality, especially as I am not feeding it lossless audio, so I assume some of the sets of speakers/avrs would be an instant bump in quality?
 
There's Peter Tyson about 30 miles from cumbira

Not heard that soundbar. You'll find stereo sound quality on proper hifi speakers a lot better. Since they're places wider you'll get wider sound and soundstaging. Soundbar max 1.5 m apart so limited

That Samsung looks the typical small speakers htib with little sub. So likely poor frequency response from the speakers. Bass performance poor as well, small driver, small box, low powered etc. can't go low, loud, with low distortion.
 
How about several of these

www.richersounds.com

Fyne Audio F500C (Dark Oak)

Shop for Fyne Audio F500C Dark Oak Single Centre Speaker with Richer Sounds for expert advice and lowest prices guaranteed
www.richersounds.com www.richersounds.com

£400 pair is bargain.

I'd go for them. Different finishes are available. At that price I'd think ahead I've I'd get seven to make a seven channel system. Because at that price they're probably on clear out for next version
 
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No review of that center, closest is the standmount same coaxial

www.youtube.com

FYNE F500, does it compare with KEF's LS50 Meta?

I've been itching to review a FYNE speaker for years, the F500 is the first, but probably won't the last.More info here https://www.fyneaudio.com/product/f50...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com

For speaker cable get this, work out the length you'll need

KabelDirekt – Pure Copper Stereo Audio Speaker Wire & Cable – Made in Germany – 2x2.5mm² – 50m – (For Hifi Speakers and Surround Sound Systems, Pure Copper, with polarity markings)​


You'll need banana plugs also
 
hornetstinger said:
No review of that center, closest is the standmount same coaxial

www.youtube.com

FYNE F500, does it compare with KEF's LS50 Meta?

I've been itching to review a FYNE speaker for years, the F500 is the first, but probably won't the last.More info here https://www.fyneaudio.com/product/f50...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com

For speaker cable get this, work out the length you'll need

KabelDirekt – Pure Copper Stereo Audio Speaker Wire & Cable – Made in Germany – 2x2.5mm² – 50m – (For Hifi Speakers and Surround Sound Systems, Pure Copper, with polarity markings)​


You'll need banana plugs also
Click to expand...
Like i stated, i am new to this, do i buy one lot of cable then cut to size and sttack banana plugs etc?

I am leaning towards the x1700h for £449 and then the wharfedale 9.1 package for £475 i think, nothing set in stone, i wil need 2 lots of stands too so thats gonna be another £150+ i guess, unsure which stands to get and then the cables plugs etc another £50+ so £1100 all in i guess, was thinking down the line i could maybe get a set of floor standers for my front 2 and use the standmounts placed on top of them for overhead atmos? if thats how atmos works, and maybe get another sw 150 sub for dual subs? or try selling the sw 150 and get one better sub,
Thoughts?

https://petertyson.co.uk/denon-avr-x1700h-av-receiver-with-dx2​

there is also that budle for £749 and i could maybe do a similar thing, but i guess the wharfedale 9.1 package would be better?
 
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