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
 
MrRockliffe said:
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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Wouldn't touch Sonos with a 100' bargepole or give them a penny.
Plenty of other soundbar companies that don't put a big FU to their customers.

Also with Sonos gear you have to buy Sonos subwoofer, which are overpriced and under performing. Also they are own design subwoofers so you can't just use a regular subwoofer. So locks you into the Sonos Eco system

And with the crap that's been happened with Sonos, have to be nuts to buy one. They've lost 2 billion or something like that?
 
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I appreciate the info guys as its WELL outwith my wheelhouse as they say.

For the point of moving the chair forward - unfortunately this is not doable as it would put the sofa right in the middle of the room and you'd be falling over it just walking through. Newer build house and the Living Room is about 15' long and 11' wide (width is the dimension from wall behind sofa to tv wall - going other way is not really possible due to windows and doors)

I'll have a look at Soundbars with separate Sub. As a lot of you have said - it will be much better over crappy TV speakers (TV is about 6 years old LG)
 
Richie said:
I appreciate the info guys as its WELL outwith my wheelhouse as they say.

For the point of moving the chair forward - unfortunately this is not doable as it would put the sofa right in the middle of the room and you'd be falling over it just walking through. Newer build house and the Living Room is about 15' long and 11' wide (width is the dimension from wall behind sofa to tv wall - going other way is not really possible due to windows and doors)

I'll have a look at Soundbars with separate Sub. As a lot of you have said - it will be much better over crappy TV speakers (TV is about 6 years old LG)
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yeah I've had Q Acoustics soundbar for the money it's brilliant. Is it as good as my system? Nope not even close, but for the £150 much much better than flat panel speakers.Although for first system I'd get amp and regular speakers, richer sounds have Diamond 9.0, and pickup an cheap amp. £30 for a an amp.

At least those are regular speakers so can be re-used. Wiim amp is a fair bit more expensive but that has a streamer built in. That'll do 2.1

But if multiple sources, and native DD/DTS decoding is needed then get a av amp.

YOu could look for a cheap 1080p AVR, those are going for peanuts. Use ARC/E-ARC, spend rest on speakers, get the best you can for the money, cheap out on the AVR- if it lasts a couple of years that'll do.

I've seen some 1080p AVR's pretty cheap as they're now obselete.
 
hornetstinger said:
Wouldn't touch Sonos with a 100' bargepole or give them a penny.
Plenty of other soundbar companies that don't put a big FU to their customers.

Also with Sonos gear you have to buy Sonos subwoofer, which are overpriced and under performing. Also they are own design subwoofers so you can't just use a regular subwoofer. So locks you into the Sonos Eco system

And with the crap that's been happened with Sonos, have to be nuts to buy one. They've lost 2 billion or something like that?
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So company performance is illustrative of whether you should buy a good product?


The beam is great and the Gen 1 can be had for well within budget.


Standalone performance is significantly better than anything I’ve heard from Bose/Samsung/Yamaha/Philips etc



Plus it has a great ecosystem enabling future upgrade ability without the need to change anything about the system.


Case in point - the Sub Mini, which is an excellent subwoofer, not accounting for the fact they can be had for £300.
 
Sonos soundbars have the facility to act as a streamer, no? Sonos no longer works..junk

And they still have a Sonos app, no? Why support a company that has ruined experience....

Not my fault bought crap product and overpriced LOL.
 
hornetstinger said:
Sonos soundbars have the facility to act as a streamer, no? Sonos no longer works..junk

And they still have a Sonos app, no? Why support a company that has ruined experience....

Not my fault bought crap product and overpriced LOL.
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Soundbars have the ability to stream music, yes. As you evidently haven’t used one, I can assure you streaming music is still possible.


Nevertheless, it’s irrelevant for OP as he’s using it for its intended purpose - TV audio. This still works flawlessly and requires no input through the Sonos app.



I myself have moved away from Sonos, but that’s because I had requirements from the app and ecosystem have been flakey/unavailable since they decided to “commit corporate suicide”, as you put it, in addition to my use case having changed.



When I was looking, there still isn’t a feasible competitor to Sonos as an ecosystem. Even when it isn’t working properly, it’s better than anything else anyone offers.
 
Lads c'mon now, everyone has their own preference and right or choice regardless.

Apart from the Sonos, is there a couple of other ones to look at?

As I said, I am no audiophile but would like to watch things like Lord of the Rings, Expanse and the ilk with sound more immersive than the TV speakers currently, if that helps people out?

Also - my TV has Optical Out and Component connections if that also helps as well as the usual HDMI etc
 
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