2.1 or 5.1?

Richie

Richie

Richie

Soldato
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I currently use just the crap TV internal speaker and so was thinking of improving it. The layout of my room means that I am around 6-8 feet from the TV however the couch is against the wall meaning that I cannot fit speakers behind me (unless you count a couple of inches behind me)

With that in mind, would I see any benefit in getting a 5.1 setup or would a decent 2.1 (soundbar and sub) be sufficient? I am no audiophile, Just looking to get a good experience.

What would be a good setup to get for around £250-£300?

ANy help appreciated :)
 
Richie said:
I currently use just the crap TV internal speaker and so was thinking of improving it. The layout of my room means that I am around 6-8 feet from the TV however the couch is against the wall meaning that I cannot fit speakers behind me (unless you count a couple of inches behind me)

With that in mind, would I see any benefit in getting a 5.1 setup or would a decent 2.1 (soundbar and sub) be sufficient? I am no audiophile, Just looking to get a good experience.

What would be a good setup to get for around £250-£300?

ANy help appreciated :)
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I had a decent enough Sony 2.1, although the sub was a little weak. But dialogue was never particularly clear, even with dialogue enhance set to maximum. Since upgrading to a proper AVR with a dedicated centre speaker, it's completely night and day. I also get full control over the centre speaker, which I believe does about 70%+ of the heavy lifting with films etc.

So it could be worth looking at a proper AVR with 3.1 Front L/R can be used to create a phantom centre with a 2.1, but I personally prefer an actual centre speaker. If you can move your couch forward 30cm, that could be enough to have surrounds for a 5.1 setup. I couldn't go back from a 5.1 now.
 
5.1 is where it's really at.

A lot of people swear by sound bars these days, but they don't give the same depth of field.

That said whatever you choose will be a decent upgrade from the TV speaker
 
I have a similar layout and use 5.1.2 with an AVR and tannoy speaker set (and 2 in-ceiling speakers).

If you don’t have kids interfering and potentially approval of your partner, an AVR plus some good bookshelves/floor standers and maybe a centre speaker would make a huge impact I think if you’re used to TV speaker. I have a soundbar as well, I don’t like them; I think they are over-sold and always a compromise.

If you really like movies add a sub. If you really really like movies, move your sofa forward and get some surrounds. Atmos/ceiling speakers haven’t had the impact I’d hoped with content I consume to date (mostly streaming services). It’s nice sometimes but 5.1 or even 3.0 with big speakers is most of it.
 
Yeah similar here. I went from 2.0 to 4.0 and now I'm 5.0 (I will buy a sub eventually lol) but it wasn't until I had all 5 speakers with that all important centre that things improved for my. As mentioned, especially voice clarity and ability to boost the centre.

My parents recently bought the sennheiser ambeo mini soundbar and that's been quite impressive. Great sound from that thing and again ability to bump the voice which works well. On sale atm for £399.
 
Richie said:
I currently use just the crap TV internal speaker and so was thinking of improving it. The layout of my room means that I am around 6-8 feet from the TV however the couch is against the wall meaning that I cannot fit speakers behind me (unless you count a couple of inches behind me)

With that in mind, would I see any benefit in getting a 5.1 setup or would a decent 2.1 (soundbar and sub) be sufficient? I am no audiophile, Just looking to get a good experience.

What would be a good setup to get for around £250-£300?

ANy help appreciated :)
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Depends on budget, source material, room etc. Nothing stopping you getting a 2.1 system now (or stereo) and adding other speakers and subwoofer, or dedicated amplifiers later. All depends. Plus if you're more into two channel than getting a 13.4.4 system is probably OTT if you rarely watch movies

Example

1)
Stereo integrated amplifier - ideally with coaxial/optical and HDMI ARC/E-ARC input
Stereo speakers
Then add a subwoofer

1a) Add a AVR to keep the two boxes apart

2)
A AVR plus stereo speakers
Then add a subwoofer
Then add center and rears

2a) Above but you purchase the whole 5.1 (or more) system in one go

A AVR has features which is important for a video system- multiple HDMI inputs, bass management, room correction, speaker alignment, video switching

At your budget you'd be looking at stereo, second hand. I wouldn't even consider 5.1, it would probably be off the back of a transit van.

A budget 5.1 speaker system is around £500, that's without a AVR.
 
200sols said:
At that budget I'd say get a soundbar.
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Yup. A budget system is doable, like a small D amp and wharfedale 9.0 that is under £100 and will be a big upgrade over TV speakers- but your TV would need analogue line out, and I guess some may even lack those.

That'll allow you to get into it, and have a small pair of speakers that you could re-use elseware, either as rears, sides, atmos heights, or a bedroom or workshop system- if OP then decides that a full blown AVR and 5.1 speakers is worth it.

Really looking at a grand for that and that's still budget but decent enough system
 
100% Sonos beam for that setup. They’ve got great dialogue clarity and will be a decent step up.


Option to add a sub in the future.
 
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