Dali Kupid+AV receiver, am I wrong?

JollyJamma

JollyJamma

JollyJamma

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Queens Park - London
Hi all

I need some advice, I'm looking to setup a 2.0 speaker setup for my TV using a used AV receiver & amp combo with a pair of Dali Kupid speakers.

I'm not interested in anything more than 2.0 audio, a subwoofer would disturb my housemate and 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound isn't my jam at the moment.

The reason for the AV receiver is that they are cheap on the used market and is the more sensible part of this idea, the less sensible part of this idea is the use of the Kupid speakers given that they aren't really ideal for a TV audio setup when there are a ton of home entertainment specific speakers out there.

The Kupid's have a lack of bass and are designed for smaller rooms which is great for what I want - I just want clean and crisp audio that won't rattle the house to pieces.

The Kupid has the following specs:
  • 4ohms
  • 83 dB @ 1 m for 2.83 V
  • 40W to 120W
  • 63 – 25,000 Hz ±3 dB
The TV room is probably 4m by 4m.

Is there any one out there who can assist and let me know if I'm barking up the wrong tree, please?
 
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No I don't think you are, Choice of audio hardware is subjective & a lottery in my opinion. One persons 'nirvana' (a term audio reviewers used in the 80's) is another persons sonic hell. if you don't like the sound it churns out, sell it on. I'm happy with the 2 channel sound of my denon AVR, but then i've owned it for 10 years and got used to the sound. I don't plan on changing it anytime soon unless it goes bang.
 
Grimley said:
No I don't think you are, Choice of audio hardware is subjective & a lottery in my opinion. One persons 'nirvana' (a term audio reviewers used in the 80's) is another persons sonic hell. if you don't like the sound it churns out, sell it on. I'm happy with the 2 channel sound of my denon AVR, but then i've owned it for 10 years and got used to the sound. I don't plan on changing it anytime soon unless it goes bang.
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Thanks for the reply. I’m happy to stick with a 2.0 system until I can buy my own place and then upgrade to a 2.1 then.

I think I’m slightly concerned about the 4 ohm rating of the Kupid as potentially limiting my choices of AV receiver.

I can get my hands on some free 6 ohm rated surround sound speakers now and look for an AV receiver that can do 4,6 and 8 ohms for flexibility.
 
JollyJamma said:
Hi all

I need some advice, I'm looking to setup a 2.0 speaker setup for my TV using a used AV receiver & amp combo with a pair of Dali Kupid speakers.

I'm not interested in anything more than 2.0 audio, a subwoofer would disturb my housemate and 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound isn't my jam at the moment.

The reason for the AV receiver is that they are cheap on the used market and is the more sensible part of this idea, the less sensible part of this idea is the use of the Kupid speakers given that they aren't really ideal for a TV audio setup when there are a ton of home entertainment specific speakers out there.

The Kupid's have a lack of bass and are designed for smaller rooms which is great for what I want - I just want clean and crisp audio that won't rattle the house to pieces.

The Kupid has the following specs:
  • 4ohms
  • 83 dB @ 1 m for 2.83 V
  • 40W to 120W
  • 63 – 25,000 Hz ±3 dB
The TV room is probably 4m by 4m.

Is there any one out there who can assist and let me know if I'm barking up the wrong tree, please?
Click to expand...

Those are incredibly hard to drive and inefficient, yeesh they're the lowest I've seen for a while. I have Q Acoustic 3010i, they're easier load and easier to drive. Similar in size as well.


Really do need a subwoofer, something like 8" will done, just to divert low bass from the bookshelf to a speaker that can reproduce those frequencies. I'd never set my 3010i as large (what happens when you set sub to off) for movies, too high risk of damage to the woofers.

I'd look for easier to drive more efficient speakers.
 
As for 2.0/2.1/5.1 or more

If you plan on using a TV, DVD, BD, or Kodi box to play TV Shows/Movies (for DTS/Dolby/Atmos/DTS:X) then use a AVR, even if you are using a stereo system. I've found multi channel mix, downmixed on a AVR better sounding that just using a PCM output. Also you won't lose the .1 LFE channel. Plus you'll have HDMI routing, where you need lots of I/O, onscreen display. They also have room correction, bass management, streaming features.

Some stereo gear have enough ie HDMI ARC input, bass management, room correction and streaming but they won't offer surround sound/downmixing.


If you want to route 4K through the AVR you'll need a HDMI 2.1 capable AVR. Or another method is route video from source 4K to TV then use ARC or E-ARC or second output on a BD player ie Panasonic 820 for audio only into the AVR.

Check your TV can output all audio formats, if it lacks DTS support than DTS stereo, 5.1, DTS HD Master, DTS:X won't work at all.
 
Do you ever intend on building beyond a 2.0/2.1 system?

If not an AVR is a hefty and needless expense, you can get 2.1 supporting HDMI AMP's for less than £100, such as the SMSL A50 Pro.
 
Gray2233 said:
Do you ever intend on building beyond a 2.0/2.1 system?

If not an AVR is a hefty and needless expense, you can get 2.1 supporting HDMI AMP's for less than £100, such as the SMSL A50 Pro.
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yeah seems ok however does that have

Bass management
Speaker time alignment
Room EQ, with some options like Denon room EQ app customisation (ie mid range compensation cut off)
OSD/setup
HDMI inputs/outputs
E-ARC input
Multi channel decoding - downmixing
.1 LFE channel restoration (not discarded)
Lip sync adjustment
 
hornetstinger said:
yeah seems ok however does that have

Bass management
Speaker time alignment
Room EQ, with some options like Denon room EQ app customisation (ie mid range compensation cut off)
OSD/setup
HDMI inputs/outputs
E-ARC input
Multi channel decoding - downmixing
.1 LFE channel restoration (not discarded)
Lip sync adjustment
Click to expand...

It doesn't need all of that for a basic 2.0 or 2.1 set up, do you think (assuming buying new) that a £400 + entry level AVR is worth the added cost and footprint?

Absolutely not in my mind.
 
Gray2233 said:
It doesn't need all of that for a basic 2.0 or 2.1 set up, do you think (assuming buying new) that a £400 + entry level AVR is worth the added cost and footprint?

Absolutely not in my mind.
Click to expand...

Long term I think it is. Sure a cheap T/D amp will get him up and running, I've tried one at £50 and they're pretty good...but very limited.

2.0/2.1 Hifi is not the same as 2.0/2.1 for a AV system. Look at the wiim forums, people with Wiim Amp still complaining that surround decoding/mixing and LFE isn't decoded. And as I said, I compared what the PCM and DD/DTS track decoding downmixing to stereo /2.1, and latter is better. a lot more dynamic range for one, subwoofer channel tons better.

Also don't need to spend £400 on a AVR, possible a 1080p model may be ok, route devices to TV, using ARC/E-ARC.
 
Gray2233 said:
Do you ever intend on building beyond a 2.0/2.1 system?

If not an AVR is a hefty and needless expense, you can get 2.1 supporting HDMI AMP's for less than £100, such as the SMSL A50 Pro.
Click to expand...
Probably not beyond 2.1 so that’s a solid shout, thanks.

An AVR is a cheap and effective way of getting my tv connected go a speaker setup.

I have an Audio pro C10 which I tried to connect via TOSLINK and a DAC but the audio kept getting out of sync.

I’ll checkout the A50 Pro and related today.
 
JollyJamma said:
Probably not beyond 2.1 so that’s a solid shout, thanks.

An AVR is a cheap and effective way of getting my tv connected go a speaker setup.

I have an Audio pro C10 which I tried to connect via TOSLINK and a DAC but the audio kept getting out of sync.

I’ll checkout the A50 Pro and related today.
Click to expand...

Yeah you need lip sync. Modern gear have auto lip sync now I never need to adjust it. AV pre is hdmi 2.0 TV is 2.1 BD unsure Panasonic 820

But on my older gear I needed to set per source/per input delay.
 
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JollyJamma said:
what does that mean?
Click to expand...

I'm going to be frank mate, it doesn't mean much of anything in relation to your question.

Hornet is infamous for information overload (often unrelated), and suggesting massively over specified or frankly silly products.

I actually think you're over-(or mis)specifying your speakers too, the Kupid's are not bad but may I ask what exactly you're coming from prior? It will help in offering advice going forward, I did mean to respond earlier but the Christmas food coma did me in and I hoped someone else would take a look at the thread.
 
Gray2233 said:
I actually think you're over-(or mis)specifying your speakers too, the Kupid's are not bad but may I ask what exactly you're coming from prior? It will help in offering advice going forward, I did mean to respond earlier but the Christmas food coma did me in and I hoped someone else would take a look at the thread.
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No stress, I hope you had a lovely Christmas and I appreciate the reply to my thread.

My problem is that I’m ruined from years of listening to excellent Hifi thanks to my dad who has an excellent Hifi setup (and I do mean excellent, not spending £5000 on an LG prebuild, I mean like £50 000 on custom components).

What I like is good sounding 2.1 sound that I can appreciate for music and a movie.

I can hear the difference in a setup but I’m not going to go full audiophile and spend £5000 right now, maybe in 2 years time when my current job makes me a millionaire.

I don’t want floor standing speakers as moving them to a new property would be painful using my VW UP.

What I want is better than my TV bookshelf speakers but also sub £500 as I’ve just started a new job and it pays very well but I’ve only just passed my 3 month probation.

I wouldn’t mind getting the Kupids in 2 months time as I think they would work really well but I’ve also considered other bookshelf speakers that are closer to £1000.

My dad gave me a pair of Quad 9L2 speakers to use as he got them for me and they aren’t amazing but they will work for now.

Happy for suggestions based on the above.

Edit: There is a pair of ex-demo Q Acoustics 3030i at £220 that would work really well for me I think.
 
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JollyJamma said:
No stress, I hope you had a lovely Christmas and I appreciate the reply to my thread.

My problem is that I’m ruined from years of listening to excellent Hifi thanks to my dad who has an excellent Hifi setup (and I do mean excellent, not spending £5000 on an LG prebuild, I mean like £50 000 on custom components).

What I like is good sounding 2.1 sound that I can appreciate for music and a movie.

I can hear the difference in a setup but I’m not going to go full audiophile and spend £5000 right now, maybe in 2 years time when my current job makes me a millionaire.

I don’t want floor standing speakers as moving them to a new property would be painful using my VW UP.

What I want is better than my TV bookshelf speakers but also sub £500 as I’ve just started a new job and it pays very well but I’ve only just passed my 3 month probation.

I wouldn’t mind getting the Kupids in 2 months time as I think they would work really well but I’ve also considered other bookshelf speakers that are closer to £1000.

My dad gave me a pair of Quad 9L2 speakers to use as he got them for me and they aren’t amazing but they will work for now.

Happy for suggestions based on the above.

Edit: There is a pair of ex-demo Q Acoustics 3030i at £220 that would work really well for me I think.
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I can see where your past experiences might set some high expectations.

The 3030i's are good for the price, I'm personally a fan of the Wharfedale Diamond range, the 12.1's were on sale not so long ago for £180 but seem to be back up to £250.

Your best bet might be to pop along your local Richer Sounds, if you give them a ring before going in they'll probably be happy to let you demo some of the speakers you're interested in.

Monitor Audio BR2's can often be had for dirt cheap second hand, they don't require much power to shine and have a timeless quality to them. I actually picked some up in mint condition for £50-60 for a friends 2.0 TV setup a year or two ago, paired with a LEPY mini AMP for £25 and they massively punch above their weight at that price. They've never been a "premium" speaker however, just a damned good budget offering.
 
hornetstinger said:
Loads of speakers brands, I've owned 8 different speaker brands, and four subwoofer brands
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yeah and so many choices makes it tricky. Then add the number of amps and other stuff and it's all so much to process that I get lost.

I appreciate everyone's assistance on this.
 
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